How to tear off the film from plastic windows. How to remove dried film from plastic windows

The profile of a plastic window is covered with a special film that protects it from dirt, scratches and other mechanical damage during delivery and installation. It is very easy to remove it from the product, but it must be done in time. It is advisable to start this immediately after the installation of the window. Otherwise, it will be necessary to resort to more radical methods cleaning the film from the profile.

Why is it difficult to clean the protective film from the window

The instructions for plastic windows usually indicate that the film must be removed within 2 weeks after installation. Removing the film will not cause much difficulty in the coming months. However, if it remains on the profile for more than 4 months, it will take a lot of effort to remove the film.

What could be the reasons for this problem? The film in its composition has several layers, which are attached to the profile using a special adhesive. Strong adhesion to plastic occurs under the influence of solar radiation, as well as heat. In other words, the process of decomposition of the inner very thin layer of the film takes place. Therefore, the inner layer is much more difficult to remove than the surface.

Reasons that contribute to strengthening the bonding of the film and PVC frame:

• heat action. IN summer time the film dries to the frame much faster than in winter;
• the quality of the special adhesive applied to the film affects the complexity of its removal. The cheaper the windows, the lower the quality of the glue;
• exposure to UV rays. The adhesive layer of the film on the windows located on the south side of the building may dry faster. Therefore, it is more difficult to remove the film on such windows than on windows located on the north side.

How to remove film and adhesive tape from metal-plastic windows

It is recommended to remove the protective film from the window within 2 weeks after installation. Then it will be difficult to do so. This is due to the fact that under the influence of various factors, its adhesive layer will change its characteristics. You may need to seek help from a cleaning company or wipe off the old tape yourself using tools and substances such as:

• scraper;
• building hair dryer;
• scissors;
• Cosmofen;
• different chemicals.

If the adhesive tape does not come off completely, then you should use alcohol or tape.

Methods for removing adhesive tape from the glass of plastic windows

There are many methods for removing adhesive tape from double-glazed windows. However, the fastest and most effective ways, thanks to which the entire film is removed and the window surface is not damaged, are the following:

• scraper or brush. Tape removal with this tool will never damage the window surface when used along with soapy water;
• an eraser that will need to scrub the film intensively enough. But at the same time, the surface of the profile is well preserved;
• construction dryer - the best remedy, but one condition must be met when using it. You can direct the hair dryer only at the frame. If a jet of hot air hits a double-glazed window, it may crack or burst from exposure to temperature. A building hair dryer heats up the tape, after which the glue begins to dissolve, which means you can easily remove it;

Advice. In the absence of a building hair dryer, you can always use the usual one, only it should work in turbo mode. But do not forget that this option is suitable if the protective film is not very strongly adhered to the PVC profile.

• white spirit can also be useful in removing the adhesive film from the product, but it is usually applied not on top of the PVC window, but between the film and the surface of the product. It is necessary to pry off its edge and moisten the place with white spirit. Wait a few minutes and remove the film;
• Kosmofen perfectly eliminates the film. This tool has proven itself as a cleaner for plastic windows;
• thin knife. Use such a tool carefully, because if you press it hard, you can scratch the window profile. In this case, the actions should be as follows: with a knife, you need to pick up a small edge of the film, then tear it off very slowly. Residues of glue are removed with a solvent;
• wide tape will help remove the remaining adhesive tape. It is very easy to use it. It is necessary to stick the adhesive tape on the surface and carefully remove it along with the remnants of the film;
• technical alcohol or denatured alcohol must be poured into a small spray bottle and the substance is evenly sprayed onto the protective film. Denatured alcohol should be left for a few minutes on the surface. Then pry off the edge of the film with a knife and remove the film. In this way, the entire profile is sprayed, and the remaining film is removed. Glue is removed with acrylic solvent;
• Shumanit. The effectiveness of this detergent, which is produced in Israel by Buggy, has been proven by numerous consumer reviews. And since this is a strong remedy, it must be used with extreme caution;
• RP-6 is an excellent film remover that should be thickly applied to the frame surface for 10 minutes. The film swells and easily leaves after the use of this drug;
• a weak solvent well eliminates traces of PVC films. However, remember that before you apply the tool on the entire surface, you need to check its effect on an inconspicuous area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe window.

Attention! It is worth saying that the options listed above are always applicable for all details. window structures, since the adhesive used for them is the same.

