How to remove old film from plastic windows. How to remove film from plastic windows: methods and tools. Why it can be difficult to remove protective film from windows

10.03.2020

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Many users, faced with the problem of window film firmly “fused” to the PVC profile, rush to experiment, which does not always end well. Especially in the case of colored windows, there is a risk of destroying them. The OKNA MEDIA portal will tell you how to effectively and without disastrous consequences remove old protective film from plastic windows.

All plastic windows come to the market with frames protected by the manufacturer using self-adhesive film. According to the rules, the protective film must be removed as soon as possible after completing the window installation - especially when the PVC window is exposed to direct sunlight.

Why is it so difficult to remove old protective film from PVC windows?

Unfortunately, this happens quite often, and due to the negligence of installers or the user himself, the protective film on the PVC profile can remain even for several years. In this case, when the hands get around to putting the new plastic windows in order, the user will be in for an unpleasant surprise - it is almost impossible to remove the protective coating.

It is difficult to remove old window film from a plastic window profile because it consists of two layers. The outer layer (transparent film) begins to peel off under the influence of ultraviolet rays and is relatively easy to clean. But at the bottom there is a second layer of white plastic with markings applied - it is this that sticks so strongly to the substrate.

The presence of old film looks especially bad in the case of a tree-like profile, because the protective coating is usually used in white. Under the influence of UV rays, the film undergoes vulcanization and adheres very firmly to the surface of the PVC window. At the same time, it becomes less durable and breaks easily.

Some people try to wash off the protective layer with gasoline, acetone or other solvents - this helps a little, but at the same time you can remove the wood texture that is used to laminate the frame (white PVC windows, of course, are insured against this). Experts do not recommend subjecting the surface of a colored PVC profile to too much mechanical stress (scraping or sanding), because it is very easy to damage the lamination layer.

Eureka: There is a way to get rid of old protective film!

Fortunately, there are several ways to get rid of the protective film, we suggest considering one of them. This method is simple, effective and, most importantly, will not destroy the plastic window. However, the procedure will take quite a long time and will require the use of a device with a steam cleaning function.

Such a device can be bought without problems; they are often sold in supermarkets. Please note that the package includes a special hose that allows you to fix the nozzle. Versions of this device often appear on sale in which steam exits directly from the tank through a nozzle. In this case, you will have to constantly hold the heater in your hands during cleaning, but it will soon become clear that heating the film in the lower part of the frame is impossible in this case (the window sill gets in the way).

Work begins by filling the purifier with water and connecting to the power supply. After a few minutes, you can begin heating a small area of the protective film with a jet of steam (hold the nozzle directly above the film or even touch it). Heat a small section of 1-2 cm across the entire width. If the window film is too old to peel off, you will have to reheat it (after cooling). At this time, you can heat the protective coating of the window from the other end.

To remove the protective film using steam, shortly after heating a small area, you should try to separate the film from the backing with your fingernail. This must be done carefully and slowly, across the entire width of the tape. This is the most important point. It is necessary to ensure that a small piece of the film peels off across its entire width. Then you can grab the end and slowly (!) tear off the film while simultaneously heating with steam from above and below (at the points of contact with the substrate).

If the protective film begins to tear and its fragment does not come off, you need to use a fingernail in this place and lead to a situation where it peels off again across its entire width. After removing a sufficiently long fragment, cut it off with scissors, leaving 2-3 cm so that there is something to cling to to continue further cleaning of the PVC profile.

After removing the protective layer, a white coating remains on the surface of the window frame, which is quite difficult to wash off. And here there is a proven method - you can use a glass cleaner for this purpose (for example, Mister Muscle).

When buying new plastic windows, do not ignore the advice of the window company, which is clearly stated in the operating instructions, when it is worth removing the protective film from the PVC profile. This will allow you to save time and money, and save your nerves. In general, following the manufacturer’s recommendations not only in this point, but also in all others, is the key to the impeccable appearance and durability of your plastic windows.

The modern market offers every buyer a huge number of different models of gadgets, smartphones and other similar devices. Despite the fact that the display is made reliably, the buyer decides to extend its service life by purchasing protective glass. This is due to the fact that over time we do not treat smartphones as carefully as at the first stage. Today we will talk about how to clean your phone before sticking the glass, how to get rid of dirt, remove stains, how to clean gasoline and rainbow stains, cut, wipe the protective glass from the inside and what products we will need for this.

What is safety glass?

