How to quickly and correctly remove sun protection film from a window yourself? How to clean leftover sunscreen film

When windows are covered with solar control film, few people imagine that it will not be so easy to remove it. Difficulties in removing this polymer coating are primarily due to the fact that during operation the adhesive base of the film actually eats into the glass. This effect occurs due to constant heating by the sun and exposure to UV rays. This article describes how to remove solar control film from a window in different ways with minimal risk of damage to double-glazed windows and profile structures. Our recommendations will help you save on cleaning company fees and simplify the glass cleaning procedure.

What you need to know about self-adhesive

The finishing material is completely synthetic. It consists of two layers. The first is decorative. It is most often made from polyvinyl chloride, but propylene, polyester, or a combination of these polymers are also used. It is this layer that determines the appearance of the finish. It can be transparent or colored, with a pattern or plain, matte or glossy. The performance characteristics of the coating depend on the thickness of the film and its properties.

The second layer is adhesive. The composition of adhesive mastic can be different, so one self-adhesive can be easy to remove, while another can be very difficult. Most often, the manufacturer applies acrylic or rubber glue to the base. They are durable and hold the material well. To prevent the mastic from hardening ahead of time, it is covered with a layer of waxed paper during production. It is removed before gluing.

Multilayer self-adhesive films have appeared relatively recently. Their decorative coating consists of two layers. The first is paper or fabric. They determine the appearance of the material. On top there is a protective layer of plastic. Otherwise, the decor is similar to its two-layer counterparts. This finish is beautiful, but less durable and practical. When removed, it is sometimes removed in layers, which makes work difficult.

Film removal methods

There are several methods that allow you to quickly and easily remove solar control film from glass. To do this, you can use a damp cloth and a hair dryer or steamer. To carry out this procedure, you will need the following items:

a clothes steamer or hair dryer, it can be both household and construction;
a piece of fabric;
water bottle;
extension cord for connecting the device to the network.

It is clear that when water is used, you will not be able to use this method in frosty weather. The cord should be long enough for you to work comfortably. If a steamer is used, fill it with water.

Before using the steamer, you need to find the edge of the film on the window and start working from there. The steamer is directed to the indicated place, and it must be kept at a distance of 5 cm from the window. Usually within a minute, and sometimes even earlier, the film begins to peel away from the glass. As soon as the corner comes loose, grab it and carefully pull it towards you. If you can't grab a corner, you can pry it off with your fingernail or a sharp object. If you use a blade or utility knife, be careful not to cut yourself or scratch the window.

Using a steamer, remove enough film from the glass so that you can grab it well with your fingers. You can't pull too hard to prevent it from breaking. Now steam small areas and gradually remove the film from them. If you do this on areas that have not been pre-steamed, then most likely you will not succeed. If this happens, there is a risk that traces of glue will remain on the glass.

In this way, further work is carried out without the need for much effort. If something doesn’t work out, additionally heat the problem area with a steamer, and roll the removed sections into a tube, otherwise they may stick to the window again. If there are traces of glue left, they are removed with a towel; this must be done before the glue has cooled.

You can use a hair dryer instead of a steamer. If you take a hair dryer, be careful when heating the stack, as it generates much more heat than its household counterpart. When using a blade or knife, use it carefully so as not to cut yourself or damage the glass.

What to do if you need to remove solar control film from a window

Improper removal of the polymer coating often leads to damage to the profile structure. Before removing film from PVC windows, you need to take precautions and prepare for the upcoming procedure. If this is not done, unpleasant consequences are possible:

scratches will appear on double-glazed windows and glazing beads;
Removing the film will take too long;
There will be traces of glue and even fragments of sun protection coating on the glass.

You will also need to choose the optimal technology. Currently, there are several ways to remove film, but some of them may be ineffective and even cause damage to the window. Since some chemicals that are used as auxiliary compounds can corrode PVC, it is necessary to take protective measures:

cover the profile and glazing beads with film;
close the window sills.

