Windshield Repair Forum

I have used the search and couldnt find this addressed yet. I have a star break im going to do for a customer and it is about 3 inches from the top of the windshield and there is tint on the inside of the glass under it. it is not the factory tint that is inside and a part of the glass, its the glue on tint. I have never had to do one on top of tint and since it is very cold here right now I was wondering how to go about heating it. I use the defrost on vehicles right now but still have to heat the back of the windshield right under the break to get it up to temp. I didnt know if i should heat it another way or is my lighter going to be ok? Im assuming putting a lighter directly to that tint will melt and or shrink it. thanks.

Just let the car warm up for a lot longer or warm the glass from the outside. Any heat applied to the tint film will lift it off or melt it.

thanks, so doing this in a garage would be better as to hold the heat in?

Inside is best everytime as long as the light is good.

Don't apply heat on the inside or you will melt the tint, as mentioned. But you can use heat on the outside to birng the repair area up to temp, in addition to the car's defrost heat.

I have a tint strip like that on my work van, btw...

Having already been in the tint business for years, I can honestly tell you tint can withstand quite a bit of heat. Not direct heat like that from a lighter flame, torch or dry star but heat from a heat gun at 12"-18" away. How do you think we heat shrink film and strecth it? Maximum temps without burning are around 200-275 degrees.

To be on the safe side, I'd still suggest like others have to heat from outer side of shield.

I have heated tint with a lighter and havent had any problems but was watching it carefully, I didnt really want to but had to as a last resort.