Removing window tint?

I'll be looking at a Mazda RX-7 Elford Turbo either this or next weekend. From the photos the car appears to be in reasonable condition, with one exception - the Essex wide-boy window tint.

Personally I don't like these tints, especially as they send a certain message to the onlookers that I'm not too keen on. So, the question is

- does anyone know if it's possible to remove the tint (a) without leaving a residue and (b) without damaging the heated rear window?

Reply to
Timo Geusch
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If it's the stick on stuff, you _may_ have some luck with a hair dryer.

If there's any residue, it would probably come off with IPA or meths & then plenty of elbow grease.

OTOH, it's black, it's on glass, and it'll absorb heat. Perhaps they've designed it to be heat resistant!

Pete.

Reply to
Pete Smith
["Followup-To:" header set to uk.rec.cars.classic.] Pete Smith was seen penning the following ode to ... whatever:

That's what I'm afraid of, plus it looks like it's a pro job so it's probably sticking to the glass rather well.

Great. That sounds like the only cure would be to replace the glass. Errk.

Reply to
Timo Geusch

Look at it this way Timo, the tint may be handy if some UKRMer happens by when you are awaiting recovery.

JB

Reply to
JB

JB was seen penning the following ode to ... whatever:

Ah yes, there's always that. Mind ewe, I've spoken to the seller this afternoon and he pointed out that the side windows were done with removable film, but the tint on the glass house appearantly isn't removeable...

Reply to
Timo Geusch

Hello,

If it's a boy racer car, walk away and look for something else. Have a look around some of the video clips on the car cruise web sites to see if it has been filmed "in action". Unless it is extremely cheap I wouldn't bother as it will cost loads to put right once it starts to fall apart. With a car like that you're always buying someone elses problems, which is probably why it is being sold!

Reply to
Ian

Removing the tints is an easy job. All you need is a hot air gun (wall paper stripper type) or at worst at hair dryer. Heat the tint up from the inside while you pull it away slowly, you'll know when you've got it right as it'll come off clean and not leave any residue. If you get impatient you can just rip it off, it'll come real easy but you'll spend a few hours with some meths or the like cleaning the sticky residure off the window.

Make sure you do it gently on the rear window if it's heated so you don't damage the element. As long as you're carefull (and patient) you shouldn't have any problems.

The pro's can remove this stuff in about 20 minutes, and don't usually charge alot to do it either, if you're really worried about it. Tho it's a waste of money imho.

Keith

Reply to
Keith O'Brien

Might even be factory applied if it's of Japanese origin. Quite a few cars for the Japanese domestic market have dark tints as standard (eg Lexus, Skyline, Legacy GTB, Supra) - although it is a film.

Rich.

Reply to
Rich Russell
["Followup-To:" header set to uk.rec.cars.classic.] Rich Russell was seen penning the following ode to ... whatever:

Definitely aftermarket - it's a UK car, plus they were rather popular with a certain type of, er, gentlemen...

Reply to
Timo Geusch

Try Halfords. They have a product to remove window film.

Reply to
me

Hi "Timo Geusch"

Standard equipment for all the pimps and dealers around my way!!!

Reply to
Steve Sweet

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