When I had the opportunity to remove the film myself from a window installed 3-4 years ago, I tried many methods, and on personal experience convinced that there is no ideal and quick remedy, in any case, you will have to tinker a lot and be patient. So, here are my own works with reviews:
1 Remove the film with something sharp
This is the simplest and affordable way, find a razor blade or a stationery knife, or any other sharp object, including even nail sticks, and use this object to pick at the edges of the film, slowly peeling it away from the plastic.
The work, I’ll tell you, requires a lot of patience, because they come off in pieces, which also stick back to another place, it’s just some kind of restoration. It's too long and tedious, and when you lose patience and try to speed up the process, you start scratching the plastic.
It is best to use these sticks:
There are even professional tool, though it was developed not for removing film from a window, but for cleaning glass ceramics:
I didn't have to work with them, but most likely it won't be as useful on oval and hard-to-reach places.
2 Hot air from a hair dryer
At first we tried a hair dryer, but it does not produce such a powerful flow and overheats quickly, so I had to ask for a professional hair dryer with a tip. The action is simple, you need to warm up the remaining film and then peel it off.
Things went faster when they started using sticks and a hairdryer at the same time; in fact, when the film warmed up, it was easier to remove, but there was an inconvenience - it burned your hands.
A hairdryer is good when removing film from a new window and in large pieces to pull the edge and warm the area that has not yet been removed.
3 Solvent liquid
You just need to apply the solvent to the film and wait until it softens, then use either a rag or a sponge, or the same sticks or blades.
You can use it like ordinary solvents, such as white spirit, 646 and others, but first you need to try it on a hidden piece of the window so as not to dissolve the plastic. Or use a professional solvent, like this industrial one:
Using a regular solvent is such a stink that even an open window does not help, and it does not dissolve the film, but only makes it softer and only at the edges does it come off well.
A professional solvent with a scent (we used orange) so it doesn’t really stink, but you still have to inhale the dissolution products, and it dissolves the film not much better than usual, despite the fact that its price per bottle is about 1000 rubles.
5 Eraser - eraser for erasing a pencil.
An absolutely useless thing, unless you need to remove a film no larger than a fingernail.
6 Soap solution using a stiff brush
I also tested this method, it only breaks the edges of the film, but the main part holds on. But it removes the glue itself well when the film is torn off.
October 14, 2016Specialization: facade finishing, interior decoration, construction of cottages, garages. Experience of an amateur gardener and gardener. We also have experience in repairing cars and motorcycles. Hobbies: playing the guitar and many other things that I don’t have time for :)
After installing double-glazed windows, many people ask on forums how to remove the film from plastic windows? The fact is that this operation, which at first glance is extremely simple, sometimes becomes a real problem and headache. Therefore, in this article, I will introduce you to some of the most effective ways to remove protective film from plastic frames.
A few words about protective film
The film on plastic windows protects the surface of the plastic during the transportation of windows and their installation. Moreover, manufacturers use special adhesives to glue it so that there are no problems with removal in the future. However, the coating is not intended to remain on the windows for a long time.
The fact is that gradually the glue under the film dries out and eats into the surface of the plastic. In addition, the coating itself is destroyed in the sun and loses its characteristics. As a result, when removed, the old film begins to tear or even crumble.
From this we can conclude, that it is necessary to remove the film as soon as possible after installing the windows. True, if the windows are cheap, then problems may arise even when removing the recently glued covering, due to the use of low-quality glue.
But, in any case, you shouldn’t despair, because there are quite effective ways to remove old film from plastic windows, even if it is “tightly” ingrained into the plastic. The main thing is to have patience and some tools, which I will discuss below.
In the summer, the glue dries much faster and eats into the plastic than in the cold season.
Film removal methods
So, dried protective film can be removed from the surface in the following ways:
Method 1: using a scraper
First of all, try to remove the film using a scraper or other sharp object, for example, a mounting tool or even a blade. The only thing, It is necessary to work with sharp tools very carefully so as not to damage the plastic.
Instructions for removing the coating using a scraper are as follows:
- first of all you need to pry the edge protective coating using a scraper or other sharp object. The peeled edge must be large enough to be grasped;
- next you need to pull the foam and try to tear it off in one quick movement;
- If the tape begins to tear, pry it again, but try to use the cutting tool as little as possible and work more with your fingers so as not to scratch the plastic.