How to remove solar control film or foil from a window

Everything modern materials, protecting our homes from high external temperatures, contain not only aluminum, but also other elements that complicate the process of removing them from the surface. And so that there are no noticeable spots on the glass, as well as streaks, the foil or film from the window is removed with special care. There are the most popular methods for cleaning windows from PVC film.

Steaming against old duct tape

With the help of a modern steamer, you can easily remove the film from the window. The entire cleaning process must be carried out in several stages.

1. A small area on the window must be heated with hot steam, which produces a steamer. At the same time, it is important that its direction be pointwise, and not over the entire area of ​​​​the window.
2. After 5 minutes, you must lift a small section of the film, and then pull it towards you, thereby separating the film from the window.
3. We do the same with the new section until the entire window is clear of the sun-protection film.

This is the most elementary and most gentle option for removing the film. And even if after it there are traces on the window, then they are removed with the help of an ordinary soapy solution.

How to clean mirror film with newspaper

The sunscreen can also be removed using plain soapy water and newspaper. This work is done in several stages.

Other means and methods

Cleaners and detergents that can remove adhesive tape from a window frame are suitable for removing stains and film from the glass surface. In addition to the already mentioned Cosmofen and Shumanite, effective substances such as:

• Fenosol;
• Domax (the preparation is intended for careful care of ceramics and glass, therefore, it does not contain abrasive substances).

But even these very powerful tools do not always cope with the task. In this case, you need to use a hard scraper or choose another way to clean the window from the film.

Video: remove the stuck film with tape

Precautions for removing film residue from glass and plastic

Precautions should be taken when removing sunscreen or conventional film from a window. Need to use protective equipment from chemicals that have a negative effect not only on human skin, but also on his respiratory tract. Use sharp objects carefully so as not to get hurt. Try to follow the following rules:

• work with chemicals in impenetrable and very durable rubber gloves;
• do not press hard on the glass, as you can break it;
• proceed with extreme caution when using a scraper, scissors, knife and other sharp objects so as not to scratch the window or injure yourself;
• do not allow chemicals to come into contact with eyes, skin, or inhalation;
• Keep tools and materials that remove film marks out of the reach of children.

In order for the result of the work on removing the film from the window to please you, adhere to the following rules:

• remove the protective film immediately after the window is installed. And if installation work not yet completed, then it is better to stick masking tape on the surface of the window. So you can avoid not only contamination, but also damage to the surface. PVC profile in the process of repair. Then, after completing all the work, you will not need to make great efforts to remove the stuck tape;
• after removing the protective sticker, treat all moving parts of the fittings with grease;
• do not use abrasive substances;
• when using chemicals, take into account their level of impact on the PVC surface, otherwise one of the layers of the window can be broken at the micro level;
• work carefully with sharp objects, and if possible, remove the film with your fingers so as not to leave scratches on the profile;
• do not use strong solvents that can damage the profile.

Before proceeding with the removal of the film from the PVC window, it is necessary to complete all installation work. In this case great view window opening will delight you for a long time. The exception is such types of work, after which you cannot physically remove the film.

After the plastic windows have been installed, you must immediately remove the protective film. Many do not pay attention to it and believe that it will protect the windows for a while. In fact, if you delay this matter, then there will be problems in removing it, because over time it begins to crack and burst, which does not add beauty to the windows.

When and why should you remove window film?

It is customary to install windows without removing the film. Manufacturers recommend removing the film within 10 days of window installation. You need to know that the protective film consists of 2 layers glued together. The manufacturer's advertisement is usually placed on the first layer, and the second is tightly glued to the surface of the frame. If it is not removed in time, then under the influence of heat and the sun, the glue thickens and sticks firmly to the surface. The front layer can still be removed, but the bottom layer will be removed in pieces.

3 ways to remove old film from plastic windows

If it was no longer possible to remove the film in time, now you have to work hard. There are several proven ways to remove film from windows.

1 way

It will take patience and effort. To remove, you need a blade or a thin sharp knife. It is necessary to pry the film with this object and tear off the protruding ends with your hands. And so on until complete removal.

Then the remaining glue is removed from the surface. It is erased with an ordinary eraser. You can also use a sponge and detergent to wipe the frame until it is completely clean.

2 way

This method is suitable if the bottom layer is not “tightly” stuck. To do this, you need a building hair dryer or even one that is used for drying hair, but powerful. They heat the surface of the film and use a thin scraper to remove it. Residues of glue are washed off with detergents.

