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How to install

Installation instructions

  1. Clean the areas to which the film is to be applied, removing all traces of dirt, grime, grease, etc.

  2. Carefully measure the height and width of the glass surface. Oversize the film up to 1cm extra material on each side of the film and cut the film to this size.

  3. Create your own wetting solution by adding a few drops of dish detergent into a 1L spray bottle filled with water.

  4. Lay the cut to size decorative film on a clean flat surface with the release liner up, or have someone hold the piece to be applied for you. Remove the release liner and spray the now exposed adhesive surface thoroughly with the wetting solution. Apply a generous amount of the wetting solution to the glass. The wetting solution prevents the film from sticking to the surface immediately, thereby allowing you more time in which to properly position the film.

  5. Place the now wet film onto the clean glass surface. Wet the face of the film to be squeegeed. Use the plastic card squeegee and squeegee from the centre out towards the edges to remove any air bubbles and wetting solution. Double check that the film is flat and smooth with no remaining air bubbles and water.

  6. If any bubbles are not removed after Step 4, then squeegee them out towards the closest edge.

  7. Trim the excess film from the edges of the surface. It is ideal to cut in one continuous movement, using the ruler and razor knife. Use the paper towels for cleaning the glass surface and for the absorption of excess wetting solution around the edges.

  8. The film may take a few days to dry in order for it to completely adhere to the glass surface.

Additional installation tips

  1. Check the glass to make sure the surface is smooth.

  2. Spray the glass with soapy water and use a single edge razor blade to shave the surface.

  3. There should be no “clicking” sounds from the glass as the blade passes across the surface.

  4. Make sure the water is clean and use a new spray bottle. Do not use well water. Do not use hand soap.

  5. The glass must be sprayed and squeegeed clean and not wiped.

  6. Fingers should be dipped in water and rinsed before handling the film after the liner is removed.

  7. The surrounding area should be clean with no fans or wind blowing.

  8. A good squeegee is needed to squeegee all the water from behind the film.

Precautions

  1. The surface to which the film will be applied should be very clean, free of dirt, dust particles and silicone. Make sure there are no dry spots on the film prior to placing it onto the glass.

  2. Take care that when removing the release liner from adhesive backed films that the film does not roll over onto itself. It will stick together and is difficult to pull apart. Wet the film as the liner is removed!

Tip to remove liner

To separate the liner from the film take two pieces of scotch tape and stick them opposite each other at one corner then pull these two pieces of tape apart and the liner will separate from the film. The adhesive surface will now be exposed. Wet this adhesive surface. Do not let the film fall upon itself as it will stick if not wet and it will be hard to separate!

Seaming Films

For windows that are wider than the available width of SOLYX films, Industry standards allow for seaming. Standard Installation for seaming is a butt-join type seam. The films are overlapped and cut through with a sharp blade using a straight edge. The excess films are removed. A slight light line may appear. This is normally the width of the blade point. This is acceptable.

Maintenance - cleaning and care

  1. We recommend only SimGlas® Window Film Cleaner and microfiber cloth.

  2. The frequency of cleaning will not affect the film in any way.

  3. DO NOT USE BRISTLE BRUSHES OR ANY OTHER MATERIAL THAT MIGHT SCRATCH THE SURFACE!

  4. Some paper towels are coarse enough to scratch the film. Repeated use of improper cleaning implements and/or solutions will damage the appearance of the film.

  5. CAUTION! DO NOT USE AMMONIA OR VINEGAR OR ANY PRODUCTS CONTAINING AMMONIA OR VINEGAR TO CLEAN THE WINDOW. DO NOT USE ANY ADHESIVE TAPES, LABELS, OR SIGNAGE ON THE SURFACE OF THE FILM.

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Under reasonable weather conditions, film will dry flat, with no blisters, within 30 days, when viewed under normal viewing conditions. Normal viewing conditions are viewing treated windows from a distance of ten feet from the room side, at angles of up to 45 degrees, looking at a clear or uniformly overcast sky. Since a particle-free application is possible only under sterile conditions, there may be small amounts of dust or grit caught between the film and glass. There may be a small amount of water left behind the film, particularly with the thicker films. Please be patient. Within approximately 60-90 days, this water will evaporate through the film.

How to install: FAQ
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