The film removal process itself is simple, but it requires a responsible approach. Any mistake or inattention can cause critical defects. To eliminate them, you most often have to order a new double-glazed window to replace the damaged one. However, their repair is labor-intensive and expensive.

How to remove the protective film from a plastic profile after installing a window, read the article on OknaTrade.

Other known methods

There is a simple and affordable way to remove the film, but its disadvantage is that it does not help in all cases. To use it, you will need soapy water, regular newspapers and a spray bottle.

The sequence of work will be as follows: a newspaper is placed on the glass, after which it is sprayed with soapy water. The newspapers should cover the entire surface of the glass and be moistened enough to adhere well to it.

After you do this, you need to leave everything for an hour, but during this time you need to periodically wet the newspapers so that they are constantly damp. Now try to peel off the film, it should come off quite easily, and there should be no traces of glue left on the glass.

There is another method that allows you to effectively remove film from a window. To do this, you can use a blade, a stationery knife or any other object.

Using a sharp object, separate the edge of the film from the glass and, helping yourself with a blade, carefully remove it. You can make cuts to remove it in strips. When using this method, there is a high risk of injury, and you can also damage the surface of the glass. Therefore, it is recommended to use this method only in extreme cases, when it is not possible to darken using more effective and safe methods.

You can use denatured alcohol, which is sprayed onto the surface of the window and after a few minutes the film is removed. If you don't succeed the first time, the procedure must be repeated. You can also remove the film using a regular eraser, and those residues and marks on the glass that could not be removed can be wiped with white spirit, after which they can be easily removed

Adviсe

A few recommendations from experienced housewives and cleaning company specialists will help speed up the process of cleaning a plastic window.

Thus, small pieces of film remaining on the surface of the frames after cleaning can be removed with tape . To do this, it is glued to a section of the frame or glass with film, smoothed out thoroughly, and then abruptly torn off.

To achieve maximum effect, it is better to use regular stationery tape. Tape on a paper or fabric basis, double-sided, masking tape does not stick to the surface of the window so much.

Do not remove film from the window using dry abrasive powders or sharp objects (for example, a knife). The result of such actions is scratches on the frame and glass, which are impossible to get rid of.

You will find a lot of important and useful information about fast and effective window cleaning in this section.

What will you need?

Depending on the method chosen to clean the window glass, you will be supplied with working and auxiliary tools.

To remove mechanically, you should have a scraper, a stiff brush with non-metallic bristles, a metal dishwashing sponge or a dull knife or blade on hand. Residues can be wiped off with a regular office eraser or melamine sponge. In addition to removing the sun protection coating of the glass, it is often necessary to remove the protective or simply adhesive tape from the plastic surfaces of the windows. Plastic is much softer than glass. And you need to clean it with mechanical objects as carefully as possible so as not to cause scratches.

When removing some types of coating, it may break into small sharp pieces and fly far to the sides. To prevent this phenomenon, the film (usually stained glass or advertising) must be moistened with water. Therefore, stock up on capacity.

If you decide to use a chemical detergent, you will need:

the solvent itself;
polyethylene film;
water;
felt and GOI paste.

Cover the plastic surfaces of the windows with plastic film to prevent possible contact with chemicals. In case of accidental contact, rinse the area with water.

Chemicals and plastics can interact with plastic-damaging effects. Therefore, it is important to determine the product that will be effective in removing a particular film. Treat with the selected reagent several times until the film completely moves away from the glass surface. Upon completion of the process, treat the glass with felt and GOI paste.

Steaming

Heat exposure is an excellent way to remove solar control film from a window if it has dried. The main goal here is to turn the dried glue into a liquid mass, which will allow you to tear off the old film from the glass. A household steamer is used as a tool. The steam heating process must be started from the edge of the film. After a short wait, you can lift the edge with a sharp object and pull it towards you with your hand. Continue to consistently steam the area covered with the film, and you will see how it is carefully removed from the glass. While the glue is still liquid, it can be easily removed with a rag moistened with a special remover (for example, Phenosol), and then wiped with a soapy solution and rinsed with clean water.

