Need help with removing or repairing window tinting film

[rcweston]

1998 Lumina standard 3.1 200+k.
When I purchased this car it came with tinted window in the back seat doors and the rear window. It was great and I really liked it for 10-12 years until last year when the tinting started to bubble. Now a year later the back window is so bubbled that it appears as the glass used in bathroom shower stall defusing privacy glass. It is bubbles ¾ inch to 1 ½ inch that are surrounded by1/4 inch pieces of the film that is still very well attached to the glass. It is impossible to see through it!
The bad part is that the tint film is adhered to the inside of the glass were the defrost electrical lines that go across the window, adhering to both the glass and the electrical resistant lines. One little scratch and the defrost line no longer energizes to defrost the window.
So, how can I ether fix the bubbled film or remove the tint film completely without destroying the defrost lines?
The side windows are starting to bubble now also, similar to what the back window looked like last year.
Has anyone had experience with this problem?

[maxwedge]

Google how to remove glass tint, plenty of info.

[brcidd]

My insurance company replaces glass for $4 on my premium. A glass you cannot see through is just like a shattered window IMO. Why not see if your policy will replace your rear window?

[TBirdBob]

When the 3M rear window tint began to bubble and fail on my car, I called the company that installed it to make an appointment for repair. The removal took several hours because it was critical to go slow and not damage the defroster wires. If you can rent a steamer it will help in loosening the film.

[rcweston]

thanks for the tip. I need to get something done to get rid of the film!!

[TBirdBob]

Originally Posted by rcweston

thanks for the tip. I need to get something done to get rid of the film!!

http://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Window-Tint

[clairehudson]

Hey, I’ve dealt with a very similar issue on an older Civic I owned, the rear tint had baked under the sun for over a decade and turned into a bubbled mess, just like you described. It’s especially tricky when the defrost lines are involved because one wrong move and they’re gone for good.

From my experience, trying to peel off the film manually often leaves the adhesive behind, which then becomes a nightmare. What worked best for me was using a steamer to soften both the film and the glue. Start at a corner and work slowly with a plastic scraper or even a credit card to lift it without scratching the glass or damaging the defrost lines. It’s tedious, but it beats losing the defrost altogether.

That said, if you're unsure or want to avoid the risk altogether, it might be worth having a professional handle it. I found out the hard way that a botched removal can cost more in repairs. A local shop like OC Tint Solutions could probably help remove the old tint safely and even reapply high-quality film that lasts much longer. They also offer insight into modern films that resist bubbling and are much easier to maintain.

Best of luck, old cars with baked-in tints are tough, but with the right tools or help, you can definitely restore visibility without losing your defroster!

[maxwedge]

Good advice, but this is a 9 year old inactive thread.