-
window security vinyl fitting problem
Ok everyone, I have been fitting vinyl for years and years with no problems, wraps, curtain sider trucks etc…..then we got an order to cover a 2m x 2m window in clear security film???!!!! its totally buggered us! We have completed this size covering with printed and laminated material without problems but this security film stuff has stumped me.
Fitting went fine, (wet) because of the size, then I stood back and watched it all go wrong….the vinyl is bubbling up all over the shop and I am talking big horrible ugly tattooed buggers. If I attempt popping them and pushing out the air it will crease immediately because the vinyl is thicker than my Father in law….help please. The surface was completely spotless after cleaning with panel wipe, I just don’t get it?
Gavin
-
11 Replies
-
if window is in direct sunlight and fluid is left behind it can expand almost boil hence creating vey big bubbles try to make sure all liquid is squeegeed out
-
Are you applying this with?
A felt squeegee?
Rubber roller?
Nylon 3M type squeegee?I did a whole load of bomb proof one way vision mirror film. About 100 inches high and 30 wide.
The problem is water is forced out but not like vinyl. Vinyl has a tacky back to it so once you squeegee the water out the vinyl adheres and holds it out. Preventing it moving back under the film. This doesn’t seem to happen with the window films.
Something to try..
When you have the film in place, squeegee the water out starting at the top from the middle out to the sides. Overlapping your strokes. Once it’s all on and in place trim it up only with a very sharp knife and straight edge. (Leave about .25 inch space in from window edge .5 inch if you can get away with it.
By the time you have trimmed up the edge you will see loose areas appearing.
Basically the water is moving behind the film. (Downwards) again, this time a bit more firm & starting at the top. Repeat the squeegee process.
This time… ide have a coffee and watch over it.
What I did was go onto the next window and keep checking back. And so on…
Just remember it doesn’t matter how well you have squeegee, some water will be behind there and if its any kind of amount it wants to move south… by the time it reaches the bottom of a large window you could have a massive sagging bubble.
Like you… I learned the hard way. I applied it perfect squeegee it 2-3 times and left. Next day I walked into one sheet half slid down the window and stuck solid.There are some experts on these types of films on the site, I’m sure they will be able to maybe give you better tips. 🙄
-
Is the glass laminated or coated with any other antiscratch/uv/protective film ?? I have heard that these can cause problems but it seems a strange one. Can you contact the film suppiers to see wht they have to say on the subject ?
Nigel
-
Thanks Guys, I am going to the job this morning……balaclava ready. Rob I fitted it with a felt squeegee.?? is this the problem? not enough pressure because of the ‘give’ in the squeegee? Didn’t want to scratch it using 3m golds.
This is the only material that has ever made me feel the same as I did ten years go….a complete beginner learning all the time, it just goes to show we all get a kick up the arse sometimes, usually when we think we know it all….right lets go and stick my feet against the glass and hang off this stuff and start again.
Thanks againGav
-
Your film supplier should be able to provide you with a much better squeegee for the job, the best ones have a solid metal handle and thick piece of rubber on them. To stop the scratching make sure the side you are squeegeeing is wet. Hope this helps.
-
yeh.. i used a spandex squeegee at the time. its just stiffer but 3M should still do the job. like arch said.. once you have to start doing it firm. spray the back with a little water so the squeegee slides better. if you have a 3m friction sleave that also may help.
best of luck mate 😉
-
Cheers guys all sorted………unless I get a call in the morning????
Gav
-
Hope everything is now sorted out, I dont know if it applies to security films but I have been told by the people I get my window tint from that you cant apply window tint films to double glazed windows.
-
Hey Gav,
Sorry I didn’t see this one earlier. Security film is a bugger to fit. I’ve been doing it for twenty years and I still don’t like fitting the stuff. You’re going to get lots of bubbling unless you get every bit of the application fluid out. I mean every bit out. It took me half an hour of squegeeing a pane of glass about a month ago to get every little bit out and I was using a u beaut professional type squegee.
A foam squegee is just too soft to be able to put the amount of pressure you need. Sorry you probably didn’t want to hear that.Even when you’ve done the squeeging like I do…It will still bubble. This is due to the normal drying process. Film (unlike vinyl) dries from the edges, so it is an uneven process. It’s usual for security film to still have bubbles up to a month or six weeks later.
What thickness was it? 4mil, 7mil,12mil,or 14mil? Was it clear or tinted? These will all have varying drying times.
Any problems give me a pm & I’ll help you if I can.
Cheers
Lee
-
Well….I got a call…..yes its bubbling but nothing like the first time. I spent hours on this poxy job yesterday and thought I had got a completely dry job after breaking my first two improper hardware store squeegees I borrowed a proper one….yes the guy who let me borrow it had a slippery ole smile on his face as walked away…..strange really, he owns a window film company and can’t fit / get on with our lovely, excellent vinyl but evidently has no problem with window film!!? I am seriously thinking about a bit of trade swap on this one, or I might just bung him the 85 quid he said he could do it for and run like hell.
Its really not in my nature to give in on fitting something difficult but hey, I have a ton of proper, nice normal vehicle and sign work to do. or shall I just change my tel number and move premises?? 👿
Cheers again everyone.
Gav
-
Martin wrote:
quote :I have been told by the people I get my window tint from that you cant apply window tint films to double glazed windows.This would be to do with thermal build up, rather than problems applying the film I think Martin.
Any jobs we have for security films is always supplied & fitted by a film company we use, they always advise that the ‘curing’ process can take ‘weeks’ rather than ‘days’ to complete.
Andy
Log in to reply.