Detergents and cleaning products

There are many substances that can remove stuck film. The most popular are the following:

soap solution;
"Cosmofen" and other window cleaning products;
"Domax" and similar chemistry for glass-ceramic stoves;
“Shumanit” and other solutions used in tile cleaning technology;
solvents (acetone, white spirit, turpentine, toluene and others), they are selected individually for the type of glue;
industrial alcohol or denatured alcohol;
paint remover RP6, applied to the surface in a thick, thick layer.

The variety of materials from which sun protection film is made requires careful selection of detergents and cleaning agents for the most complete removal. Some of them (for example, solvents) have specific applications. Their action must be concentrated on the adhesive composition and applied into the gap between the film and the window glass. In most cases, the solvent has no effect on the coating itself.

Stationery knife

Thin and sharp, with a comfortable handle, it allows you to easily lift the edges and make cuts if necessary. Structurally, it is provided that you can easily break off the tip, which has become dull during use, along the notch, and the knife will become sharp again.

Newspaper and soapy water

Some films can be removed using newspaper sheets and a soap solution. The technology here is simple:

newspapers cover the entire area of the window;
then they are sprayed with a soap solution until they stick to the surface of the glass with the film;
for an hour the newspapers remain in this state, periodically moistened with a soap solution;
After exposure, they are removed along with the film.

But not all film coatings are so easy to remove.

Chemicals for windows

To wash sun film from windows using chemicals, you must follow safety precautions. When starting work, you must wear rubber gloves, tight, closed clothing, and in some cases, a respirator. The window sashes must be completely open. Children and animals should not be in the room at this time.

Film and foil can be removed using the following means:

Soap solution. Any soap will do. Grate or use liquid.
Household chemicals for cleaning glass-ceramic stoves: Domax, Selena-extra, Sanita, Top House, Beckman, Master Cleaner.
Solutions for tiles: Schumanit, Mellerud, HG, Dirtoff SanProff, Domestos, Titan, Sillit Bang, Cif cream.
Dishwashing detergents: Fary, Sorti, Dosia, Drop.
Solvents: white spirit, turpentine, acetone, solvent, amyl acetate, Nefras C2, Toluene, Orthoxenol. These products are applied a few drops into the gap between the window and the coating. If the substance is effective in this case, then rainbow stains will form in its place. The film will come off easily. If this does not happen, you need to try another type of solvent. When working with this kind of caustic chemical, you must ensure that the substance does not get on the rubber seal. Otherwise, it must be washed off immediately.
Window cleaners: Cosmofen, Homestar, Сlin Windows and Glass, Help, Mr. Muscle, Amway LOC

If the coating is difficult to remove, you should arm yourself with a scraper. You will also need several microfiber cloths, a kitchen sponge, and several large towels or soft, absorbent cloths. They will be needed to collect liquid flowing onto the windowsill.

When using household chemicals, you must follow the dosage indicated on the label.

How to remove film from glass

The process of removing film from a window itself can be long and labor-intensive, so you need to stock up in advance not only with all the necessary tools, but also with time and patience.

Soaking method

To remove window tint film, you will need a bowl of water, a flannel cloth, and dish soap. The process itself looks like this:

Dishwashing detergent must be added to the water. The liquid should become quite soapy.
Now you need to moisten a flannel cloth in this water (you can take a simple diaper) and stick it to the glass for 2 hours. If during this time the fabric dries out, it needs to be moistened with soapy water, for which you can use a spray bottle.
After 2 hours (the fabric can be kept longer), the solar film needs to be lifted with something, for example, a spatula or scissors, and its edge pulled down 2 cm. If it doesn’t come off well, then spray soapy water into the gap between it and the glass and try again after 10 minutes.
Remove the self-adhesive film from the glass completely, periodically wetting it during operation, which will make the process easier. In this case, you absolutely cannot rush, since there is a risk of tearing the film, and then you will have to start all over again.
Finally, wash the window with a solution of ammonia.