How to use various tools remove the old film from the PVC window, you can clearly see it in the video:

3 way

Here, a steam cleaner is used to remove the film. The film is thoroughly heated with steam, then removed from the frame with a glass scraper. To get rid of the glue on the frame, it is best to use white spirit. It washes off the adhesive well without damaging the plastic surface. If it is not possible to completely remove it, then you can impregnate the film with a cloth dipped in white spirit.

Film remover for plastic windows

Not all products can be used to remove the film as they may damage the surface. Denatured alcohol, that is, industrial alcohol, is considered effective and does not damage the surface of PVC.

To treat the surface Denatured alcohol should be poured into a sprayer and sprayed with a film, do nothing for about 5 minutes. Then its edge must be pry with a thin knife and gently pull the film. She must pull out. Spray again and pull off the remaining film. So until the entire film is removed.

If you wish, you can purchase a specialized product - a natural cleaner and stain remover Starwax. It is enough to spray it on the film, wait a few minutes and remove it with a scraper. As a bonus, the product has a pleasant aroma of orange peel.

In order not only to remove the film, but also traces of glue, it is suggested to use any car body cleaner:

How to remove the film from the plastic window sill?

To remove the film from windows and from the windowsill, the same methods are used. The fastest and most effective is the removal of the protective material using special means"Admiral", which is produced specifically for PVC surfaces:

• Wet window sill.
• Hold for 5-7 minutes.
• Take out the glass ceramic scraper and use it to scrape off the film.

Do all this several times until the film is completely removed. If dirty marks remain, then the article "" will tell you how to remove them.

Video: How to remove the protective film from PVC windows?

The video shows how the remains of the old protective film in a very simple and original way:

So, in order not to bother yourself with the work of removing the old film, you need to immediately remove it after installing the windows. Then there will be no difficulties - it can be easily removed, you just need to pull a little. It should be understood that such a film is intended to protect materials only during transportation.

When I had a chance to take the job of removing the film from a window installed 3-4 years ago, I tried many methods, and on personal experience I was convinced that there is no ideal and quick remedy, in any case, you will have to pretty tinker and show patience. So, here are my own writings with reviews:

1 Remove the film with something sharp

This is the simplest and affordable way, find a blade from a razor or a clerical knife, or any other sharp object, including even sticks for cleaning nails, and with this object pick the edges of the film, slowly tearing it off the plastic.

The work, I'll tell you, requires a lot of patience, as it comes off in pieces, which also stick back to another place, some kind of direct restoration. Too long and tedious, and when you lose patience and try to speed up the process, you start scratching the plastic.

The best sticks to use are:

There is even a professional tool, although it was developed not for removing the film from the window, but for cleaning glass ceramics:

I did not have to work with them, but most likely it will not be so useful in oval and hard-to-reach places.

2 Hot air from a hair dryer

First tried with a hair dryer, but it doesn't give such a powerful flow and overheats quickly, so I had to ask for a professional hair dryer with a tip. The action is simple, you need to warm up the remaining film, and then tear it off.

Things went faster when they began to use sticks and a hair dryer at the same time, the film actually, when warmed up, it was easier to remove, but here's the inconvenience - it burns your hands.

The hair dryer is good when you remove the film from a new window and in large pieces to pull the edge and warm the place that has not yet been removed.

3 Solvent liquid

You just need to apply the solvent to the film and wait until it softens, then use either a rag or a sponge, or all the same sticks or blades.

It can be used as ordinary solvents, such as white spirit, 646 and others, but first you need to try on a hidden piece of the window so as not to dissolve the plastic. Or use a professional solvent, like this industrial one:

The use of a conventional solvent is such a stink that even an open window does not help, but it does not dissolve the film, but only makes it softer and only along the edges it leaves well.

A professional solvent with a smell (we had an orange), so it doesn’t really stink, but the dissolution products still have to be inhaled, and it dissolves the film not much better than usual, despite the fact that its price per bottle is about 1000 rubles.

5 Eraser - an elastic band for erasing a pencil.

Absolutely useless thing, unless you need to remove the film no larger than a fingernail.

6 Soap solution using a stiff brush

I also tested this method, it cuts off only the edges of the film, and the main part holds. But it removes the glue itself well when the film is torn off.

Hide

Plastic windows are quite often equipped with various films that are needed to protect from the sun, make the glass more durable, and decorate. When buying an apartment, windows can be covered with such films, but they are not always needed by the new owner. In addition, if it is time to update the windows, since the films tend to become unusable, the question arises of how to remove the sun protection film from the window.

