The film stuck to the plastic windows what to do. How to remove old film from plastic windows

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Owners of plastic windows often do not know how to clean the film of plastic windows. Indeed, this is not a simple matter. The film does not come off well, traces of glue remain on the frame, and many owners are afraid to use more “radical” measures (solvents, scrapers). It is important to get rid of traces of the film, and to preserve the aesthetic appearance of the frame.

There are some simple secrets on how to safely and effectively get rid of the protective shell on plastic windows.

The price of tools and materials for film removal is low. However, it is better to peel off the protective tape from the window frames immediately after installing the double-glazed windows than to spend a lot of time on this later.

The fact is that the protective shell consists of two layers. The bottom layer with glue is thinner. Under the influence of sunlight and heat, the layer dissolves and is absorbed into the plastic. That is why simply peeling off the film from top to bottom does not work. The top layer will remain in the hands, and the glue will still stick to the frame.

It will not be possible to quickly remove the protective film after a long time after installing the windows. The whole process will most likely take several hours. The shell can be removed by physical or chemical action. In most cases, both the first and second methods should be used.

Mechanical

Many new settlers are interested in how to wash plastic windows from the film. Often builders after installing windows break the rules and do not remove the protective tape immediately. The house can stand for several years until it is fully completed. During this time, the tape will "tightly" stick to the frames. In this case, it is better to resort to a mechanical method.

Using various tools, you can pick up the film and remove it from the surface. In this case, most likely, an adhesive layer will remain on the frame. It can also be removed with tools without resorting to a chemical method.

For information on how to remove the protective sheath with tools, see the table.

The most effective is an industrial hair dryer. The flow of hot air melts the adhesive layer, so the efficiency of complete film removal without subsequent surface treatment is increased. It is worth noting that a household hair dryer is poorly suited for this task. The power of a household hair dryer is not enough, so you will have to additionally “fight” with the adhesive layer.

Advice! If you are not confident in your abilities, then you should use the services of a cleaning company. Specialists will remove the protective tape without damaging the frame and double-glazed windows.

Chemical

You can wash the film from plastic windows with the help of chemicals. It is not recommended to use aggressive solvents, including alcohols, as such products can deform the plastic frame. In particular, denatured alcohol, White Spirit, RP-6 and Kosmofen will help get rid of glue.

It should be remembered that when working even with weak solvents, it is worth observing safety rules. Work should be carried out in a ventilated area or in a respirator. It is better to wipe off traces of glue with rags soaked in the substance with gloves on.

Features of the use of chemicals on plastic windows are presented in the table.

Advice! To remove glue from plastic, the universal remedy "Shumanit" is also suitable. However, it is worth remembering that it contains caustic substances that can damage the PVC profile. Therefore, you should apply the product to the sticky surface of the frame and immediately wipe it off along with the glue.

Cleaning glass

Many owners of plastic windows are also interested in ways to clean the window from the mirror film. Special protection that reflects the sun's rays is sold in hardware stores. Residents living on the sunny side of houses buy film for the summer. However, with the onset of cloudy days, it turns out that it is not so easy to peel off the protective layer.

The problem is the same as with the protective tape on the frames. Despite the fact that the mirror film does not have an adhesive layer and is glued with water, under the influence of ultraviolet rays it practically eats into the double-glazed window. It is very difficult to peel off such protection.

Advice! In order for the solar protection for windows to be removed easily, you should not delay its removal. If the windows face south, and the sun shines from April to October, then it is easier to leave the film or initially refuse to use it and hang blinds.

Simple methods on how to clean sunscreen film from windows:

• With the help of denatured alcohol and a spray gun, similarly to removing the film from the frame, you can get rid of the sun protection layer on the double-glazed window. Denatured alcohol is sprayed onto the surface of the window and aged for several minutes. Then, with the help of a clerical knife, the edge of the shell is pry off and the entire layer is gradually removed by hand. It's better to start at the top.
• Using a steam generator, you can melt the surface of the sun protection layer, and then remove it by picking it up with a knife. This method is well suited for "stubborn" film, which is difficult to pick up.
• Clean the double-glazed window with a sponge with Schumannite. This is a powerful tool that must be handled with gloves. Also, contact of the product with the plastic parts of the window should be avoided.

