Specialization: facade finishing, interior finishing, construction of dachas, garages. The experience of an amateur gardener and horticulturist. He also has experience repairing cars and motorcycles. Hobbies: playing the guitar and much more, for which there is not enough time :)
After installing double-glazed windows, many people are interested in the 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 the protective film from plastic frames.
A few words about the protective film
The film on plastic windows protects the plastic surface during the transportation of windows and their installation. Moreover, manufacturers use special adhesives for gluing it, so that in the future there will be no problems with removal. But, the coating is not intended to be on the windows for a long time.
The fact is that gradually the glue under the film dries up 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 it can be concluded that it is necessary to remove the film in the near future, after the installation of windows. True, if the windows are cheap, then problems may arise even when removing the recently glued coating, due to the use of low-quality glue.
But, in any case, you should not despair, because there are quite effective ways to remove the old film from plastic windows, even if it has “tightly” eaten into the plastic. The main thing is to be patient and some means, which I will discuss below.
In summer, glue dries much faster and eats into plastic than in cold weather.
Film removal methods
So, the 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 with a scraper or other sharp object, such as a mounting or even a blade. The only thing, work with sharp tools must be very careful not to damage the plastic.
The instructions for removing the coating with a scraper are as follows:
- first of all, you need to pry off the edge of the protective coating with a scraper or other sharp object. The unglued edge must be large enough to be grasped;
- then you need to pull the foam and try to tear it off in one quick movement;
- if the tape starts to break, pry it up 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 had time to collapse under the influence of the sun. Otherwise, it will not work to tear off the film, and it is not advisable to constantly pick it with a scraper, as it will take a lot of time, and besides, it will certainly lead to scratches on the plastic surface.
Even if you successfully peel off the protective coating in this way, there will probably be areas with glue on the surface of the plastic. You can remove them in the ways that I will discuss below.
Method 2: with an eraser
If the old coating has become easily torn or even crumbled, it can be removed with an eraser. True, this method is only suitable for small areas, for example, if there is a film or glue residue left in some places after working with a scraper.
To clean the surface, choose the most elastic band possible. With it, simply rub the contaminated area with your hands, as if you were erasing a pencil from paper. As a result, the remaining adhesive 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 time-consuming method.
Method 3: hair dryer
If the coating cannot be removed with a scraper alone, you can heat the film with a hair dryer before peeling off the film. This is done as follows:
- turn on the hair dryer at maximum power and thoroughly heat a small area of \u200b\u200bthe coating;
- then tuck in the tape and pull on the edge. After heating, the glue should become much more "pliable";
- after that, you need to heat the next section and remove it in the same way;
- the remaining glue must be reheated and then wiped off with a paper towel.
An even more effective way to tear off the protective coating is to heat it with a steam generator. It is also mono to use a building 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 stubborn glue in the plastic surface.
Method 4: medical or industrial alcohol
Now consider how to remove the film from plastic windows with 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% alcohol or denatured alcohol using a sprayer 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 with a paper towel. In the process, you may need a scraper or other tool to pry off the film.
I must say that alcohol allows 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
Choosing how to wipe off the remnants of the coating and glue, you can give preference to vegetable oil. The last one can be anything, the only thing to keep in mind is that after the oil on the surface of the window will remain, even after you wash it. Therefore, it is best to use an essential oil that smells good.
The instructions for removing the coating with this tool look like this:
- before washing the surface, you need to apply oil to the contaminated areas with a cotton swab, then wait an hour. As the oil dries, the surface should be periodically lubricated;
- after the specified time, the contaminated areas should be wiped off with a paper towel;
- at the end of the work, you need to wash off the oil with a non-abrasive detergent.
Method 6: white spirit
White spirit is quite potent. The only thing before using it, wipe a small, inconspicuous area of plastic with a 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, do the work in the following order:
- the edge of the film must be torn off with a scraper or other sharp object, as far as possible;
- then the space between the film and the plastic surface should be treated with a solvent;
- wait a few minutes before peeling off the film. After that, the tape should easily fall behind;
- in the area where the film has not begun to tear, white spirit should be applied again.
If vapor barrier tape was used when installing the window, make sure that the solvent does not get on it, as it may deteriorate.
Method 7: "Shumanite"
"Shumanit" is a powerful detergent, which is intended primarily for removing grease from the surface. However, it also does a good job with adhesives that are used when gluing a protective coating. The only thing to remember is that Shumanit contains substances that can react with frames, so you should not apply it for a long time.
