Privacy window film

[RobertLambie]

For window films, try William Smith or Bonwyke.

https://www.bonwyke.co.uk
https://www.williamsmith.co.uk

to give a very basic process step:

1, damp cloth wipe the window.
2, blade scraper the whole window, and make sure you don’t miss an inch. you will be amazed at the little things sticking to the surface that you won’t get with a wipe or chemical.
3, soapy water spray the film, drench it 100%
4, soapy water spray the WINDOW, drench it 100%
5, do NOT kink the film when removing the liner, a second pair of hands holding it is really helpful, even more so if the window is large.
6, Once the film is in place, spray the rear of the film to help glide your squeegee.
7, squeegee as much water out as possible, starting from the middle and working it out the shortest route.
8, if the film is touching the edge of the frame/rubber at all, trim this back with a straight edge and a brand new blade, as soon as possible and squeegee again the water out.

9, as you do this, wipe all around the edge with a paper towel soaking up any water. what happens is the water can seep back under the film and make it start to lift. so firm squeegee out and wipe dry continually.

10, wipe down the back and clean the film. “continually” go back and look at the film and see any areas you may have missed with water below it because any missed moisture will shift south over time and create problems.

p.s. always use a sharp blade!

the above is the “most basic” of explanations.

[Martyn Heath]

Another option if fitting on your own is the reverse roll method which is ideal when fitting on your own. Follow all the steps as mentioned but when it comes to fitting-

– roll film up with liner facing glass

– unwind 2 inches

– spray the outside of the roll in your hand

– peel the backing from the 2 inches and put onto the now wet roll in your hand

– soak the window

-hold the film upto window and release the roll, hold the 2 inches and put onto glass

-then follow the methods mentioned.

what happens is the liner comes off on its own and ends up on the face which you remove. Also means less chance of dust etc.

Hard to explain but youtube has some vids

[Gordon Smithard]

Many thanks for the tips, I take this stuff needs to be cut to size before fitting? I haven’t measured the glass yet but it might be small sections.

[Martyn Heath]

can be done either way but ive always cut on site

[Gordon Smithard]

Thanks again for the tips, I’m getting a free sample from Metamark so I’ll see how that goes.

[RobertLambie]

I trim prior to being on-site but obviously requires the initial visit though.
The reason is, I prefer it done on a good table large enough to hold the entire sheet.
This prevents little kinks in the film during the handling and rotating process during cutting.
Also helps make sure you get it cut “square” because if you don’t cut it true square, the space will show up when on the window.
Once trimmed we also separate the film from the liner in two corners. just a little and then fold back. It’s nothing, but again, speeds up the process when on-site trying to separate the film.
once each section is ready, we I.D. each with a bit of application tape stuck on the surface with dimensions. roll them up and put them in a card core from old rolls of vinyl. this protects the film from damage during transport.

we have also done the trimming on-site but can result in trying to trim and cut it on an office desk, a floor etc. That said, you could take a trimming board/mat with you. We did a few hundred windows for Royal Mail and we took sheets of correx to trim on top of. worked easy enough but i still prefer arriving with it all done. granted, not always possible.