Can sunfilm be removed, and then reapplied?

saurabhkum · 26th November 2011, 11:28

Hi,
I've my OHC Vtec with 3M CR70 film installed in the front. Last night something fell and the front windscreen is damaged

. I'm giving the car to windshield experts for replacement of windshield. Is there any chance that the old film can be removed and applied to the new windscreen? The reason why I'm checking this is that I don't want to waste the money spent on film.

Experts pls advice.

mayankjha1806 · 26th November 2011, 11:32

When i replaced my Windshield after it developed a crack and wanted to see if i can reuse the film that i had put earlier. The SA mentioned that it is not possible as while taking the old one out if would get torn and would be difficult to put back. I am running the new windshield without any film as i no longer feel the need for it.

Akshay1234 · 26th November 2011, 11:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by saurabhkum

Hi,
I've my OHC Vtec with 3M CR70 film installed in the front. Last night something fell and the front windscreen is damaged

. I'm giving the car to windshield experts for replacement of windshield. Is there any chance that the old film can be removed and applied to the new windscreen? The reason why I'm checking this is that I don't want to waste the money spent on film.

Experts pls advice.

No its not possible since the old films adhesive will come off as soon as it is taken off the glass.

dhanushs · 26th November 2011, 11:35

I don't think any film can be removed and reinstalled. Air bubbles and dust would be unavoidable.

Especially on the front windshield, where visibility matters so much, I would advise not to.

libranof1987 · 26th November 2011, 11:36

The film once removed will lose it's glue-surface.

Even if you manage to re-paste it to the new windscreen, which itself is highly improbable, visibility will be impaired.

Just go for a new film.

piyush78 · 26th November 2011, 23:18

can the sunfilm be removed from rear windscreen with the defogger on it ?? will the defogger be damaged in the process? Kindly advise...

esteem_lover · 26th November 2011, 23:50

Any sticker once you pull out will lose it's stickiness and leave a trail, why risk it in your car ??? It can NEVER be done. FULL STOP.

dhanushs · 27th November 2011, 00:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by piyush78

can the sunfilm be removed from rear windscreen with the defogger on it ?? will the defogger be damaged in the process? Kindly advise...

Yes, the sunfilm can be removed from the rear windshield with a defogger on it. It cannot be reinstalled. You'll have to put in a new film.

Akshay1234 · 27th November 2011, 02:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by piyush78

can the sunfilm be removed from rear windscreen with the defogger on it ?? will the defogger be damaged in the process? Kindly advise...

There is a very high chance the defogger will get damaged. It all depends on luck.

desideep · 27th November 2011, 05:17

There are chemicals that you can use to remove the sticky substance left by the film on the defoger glass.

piyush78 · 27th November 2011, 20:20

Actually the film is about 4 years old & has developed a few bubbles on one side near the top & hence planned to remove the old one & install a new one. Hence the Query about damage to rear defogger while removing the film.??

dhanushs · 27th November 2011, 21:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by piyush78

Hence the Query about damage to rear defogger while removing the film.??

Piyush, go to an experienced installer. You should be able to remove it without any fuss. I have seen umpteen number of vehicles with defogger getting darker/lighter sunfilms.

The thing is DONT allow him to use blade on the defogger to remove the gum. New guys usually do that. On the defogger, use a cloth lightly dipped in kerosene and rub gently. Infact, you, yourself can remove the film. The only thing you need is LOT of patience and time.

Dr.Vikas · 28th November 2011, 11:55

@ Saurabhkum, One cannot remove the Sun film INTACT from the windshield once installed.. No question arises of reusing it in any manner.. The discussion about Glue/ Stickiness etc. has mo meaning at all!
BTW, one can claim for the Insurance of the windshield & also get it done for little expenses.. I had done it in the past for my WR..

watashi75 · 28th November 2011, 13:44

It is actually possible to remove the sun film intact, provided you are careful and patient. I have done it myself as a DIY. The film does not tear easily and it is very easy to wipe off the glue residue. You can just use nail polish remover or any ammonia based solvent. However I don't recommend that you re-use it on the new windshield.

The main reason I decided to remove the sun film from my windshield was that there were some imperfections that were not observable during day but at night oncoming traffic used to dazzle my eyes. So it is very important that the job is done properly. If you re-apply the same film there are more chances that these imperfections will creep in.