Sometimes pulling off the film from the double-glazed window is not enough. Often on the surface of the window there are mirror, "silver" traces of the film. You should not take on a solvent: lavsan - the material from which the protection is made - does not come into contact with solvents. Everything is much easier. It is enough to wash the window with hot water and soap, and rub the “silver” spots with a hard metal sponge. You should not be afraid for scratches on the window: the double-glazed window will withstand such cleaning and become as good as new.

From the article you will learn:

In order for the profiles of plastic windows not to be damaged or dirty during their delivery to the installation site, as well as during installation work, they are covered with a special film. The protective material has an adhesive backing and can be easily removed after installation.

Manufacturers recommend not to delay the removal of the film coating and do not leave it on the frame for longer than for 10 days after placing the window in a permanent place. In principle, if you violate the deadline slightly and start removing protection through 30-60 days, then there will most likely not be any particular difficulties. Removing the film after this period can cause unexpected difficulties, and cleaning the frames will require considerable effort.

Why does the film lag badly behind the plastic?

The reason for the ultra-strong "seizure" of the film with the surface of the frames is simple:

The film consists of two layers, on the bottom of which glue is applied. This layer is quite thin and unstable, it quickly collapses under the influence of high temperatures and sunlight. The resulting substance is tightly glued to the frames, and when you try to tear off the film, only the outer (protective) layer is separated from the structure.

There are several circumstances that accelerate the process of durable bonding of materials:

• Influence of ultraviolet. The more shaded the plastic window area is, the longer the bottom layer of the film will break down. The sun's rays accelerate the process of decomposition and absorption of the adhesive substance into the plastic.
• Heat. In the cold season, the film retains its integrity longer, and with the advent of heat, its inner layer collapses faster.
• Adhesive properties. High-quality adhesive breaks down the film more slowly and allows more time for easy peeling. Cheap adhesives shorten this period. Film from inexpensive windows of dubious quality should be removed as quickly as possible.

Read also: How to open a plastic window from the outside

How to remove old film?

1. With a hair dryer. A directed stream of hot air from a professional device will allow you to easily remove even a long-adhered film. Under the influence of high temperature, the adhesive composition melts and can be removed without much difficulty. There is one subtlety in working with a building hair dryer - it is impossible for hot air to get on the glass, as it can burst from a sharp increase in temperature. If the film did not have time to stick strongly, then the situation can be corrected by a regular hair dryer used in the “turbo” mode.
2. With a scraper designed for cleaning glass-ceramic plates. The tool has an adjustable blade that will not damage the plastic surface.
3. By hand. The film is removed in small pieces, which are picked up with a sharp blade, razor or scraper. The main work is done by hand, the tools must be used very carefully so as not to scratch the frame. To remove traces of glue, a household sponge with a rough surface is used.
4. household solvent. Only mild chemicals are suitable for working with plastic. Before starting processing, the action of the composition must be tested on a small area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe frame, which is not particularly striking. If the solvent has not changed the color of the plastic, then it can be applied to the entire surface.
5. white spirit. A solvent gasoline familiar to everyone will help if it is applied not on the surface of the film, but between it and the frame. Painstaking work requires separating the edge of the film from the surface and instilling a dissolving liquid into the gap. After some time, the treated area can be removed from the frame.
6. School eraser. After removing the outer layer, the remnants of the film are removed by rubbing with an ordinary rubber band. The process is long and laborious.
7. With a stiff bristle brush moistened with soapy water. Do not use products with metal pile. The method is effective only for windows located in the shade.
8. Cosmophen. A modern substance for cleaning plastic products is available from companies involved in the installation and repair of windows. Cosmofen is divided into types, depending on the concentration of the active substance, and has a numbering. No. 5 is considered the most active - it is able to dissolve plastic, and therefore it must be used as carefully as possible. Numbers 10 and 20 are less "vigorous", but their effectiveness is not so high either. Cosmofen refers to substances that are harmful to human health, and therefore, before using it, all safety measures must be taken (wear a respirator, gloves and other protective equipment).
9. Order film removal at a cleaning company. Almost all major "cleaning" agencies have in the list the service of cleaning plastic windows from pollution of various kinds. Their specialists are equipped with the necessary tools (hair dryers, solutions, scrapers) and have experience in such work. This method is the fastest and least energy consuming.

