When applying window film, begin by spraying its adhesive side directly onto the glass surface. It helps if someone else takes on this responsibility so that you can ensure no dust or dirt particles land on it before installation. Choose the best window film singapore.
Start applying the film at the top corners, creating a smooth factory edge to line up with the top of the window.
Wet the Glass
When installing window film, the glass and film must become wet before applying glue-backed films. This helps prevent the glue from sticking immediately to the glass surface and eases pushing out air bubbles more effectively. To do so, spray generously with either window film-specific liquid or water with some dishwashing liquid added. Besides acting as a lubricant for the squeegee blade and helping prevent scratching or bubbling of glass surfaces.
Squeegeeing should always be performed from a high angle to prevent scratching of glass or film surfaces. Once glass surfaces have been sufficiently wetted down, place window film onto it before using either a squeegee or plastic credit card to smooth out all air bubbles on it from one corner to the other – remarkably textured films may require additional pressure compared to standard applications of window films.
Next, spray the adhesive side of the liner, backing your window film with a slip solution. Two people should collaborate when separating this lining; one could hold the spray bottle while the other peeled it away. After this step, wet all its adhesive surfaces with the slip solution again.
Once the film is wet, carefully position it onto the glass surface and smooth out any large air bubbles with your hand. After everything is in place, squeeze the film again to remove all excess water and air.
If there are any remaining bubbles, use a needle to puncture them and allow the air to escape through their holes. When finished, squeegee the film and allow it to dry for several days; any cloudiness on glass may vanish once your movie has fully adhered and set, though to hasten this process faster, you could use a hair dryer on both cinema and window, simultaneously to heat them both if necessary.
Apply the Film
Before applying the film, thoroughly wet the glass with slip solution again and spray all surfaces evenly to add lubrication and break static cling. Also, spray clear liner liberally – this will make separating from adhesive easier while also helping prevent fingerprints on film – Use someone available as assistance if possible for liner separation.
Once both glass and film have been wetted down, remove the paper and position the film on the window using your hands to help smooth and place it accurately on both sides. Look carefully from both sides of the window for any air bubbles; lightly squeeze them out if they exist. More vigorous squeegeeing may be required with embossed films than smooth ones.
Before applying your film to each window, trimming the material to the exact dimensions may be beneficial. Doing this will save time and effort later. However, be careful not to cut too close as that could show through.
Slip solution acts as a lubricant; use it to slowly pull apart the clear liner from the adhesive side of the film, eventually peeling away without incident. If sticking persists, take two pieces of tape and use them to separate it from the film.
Once the adhesive is freed, use a dry cloth to remove any excess slip solution from the glass surface. Allowing this solution to dry can cause difficulty when withdrawing it later.
If you have any inquiries or problems regarding your film purchase, don’t hesitate to contact the company that sold you the film and seek assistance from them. They should usually assist without additional charges being added on. In many instances, simple mistakes can be corrected by rewetting the glass and reapplying the film; be sure to use clean hands when handling this new batch, as this will prevent dirt or oil from getting between it and its surface.
Remove the Clear Liner
When applying window film, its clear liner must first be removed to ensure adhesion on a clean surface and protect its adhesive from being compromised by dust, grit, or other contaminants before setting. Care must be taken not to wrinkle or fold the film during this step, as even slight distortion could permanently distort your windows.
Start by spraying both sides of the film (and both surfaces of glass) with the solution provided in your kit until beads of water run off of it, and liberally mist your clear liner as well – this will reduce static cling, limit contamination risks, and make its removal simpler.
Once your glass and film have been wetted down, the next step should be removing the clear liner. To facilitate this step efficiently, two people should work together removing it – with one person holding onto tape in one corner. At the same time, another pulls at it to separate the film from the adhesive. Moistening hands with a solution before handling the exposed film is also helpful. This helps prevent static from building up while protecting fingerprints from being transferred onto its adhesive side.
Care should be taken when peeling back the clear liner from its film backing to avoid tearing it away from its adhesive surface on the glass. Otherwise, its adhesive could become compromised, and you’ll have to reapply the liner later.
Once all liners have been removed, squeegee down your windows again, ensuring that you do not squeeze up against the edge of the film; leave a 2-inch border around all edges.
Once your window has been cleaned and dry, it’s time to apply film to its surface. Place the factory edge so it lines up directly with the top of the window, or opt for overhangs that extend around all four sides depending on personal preferences and the design of your window.
Trim the Film
Before applying a film, it’s an art to use a scraper or flat tool to remove any remaining debris on the glass surface. This will ensure the window is free from dirt, oil, or other contaminants that could harm or obstruct its adhesion to the window surface. Be sure to clean out your scraper often to avoid scratching its surface; wipe down your window using a lint-free cloth to dry out excess moisture.
Next, use a spray bottle filled with water (or the slip solution provided with your kit) to evenly spray both surfaces, without excessively dripping; too much moisture can lead to air bubbles.
Once both windows and films have been misted thoroughly, gently unpeel the tape holding the liner in place and peel away from the window. For larger pieces of film, having someone assist with removal may be helpful. Once this step has been completed, trim to size using a utility knife or razor blade by cutting along window edges or corners.
Once trimmed and entirely squeezed, allow the film to dry for several days for optimal results. This should enable any residual soapy water or trapped moisture to evaporate away fully. When using embossed or textured films, carefully squeeze around all corners, as these types of films tend to hold water more readily than smooth vinyl.
Once it’s time to install window film, spray, and squeegee again using either your custom slip solution or that supplied in your kit. Be sure to cover all corners and edges when spraying!
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