Dried film and old adhesive are removed with this tool as follows:
- old glue should be treated with a composition. If the old coating remains on the surface, the area under it, as well as the edges along the tape, should be processed;
- almost immediately after applying "Shumanit", the coating should be peeled off, and the remaining glue should be wiped off with a damp towel;
- at the end of the work, the plastic surface must be washed with any suitable detergent.
Method 8: "HG Sticker Remover"
Talking about how easy it is to remove the old film, one cannot fail to mention such a tool as HG Sticker Remover. It is sold in household chemical stores, usually in 300 ml bottles.
In general, this composition is designed to remove stickers and all kinds of self-adhesive stickers from the surface. However, as practice shows, with the help of Sticker Remover, an old protective film can also 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 tool;
- 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 adhesive residue must be removed with a paper towel or a clean cloth.
Method 9: "Cosmofen 10"
If you ask plastic window manufacturers for advice on a protective coating remover, they will most likely tell you about Cosmofen 10, which is a mild PVC solvent designed specifically for this purpose.
You can also use its analogue, which is called "FENOSOL". The price of these compounds ranges from 300 rubles per liter.
As in previous cases, the old film is pre-tucked, after which the composition is applied. Also, these products can be used to remove adhesive residue.
Before washing the surface of the glue, you need to wait a few minutes until the product reacts.
Method 10: "P-12"
Finally, I will talk about the RP-6 product, which is an acrylic solvent. With it, you can easily remove adhesive residue.
The only thing before doing the job, be sure to check if the solvent reacts with plastic frames. The fact is that some types of plastic under the influence of "RP-6" can change color.
The composition is applied in the same way as other solvents. As a rule, several minutes are enough for it to react with the old adhesive.
After the plastic windows have been installed, you must immediately remove the protective film. Many do not pay attention to it and believe that it will protect the windows for a while. In fact, if you delay this matter, then there will be problems in removing it, because over time it begins to crack and burst, which does not add beauty to the windows.When and why should you remove window film?
It is customary to install windows without removing the film. Manufacturers recommend removing the film within 10 days of window installation. You need to know that the protective film consists of 2 layers glued together. The manufacturer's advertisement is usually placed on the first layer, and the second is tightly glued to the surface of the frame. If it is not removed in time, then under the influence of heat and the sun, the glue thickens and sticks firmly to the surface. The front layer can still be removed, but the bottom layer will be removed in pieces.3 ways to remove old film from plastic windows
If it was no longer possible to remove the film in time, now you have to work hard. There are several proven ways to remove film from windows.1 way
It will take patience and effort. To remove, you need a blade or a thin sharp knife. It is necessary to pry the film with this object and tear off the protruding ends with your hands. And so on until complete removal.Then the remaining glue is removed from the surface. It is erased with an ordinary eraser. You can also use a sponge and detergent to wipe the frame until it is completely clean.
2 way
This method is suitable if the bottom layer is not "tightly" stuck. To do this, you need a building hair dryer or even one that is used for drying hair, but powerful. They heat the surface of the film and use a thin scraper to remove it. Residues of glue are washed off with detergents.How to remove an old film from a PVC window using various tools can be clearly seen in the video:
3 way
Here, a steam cleaner is used to remove the film. The film is thoroughly heated with steam, then removed from the frame with a glass scraper. To get rid of the glue on the frame, it is best to use white spirit. It washes off the adhesive well without damaging the plastic surface. If it is not possible to completely remove it, then you can impregnate the film with a cloth dipped in white spirit.Film remover for plastic windows
Not all products can be used to remove the film as they may damage the surface. Denatured alcohol, that is, industrial alcohol, is considered effective and does not damage the surface of PVC.To treat the surface Denatured alcohol should be poured into a sprayer and sprayed with a film, do nothing for about 5 minutes. Then its edge must be pry with a thin knife and gently pull the film. She must pull out. Spray again and pull off the remaining film. So until the entire film is removed.
If you wish, you can purchase a specialized product - a natural cleaner and stain remover Starwax. It is enough to spray it on the film, wait a few minutes and remove it with a scraper. As a bonus, the product has a pleasant aroma of orange peel.
In order not only to remove the film, but also traces of glue, it is suggested to use any car body cleaner:
How to remove the film from the plastic window sill?
To remove the film from windows and from the windowsill, the same methods are used. The fastest and most effective is the removal of the protective material using the Admiral special tool, which is produced specifically for PVC surfaces:- Wet window sill.