How to remove foil from a window

To remove foil, a scraper for a glass-ceramic hob is best suited
. You can remove foil from the glass using a scraper for cleaning a glass-ceramic hob. This tool copes with the problem without the use of household chemicals.

If the scraper fails to remove everything, then continue to clean the window with the hard side of the sponge using the following mixture: soda or Comet powder is mixed with alcohol or solvent. It will not be possible to wipe the foil off the glass immediately using this method. When, after painstaking work, the result is achieved, the glass surface must be put in order by polishing it with felt with diamond paste.

Another option is Amway Oven Cleaner Gel. It is distributed over the entire surface to be treated and left for half an hour. Dilute a small amount of vinegar in water. Soak a rag or sponge with this liquid and wash the glass. If the first time it was not possible to wash the sun film from plastic windows, then repeat the procedure.

A drill with a soft attachment for grinding glass together with powder for the same procedure helps to get rid of the problem.

When using household chemicals to clean windows, you should not mix two different solutions, as this may lead to an unexpected reaction of the components included in the substance.

Precautionary measures

Work to remove the adhered film is carried out with chemicals and sharp objects. Therefore, in order not to cause possible harmful consequences to the window structure when removing the film from the glass, and most importantly - to preserve your own health, you need to take precautions.

When working with chemicals, protect your eyes, skin with impermeable clothing, goggles and gloves, and your respiratory tract with respirators.
When using a sharp tool, perform the actions carefully, eliminating the possibility of injury.
Apply measured forces to the glass so that it does not burst from mechanical stress.
When working with aggressive chemicals and solvents, do not allow the sealing rubber of double-glazed windows and PVC surfaces to come into contact with them.
When using heating devices, do not overheat the glass to avoid cracks.
When using sharp tools, use methods that minimize the possibility of scratching the glass or causing other damage.

Compliance with these precautionary rules will not create additional problems when it is necessary to remove the sun film from the glass.

Coating removal methods

You can remove sun protection film from glass in different ways, choosing the most convenient and affordable one. This is done both mechanically and with the help of various detergents; they also use a combined approach in order to clean efficiently.

The film can be quite useful: it has a small thickness, but at the same time it makes the window much stronger; it can no longer be broken with a simple stone. There are different types of films that help protect the glass unit even from strong impacts, such as a shot; They are classified as protective. It will not be possible to remove perforated film from glass or any other type of protective or tinting from the outside: an attacker will not do this, since the process requires a lot of time, effort, and attracts the attention of others. Most films are glued on the inside, with the exception of the protective one.

Features of the procedure for removing old film

Usually, under the influence of elevated temperatures, the glue dries and the material firmly adheres to the surface. If you simply tear off the foil, you can scratch or damage the glass, and glue stains will remain.

There are several methods for removing film from window glass that are successfully used to carefully remove the coating:

chemical - they use products, but in some cases they are ineffective, it will not be possible to completely wash the coating;
mechanical – separated using physical force, using scrapers or other available materials, the disadvantage is that the surface of the window can be damaged;
combine both methods, acting sequentially: treated with a chemical solution and then cleaned off;
other methods (steaming, using newspapers, soaking).

Some types of coating break into small, sharp pieces. Typically, stained glass and advertising films are made from this material. During removal, they are moistened generously with water.

Removal by heat

Under the influence of high temperatures, the adhesive from the film dissolves and very easily comes off the plastic surface.

Algorithm of actions:

A hot stream of air from a household or hair dryer is directed onto the area of the window covered with film.
After two or three minutes, when the film becomes soft, you can gently pull it by the edge and remove it from the window. If the area covered by the protection is very large, the removal process is carried out in stages, heating small areas.
Remaining glue can be easily removed with a paper napkin.

Instead of a hairdryer, you can use a construction steam generator.