A similar method can be used if the protective coating has not yet been destroyed by exposure to the sun. Otherwise, it will not be possible to tear off the film, and it is not advisable to constantly pick at it with a scraper, since it will take a lot of time and will certainly lead to scratches on the surface of the plastic.
Even if you successfully rip off the protective coating in this way, there will likely remain areas of glue on the surface of the plastic. You can remove them in ways that I will discuss below.
Method 2: eraser
If the old coating becomes easy to tear or even crumble, it can be removed with an eraser. True, this method is only suitable for small areas, for example, if there is film or glue residue left in some places after using a scraper.
To clean the surface, choose a rubber band that is as elastic as possible. Simply rub the stained area with your hands, as if you were erasing a pencil from paper. As a result, the remaining glue and protective coating will roll into a roller that can be removed with your fingers.
It is very difficult to completely clean the frames in this way, so it is better to use a less labor-intensive method.
Method 3: hairdryer
If you cannot remove the coating with just a scraper, you can warm it up with a hair dryer before peeling off the film. This is done as follows:
- turn on the hair dryer maximum power and thoroughly heat a small area of the coating;
- then pick up the tape and pull its edge. After heating, the glue should become much more “pliable”;
- after this you need to heat the next area and remove it in the same way;
- the remaining glue must be reheated and then wiped off with a paper towel.
Even more effective method How to tear off the protective coating is to heat it with a steam generator. You can also use a hair dryer, however, work with it carefully so as not to melt the film and especially the plastic frames.
I must say that this method is quite effective. As a rule, it allows you to get rid of even the most ingrained glue into the surface of the plastic.
Method 4: medical or industrial alcohol
Now let's look at how to remove film from plastic windows using alcohol. This method is effective in removing film and adhesive residues.
The procedure is carried out as follows:
- the contaminated area should be treated with medical 96 percent alcohol or denatured alcohol using a spray or cotton solution. As the alcohol dries, it should be reapplied within a few minutes;
- Then you can start removing the old adhesive and film residue using a paper towel. As you work, you may need a scraper or other tool to pry off the film.
It must be said that alcohol allows you not only to clean the surface of the old protective coating, but also to bleach the plastic, as well as get rid of other contaminants.
Method 5: vegetable oil
When choosing what to wipe off the remaining coating and glue, you can give preference to vegetable oil. The latter could be anything, the only thing keep in mind is that oil will remain on the surface of the window even after you wash it. Therefore it is best to use essential oil which smells nice.
Instructions for removing the coating with this product look like this:
- Before washing the surface, you need to apply oil to the contaminated areas using a cotton swab, and then wait an hour. As the oil dries, the surface should be periodically lubricated;
- after the specified time, the contaminated areas should be wiped with a paper towel;
- At the end of the work you need to wash off the oil detergent without abrasive.
Method 6: white spirit
White spirit is a fairly potent agent. The only thing is, before using it, wipe a small, inconspicuous area of plastic with solvent. The fact is that not all PVC windows are resistant to this solvent.
If you are sure that the solvent will not harm the plastic, perform the work in the following order:
- the edge of the film must be torn off using a scraper or other sharp object, as far as possible;
- then the space between the film and the surface of the plastic should be treated with a solvent;
- You should wait a few minutes before peeling off the film. After this, the tape should come off easily;
- in the area where the film has not begun to tear, white spirit should be applied again.
If when installing the window you used vapor barrier tape, make sure that no solvent gets on it, as it may deteriorate.
Method 7: “Shumanite”
"Shumanite" is a powerful detergent, which is intended primarily to remove grease from the surface. However, it also copes well with adhesives that are used when gluing protective coatings. The only thing to remember is that Schumanite contains substances that can react with frames, so you should not apply it for a long time.
Dried film and old glue are removed using this tool in the following way:
- old glue should be treated with the compound. If there is old coating left on the surface, the area underneath it should be treated, as well as the edges along the tape;
- almost immediately after applying Schumanite, the coating should be torn off and the remaining glue should be wiped off with a damp towel;
- At the end of the work, the surface of the plastic must be washed with any suitable detergent.
