- When and why remove the film from the window?
- How to remove the protective coating from the profile and outflow?
- Mechanical Removal
- Solvent Removal
- Good Tips:
In the process of repairing an apartment or house, everyone is trying to install practical, comfortable, sealed and durable plastic windows. But, so that they function properly and look beautiful you need to know when and how to remove the film from the plastic windows. This information you can check with the manufacturer or choose the method that suits you from this article.
to the contents ↑When and why remove the film from the window?
The first rule of how to remove film from plastic windows - this must be done immediately after installing them. The reasons for this are 3:
- If the film is permanently retained on the surface of the profiles and troughs, it can "dry up".Then you have to solve the problem of how to remove the old film from plastic windows, and it will be much harder to do it.
- When exposed to moisture and UV rays, the adhesive composition can change its properties. As a result - you can easily remove the protective coating itself, but there will be difficulties with removing the remnants of the glue itself.
- The protective coating will attract more dust and dirt and thus you will only achieve that very soon the windows will become ugly and dirty, and when removing the film, the frozen and crumpled dust will remain on the profile and windows, adhering to the fixing solution.
How to remove the protective coating from the profile and outflow?
There are 2 ways to solve the issue:
- the use of improvised tools for mechanical removal;
- use of special solvents that will affect not only the cloth itself, but also the glue.
Important! If you remove the protective coating immediately, then one of the methods is sufficient, provided that the correct actions are taken. If you missed this stage and now decide how to remove the old film from plastic windows, you will have to look for a combination of effective tools.
to Contents ↑Mechanical Removal
To remove the protection without the use of solvents, arm yourself with any tool from this list:
- scraper for cleaning ceramics;
- is a relatively sharp knife;
- building hair dryer.
The first 2 tools use this way:
- Bring the edges of the film from the convenient side.
- Little by little, remove the cover.
If you decide to remove the film from plastic windows with a construction hair dryer, proceed as follows:
- Turn on the power tool and direct the jet at a temperature of up to 40 degrees to the protective coating.
- Gradually warm it up and remove it.
Important! Wipe the surface of the profile or the drain with a soap solution at the end. It is convenient to make this an ordinary kitchen sponge. If you do not want to mess around with water and a rag - rub the entire surface with a clerical eraser. He also perfectly removes the remnants of glue.
to content ↑Solvent removal
To remove the film with solvents, use the following:
- P-12;
- Shumanit;
- White Spirit;
- RP-6;
- Cosmophen;
- VD-40.
Important! What exactly to take the tool, determine, based on how long the protection stayed on the window, what you have available or how much you are willing to spend time and money on removing this protective layer. All these agents are effective, but have different duration of exposure and time-use limitations. The last factor depends on how corrosive the chemicals are in the composition and how much they can destroy the plastic itself.
The method of application is the same:
- Apply a small amount to the coating with a sponge or a spray gun.
- Leave for 5-10 minutes to effect.
- Clean the surface with a clean rag while removing the protective coating.
Useful advices:
- Be sure to wash the window after removing the protective layer from them.
- Use a dishwasher or soap solution and clean sponges, rags.
- Dry the surface thoroughly so that no ugly dried droplets remain.
Now you know how to remove film from plastic windows and for certain you can independently cope with this task. The only situation when you should not do this is that such a service is included in the cost of installation works. Then just rest until the professionals complete the whole process of installing new windows and accept the result of their work.