Just bought a 4runner, question about tinting on top of my front window

[Neel]

Hey guys, I just bought an 05 4runner sr5 (with a bunch of nice options, my parents helped me out for the last time and I'm gonna have to make this car last).

I love the car, and it has "privacy windows" which are pretty cool, but it also has a large thick strip of tinting at the top of the front window that I kind of want to remove. I can feel the edge of it inside, so I am fairly sure that it was applied by the previous owner (not to mention it doesn't look 100% straight, but pretty close).

I will try to take pictures soon, but from what I have described, do you guys think it can be removed, and do you think it will leave any residue or damage? Thanks.

 

[ironadrenaline]

most likelly no damage but residue will kill ya. take it to a tint shop and see how much they want to remove it. it shouldnt be much and it hsould save you a ridiculous amount of hassle. because that residue is just gross and annoying.

 

[<<<<]

Try this sites advice:
http://www.tintdude.com/remove.html

 

[Neel]

Thanks for the quick replies, advice, and link. Ill see what I can do about that, although I might try to remove it and the residue myself. Maybe not though.

Here are some pictures. sr5, v8, 4x4.





That last one kind of gives you a scale (It's a little bit longer than the remote/ring/key). That old 1990 benz behind it is the car I have driven for four years, which my sister drove for four years before that, which my dad drove for four years before that (he bought it used, two years old). It was a great car, and it still has plenty of life left in it (only 178k miles), but it won't work well for me in Ohio, where I go to school (I live in atlanta).

 

[<<<<]

Window film looks great based on your picks but windshield has sharp cut out between tint and clear. That reduces visual size of the windshield. If you like it, keep it that way. But if you ask me, I'd retain factory green that blends in smoothly. As you see removal is quiet a chore, but given time and patience it'll come out all right. Good luck.

 

[oh6SR5]

It doesn't look that bad from the pictures. I had that same tint across the top of my Mustang and when I bought the car, I thought that was going to be the first thing I removed. After driving around with it for a while, I decided to keep it because it really helped on sunny days, especially if I forgot my shades.

 

[Kirby]

peel the film off park car in sun so it heats front window up. Mix some soap and water in a spray bottle get a razor blade.

Cover your dash with a towel and have at it.

You can get some goo/gunk remover at most stores if you wish to go that route. Just be careful not to get it all over your dash.

 

[MnRunr]

nice truck-

I offer no advice on removal technique..

but if it were me and I just "kind of" wanted to remove it, I would just wait for a ding or crack when insurance will take care of replacing the entire windshield.

 

[brick privy]

peel the film off park car in sun so it heats front window up. Mix some soap and water in a spray bottle get a razor blade.

Cover your dash with a towel and have at it.

You can get some goo/gunk remover at most stores if you wish to go that route. Just be careful not to get it all over your dash.

Windex or any other cleaner with ammonia will work faster. If you deside to keep the tint, don't ever clean the window with Windex, it'll disolve the glue and the edges may peal up.