Method 8: "HG Sticker Remover"
When talking about how easy it is to remove old film, one cannot fail to mention such a product as HG Sticker Remover. It is sold in stores household chemicals, as a rule, in bottles with a capacity of 300 ml.
In general, this composition is intended for removing stickers and all kinds of self-adhesive stickers from the surface. However, as practice shows, with the help of Sticker Remover, old protective film can be easily removed.
The principle of its use is similar to working with other solvents:
- before tearing off the film, you should pick it up and treat it with a product;
- after a few minutes the coating can be peeled off;
- then the surface should be treated again with the composition;
- after a few seconds, the product with glue residue must be removed using a paper towel or a clean rag.
Method 9: "Cosmofen 10"
If you ask manufacturers of plastic windows to advise you on a means for removing the protective coating, they will probably tell you about “Cosmofen 10”, which is a weak PVC solvent designed specifically for such purposes.
You can also use its analogue, which is called “FENOSOL”. The price of these compositions ranges from 300 rubles per liter.
As in previous cases, the old film is first picked out, after which the composition is applied. These products can also be used to remove glue residue.
Before you wash the surface of the glue, you need to wait a few minutes for the product to react.
Method 10: “P-12”
Finally, I’ll tell you about the “RP-6” product, which is acrylic solvent. With its help, you can easily remove glue residues.
The only thing is, before doing the work, be sure to check whether the solvent does not react with the plastic frames. The fact is that some types of plastic can change color under the influence of RP-6.
The composition is used in the same way as other solvents. Typically, a few minutes is enough for it to react with the old glue.
How to remove protective film from plastic windows
According to the manufacturer's recommendation, the protective tape from the plastic window should be removed, preferably within the first 10 days after installation. Subsequently, it will not be possible to easily remove the film, since the properties of the glue will begin to change under the influence of heat and sunlight.
To solve the problem, you can invite specialists from a cleaning company who will quickly and professionally clean the surface of the window from adhering film. But with certain skills, you can try to remove it yourself, using a special scraper for glass ceramics and a hair dryer. You can peel off the tape using technical alcohol or tape if you can tear it off piece by piece.
The purpose of the protective film on a plastic window is to protect the surface of the block from possible scratches and dirt. After delivery of the product, installation and completion of the slopes, the film must be removed.
It is best to do this right away, but this is not always possible. But it is necessary to remove even strongly stuck tape. There are several ways to try.
Heating the film with a hair dryer
This is one of the most simple methods removing unnecessary film. If you heat its surface with a hairdryer, soften the layer of old and dried glue, then it will be easy to pick up the edge of the tape and lift it at least a little. Then, direct a stream of hot air under the film and pull it little by little, gradually tearing it away from the window block. Thus, without breaks, you can remove an entire strip.
When working with a hair dryer, do not allow hot air to hit the glass - it may burst from the high temperature.
Mechanical cleaning with a scraper
If the film cannot be lifted because it immediately begins to tear and crumble, you should use scrapers to clean glass ceramics or to remove paint, you can also work with a universal one, but in all cases you should take a new blade, then the surface to be cleaned will be more even. It is also necessary to preheat the old tape each time with a construction or regular hairdryer in turbo mode; you can use a steam generator. Remains of glue and film can be easily removed with a scraper held at a minimal angle to the surface.
Using tape
Sometimes after cleaning there are stuck pieces that cannot be removed. In this case, wide tape will come in handy. First, you will need to degrease the profile surface with detergents or alcohol. It is better to use the hard side of the sponge and wash everything thoroughly.
Then you need to wipe the surface dry, stick tape on it and level it with a rag. After an hour it needs to be removed. Pieces of the protective film will remain stuck to its surface.
All attempts to remove stuck pieces with a blade or abrasive cleaning agents can lead to damage to the plastic profile. However, minor scratches can be removed with Cosmofen brand white glue, otherwise known as liquid plastic. Sometimes the German cleaning agent FENOSOL S 10, which has a slight dissolving effect, can help. It is applied to a cotton napkin and wiped over the damaged surface. When using these drugs, you must follow the safety precautions and rules for working with these substances specified by the manufacturer.
Special adhesive removers
When the remaining film needs to be removed, and a hairdryer is not available, you should use products to remove adhesive residue. The universal American aerosol product WD-40, which contains white spirit, can help in this matter. The substance does not interact with plastic and removes stickers and dirt from glass.
