# How to safely remove window tint residue from windows? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [August 15, 2025, 8:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-safely-remove-window-tint-residue-from-windows/201486 "2025-08-15T20:22:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Clueless33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dbc845/32.png) [@Clueless33](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Clueless33)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2025, 8:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-safely-remove-window-tint-residue-from-windows/201486/1 "2025-08-15T20:22:14Z")
My car was returned to me today with crazy residue on the windows. This caused the windows to jam and stuck when scrolling up/down. I mentioned this to the shop and they seem to fix the jamming; however, the windows, after the tint was removed, crazy amount of residue remains. Would nail polish remover be safe to use as a solution ? Should I demand the shop to fix this ? ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2025, 8:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-safely-remove-window-tint-residue-from-windows/201486/2 "2025-08-15T20:32:08Z")
Ammonia will remove it. That is how commercial window tinters remove tint. WD40 will also remove it but then you have that mess to clean up. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2025, 8:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-safely-remove-window-tint-residue-from-windows/201486/3 "2025-08-15T20:34:16Z")
I use brake parts cleaner to remove glues/adhesives from surfaces. Tester ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2025, 8:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-safely-remove-window-tint-residue-from-windows/201486/4 "2025-08-15T20:50:56Z")
There are hundreds of videos showing ways to remove the tint adhesive. Find one that looks like one you can do. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2025, 11:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-safely-remove-window-tint-residue-from-windows/201486/5 "2025-08-15T23:21:38Z")
> [@Clueless33](#): > > Should I demand the shop to fix this ? How much did they charge you for lousy work? ---
**Author:** ![Clueless33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dbc845/32.png) [@Clueless33](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Clueless33)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2025, 11:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-safely-remove-window-tint-residue-from-windows/201486/6 "2025-08-15T23:25:19Z")
$280. It’s ridiculous. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2025, 12:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-safely-remove-window-tint-residue-from-windows/201486/7 "2025-08-16T00:47:29Z")
Is the tint shop expecting you to return after inspection next week for new tint? Is that the routine you followed in the past? ---
**Author:** ![Clueless33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dbc845/32.png) [@Clueless33](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Clueless33)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2025, 1:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-safely-remove-window-tint-residue-from-windows/201486/8 "2025-08-16T01:12:05Z")
It’s a different shop from the tint shop. The tint shop no longer does tint due to the law cracking down on tints. I contacted the shop that removed my tint and they told me to bring back the car. So let’s see. ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2025, 4:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-safely-remove-window-tint-residue-from-windows/201486/9 "2025-08-16T16:56:24Z")
I would think there are still some shops that are able to tint your widows and be in compliance with the law. The last time I had windows tinted, the shop placed a compliance sticker on the door jam. ---
**Author:** ![Clueless33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dbc845/32.png) [@Clueless33](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Clueless33)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2025, 4:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-safely-remove-window-tint-residue-from-windows/201486/10 "2025-08-16T16:59:33Z")
Sadly, only above 70% is legal, which is identical to stock windows. Not worth it. NY is a pain in the rear. ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2025, 5:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-safely-remove-window-tint-residue-from-windows/201486/11 "2025-08-16T17:26:39Z")
wow, Lexus must really tint their windows. My **guess** , my factory tint transmits 90 %. ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2025, 7:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-safely-remove-window-tint-residue-from-windows/201486/12 "2025-08-17T07:57:47Z")
Wouldn’t wrap around sunglasses accomplish provide the tint you want for your eyes? Some of your previous posts seem to show a problem seeing things in time (Like seeing a stopped school bus in tome around a curve). Could it be caused by the combo of your tint and extreme sensitivity to light? I understand that the tint helps you see better in sunlight. I just wonder if it is good enough. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2025, 12:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-safely-remove-window-tint-residue-from-windows/201486/13 "2025-08-17T12:41:22Z")
When I wore contact lenses, I wore wraparound sun glasses. They worked very well. If I get lens replacement surgery, I’ll pull those old sunnies out and use them again. ---