Coating removal methods

You can remove the sun protection film from the glass different ways by choosing the most convenient and affordable. This is done both mechanically and with the help of various detergents, they also use a combined approach in order to clean well.

The film can be quite useful: it has a small thickness, while making the window much stronger, it can no longer be broken with a simple stone. Exist different types films that help protect the double-glazed window even from strong impact, such as a shot; they are classified as protective. It will not work to remove a perforated film from glass or any other type of protective or tinting variety from the outside: an attacker will not do this, since the process takes a lot of time, effort, and attracts the attention of others. Most films are pasted with inside except for the protective one.

Knowing how to remove the film from the window glass may be required, if desired, to replace it when updating the interior, replacing a double-glazed window. Sometimes the product loses its visual appeal and needs to be updated, or the owners of the premises want to change its illumination, make the room lighter or darker. The process of removing the film is simple, does not require hiring a specialist, but it is worth considering that you will have to spend a sufficient amount of time and effort on this. You need to work carefully: in the process it is easy to damage the glass, scratch it, especially if you remove the film with hard materials such as a spatula or a rough brush.

What should you do when you need to remove the film from the window?

When choosing a method, means, option for cleaning glass, the owners of the premises proceed from several parameters:

• It is necessary not to harm the glass.
• Spend as little time as possible on this.
• The option should be inexpensive.
• There should be no traces of glue, film residues, various contaminants on the glass.

The easiest option than to clean the glass from the sun-protection film is a spatula and fingers. Some types can be gently pry off by tearing off the edge, but this does not always work out due to the fact that the film is glued unevenly, in some places it is damaged and exfoliates.

It is quite difficult to remove the adhesive from the film from the glass. It is poorly removed by detergents, does not lend itself to mechanical action. In order to remove it, you can use white spirit or another alcohol-containing substance that can gently clean the surface. Do not use rags with coarse pile, as they can leave marks visible in the sun on the glass.

Understand , how to remove the old film from plastic windows, it may be required if it is damaged, you want to change appearance windows, renew the old coating, which has deteriorated.

What are the methods for dismantling?

Removal methods can be divided into two - mechanical and chemical. The first allows you to remove the film from plastic windows without much money, but with the risk of scratching the glass. The second will take longer, cost more, but with the right tools, you can thoroughly clean the surface without harming it. For greater efficiency, the methods are best combined: first you need to cut off all the swollen, cracked or otherwise deteriorated film.

You can remove the film from plastic windows with your hands, then get rid of the glue with the help of substances such as COSMOFEN 10, FENOSOL. These detergents have a cheaper counterpart that you can buy at a hardware store: it's called P-12.

It will be much easier to remove the protective film from plastic windows if you heat it up with a building hair dryer before peeling it off. The heated glue becomes more viscous and allows parts of the structure to be peeled off. However, the glue itself is best removed when it cools down a bit.

You should try to heat the surface evenly: the better you do it, the easier it will be to remove the self-adhesive film from the glass and the remnants of its glue. The latter will not be easy to remove, you will need to use a solvent, a scraper and detergents. You need to act carefully, otherwise you can scratch the glass. A steam generator can help with this. With it, you can remove the stained glass film from the glass , get rid of the tinting or protective film, glue residue. If you don’t have a steam generator or a powerful hair dryer at hand, you should not try to heat it up with an iron. So the film will not be removed, but it will partially stick to the surface of the iron, which can spoil it to a large extent, and after cooling it will not be easy to tear it off the iron.

You can remove the self-adhesive film from the glass, if it is well warmed up, using a hard eraser for artists. The remains of the eraser are removed from the window easily. To do this, you need a dry sponge or rag. If there is glue left, you can apply the eraser again or use a solvent. In most hardware stores there is something to remove the film from the glass.

Before removing the film from the glass, you need to carefully study all the methods, purchase suitable detergents and tools with which you can clean the surface.

How to remove film from plastic windows - a problem that occurs when moving to new apartment, and during the repair of already inhabited living space. Often, the owners catch on already at the end of the transformation - in this case, the window has to be cleaned of pieces stuck to the window frame. Having managed to remove them, the owners of the apartment are forced to fight with sticky glue.

Someone resorts to various detergents, one way or another, but in any case it is very difficult to cope with the problem.

It is worth noting, first of all, that the most reliable approach to ensure a clean window is to remove the film immediately after installation. plastic construction. Having missed the time, you will have to deal with a thoroughly dried coating, which is quite difficult to remove.