Protective glass is a modern type of coating for displays on smartphones and gadgets. It is made using a chemical method based on tempered glass.

Important! Compared to ordinary film, it is several times thicker and harder. That is why, if this coating is present on the phone, it protects the screen from fingerprints, scratches, moisture and even shocks. Despite these characteristics, the brightness and color do not change.

Due to the multi-layer coating, the thickness of the glass varies from 0.25 mm to 0.5 mm, the composition of which is as follows:

The first layer is always silicone based. It sticks to the display.
The next layer is the fastening layer. It is this that prevents fragments from spreading if a crack or mechanical shock occurs.
The third layer of coating is an anti-reflective film. It maintains the visibility of drawings on the screen if it is exposed to direct sunlight or other bright light.
The protective layer protects against shocks, falls and other mechanical damage.
The very last layer is the oleophobic coating. It provides protection against moisture, fingerprints and makes the screen easy to clean.

With active use, the top coating, which ensures the reliability of the unit, becomes dirty. This is when the question arises of how to clean the protective glass of your phone. How to do this and what is required for this, we will consider further.

Immediately pay attention to the condition of the back of your gadget. You might find the information useful.

What is a protective film?

Protective films have been available on smartphones for quite some time. It is not a high-tech product and is present on every gadget. This product is characterized by the presence of three layers:

the bottom one sticks to the screen;
medium absorbs ultraviolet radiation and provides brightness when exposed to bright light;
The top one is responsible for protecting the display screen.

Important! The most important thing for the film is proper gluing. To do this you need to have a little skill, since it may not always work out the first time.

All protective films that are present on the market of smartphones and gadgets are divided into three types: matte, glossy and mirror. Let's take a closer look at each type to understand whether there will be a difference in cleaning:

The matte film absorbs glare and also hides fingerprints. The main disadvantage is that it degrades image quality. However, its cost is very low. Many craftsmen classify such film as technological and advise not to make the final choice on this product.
Glossy protective film is the most popular among similar products. The main disadvantage of this coating is that it is easy to damage. The film strongly reflects light, scratches and other mechanical damage quickly appear on it. Fingerprints are also visible.
Mirror film is the least popular among similar products. The peculiarity is that when the screen goes dark, it can mirror the image. However, the quality and brightness of the screen changes when this coating is applied - this is the main disadvantage.

All of the above films become dirty, and this is especially noticeable when dust gets under the coating. We will now look at how to clean the film for your phone.

How to clean the protective glass on your phone?

If you are thinking about how to clean the film for your phone, then ordinary tape, or as it is also called, adhesive tape, will help you. To do this you need:

take wide tape;
cut a piece of approximately 30-40 cm from it;
glue it to the surface so that the sticky side is on top.

After this, stick the protective film with the sticky side to the tape. Then very carefully and slowly peel off the film immediately. All the dust that was present on the product will disappear, and the sticky layer will remain.

Important! If you need to remove scratches from the top of the protection, then polish the defects with felt, a soft cloth, or using auxiliary products - white toothpaste, GOI paste or olive oil.

Another way to clean the inside of your safety glass is to use soap and water. For this:

You need to remove the contaminated product from your phone.
Wash away all dust particles in hot water.

After this procedure, you should lather the sticky layer very well with soap. For this it is better to use two or three layers.
After this, take and rinse the soap solution under water. Make sure that the water drains from the film.
Then we glue the film onto the cleaned, wet display using an ordinary credit card.
We make sure that no air bubbles or other fluff gets in.

If all else fails, the best way to restore the attractiveness of your gadget is to replace the protective part. On our website you will find detailed instructions on how to

How to remove film from plastic windows is a problem that arises both when moving to a new apartment and during the renovation of an already inhabited living space. Often the owners come to their senses after the transformation is completed - in this case, the window has to be cleaned of pieces stuck to the window frame. Having managed to remove them, the apartment owners are forced to struggle with sticky glue.

Some people resort to various detergents, one way or another, but in any case it is very difficult to cope with the problem.

It is worth noting, first of all, that the most reliable approach to ensuring a clean window is to remove the film immediately after installing the plastic structure. If you lose time, you will have to deal with a thoroughly dried coating, which is quite difficult to remove.

Readers are given the opportunity to familiarize themselves with several methods for removing film. However, to get a truly clean window, you need to be prepared to remove the adhesive.

So, to clean the window from film and glue, you need to use one of two main ways to solve this problem. As an alternative - for greater efficiency - they often resort to combining these technologies.