- Hold for 5-7 minutes.
- Take out the glass ceramic scraper and use it to scrape off the film.
Video: How to remove the protective film from PVC windows?
The video shows how the remnants of the old protective film are removed in a very simple and original way:So, in order not to bother yourself with the work of removing the old film, you need to immediately remove it after installing the windows. Then there will be no difficulties - it can be easily removed, you just need to pull a little. It should be understood that such a film is intended to protect materials only during transportation.
When I myself had the opportunity to take up the removal of the film from a window installed 3-4 years ago, I tried many methods, and from personal experience I was 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 writings with reviews:
1 Remove the film with something sharp
This is the easiest and most affordable way to find a razor blade or a clerical knife, or any other sharp object, including even nail cleaners, and pick the edges of the film with this object, slowly tearing it off the plastic.
The work, I'll tell you, requires a lot of patience, as it comes off in pieces, which also stick back to another place, some kind of direct restoration. Too long and tedious, and when you lose patience and try to speed up the process, you start scratching the plastic.
The best sticks to use are:
There is even a professional tool, although it was developed not for removing the film from the window, but for cleaning glass ceramics:
I did not have to work with them, but most likely it will not be so useful in oval and hard-to-reach places.
2 Hot air from a hair dryer
First tried with a hair dryer, but it doesn't give 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 tear it off.
Things went faster when they began to use sticks and a hair dryer at the same time, the film actually, when warmed up, it was easier to remove, but here's the inconvenience - it burns your hands.
The hair dryer is good when you remove the film from a new window and in large pieces to pull the edge and warm the place 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 all the same sticks or blades.
It can be used as ordinary solvents, such as white spirit, 646 and others, but first you need to try on a hidden piece of the window so as not to dissolve the plastic. Or use a professional solvent, like this industrial one:
The use of a conventional solvent is such a stink that even an open window does not help, but it does not dissolve the film, but only makes it softer and only along the edges it leaves well.
A professional solvent with a smell (we had an orange), so it doesn’t really stink, but the dissolution products still have to be inhaled, and it dissolves the film not much better than usual, despite the fact that its price per bottle is about 1000 rubles.
5 Eraser - an elastic band for erasing a pencil.
Absolutely useless thing, unless you need to remove the film no larger than a fingernail.
6 Soap solution using a stiff brush
I also tested this method, it cuts off only the edges of the film, and the main part holds. But it removes the glue itself well when the film is torn off.
The modern market offers each 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 a protective glass. This is due to the fact that after a while we do not treat smartphones as carefully as at the first stage. Today we will talk about how to clean the phone before sticking the glass, how to get rid of dirt, remove stains, how to clean the gasoline and rainbow stains, cut, wipe the protective glass from the inside and what tools we need for this.
What is protective 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 bumps. Despite these characteristics, the brightness and color does 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 made on the basis of silicone. It sticks to the display.
- The next layer is the bonding layer. It is he who does not allow the fragments to spread if a crack or mechanical shock occurs.
- The third layer of coating is an anti-reflective film. It keeps patterns visible on the screen when it is exposed to direct sunlight or other bright light.
- The protective layer protects against bumps, falls and other mechanical damage.
- The very last layer is an oleophobic coating. It provides protection from moisture, fingerprints and makes it easy to clean the screen.
With active use, the top coating, which ensures the reliability of the unit, becomes dirty. It was then that the question arises of how to clean the protective glass of the phone. How to do this and what is required for this, we will consider further.
Immediately pay attention to the state of the back of your gadget. You may need information about .
What is a protective film?
Protective film appeared on smartphones for a long 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;
- top - is responsible for protecting the display screen.
Important! The most important thing for a film is proper gluing. To do this, you need to have a little skill, since the first time it can not always work out.
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 if there will be a difference in cleaning:
- The matte film absorbs glare and also hides fingerprints. The main disadvantage is that it degrades the image quality. However, its cost is very low. Many craftsmen classify such a film as a technological one and advise not to stop the final choice on this product.
- Glossy protective film is the most popular among similar products. The main disadvantage of such a coating is that it is easily damaged. 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 lies in the fact that when the screen is off, it can mirror the image. However, the quality and brightness of the screen changes when this coating is pasted - this is the main drawback.
All of the above films get dirty, and this is especially noticeable when dust gets under the coating. How to clean the film for the phone, we will now analyze.
How to clean the protective glass on the phone?