Readers are given the opportunity to familiarize themselves with several ways to remove the film. However, to get a really clean window, you need to be prepared to remove the adhesive.

So, to clean the window from the film and glue, you need to apply one of two main methods to solve this problem. As an alternative - for greater efficiency - often resort to a combination of these technologies.

The main ways to allow are presented the following options:

• mechanical;
• chemical.

The mechanical option, in turn, implies several of the most effective varieties.

You can clean windows from old film using a special scraper, which is traditionally used in processing hobs or their glass-ceramic counterparts.

You can remove adhesive residue and get rid of small scratches by resorting to cleaners such as FENOSOL and COSMOFEN 10. If these products are not available, it is recommended to turn to some kind of acrylic solvent. As practice shows, it is convenient to finally clean the windows from the old sun-protection film using P-12.

The next method, which allows you to remove the protective coating and all its traces, is based on the use of an industrial one. In the absence of such, a powerful home hair dryer is acceptable. The effectiveness of the technology is based on heating, which greatly facilitates the removal of the film.

Heating the film coating, it must be pry off with a sharp clerical knife. The technique allows you to easily and quickly remove the film. To cope with the remnants of glue, you must use the first method.

Many users successfully achieve their desired goal with the help of a steam generator. Unusual, but, according to reviews, the method of erasing the film with a stationery eraser is quite effective. To combat residual marks, you can choose mineral spirits or one of the mentioned cleaners.

In the pursuit of purity, zeal often turns sideways - new and not always solvable problems. Particular care must be taken when handling the scraper.

The fact is that even the safest scraper can leave quite noticeable scratches on the surface of the PVC profile. To avoid such an unpleasant side effect, it is best to remove the film that has already departed with your fingers.

Methods are no less in demand. chemical cleaning. As a container used to solve the problem, you can use a conventional water sprayer. Denatured alcohol is poured into it.

Then the agent is applied to the surface, and after a few minutes, you can begin to remove the protective coating. To simplify the work, you can pry it with a clerical knife.

When solving the problem of how to remove the film from plastic windows, you should pay attention to detergent"Shumanit" (manufacturer - the company "Buggy", Israel).

The double-glazed window is well cleaned with a paint remover: RP 6. It is abundantly applied to the surface to be treated. After ten minutes, the protective tape begins to swell before our very eyes.

Before proceeding with the direct cleaning, it is imperative to wear gloves and goggles. When washing off the remnants of glue and alkali, use soapy water.

You should not fight with a protective tape, using a solvent. As a result of efforts, the film will remain in its place, and side effect will become a hopelessly damaged profile.

Having dealt with the main part of the task - choosing how you can remove the old sun protection film and applying the method that is most attractive to you - you need to finish the job by cleaning the windows, which will require some time and attention.

It is best to resort to one of the following two proven methods − to wash with:

• paper, spray, rags;
• sponges, ties.

First way

It can be resorted to only if the surface is not very dirty.

"Working tools" in this situation will be:

• paper napkins;
• water tank;
• means with a spray nozzle;
• cotton fabric.

A little is collected in the container warm water. The rag is wetted and squeezed out well. Dirt is wiped from the window. The spray is distributed over the surface in a zigzag pattern.

Dirt is removed with a dry piece of cloth. To consolidate the results, wipe the surface with a newspaper or paper towel.

Second way

As a rule, this technology is used when access to the window is difficult. A coupler with a handle from 25 to 30 centimeters long will help to cope with the problem. An additional plus of the method: the absence of streaks and stains upon completion of work.

Stock up on:

• water tank;
• dishwashing detergent;
• screed with a sponge on a long handle;
• clean piece of cloth.

Proportions in the preparation of the washing solution: a couple of drops of the product per 2 liters of water. A sponge is dipped into the finished solution, after which it is squeezed out.

Washing is done in a circular motion. The largest accumulations of dirt are characteristic of the edges and corners, which must be taken into account when working.

Next, the container is filled with clean warm water, in which the screed is dipped and carried out over the entire surface. Finally, with a dry rag, horizontal movements from left to right wipe everything. Water that has accumulated in the lower part of the window must be properly removed.

For hard-to-reach segments, it is convenient to use pieces of cloth or paper towels.

Removing old sun protection film is quick and easy

Each of the listed options for solving the problem has been repeatedly tested in practice. On the Internet, you can find confirming reviews for any of the versions.