26th November 2011, 11:28	#1
saurabhkum BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 479 Thanked: 115 Times	Can sunfilm be removed, and then reapplied? Hi, I've my OHC Vtec with 3M CR70 film installed in the front. Last night something fell and the front windscreen is damaged . I'm giving the car to windshield experts for replacement of windshield. Is there any chance that the old film can be removed and applied to the new windscreen? The reason why I'm checking this is that I don't want to waste the money spent on film. Experts pls advice.
	() Thanks

26th November 2011, 11:32	#2
mayankjha1806 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,160 Thanked: 978 Times View My Garage	Re: Can the Front windscreen film removed and re-applied? When i replaced my Windshield after it developed a crack and wanted to see if i can reuse the film that i had put earlier. The SA mentioned that it is not possible as while taking the old one out if would get torn and would be difficult to put back. I am running the new windshield without any film as i no longer feel the need for it.
	() Thanks

26th November 2011, 11:35	#4
dhanushs Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 4,282 Thanked: 10,181 Times	Re: Can the Front windscreen film removed and re-applied? I don't think any film can be removed and reinstalled. Air bubbles and dust would be unavoidable. Especially on the front windshield, where visibility matters so much, I would advise not to.
	(1) Thanks

26th November 2011, 11:36	#5
libranof1987 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: All over! Posts: 7,618 Thanked: 18,347 Times	Re: Can the Front windscreen film removed and re-applied? The film once removed will lose it's glue-surface. Even if you manage to re-paste it to the new windscreen, which itself is highly improbable, visibility will be impaired. Just go for a new film.
	() Thanks

26th November 2011, 23:18	#6
piyush78 BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: New Delhi Posts: 117 Thanked: 10 Times	Re: Can sunfilm be removed, and then reapplied? can the sunfilm be removed from rear windscreen with the defogger on it ?? will the defogger be damaged in the process? Kindly advise...
	() Thanks

26th November 2011, 23:50	#7
esteem_lover Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Madras/Py Posts: 7,556 Thanked: 502 Times View My Garage	Re: Can sunfilm be removed, and then reapplied? Any sticker once you pull out will lose it's stickiness and leave a trail, why risk it in your car ??? It can NEVER be done. FULL STOP.
	() Thanks

27th November 2011, 05:17	#10
desideep Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Adelaide Posts: 1,159 Thanked: 318 Times View My Garage	Re: Can sunfilm be removed, and then reapplied? There are chemicals that you can use to remove the sticky substance left by the film on the defoger glass.
	() Thanks

27th November 2011, 20:20	#11
piyush78 BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: New Delhi Posts: 117 Thanked: 10 Times	Re: Can sunfilm be removed, and then reapplied? Actually the film is about 4 years old & has developed a few bubbles on one side near the top & hence planned to remove the old one & install a new one. Hence the Query about damage to rear defogger while removing the film.??
	() Thanks

28th November 2011, 11:55	#13
Dr.Vikas BHPian Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Sangli Posts: 295 Thanked: 507 Times View My Garage	Re: Can sunfilm be removed, and then reapplied? @ Saurabhkum, One cannot remove the Sun film INTACT from the windshield once installed.. No question arises of reusing it in any manner.. The discussion about Glue/ Stickiness etc. has mo meaning at all! BTW, one can claim for the Insurance of the windshield & also get it done for little expenses.. I had done it in the past for my WR.. Last edited by Dr.Vikas : 28th November 2011 at 11:56.
	() Thanks

28th November 2011, 13:44	#14
watashi75 BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 518 Thanked: 12 Times	Re: Can sunfilm be removed, and then reapplied? It is actually possible to remove the sun film intact, provided you are careful and patient. I have done it myself as a DIY. The film does not tear easily and it is very easy to wipe off the glue residue. You can just use nail polish remover or any ammonia based solvent. However I don't recommend that you re-use it on the new windshield. The main reason I decided to remove the sun film from my windshield was that there were some imperfections that were not observable during day but at night oncoming traffic used to dazzle my eyes. So it is very important that the job is done properly. If you re-apply the same film there are more chances that these imperfections will creep in.
	() Thanks