Can you remove old, purple or bubbling tint?
Short answer
Yes. APC removes old tint, billed by the hour at the shop labor rate. The older and cheaper the tint, the longer it takes. Old, cheap dyed film is the kind that turns purple and bubbles over time.
Quick facts
| Removal | Yes, APC removes old tint |
|---|---|
| Billing | By the hour at the shop labor rate |
| Takes longest | Older, cheaper tint |
| Quoted | Separately from tint packages |
Why does old tint turn purple and bubble?
Old, cheap dyed film breaks down over time. The color fades unevenly into purple, and the film can lift and bubble.
Why does removal take longer on older tint?
Older, cheaper film tends to come off in small pieces and leave adhesive behind, and all of it has to be cleaned off before new film goes on. Removing old tint from back glass can damage the rear defroster lines; see Can you tint over rear defroster lines?.
What goes on after removal?
Once the glass is clean, new Ceramic IR window tint can be installed. See Window tint packages
How APC Auto Spa does it
APC removes old tint and bills it by the hour at the shop labor rate, quoted separately from tint packages.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I put new tint over old tint?
- Old tint is removed first so the new film goes on clean glass.
- How long does removal take?
- It depends on the tint. The older and cheaper it is, the longer it takes.
Reviewed by Heather Humphrey, co-owner of APC Auto Spa ยท Last updated October 2026
Heather leads customer education and training at APC's Tukwila and Monroe shops.