Just wondering if it's possible to cleanly remove tint from a defroster laden hatch without destroying the strips, or if I should just leave it be? It's not uber-dark or in bad shape, but I sorta think black FD's look better without, that way the windows contrast more with the body or whatever. If it's a royal pain I may opt to leave it be though.

 

I think you may be better off leaving it. Your best bet would probably be a heat gun. I have used a heat gun to remove tint numerous times in the past with the most success. You will probably still damage a few of the strips, but it wont be as bad as just taking a razor to it. Just make sure you get up both layers at the same time. The layer that sticks to the glass is very very difficult to remove, but it you can get them both up when you start, just follow it with the heat gun and you shouldn't have any problems. Another idea would be to take it to a tint shop.

 

this is how I remove tint
after u get a small peel going, be sure to steam inside between the film and window for best results
guy in the video is a making a bit of a mess but you want to go from top to bottom if possible
I have a fabric steamer ive used about twice I can sell you for 25$ if you dont have one
or you can pick one up at target for like 35$


http://youtu.be/d5829J-pusY

 

Sweet.. does it really work that well on old tint/defroster strips etc? I have a feeling this has been in for the last 10y+.

 

http://www.tintdude.com/remove.html

 

best way is with a steam machine, frien of my did my at his shop, took him like 30 minutes.

 

I have removed my tints and killed a few strips but most of them are still ok and they work fine. I am wondering if it has anything to do with the quality and age of the tins as the previous owner used cheap black tints which turned purple with age.

There is a product like this, but I haven't used it:
http://www.moatdirect.co.uk/rear-win...cuit-860-p.asp

 

I used a steamer to remove the rear tint. It was more time consuming than the front windows but it all came off fine and no strips were damaged.