The main methods allowing are presented the following options:

mechanical;
chemical

The mechanical option, in turn, implies several of the most effective varieties.

You can clean windows from old film using a special scraper, which is traditionally used when processing hobs or their glass-ceramic analogues.

You can remove glue residues and get rid of minor scratches by using cleaners such as FENOSOL and COSMOFEN 10. If these products are not available, it is recommended to use some acrylic solvent. As practice shows, it is convenient to finally clean windows from old solar control film using P-12.

The next method, which allows you to remove the protective coating and all its traces, is based on the use of industrial. In the absence of one, a powerful home hair dryer is acceptable. The effectiveness of the technology is based on heating, which greatly facilitates film removal.

After heating the film coating, you need to pry it off with a sharp stationery knife. The technique allows you to easily and quickly remove the film. To deal with glue residue, you need to use the first method.

Many users successfully achieve their desired goal using a steam generator. An unusual, but, according to reviews, quite effective method of erasing the film with a stationery eraser. To combat residual marks, you can choose white spirit or one of the mentioned cleaners.

In the pursuit of purity, diligence often turns sideways - new and not always solvable problems. Particular care must be taken when manipulating the scraper.

The fact is that even the safest scraper can leave quite noticeable scratches on the surface of the PVC profile. To avoid such an unpleasant side effect, it is best to remove the peeled film with your fingers.

Chemical cleaning methods are no less in demand. As a container used to solve the problem, you can use a regular water spray. Denatured alcohol is poured into it.

Then the product is applied to the surface, and after a few minutes you can begin to remove the protective coating. To simplify the work, you can pry it off with a stationery knife.

When solving the problem of how to remove film from plastic windows, you should pay attention to the “Shumanit” detergent (manufacturer: Buggy company, Israel).

The glass unit can be easily cleaned with a paint remover: RP 6. It is applied liberally to the surface to be treated. After ten minutes, the protective tape begins to swell literally before our eyes.

Before you begin the actual cleansing, be sure to wear gloves and goggles. When washing off glue and alkali residues, use soapy water.

Do not fight with the protective tape by using solvent. As a result of the efforts, the film will remain in its place, and the side effect will be a hopelessly damaged profile.

Having completed the main part of the task - choosing how to remove the old solar control film and using the most attractive method for yourself - you need to finish the job by washing the windows, which will require some time and attention.

It is best to resort to one of the following two proven methods - to wash with:

paper, spray, rags;
sponges, screeds.

First way

You can resort to it only if the surface is not very dirty.

The “working tools” in this situation will be:

paper napkins;
water container;
product with a spray nozzle;
cotton fabric.

A little warm water is collected in the container. The rag is wetted and wrung out well. Dirt is wiped off the window. The spray is distributed over the surface in a zigzag pattern.

Use a dry piece of cloth to remove dirt. To consolidate the results, wipe the surface with newspaper or paper napkin.

Second way

As a rule, this technology is used when access to the window is difficult. A tie with a handle 25 to 30 centimeters long will help solve the problem. An additional advantage of the method: the absence of streaks and stains upon completion of the work.

You should stock up on:

water container;
dishwashing detergent;
a screed with a sponge on a long handle;
with a clean piece of cloth.

Proportions for preparing the cleaning solution: a couple of drops of the product per 2 liters of water. A sponge is dipped into the prepared solution and then squeezed out.

Washing is done in a circular motion. The largest accumulations of dirt are characteristic of the edges and corners, which must be taken into account when working.

Next, the container is filled with clean warm water, into which the screed is dipped and passed over the entire surface. Finally, use a dry cloth to wipe everything with horizontal movements from left to right. Water accumulated at the bottom of the window must be properly removed.

For hard-to-reach segments, it is convenient to use pieces of cloth or paper towels.

Removing old sun protection film is quick and easy

Each of the listed options for solving the problem has been tested many times in practice. On the Internet you can find confirming reviews for any of the versions.

The hot summer days have passed... The window of your room shining with a mirror shine has begun to bring troubles instead of life-giving coolness? Has your favorite ficus dropped its leaves? Did your favorite canary start to wake up and chirp just before lunch? And all because there was not enough light in the house! A miracle of technology - the thinnest sun protection film, which saved you from the oppressive heat in the summer, began to show its negative properties with the arrival of autumn.

