ukmastermind

I just noticed the rear window on the i35 has a lot of lines/ dot matrix near the top.
Are there any potential issues with tinting this area ?

Tint: Xpel Prime XR Ceramic Black

JaVq35hr

I don't believe there would be an issue. To my knowledge those lines are for the rear defroster as well as the antenna for fm radio

Theslaking

Zero issues. Ceramic really can hurt cell/gps signals though. Just a rear window won't be an issue.

ukmastermind

They're above the defrost lines, so maybe antenna I'm guessing? Thanks for the input.

User1

I have a dilemma regarding the dots and lines and tint:

REMOVING THE OLD ADHESIVE!

I am serious! One of the first things I did when I bought my car was strip the old tint. The only reason I have yet to re-tint the vehicle is that I cannot, for the life of me, after using multiple attacks, remove the old adhesive from the back glass. The film itself lifted and was removed by steam, however the majority of the adhesive remained. I am at a complete loss here and have been since I pulled the tint. I have even considered keeping my eyes open for a non-tinted back glass from a yard but man, what a PITA to have to replace glass just because of a chemical adhesive! An option also would be to just razor-blade the entire window, as I will never need the antenna and this car will probably never leave Florida where I will never use the defroster.

I didn't think this thread would go much further, but it is established and has had some views. Was hoping someone would chime in with their adhesive removal success story! I really want tint on this car! I have a carbon-ceramic film and shop all lined up to do it ($600 total) but can't schedule the job until I figure this out!

Theslaking

Goof off or 3m adhesive remover. New glass.

ukmastermind

Paint Thinner has worked magic on some of the stickiest sticky's.

fd3rew

The same soapy water that you use to tint the window is what will remove the adhesive glue thats left after peeling off the color layer of tint. Soapy water will soften the glue, and a white or pink scotch pad from the supermarket....I forgot which one but it is the lightest duty one. Spray the window with the dish washing detergent mixture and then gently scrub the lines using the white scotch pad in the direction of the defroster line. you can always test in a area without the lines first or test it on the ends of an antenna line. This is after scraping of as much of the glue as possible using a razor blade in the areas without lines using soapy water

User1

Thanks for the tips, guys! I tried lacquer thinner with no result. I bought goo gone but not goof off. I've used that stuff before so I'll give it a try. Had no idea dish soap suds would help. I'll give that a shot too. The adhesive is almost a complete sheet covering the entire glass. Man, I really don't want to pull this thing. I'll razor blade the whole thing, lines, dots and all before I do that. I fear impending leakage with replaced glass. I might consider replacement after my subwoofer has had a couple months to take apart my car. We'll see how bad it gets.

fd3rew

The dish soap mix will soften the adhesive and basically provide a lubricant for the razor to lift off all glue on the clear glass and dots area. Think of it as shaving cream for your razor. When you have most of it off, you can hit the defroster lines with dish soap water and gently run the white/pink supermarket scotch pad along the lines. Practice on the ends of the antenna lines so you know how hard you can scrub with out screwing anything up.

User1

Interesting. I'll give it a go tomorrow. Thanks!

fd3rew

Just be sure to use the white/pink scotch scrub pads or what ever is the softest or lightest duty pads and not the blue(medium) or green(heavy duty) pads.

ukmastermind

Upon further inspection, the top 3+ inches of my rear window is pure Dot Matrix, not thick lines as I thought before. Can this be tinted over?

Donkeypunch

does using the defroster **** it up?
those lines can get pretty hot i think.

User1

Mine was tinted over and looked fine. Lots of cars with tint over that stuff. Also a big reason why removal is such a pita for me. Haven't had time to attack it yet. I'll get on in soon with the above suggestions.

User1

It never bothered any of my rear windows in Colorado.

ukmastermind

Thanks. I might just be over thinking this.

User1

I do the same thing bro, just ask child.