If you are thinking about how to clean a phone film, then ordinary adhesive tape, or, as it is also called, adhesive tape, will help you. For this you need:
- take a wide adhesive tape;
- cut off a piece of about 30-40 cm from it;
- stick it to the surface so that the sticky side is on top.
After that, it is worth sticking the protective film with the sticky side to the adhesive tape. Then very carefully and slowly immediately peel off the film. All the dust that was present on the product will go away, 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 with the help of auxiliary means - white toothpaste, GOI paste or olive oil.
Another way to clean the protective glass from the inside is to use water and soap. For this:
- You need to remove the contaminated product from your phone.
- Wash off all dust particles in hot water.
- After carrying out this procedure, it is very good to lather the sticky layer with soap. For this, it is better to use two or three layers.
- After that, take and wash off the soapy solution under water. See that the water is glass from the film.
- Then we glue the film onto the cleaned wet display using an ordinary credit card.
- We look so that air bubbles and other villi do not get 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
* Recommended to upload a 720*312 image as the cover image
Article Description
Good day Mi-Fans! We all know that the screen of a modern smart phone is the most expensive part of it, the cost of which can exceed all other details combined. Due to the fact that mobile phones have long ceased to be just a means of cellular communication, and are increasingly focused on the delivery of visual information, display sizes are growing every year. This parameter is already approaching the typical 7-inch tablets. At the same time, the resolution and the number of displayed colors are increasing, models with curved edges are appearing, and flexible screens are already on the way. All this leads to the need for especially careful care of the display of our smart. Indeed, because of such dimensions, it is vulnerable both to external mechanical influences and to pollution. One of the main enemies of any screen is dust, which degrades the picture quality and makes the device unaesthetic. It’s not pleasant to buy a brand new Mi Mix 2 or 2S, and later Mi 7, and then constantly observe some kind of dirt on it. Let’s all consider together how to clean a smartphone from dust, returning it to its original appearance. There are several options for screen pollution. The easiest case is if dirt and dust are on top. It will be enough to wipe the surface with a special microfiber cloth moistened with screen cleaning liquid. In principle, even a regular, slightly damp cloth will do. Alcohol solutions are not recommended, as they can dissolve the display's oleophobic coating, which protects it from greasy stains. If, after wiping, foreign fragments are still visible, then the dust particles have penetrated deeper. The algorithm of actions depends on where exactly they got. How to clean a smartphone from dust under a protective film or glass? As I wrote above, the display in modern smartphones is extremely vulnerable to physical impact. That is why smartphones with protective glass Gorilla Glass are so popular. According to manufacturers, such gadgets are not afraid of even falling screen down on the asphalt from a height of human growth. As for the owners of cheaper phones without Gorilla Glass, they can buy a protective glass separately (universal or created specifically for a specific model) and stick it on their own. Such a protective glass consists of several layers (silicone, bonding, anti-reflective, protective, plus oleophobic coating) and has a thickness of 0.25 to 0.5 mm. Its simplified version is a protective film - its thickness and cost are much less, but it can only protect the screen from scratches. In any case, self-gluing glass or film on the display cannot be compared in quality and tightness with factory technologies. Therefore, sooner or later, dust and dirt begin to penetrate under them (usually it starts from corners and edges). You can, of course, remove the old film or glass and replace them with new ones. However, the cost of protective glasses can reach more than 1000 rubles, so it is better to try to clean them. To do this, there is a proven method using ordinary adhesive tape. To remove dust under the protective glass of the phone or film, you will need to perform the following simple manipulations.➭ Carefully peel off the glass / film from the screen and put it on a flat table with the sticky side up. We clean the smartphone display with the usual means (rags, napkins, liquid). All the dust will go to the tape, and the sticky side of the protective coating will be clean. We glue the film or glass back onto the phone, making sure that air bubbles do not form and new dust particles from the air do not get in. Everything, it remains only to wipe the outer surface. ➭ If dust appears again under the glass of the phone or the film, the procedure can be repeated many times. Until the adhesive layer and outer coating are worn out. The most unpleasant option is when dust has penetrated directly into the very structure of the screen, for example, between the matrix and the touchscreen. Here you can't do without disassembling the case. Despite the presence of many tips on how to do this, the right decision would be to contact the official service center, or any mobile device repair point. Hope you enjoyed this little review. It is possible that professionals will pass by this topic, but for beginners this info will come in handy. Tell us how you fight for the cleanliness of your phone? Or are you just not paying attention to its pollution?