Other substances have a more targeted application and are used to remove tape residues and adhesive stains from stickers. Among them is HG sticker remover - which completely removes stickers, self-adhesive tapes, oil and bitumen stains. As with all chemicals of this principle of action, you need to work with it very carefully and keep it away from children.
Using HG sticker remover is simple, just bend a small corner of the stuck film and drop a little liquid there. Leave it for a while, and then you can simply remove everything and wipe the area with a cloth.
“Solins”, “LAVEL OFF”, “Antiscotch” and others have the same ability to remove remnants of the adhesive layer.
Remaining glue stains on the profile can be removed using a cotton pad and white spirit. You can use a regular school eraser, but it will take a lot of time. And then you need to completely wash the window with warm soapy water.
Before applying any of these products to the front surface of the window profile, it is necessary to check its effect in a hidden area between the frames or near the seal. If the color of the frame has changed or yellowed, or the structure of its top layer has changed, then you should not use this product.
How to remove protective film alcohol
When the film crumbles into small pieces that are almost impossible to tear off from the surface, you can use industrial or medical alcohol to remove them. To do this, you need a small spray bottle; the one that is used to moisten the leaves is also suitable. indoor plants. You need to fill a container with alcohol and spray it over the contaminated frame. After a few minutes, all that remains is to wipe the desired area with a hard sponge or brush. Should not be used for these purposes metal brushes or washcloths, as they will damage the plastic.
You need to spray alcohol carefully, do not allow splashes to get into your eyes. There should be no children or pets in the room at this time.
If the renovation in the apartment has not yet been completed, and the windows have already been installed, then in order to avoid future problems with removing the protective film, it is better to remove it immediately. And before the installation of slopes, plastering of walls, wallpapering and painting begins, it is better to seal the surface of the plastic with masking tape.
The listed methods for removing used protective film from PVC windows are the simplest and not too expensive. But if for some reason there is a lot on the windows various contaminants, not worth the risk appearance these products, it is better to call specialists from a cleaning company.
UV protective film, sun rays and time is very attached to plastic profile and glass, bursts, cracks, dries out. Remove the protective coating no later than 10 days after installing a new window. To separate the film from the plastic, use a scraper, a dull knife or a stiff brush. Heat the dried tape with hot air from a hairdryer or use solvents (white spirit, RP6), denatured alcohol, Schumanite, and professional plastic cleaning products. Wipe off the remaining glue with a school eraser, nail polish remover, vegetable oil. To remove self-adhesive tint film or solar control coating, use a multi-pronged approach.
Adhesive tape protects new windows during transportation, installation, construction work in room. Untimely removal leads to its drying out. Knowing how to remove film from plastic windows, you can quickly and effectively restore their attractive appearance and remove dust adhering to the adhesive base without damaging the surface.
Why does the film stick to the window?
The protective film is applied to the new metal-plastic frame using adhesive composition.
Its quality largely determines how easily and quickly it will be removed. Unscrupulous manufacturers use cheap coating, which “sticks” to the window, bursts and peels off. It is difficult to peel off such a film even in fixed time.
Hot summer weather, as well as the south side of the window, aggravate the situation.
Profile, installed in winter, cleaning is somewhat easier if done on time. In the cold, the coating also collapses, bursts, and loses elasticity.
Important! Remove the protective film no later than 10 days from the date of installation of the new profile so that it does not have time to stick and collapse.
How to remove protective film from a window
To remove intact film from plastic frame or window sill, it is enough to pick up its corner with any sharp object (scissors, knife, fingernail), and then carefully separate it along the entire length. The coating will easily come away from the profile, will not tear and will not leave sticky marks.
Old, stuck-on film will have to be removed using improvised means or solvents.
Conventionally, methods for removing dried film can be divided into:
- mechanical (brushes, scrapers, blades);
- chemical (solvents);
- temperature (heating with a hairdryer).
In some cases, removing very old, damaged coating may require a multi-pronged approach.
Mechanical methods for removing protective coating
Using a scraper, knife, or stiff brush is one of the most popular methods for cleaning the profile from the protective film. You need to act very carefully so as not to damage the plastic or glass.
