Tint removal?

[JF1980]

I'm going to take a look at a car tomorrow.  Spec sheet shows it as having factory sun protection glass however it looks to me like it also has an aftermarket tint.  I haven't seen any factory glass this dark before.

If it is aftermarket - can this be removed without a trace and/or any damage to the original tint provided by the factory tint?

[chubbs]

If it's aftermarket tint film, it's removable. You won't damage any factory tint, because factory tinted glass isn't a film, it's dyed glass. If you look at the top inside edge of the glass you should be able to see the edge of any tinting film, where it was cut to fit the glass (and will have shrunk very slightly during the drying process).

You'll find several removal guides on youtube.

One thing I'd say is that the fitting of aftermarket tinting film, if done properly, will have involved the removal of the door cards, to fit the film beyond the rubber door seals, so you may wish to do the same, to get rid of all the tint, even the stuff you can't see. This is probably an optional step for some people!

[bluestreak56]

Looks aftermarket to me too as you say factory tint is far more subtle than that.

[chubbs]

Bear in mind that the front brake pads are wearing thin, unless they've been done since Christmas.

[JF1980]

You've seen this car before then?

[chubbs]

[quote="JF1980"]
You've seen this car before then?
[/quote]

No. Your pic shows the registration number, so I did a simple DVLA search - I'm a natural cheat

The last MOT showed advisories for the front brake pads.

[Richard137]

How much would a tint show charge to remove the tint from my rear window as i found a small tear in the top corner? Thank you. :blink:

[JF1980]

Look on youtube - seems quite easy to remove if you have a wallpaper steamer

[Richard137]

[quote="JF1980"]
Look on youtube - seems quite easy to remove if you have a wallpaper steamer
[/quote]

My concerns are with the heater elements in the rear glass.  :'(

[JF1980]

Yeah I had that concern too.

[Sanj]

Hair dryer to the film will see it ease the glue off better. Is it being removed because it's too dark? Or you just don't like it?

[Richard137]

[quote="Sanj"]
Hair dryer to the film will see it ease the glue off better. Is it being removed because it's too dark? Or you just don't like it?
[/quote]

It needs removing (then replacing) because the plonka who said he could fit a reverse camera decided to use a screwdriver and slipped, which made a small tear in the tint. Its not noticeable, but i know its there!
Local tint guy has quoted £60 for removing & retinting, which i dont think is too bad.  :noexpression:

[Abbot26]

£60 sounds fair enough to me, that tint is very dark though

[Huxsta]

I looked at that x5. In my opinion ,aftermarket tints, wheels have been powder coated black in a sand storm by a child!!!!!!! I did think the soft close doors was a nice touch, albeit not mentioned anywhere on the itinerary!! Damage to rear bumper and "only" 40000 odd miles told me this wasn't very well looked after by previous owner.

[JF1980]

[quote="Huxsta"]
I looked at that x5. In my opinion ,aftermarket tints, wheels have been powder coated black in a sand storm by a child!!!!!!! I did think the soft close doors was a nice touch, albeit not mentioned anywhere on the itinerary!! Damage to rear bumper and "only" 40000 odd miles told me this wasn't very well looked after by previous owner.
[/quote]

Yep had the same opinion.  I would have had to remove the tint and change the wheels.  Wife liked the soft close doors but to me they are just something I don't need that will eventually break and cost a bunch to fix.  Rear bumper gave me the same impression of how the pervious owner treated the car.  Leather on the drivers door card was quite heavily worn for a 40k mile car.