**Author:** ![Clueless33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dbc845/32.png) [@Clueless33](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Clueless33)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2025, 6:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-safely-remove-window-tint-residue-from-windows/201486/14 "2025-08-17T18:12:39Z")
> [@oldtimer-11](#): > > Some of your previous posts seem to show a problem seeing things in time (Like seeing a stopped school bus in tome around a curve) I see lights, such as stop lights, much better with tinted windows than there is no tint. Yes, light sensitivity causes that. I’m easily blinded by the sun, especially from the sides, as the front sun visor is often used during day time driving. The railroad gate flashing lights on that day I recalled the sun shining directly into my eyes despite having tints and I was wearing sun glasses I didn’t see any lights More people did complain about that particular railroad gate and the city installed new and updated lights, which are now very visible and impossible to not see the lights. So this wasn’t a “my problem “ issue It was the city’s carelessness. Remember I had trouble stopping for a school bus on a hill and around a curve. I still believe such was impossible to avoid Very bad spot for a school bus to let children off The school bus I ran could not be seen as a result of a huge truck blocking my view The court threw the case out. Still, I see so much better and clearer with tints on the car, and I prefer night time driving over daytime. Also, at nights, and without tints on my rav4, the lights from incoming traffic, traffic approaching from the side of my SUV, are murderous. ---
**Author:** ![Clueless33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dbc845/32.png) [@Clueless33](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Clueless33)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2025, 6:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-safely-remove-window-tint-residue-from-windows/201486/15 "2025-08-17T18:26:22Z")
One other thing: When I had the tints on my car, and stopped at a stop light, no one stares at me or looks at my car’s interior. People keep their heads on the road. However, with the rav4 having no tints, I caught people staring numerous times. Like damnit, who likes being stared at! ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2025, 10:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-safely-remove-window-tint-residue-from-windows/201486/16 "2025-08-19T10:39:05Z")
Celebrities ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2025, 1:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-safely-remove-window-tint-residue-from-windows/201486/17 "2025-08-23T13:52:42Z")
> [@Clueless33](#): > > I caught people staring numerous times. Those people who were staring at you… Are they in the room with us now? 😉 ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/9/3/9351678068aa2e72e46e1a8ef94a21ff6e01fe61.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Clueless33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dbc845/32.png) [@Clueless33](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Clueless33)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2025, 7:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-safely-remove-window-tint-residue-from-windows/201486/18 "2025-08-23T19:16:38Z")
Oh, I wanted to share this. On Tuesday, a family remember drove me to my doctor appointment and we rode in the Lexus without the tints. I had my prescription glasses on and a sunshade clip-on over the prescription glasses. I was playing around to see how well my eyes would tolerate the bright sunlight without the tint. Then the driver needed to make a left turn onto another street and we waited for traffic to permit us. While waiting, I looked to the left ( through the drivers window ) to watch out for traffic, and, oh boy, the raw sunlight prevented me from seeing anything. “ Can you see through the sunlight ?” I asked the driver. “ Yea but it’s difficult for sure, “ the relative answered. As we went on driving I could feel the skin on my cheek starting to burn and my eyes starting to become dry. Needless to say, we went to the DMV for the tint exception form and now waiting for my next doctor appointment for them to request tinted window exception for me. ---
**Author:** ![It\_s-Me](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/it_s-me/32/12660_2.png) [@It\_s-Me](https://community.cartalk.com/u/It_s-Me)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2025, 8:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-safely-remove-window-tint-residue-from-windows/201486/19 "2025-08-23T20:41:56Z")
> [@Clueless33](#): > > went to the DMV for the tint exception form and now waiting for my next doctor appointment for them to request tinted window exception for me. Doesn’t make any sense to get your exemption now, It’s something you’ll have to do every year. If you can’t drive for a year, why get it now? ---
**Author:** ![Clueless33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dbc845/32.png) [@Clueless33](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Clueless33)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2025, 9:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-safely-remove-window-tint-residue-from-windows/201486/20 "2025-08-23T21:19:14Z")
> [@It\_s-Me](#): > > Doesn’t make any sense to get your exemption now, It’s something you’ll have to do every year. > > If you can’t drive for a year, why get it now? Are you saying I would need to get exception renewed every year ? [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-to-safely-remove-window-tint-residue-from-windows/201486.md?page=2)