Hard brush
Any brush with stiff, non-metallic bristles or a dish sponge with an abrasive layer will do.
Algorithm of actions:
- Use your hands to remove as much of the coating as possible. possible area surfaces.
- Dilute laundry soap in warm water.
- Wet the brush.
- Using a circular motion, remove sticky layer.
- Wipe the plastic with a clean cloth.
Scraper
Use a special scraper for cleaning glass ceramics or a rubberized construction spatula.
- Remove the coating by hand as much as possible.
- Wipe the frames with a wet, soapy cloth to remove dirt and dust.
- Holding the tool at a comfortable angle, remove the sticky layer.
- Wash the windows with a hard sponge and soap, wipe with a fresh cloth.
Knife, blade
Use a dull knife or blade to avoid damaging the profile and causing injury. Wash the frames with soap warm water, carefully clean with a blade.
Important! Metal tools can leave deep scratches on the plastic, where dust and dirt will become clogged. Their use is not advisable.
Scotch
After removing the tape, wash the frame well
The method is effective for removing cracked, dried film from PVC windows.
Cut a small strip of wide stationery tape, stick it to the frame, and tear it off sharply. Small dried parts of the protective coating will stick to the adhesive tape and come away from the plastic with it.
Chemicals for cleaning glass from film
Chemical solvents corrode the adhesive base and quickly and effectively remove film from windows.
Plastic window frames are protected with a special film to protect them from dirt, scratches and other damage during transportation and installation. It is very easy to remove film from plastic windows if you do it in a timely manner, that is, immediately after the windows have been installed. If for some reason you delay with this, then removing the film may become big problem. According to the instructions, the film must be removed within ten days after installing the plastic windows. If you increase this period to a month or two, then most likely nothing terrible will happen. If the film remains on the frames for three or more months, it will require a lot of effort to remove it.
Why does this problem arise? The fact is that the protective film consists of two layers and is glued to the frames using a special glue. Under the influence of heat and ultraviolet radiation, the thin inner layer of the film decomposes and firmly adheres to the plastic. Separate upper layer film is not as difficult as internal.
Factors that increase the adhesion of the film to the frame:
- Exposure to ultraviolet rays. If the film is on windows located on shadow side at home can be removed after a few months, but on the sunny side it will begin to be absorbed into the frame within a few days.
- Glue quality. The lower the quality of the glue that holds the film, the more difficult it will be to tear it off. If you install cheap plastic windows, you are more likely to encounter low-quality glue.
- Exposure to heat. If the windows are installed in winter, the film will begin to dry to the frame later. This will happen very quickly in the summer.
- Use a hair dryer. This the best remedy to remove film. The main thing is to direct it at the frame, and not at the glass unit, otherwise it may burst due to temperature changes. The film is heated by hot air, dissolves and is easily removed. The only problem is to find a hair dryer. Some try to use normal, in turbo mode. This can only be successful if the film is not stuck very tightly.
- Contact a cleaning company. Most of these companies provide a similar service, and they have the necessary equipment for this: a hair dryer, special scrapers and cleaners. And experience in solving similar problems.
- Using a professional scraper for cleaning glass ceramic hobs. This scraper will not damage the plastic.
- Slowly, piece by piece, picking up the edge of the film with a thin knife, blade or scraper, and then tearing it off with your hands. Cutting tools You should use as little as possible, trying to separate the film with your fingers. Any remaining adhesive can be removed with the rough side of a sponge and bathroom detergent.
- A weak solvent. When using solvent, you need to be very careful and try on an inconspicuous area first. Solvent may change the color of plastic frames.
- An eraser. A regular school pencil eraser can help remove film residue.
- Use a hard, but not metal brush and soapy water. The method is suitable for film on the shadow side.
- White spirit. But it should not be applied on top, on pieces of film, but between the film and the plastic. To do this, you need to pry off the edge of the film, pour white spirit into this place, wait a little and separate the film.
- "Cosmofenom". In companies that install plastic windows, you can purchase a special product for cleaning plastic – “Cosmofen”. Depending on the degree of activity of the active substance, there are “Cosmofen No. 5”, “Cosmofen No. 10” and “Cosmofen No. 20”. No. 5 is the strongest solvent; it dissolves plastic, so it must be used with great care. However, like the other two. These are potent and dangerous to human health.
