Window films are a thin, laminate film installed on either the window’s interior or exterior surfaces, not only in automobiles such as cars or boats but also on house windows. It is perfect for sunblock in case you want your indoor to be less bright, but the material may earn scratches or damages, enough for the film to need a replacement. This article is here to guide you on how to remove window film house.
Whether removing it from a vehicle or a building – the steps are still similar, so the step-to-step guide provided below can serve not just for removing films from your house windows but can also be your guide once you replace the window films on your vehicles as well. Some guides can be quite lengthy and can possibly waste your time while you’re in a hurry to uninstall the film. It can be necessary to do so, especially when a party will happen the following day, or you’re out to take somebody on a date and pick them up with your car – who knows if they have OCD, right? Thus we’re here to assist you on that matter.
Gathering the Necessary Tools
3m window films are flexible synthetics that provide a 100% privacy that can be cut to any shape and design, and it also comes in a series of colors. This material is reasonably priced and robust. It solves many privacy and safety matters and is the perfect item, especially when you’re looking to enhance your household’s aesthetic. But window films can require quite a hectic work when you need to remove them, especially when you don’t know the tools you need to be equipped with while you’re doing the job. Thus, this is the first step: gather the necessary means for window film removal. Listed below are the things you’ll need to make your work a lot easier.
Ammonia Based Cleaner or DIY Vinegar/Ammonia Solution
Ammonia is a useful cleaning tool that is often predominantly used in cleaning products that you can find in your home. They can be found in products you use to clean with your appliances or sinks and floors, like oven and drain cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, shining waxes, multipurpose cleaners, and it is even commonly found in glass and window cleaners. They make good window cleaners, quickly making the glass free from stain and dirt, but aside from that, they make an excellent window film remover. You can try mixing your solution to remove the films if you can’t find any of these products. You can directly spray ammonia on the film, but make sure you have a protective mask so you won’t inhale the fumes. As an alternative, you can mix one part white vinegar with one part hot water.
Plastic Wrap
Using the solution above (Ammonia/Vinegar solution) can be quite lengthy, and the chemicals might damage your floor. With the plastic wrap, you can utilize the material to cover the sprayed window to hold in the moisture while protecting your floors at the same time. Allow it to sit for an entire night for the best results.
Razor Scraper
Razor scrapers can help you out with scraping off the clingy window film because our nails alone can’t always do this tricky process. You may use this to scrape the film from your windows to free it from the tint completely, but you’ll have to be careful not to scratch your windows with this sharp item.
Blow Dryer and Steamer
Another alternative to chemicals would be the use of the elements: the combination of wet and dry. With the help of a blow dryer and a steamer, the tint can easily release. Try removing the film during the day or with the sunlight against the window. The tint easily peels off when the glass becomes warm.
Paper Towels
After using substances during the process of removing the tint, you may need this item to prevent glass windows from developing marks that may be difficult to remove. Using paper towels to wipe it off would be much safer as the material has no texture that might scratch the window.
Removing the Window Film: Step-by-Step Guide
Self-Defense
Now that you’ve gathered the essential tools for work, listed below are simple, easy steps on how to remove old window films from your house windows. In no time, you’ll have your windows free from damaged window films to make way for a replacement, or you can leave it clear, that choice depends on you.
- Before you start with the process, keep your floor safe by securing a plastic wrap or cloth below the spot where you should work.
- Tinted films dissolve in ammonia or vinegar, so you may use either of these chemicals. You can apply the solution by using a spray bottle.
- Try using a combination of wet and dry heat, utilizing a mix of blow dryer and steamer. It will help you release your tint from the window.
- When you’re done with the dry treatment – use a razor blade to scrape the film and grasp one corner or the edge of the material and pull.
- Once you are entirely done with the tint, clean the glass with paper towels because using vinegar or ammonia can leave traces that may stain your windows.
Conclusion
Doing the process of removing window films can be tricky. Hopefully, the steps above will help you execute the process efficiently and cost-effectively rather than waste money on paying other people for the maintenance. Window films are the best choice when it comes to enhancing the aesthetic quality of your homes or for the sake of solving privacy issues. It won’t just block sunlight – it’ll block neighbors that may try to peep on the activities in your home while outside, but of course, every human-made material can’t last forever and may need replacements. This article on how to remove window film house is here to assist you in removing the installed equipment, perhaps for maintenance, or replacing it with a different aesthetic material that you think may fit your home. Find out more about Window Films.