Windows tint removal can damage defrost at the back ?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 84
Likes: 7
C230 02, gl320 09, e550 convertible 14
Windows tint removal can damage defrost at the back ?
I was told if they have to removes windows tints on the back of my cls550 2013 it will damage the defrost !!
is it true ?
Is there a safer way to do it without damaging the defrost lines ?
is it true ?
Is there a safer way to do it without damaging the defrost lines ?
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 744
Likes: 144
From: Bay Area
W218 Stage 2, E85
I was told that the shops use the steamer to remove the tint and it comes off easily without leaving any (or very little) residue on the window.
So I removed mine with a heat gun and slowly pulling on the film. It was kind of pain in the butt when I got to the bottom near the rear parking sensor and the corners. I was not able to remove it entirely, so I went to the tint place hoping they can help me remove the remaining stuff, but they quoted me about $250 for the cleaning. I didn't wanted to pay that price, so the guy told me to have it removed from elsewhere wherever you can get a cheaper price. But I asked for ideas if I want to remove it myself, bc the deeper you go into the window, the harder it gets. So he was nice enough to give me a few tips and the Glass scratch free scrub pad. He told me to use ammonia based Windex and that scrub pad and to gently (not too much pressure) on the window. Too much pressure will harm the defrost lines. Doesn't matter which direction you use it...but they will tell you to use it horizontally.
It did take me a while to get it clean. Got to have patience. He told me the steamer works very well, but I didn't had the access to it, so I went ahead and used the heat gun. I got it done, but took some elbow grease and patience.
I think you will scratch the glass or the defrost lines if you use the wrong scrubbing pad. Just make sure it's for glass and scratch free one. And if you use something without Ammonia, it might not remove the residue as efficiently.
So I removed mine with a heat gun and slowly pulling on the film. It was kind of pain in the butt when I got to the bottom near the rear parking sensor and the corners. I was not able to remove it entirely, so I went to the tint place hoping they can help me remove the remaining stuff, but they quoted me about $250 for the cleaning. I didn't wanted to pay that price, so the guy told me to have it removed from elsewhere wherever you can get a cheaper price. But I asked for ideas if I want to remove it myself, bc the deeper you go into the window, the harder it gets. So he was nice enough to give me a few tips and the Glass scratch free scrub pad. He told me to use ammonia based Windex and that scrub pad and to gently (not too much pressure) on the window. Too much pressure will harm the defrost lines. Doesn't matter which direction you use it...but they will tell you to use it horizontally.
It did take me a while to get it clean. Got to have patience. He told me the steamer works very well, but I didn't had the access to it, so I went ahead and used the heat gun. I got it done, but took some elbow grease and patience.
I think you will scratch the glass or the defrost lines if you use the wrong scrubbing pad. Just make sure it's for glass and scratch free one. And if you use something without Ammonia, it might not remove the residue as efficiently.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 84
Likes: 7
C230 02, gl320 09, e550 convertible 14
I was told that the shops use the steamer to remove the tint and it comes off easily without leaving any (or very little) residue on the window.
So I removed mine with a heat gun and slowly pulling on the film. It was kind of pain in the butt when I got to the bottom near the rear parking sensor and the corners. I was not able to remove it entirely, so I went to the tint place hoping they can help me remove the remaining stuff, but they quoted me about $250 for the cleaning. I didn't wanted to pay that price, so the guy told me to have it removed from elsewhere wherever you can get a cheaper price. But I asked for ideas if I want to remove it myself, bc the deeper you go into the window, the harder it gets. So he was nice enough to give me a few tips and the Glass scratch free scrub pad. He told me to use ammonia based Windex and that scrub pad and to gently (not too much pressure) on the window. Too much pressure will harm the defrost lines. Doesn't matter which direction you use it...but they will tell you to use it horizontally.
It did take me a while to get it clean. Got to have patience. He told me the steamer works very well, but I didn't had the access to it, so I went ahead and used the heat gun. I got it done, but took some elbow grease and patience.
I think you will scratch the glass or the defrost lines if you use the wrong scrubbing pad. Just make sure it's for glass and scratch free one. And if you use something without Ammonia, it might not remove the residue as efficiently.
So I removed mine with a heat gun and slowly pulling on the film. It was kind of pain in the butt when I got to the bottom near the rear parking sensor and the corners. I was not able to remove it entirely, so I went to the tint place hoping they can help me remove the remaining stuff, but they quoted me about $250 for the cleaning. I didn't wanted to pay that price, so the guy told me to have it removed from elsewhere wherever you can get a cheaper price. But I asked for ideas if I want to remove it myself, bc the deeper you go into the window, the harder it gets. So he was nice enough to give me a few tips and the Glass scratch free scrub pad. He told me to use ammonia based Windex and that scrub pad and to gently (not too much pressure) on the window. Too much pressure will harm the defrost lines. Doesn't matter which direction you use it...but they will tell you to use it horizontally.
It did take me a while to get it clean. Got to have patience. He told me the steamer works very well, but I didn't had the access to it, so I went ahead and used the heat gun. I got it done, but took some elbow grease and patience.
I think you will scratch the glass or the defrost lines if you use the wrong scrubbing pad. Just make sure it's for glass and scratch free one. And if you use something without Ammonia, it might not remove the residue as efficiently.
ill give it a try
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 744
Likes: 144
From: Bay Area
W218 Stage 2, E85
of course.
if you are going to use heat gun, be careful. Don't hover the heat in one area for too long because it will crumble up and harden the tint and will break and you'll have to start pulling it from the edge thing again. I don't know how great the steamer works, i guess you can rent it for a day and give it a try.
I bought a new heat gun from harbor freight for $10 lol.
Just be mindful about the heat application. And have patience. The edges and behind the 3rd brake light is hard to reach. Those tested my patience a few times lol. I gave up and didn't touch it for 2 weeks and then went back to it haha.
if you are going to use heat gun, be careful. Don't hover the heat in one area for too long because it will crumble up and harden the tint and will break and you'll have to start pulling it from the edge thing again. I don't know how great the steamer works, i guess you can rent it for a day and give it a try.
I bought a new heat gun from harbor freight for $10 lol.
Just be mindful about the heat application. And have patience. The edges and behind the 3rd brake light is hard to reach. Those tested my patience a few times lol. I gave up and didn't touch it for 2 weeks and then went back to it haha.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 744
Likes: 144
From: Bay Area
W218 Stage 2, E85
Oh, and I used an 18-inch ruler with the scrubbing pad to reach the corners and behind the 3rd brake light. Also, with the heat gun, small particles of the tint might be left behind. You might have to look at the window from diff angles to find those. So I used an Exacto knife, very...very gently and carefully, to remove those things. Bc that knife is sharp enough to scratch the glass and damage the defrost lines.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 352
Likes: 12
From: Worcester, MA
15' CLS400
Bought my 15' CLS two years ago.. Didn't realize it had gone through a state where they had to remove the tint a previous owner had put on.. my defogger lines are broken in multiple areas (some missing 4-6" sections). Be careful! I even tried to use some metallic defogger fix paint bought on amazon which didn't really help.
Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 93
Likes: 3
2010 E550 4Matic sold, 2015 CLS 550 sold, 2016 CLS 550
I bought mine new and the dealer tinted back window. They said they would professionally remove the tint. Whole window had to be replaced...the messed it up big time.
