Care and Cleaning of Window Films both adhesive and non-adhesive
- Please treat your window films as you would a work of art.
- Do Not use harsh ammonia products or abrasives to clean your window films.
- A soft water dampened cloth is all you need.
Installation instructions for adhesive backed Privacy and Transparent Material and non-adhesive film
- Do not apply window film in direct sunlight during the summer.
- In winter and the temperatures are colder applying the film when the sun is on the window is ok since the sun’s intensity is less and the sun can warm the windows to a 40 degree temperature most times.
- Window surface temperatures must be above 40 degrees for the adhesive material but the static film can be installed in temperatures to -20 degrees.
- Do not rush window film installation. Take it slow and easy.
Tools Needed for Window Film Installation:
- Scissors, Xacto knife or razor blade
- Firm smooth edged squeegee or soft cloth
- You can also use your hands to apply the decal, but you are more likely to get air bubbles.
- Spray bottle of water kept handy to re-wet the window as needed
- A drop or two of liquid dish soap can be added to the water but is not recommended since sometimes adding the soap can cause problems with the adhesive film not wanting to stick properly. Use discretion please.
Tips for Window Film Installation
A liberal amount of water should be used behind the static film to make installation easier and help in removing air bubbles. Excess water will evaporate in time, generally 24-48 hours.
Window film installation may look imperfect until water fully evaporates. If installed properly no large air bubbles should remain. You may want to protect the window film surface with a piece of freezer paper or the backing paper when installing since when the window film is first received it will be more delicate until it has time to fully cure.
Removing as much of the water possible is very important especially when using the non-adhesive window film since too much water left behind the film may cause the non-adhesive/static window film to release from the window.
Unpack the film and allow the film to lay flat for 24 hours.
Step by Step Installation for Static Non-Adhesive Window Films
Clean your window with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol, available pretty much everywhere and allow the window to dry. Stay away from ammonia and other harsh chemicals since this will damage the window film.
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- Wash your hands
- If you have any concerns about the installation it may be a good idea to have someone available to help you. A second pair of hands available never hurts.
- Remove about 3″ to 12″ of backing paper by folding the liner down so it’s not in the way but still available to grab. You can also fully remove backing paper to install, whichever you feel more comfortable with.
- Mist the clean window with water. This will allow for easy repositioning and help remove large air bubbles.
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- Re-mist window and film as needed.
- Use a soft cloth or paper towel to soak up the excess water on the edges as you work.
- If you are using a generous amount of water you may want to protect the face of the window film with freezer paper or the backing paper so you don’t get any scratches.
- Position the film in window.
- Squeegee down the exposed edge of the film starting from the center and working towards the edges. Brush from the center outward using overlapping 45 degree angled strokes.
- Slowly remove the backing paper and squeegee the graphic into place using the same 45 degree angle technique as above applying to the window as you go.
- Once film is installed squeegee the whole window and film again to remove as much of the water and air bubbles as possible, squeegee from the center out at a 45 degree angle
- If you get an air bubble, you can either lift the decal enough to release the air, or if the bubbles are not too large, you can pop them with a sharp pin and squeegee the bubble toward the pin hole to squeeze out the air.
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Don’t worry if there are some small air bubbles when done, most times they are unnoticeable.
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Instructions for adhesive backed window film.
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These instructions are provided for our customers that want to install their own window decals. Tools you will need: Scissors, Xacto knife or razor blade, soft squeegee or protect the image with paper (hard squeegee will damage the print) or cover the squeegee with a soft cloth, and masking tape. You can also use your hands to apply the decal, but you are more likely to get bubbles in that case.
This material can be applied either dry or with water. Installing with water requires more time and patience, but it’s more forgiving of mistakes and you are less likely to end up with bubbles. Both methods are described below.
General Notes
- Windows should not have been treated with water repellent.
- If applying a window graphic that is not laminated, use a soft squeegee or protect the image with paper during installation to prevent damage to the printed image.
- Apply decals in the shade (no direct sunlight).
- The ideal temperature would be between 60-80 but can be installed in temperatures of 40 degrees Fahrenheit without any real problems .
- The graphic will not adhere to silicone edging or window framework.
Surface Preparation
- All surfaces should be considered dirty and must be cleaned prior to installation. Clean the area where the decals are to be applied with a household, non-ammonia based cleaner. We recommend an alcohol based cleaner or equivalent. Rinse thoroughly and dry.
- Air and window surface temperatures must be above 40 degrees.
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When installing on Plexiglass clean the glass well with denatured alcohol, not rubbing alcohol or soapy water and rinse. Denatured alcohol can be purchased anywhere they sell paint and associated products.
Applying the Adhesive Window Graphic Dry
- Position your decal in the desired location and tack into place on each end with small pieces of masking tape.
- Peel back about 2” of the release liner away from the top edge on the adhesive side of your decal.
- Cut that section of the release liner off and discard.
- Squeegee down the exposed edge of the decal starting from the center and working towards the edges. Let the squeegee cause the contact with the mounting surface and brush from the center outward using overlapping 45 degree angled strokes.
- Flip the graphic up, or have an assistant hold it up and start to peel back the remaining release liner.
- Pull back a few inches of the release liner at a time and squeegee the graphic into place using the same technique as above.
- If you get an air bubble, you can either lift the decal enough to release the air, or if the bubbles are not too large, you can pop them with a pin and squeegee the bubble toward the pin hole to squeeze out the air.
- Once the entire decal is applied, squeegee the entire decal once more to ensure a firm bond with the surface.
Applying the Adhesive Window Decal with Water
The privacy adhesive material has a water soluble adhesive so use water sparingly so as not to dissolve the adhesive otherwise the film will not stick and stay in place.
Getting out as much water from behind the film is crucial/ essential since water left behind can and will cause problems.
- Spray the window surface with water. This will allow you to move the window graphic around some during installation and smooth out any bubbles.
- If you are installing a smaller window decal, you can peel the decal off the release liner and spray the back with water. For larger graphics, you will need to peel back a few inches of the release liner at the top to expose a section of the graphic and spray that section with water.
- Take care not to touch the adhesive surface any more than necessary to prevent oils from your hands from getting on the adhesive, which can keep it from sticking.
- Place top edge of the graphic into place. If it is not level or needs to be moved, reapply water to the window surface.
- Using a rubber squeegee, or another type of soft squeegee, slowly squeegee out the air and water going down the graphic in 45 degree strokes, working from the center out. Use paper towels or a soft cloth to soak up the water as it’s squeezed out from between the window and the graphic. Be sure your squeegee does not have any sharp edges or irregularities or it may damage the graphic. You can cover your squeegee with a soft cloth to keep it from causing any damage.
- If you are installing a larger graphic, lift the bottom of the graphic so you can reach the paper backing from behind and either pull it off completely, or for very large graphics, just pull back a few feet at time and spray the back with more water. It may help to have an extra pair of hands to help hold the graphic in place during this step so you don’t pull it loose from the window while removing the backing.
- Continue to squeegee out the water and any bubbles until no more water is being removed.
- Over the next several hours, any remaining moisture will evaporate and leave a clean installation.
- This adhesive product can be removed fairly easily but may not be able to be reused after film has been set well.
- There maybe some white discoloration but this will go away after about 48 hours.
