Glass film installation
instructions Tool List:
| • |
Distilled or
filtered water |
| • |
Spray bottle* |
| • |
Paper towels- high absorbent
(Sparkle, Bounty, Brawny) or soft lint-free
cloths |
| • |
Mounting solution* or baby
shampoo |
| • |
Razor blade scraper - single
edge type 1", 3", or 6" scraper (for large
windows) |
| • |
Masking tape- one ¾" roll
|
| • |
Cutting guide |
| • |
Cutting knife with snap away
blades and extra blades |
| • |
Drop cloth |
| • |
Window squeegee |
| • |
Screw driver or tools to remove
blinds or window treatment hardware |
| • |
Garbage bags |
** Create your own wetting
solution by adding a few drops (like a very
short squeeze) of very mild detergent (baby
shampoo or dish detergent like "Joy") into
a
32" spray bottle filled with water.
|
a. Move all
furnishings away from window area, creating a
minimum of a 3 foot work space.
b. Remove blinds or
window treatments or tie back drapes away from
window.
c. Put down
drop cloths to catch dirt and moisture coming
from windows.
|
STEP TWO: Inspect
Windows | |
a. Visually
inspect perimeter of window frame looking for
any cracks or chips in the glass. If cracks or
chips are present, you may want to have the
glass replaced before installing film.
b. Look for any loose
glazing compound, caulk or paint that may need
to be removed to prevent contamination of film.
c. Inspect window frame
for good condition. Rotten, rusted or scummy
frames may hamper film installation and should
be attended to before install.
a. Trim excess
caulk, sealant or paint away from perimeter of
window frame with break-away knife. (make sure
you are using a stainless steel blade)
b. Using the razor
blade scrapper, dry scrape glass around
perimeter of frame, working from top to bottom.
c. Change blade in
scraper.
a. Spray
sufficient amount of cleaner/mounting solution
to wet glass.
b. Scrape
entire glass area with razor blade scraper,
working from top to bottom.
c. Spray glass again
around perimeter of frame and wipe glass and
frame with paper towels or lint-free cloth.
d. Squeegee window,
starting at top frame and working to bottom,
using overlapping strokes.
e. Wipe bottom of glass
and frame and squeegee bottom again.
a. There is a
clear liner on the film that protects the
adhesive. The liner must be removed to properly
install film. This is where your partner can
really help.
b. Make
tape tabs from masking tape. Use two 3" strips
of tape, folding 1" back over itself to use as
tab.
c. On top left or
right corner of film, stick one tab on liner
side and one tab on film side.
d. Film installer
should hold tab on film side and other corner of
film with liner facing away from him/her.
e. Have helper face
installer and pull out and down on liner tab.
f. Remove liner and
spray adhesive side of film completely with
mounting solution from top to bottom.
g. Spray window with
mounting solution, keeping top 2" as dry as
possible.
a. Holding film at
top corners and level in both hands, move gently
but deliberately to window.
b. Start at top and
allow film to touch glass and draw up to bottom.
c. Position film
allowing 1"-2" overlap around frame.
d. Keep one hand on
film to prevent sliding. Lightly spray room side
of film to allow installation squeegee to glide
over film.
e. With
installation squeegee tack film to glass 2" from
top by using side to side squeegee motion . Do
not push mounting fluid all the way to the
edges.
f. With
installation squeegee, work top to bottom and
side to side, alternating 6" strokes and
overlapping by 50% of squeegee length, pushing
mounting solution to side and toward bottom of
window. Do not push fluid all the way to side or
bottom edges of window frame. Stop squeeging
approximately 2"- 4" from sides and bottom.
g. Wipe bottom edge
lightly with paper towels and soak up any
moisture on sill.
a. With break-away
knife start at top right or left corner, cutting
out or away from corner. (make sure you are
using a stainless steel blade)
b. Use cutting guide to
insure consistent gap on all cuts. Hold cutting
guide perpendicular to glass, against and
parallel to window frame, cut down or across out
of top corners. Be careful not to bunch film in
corner when using guide. (45o miter cuts out
away from corner may help to stop bunching).
c. Use moderate
pressure with fresh cutting point, making smooth
cutting motion down to bottom of window or
across as close to next corner as possible.
d. Reverse cutting
motion to finish cut on each side and bottom to
top.
e. Snap new point
on knife after each cut.
f. Remove and discard
excess film.
a. Lightly spray
room side of film with mounting solution.
b. Use smooth, firm
overlapping strokes with installing squeegee,
pushing remaining mounting solution out from
film edges.
c. Start at
top and push top 2" up and out.
d. From top center of
window push mounting solution side to side to
edge.
e. Alternate 6"
strokes downward top to bottom, with side to
side 6" strokes working from middle of glass all
the way to edge, overlapping strokes by 50% of
squeegee length.
f.
Work all the way to bottom of window.
g. Wipe bottom of edge
lightly with paper towels and soak up any
solution on sill.
a. Wrap install
squeegee with double layer of paper towels.
b. Start 4-6" from
frame and push residual moisture from window
film to edge. Let paper towel absorb moisture,
reposition paper towel on squeegee after each
stroke to maximize absorption and prevent
scratching film.
c.
Work around entire perimeter of window.
|
STEP TEN: Final Inspection
| |
a. Visually
inspect around edges of film for water pockets
or blisters. Push pockets or blisters out with
paper towel covered squeegee.
b. View from different
angles and step back from window to check for
any water pockets or pools of moisture.
c. View windows from
outside if possible to inspect finished install.
|
STEP ELEVEN: Final
For Custom Cut Film Patterns & Logos |
|
a. If your film is custom cut there will be a transfer tape applied to your film in order to keep all of the shapes aligned. This transfer tape is only used for transferring the pattern from the carrier paper to the glass and will need to remain on the glass for 24 hours in order to allow the film adhesive to lock down. When removing the transfer tape from the glass be careful not to pull the film towards you. Keep the transfer tape laid back flat against the glass and take your time so that you do not remove the film graphic. Be careful not to get the backing paper wet, as it will distort your film. Only use the wetting solution after the backing has been removed.
b. If your logo is frosted film and applied centered on your glass you will need to mark cross hairs on the transfer tape and glass in order to align your design. Do not put any marks on the glass in the area where your film will be applied.
c. Tape your film to the glass at the corners to align design to the desired location. Once you are satisfied with your position then run another line of tape across the entire top of the stencil to form a hinge. Raise the film up from the bottom and lay flat against the glass. Remove the backing paper from the film beginning at the hinge and gently peel upward away from the logo area. Now wet the adhesive side of the film and the glass and lower into place. Work out the wetting solution from the center out towards the edges. Remove the hinge tape before completely working out the solution. Leave the transfer tape on overnight and remove as in step b. above. |
FILM INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