Light transmission through a plastic window decreased by 20-30%. It's time to think about how to remove the film from plastic windows without damaging the PVC profile and without scratching the glass...

Methods for removing light-protective film

The negative qualities of sunscreen films begin to manifest themselves in the autumn-winter period. And they are connected with the fact that the light transmittance of these films is 90% - 5%. Manufacturers recommend removing the film from the plastic window for the winter. And they do this not to increase sales volumes, but to prevent complaints from consumers who, when buying and gluing reflective film, did not carefully read the instructions.

The vast majority of sun protection (mirror) films are currently glued to a plastic window using the “wet” method - using a soap solution. But the composition of the glue, in most cases, remains a trade secret of the manufacturer.

We can only state that any reputable manufacturer strives to ensure that the glue is of high quality and resistant to UV rays, precipitation, temperature changes and mechanical stress.

It is these properties of the glue that create insurmountable obstacles for some home craftsmen who have successfully coped with the problem of high-quality gluing of film when the time comes to get rid of it.

Of all the methods that have been invented, with the exception of contacting the manufacturer with the question: what solvent should you use for the sun protection film you produced to remove it?

And this information is usually placed on the packaging of films from reputable and trusted companies from the Netherlands, Germany or France.

90%+ of products from firms in the Southeast Asian region either do not indicate the brand of solvent at all, or place this information encrypted, in hieroglyphs that defy the Russian mind, in the list of technical characteristics.

Craftsmen have come up with 3 main ways to remove film:

soaking;
warming up;
use of solvents.

Soaking reflective films

If the film is glued to the glass of a plastic window using an aqueous solution with the addition of surfactants (surfactants), then it is logical to assume that the glue used by the manufacturer is water-soluble.

The simplest method is the old soaking method.

For this you will need:

cotton or semi-synthetic fabric, which in size completely corresponds to the size of the window glass;
spray;
foam paint roller;
basin for solution with surfactant;
construction scraper with replaceable blades;
plastic or rubber spatula.

Step 1

Over the summer, the film has time to dry out, and the structure of the polymer becomes fragile. It needs to be thoroughly soaked in water to remove it. Cut a piece of canvas 10-20 mm larger in length/width than the dimensions of the plastic window glass, so that it bends slightly onto the PVC profile of the window frames. Soak it in a solution with a surfactant. To do this, you can use any detergent, but the best one is dishwashing detergent - “Fairy”, “Sorti”, “Dosya”, “Kaplya”, etc. or window cleaner.

Step 2

Moisten the surface of the film with a solution containing a surfactant from a spray bottle and stick a wet cloth on it. Spray the fabric periodically to keep it moist. Take your time! The longer the film soaks on the plastic window, the easier it will be to remove it from the glass. Minimum exposure – 1 hour.

Step 3

Using a fingernail or a sharp object (toothpick, plastic spatula), pick up the film at the upper corner of the window and try to separate it from the glass by 10-20 mm. After this, moisten the separated area with a spray bottle so that the solution gets between the adhesive surface of the film and the glass. Leave for 5-10 minutes.

Step 4

It is better to do it with an assistant. Grab the peeled corner with your fingers and very slowly and smoothly, without any sudden effort, pull it towards you. If the film begins to peel off, you can clean the glass without any problems. You will be successful!

Holding the corner of the film with your fingers and your other hand, use a hard rubber (plastic) spatula to peel off a narrow strip along the entire upper edge of the window and moisten it again with a spray bottle.

Step 5

All further work will consist of you smoothly and evenly pulling the film towards you, trying to prevent it from tearing, and an assistant will moisten the surface of the glass at this time so that the soap solution gets between the film and the glass.

The main thing is not to rush. Intervals after moisturizing should be 5-10 minutes.

Step 6

If there are pieces of film that have not come off on the window, moisten them generously and remove them using a construction (office) scraper with replaceable blades. After the film is completely removed, the window is washed with a solution of window cleaner. You can add a few drops of ammonia solution (ammonia) to it to make the glass shine.

Removal with a hair dryer

All polymer coatings are sensitive to temperature increases. When heated, they become more plastic and are much easier to bend or separate from each other. Reflective films are made from heat-resistant polymers. So that during active heating in the Sun they do not peel off spontaneously. Therefore, their heating temperature should be quite high - 50-100°C.

An ordinary household hair dryer will not work for this (the overheating protection relay will work).

To clean the window you need to use a hair dryer. The film separation technology does not differ significantly from that when using a soap solution.