Precautionary measures

When working with chemicals, protect your eyes, skin with impermeable clothing, goggles and gloves, and your respiratory tract with respirators.
When using a sharp tool, perform the actions carefully, eliminating the possibility of injury.
Apply measured forces to the glass so that it does not burst from mechanical stress.
When working with aggressive chemicals and solvents, do not allow the sealing rubber of double-glazed windows and PVC surfaces to come into contact with them.
When using heating devices, do not overheat the glass to avoid cracks.
When using sharp tools, use methods that minimize the possibility of scratching the glass or causing other damage.

Compliance with these precautionary rules will not create additional problems when it is necessary to remove the sun film from the glass.

Effective ways to get rid of film on plastic windows

Many different methods of removing the protective film have already been invented and tested. However, before we begin to review the most effective of them, we should outline the boundaries beyond which we should not go:

be careful when using aggressive products with an abrasive base;
do not apply little-known and untested chemicals to the surface of the plastic;
Regardless of which method you are going to use, always test it on a small, less visible part of the product;
When using chemicals, start with small amounts. If this is not enough, add more.

No matter how good the cleaning techniques are, you should always follow the above tips.

Steam generator

Cleaning windows from film with a steam generator

How to remove dried protective film from plastic windows after 3.5-10 years of standing? It seems unrealistic, but with a steam generator it is possible!

The device, which is gaining popularity, has recently proven itself well as a universal tool in the fight against difficult stains. The steam generator shows good results in cleaning windows from film.

This method is also considered the most gentle.

Under the influence of hot steam, the glue loses its quality characteristics and it becomes easier to remove the protective film. Additionally, you will need a spatula - a scraper.

The area of the surface with the film with the dried film must be spot-treated with steam, then carefully remove the protective layer of the tape with a scraper.

Construction hair dryer

Removing dried film from windows and sills with a hairdryer

Recommendations from the experts

Removing film residue is a complex and time-consuming task. Experienced specialists recommend solving it sequentially, starting with soft and gentle techniques. If they do not produce results, more stringent methods are used. At the same time, you should not rush and try to use another technique without waiting for the results from the previous attempt.

If you decide to use an aggressive composition, you should be well prepared for the work. It is necessary to protect all surfaces from accidental contact with the product, use personal protective equipment, and prepare clean and undyed rags.

It is necessary to work in ventilated areas, but not at low temperatures. For cleaning, choose a fairly warm, windless day. The presence of scorching sun or excess humidity is undesirable.

How to remove tinting from plastic windows

Plastic surfaces can be destroyed by chemicals, so it is better to cover them with polyethylene. In case of accidental contact, rinse with water. Treatment with chemical compounds is carried out several times until the coating begins to peel off. After complete removal, the glass is polished with GOI paste using felt.

To remove old film from glass mechanically you need:

special scrapers;
brushes with hard bristles (but not metal);
metal kitchen brush;
knife,
stationery eraser.

When using these devices, carefully remove the film so as not to damage the glass or plastic surface of the window.

Steaming

One of the simplest, most effective ways is to remove the old coating with a steamer. The surface remains almost clean, the adhesive heated by steam softens, and the coating comes off more easily. Minor residues can be easily washed off with soapy water. Start heating with hot steam from the upper corner of the tint and act on it for 5 minutes.

After softening, you need to carefully pry it up, pull it towards you, separating it from the glass. If it doesn’t work, continue steaming, rolling the film, otherwise it will stick to the glass. Consistently heating each area, remove the entire coating. Remains of liquid glue can be removed with a special product (Fenosol remover), and then washed with soap and water.

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 surfactants;
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.

Video

Old film, when it has dried, can cause difficulty in removing it. The labor intensity of doing it yourself will be very significant. If you have time constraints but no financial means, you should contact a professional cleaning company. She will quickly solve this problem in the apartment.

During the hot season, many people use tinting film on windows, which protects their home from sunlight and lowers the air temperature in the room. It has become relevant, especially if the windows of an apartment or private house face south and there is no air conditioning, as the summer gets hotter. But in winter, when there are many cloudy, short days and you want more light in the rooms, or the appearance of the self-adhesive has deteriorated over time, it needs to be removed.

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