Decorative Window Films – Installation is Easy!
Installing decorative window films or residential window tinting is a fast, easy process once you have the tools and preparation completed in advance. Lets get right down to the 8 steps you can take to do it yourself!
What You’ll Need:
* Your chosen decorative window film- (any style or color will follow this process)
* A Rubber squeegee (the wider the better)
* A sharp utility knife with a brand new blade (don’t skimp on this..get a SHARP blade)
* Common household spray bottle
* Straightedge- A wooden yardsticks work great for big windows
* Baby shampoo- Johnson & Johnson works great!
* Water- Bottled is best
* Lint-free cloth (or coffee filters) -Microfiber cloths are very good
* Transparent tape (“clear” Scotch Tape is fine)
Planning for the Installation
Measure and jot down the length and width of each window that you plan to add film to. You will want to know the measurements first to determine which sizes to purchase. You should add 10-20 percent to your purchase to account for mistakes, and any extra scrap.
Application
You’ll want to start your project in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the hottest parts of the day. Excessive heat will cause the soapy solution used to coat the glass to dry before your done and could cause streaks in your finished project.
1. First, clean your windows completely with a mixture of one teaspoon baby shampoo to one gallon bottled water. It is important that you use a solution similar to J & J “no-tears” baby shampoo and bottled water to provide the correct pH and final finish to your project. Do NOT use any cleaner that contains vinegar or ammonia to clean the windows. Also, do not clean the actual windows with any cleaner containing vinegar or ammonia immediately before starting, as this could damage your project.
2. Using your measurements that you’ve recorded, cut a piece of film 1″ wider and 1″ longer than the window you plan to install to.
3. Spray the window, using your spray bottle with the baby shampoo solution you used to clean the windows. Keep your hands moistened with the solution also to prevent leaving fingerprints. Don’t be afraid to spray liberally, It’s better to have more water than not enough on the window.
4. Use two pieces of transparent tape to remove the backing from the film. Basically, you want to put the tape on each side of a corner of the window film and pull the tape tabs apart so you can separate it from its backing. After you have exposed an inch or so of the film’s backing, spray it down with your soapy solution. For large pieces, you will need your helper to keep spraying the film while you peel the backing away to keep from contaminating it.
5. From the top of the window, place the semi-adhesive side of your film onto the window and attach it as you work your way down the window. Position the cut out sheet so that it is centered on the glass and meanwhile have your partner spray it with the solution. Again, its OK to liberally spray the window and the film with the shampoo solution. Once the film is effectively in place, you now want to squeegee any bubbles to within about 2″ of the edge of the window. Continue to keep spraying the surface of the film with the solution so the squeegee will glide across the film and glass easily.
6. Use your sharp utility knife along with your straight edge positioned next to the edge of the window to trim the film. Leave a 1/16″ border between the edge of the film and the window.
7. Once the majority of the excess window film is trimmed off, go ahead and re-spray the surface of the film and squeegee out any bubbles. Air bubbles will need to be worked towards the edge of the glass and should be able to escape through the 1/16″ space between the film and the edge of the window.
8. The film should begin to permanently dry and stay in place within 30-40 minutes. The full cure time takes approximately four to eight days.
Voila! You just installed your own decoractive window film by yourself. Pat yourself on the back, and enjoy your new room.