The repair is over, there are brand new double-glazed windows on the windows, the builders have put the openings in order. It would seem that you can safely wait for winter to check if PVC windows are as good as they say. But you are absolutely in vain to think that you have got rid of all the problems. All windows are covered with a protective layer, and you will have to tear it off. We will talk about how to remove the film from a plastic window if it is not removed.

Why is this film necessary?

Why don't the masters who install PVC windows tear off this film themselves? The fact is that the installation of double-glazed windows usually does not end the repair, but only begins. This is followed by repair of openings, and even the entire room. In addition, glass can be scratched during transport and during installation. To avoid all these troubles, stick a protective material.

The instructions say that the protection must be removed from the plastic windows no later than ten days after installation. It is best to do so, because otherwise you will not have to remove it with a slight movement of your hand, but solve a much more difficult question - how to tear off the film from plastic windows.

Important! It is necessary to remove not only the film, but also the adhesive layer, which always remains on the profile.

What is the film made of?

Before you think about the question of how to remove the protective film from PVC windows, you need to find out what you have to deal with. Then it will be easier to choose cleaning methods. The protective material has:

• the outer layer, which is usually removed without difficulty;
• inner layer;
• adhesive strip, which is tightly attached to the profile.

Important! The inner layer is so capricious that it melts even from the spring sun.

How to clean plastic windows from old film mechanically?

For a mechanical cleaning method, you will need:

Option 1

You will have to act very carefully so as not to scratch the profile. The protective material peels off more easily if it is properly warmed up. For this, you need a hairdryer - you can also take a household one, but it’s better if there is an industrial one, which they rent in some hardware stores. Having prepared everything you need, get to work to remove the film from plastic windows:

1. Heat the surface with a hair dryer to puff up the protection. In this case, the jet of hot air should not fall on the PVC profile - it can be extremely sensitive to high temperatures.
2. Pry the edge of the film with a sharp object - it should come off easily.
3. Solvent remove the adhesive strip.

Important! It is necessary to remove with a knife or blade evenly and quickly so that the material does not have time to cool. Otherwise, the result may turn out to be the opposite, the film will not only not be removed, but will stick even more strongly.

Option 2

This method is good if the windows face the shady side. Make a soap solution, moisten the brush and wash away all the protective coating inch by inch.

Important! A metal brush cannot be used for such work.

Option 3

The film from plastic windows can be removed using a regular school eraser. True, the process is laborious, therefore, in this way it is better to remove small fragments that remain, for example, after being removed with a knife.

Option 4

Perfectly removes such a protective material with a construction scraper for cleaning ceramic and glass surfaces. You can buy one at a hardware store.

Important! The advantage of this method is that the scraper does not scratch the plastic.

How to remove the film chemically?

This method is more gentle than mechanical. There is much less danger of scratching your precious plastic. In addition, even heavily adhered coating fragments can be removed with solvents. There are many chemical ways to remove the film from plastic windows if it does not come off.

Suitable for the procedure:

• "Cosmophen";
• White Spirit;
• any other solvent.

Option 1

To remove the protection, the special tool “Cosmofen” is just perfect. You can buy it from the same company that installed PVC windows for you. There are several varieties of this drug. It is best to buy it from those who installed windows, since a reputable company selects related products precisely for the material from which the main products are made.

Option 2

An excellent tool for cleaning PVC material is white spirit. But remember that he does not dissolve the film, but separates it from the window. Therefore, you will need some kind of sharp object, such as a blade or knife:

1. Pry off the edge of the protective cover.
2. Pour white spirit into the resulting gap.
3. Remove the film.

Option 3

You can try using a solvent. The method is not very reliable, but sometimes gives good results. Not every solvent is suitable, and it is better to pre-test it somewhere in an inconspicuous area.

How to wash plastic windows?

After the protective coating has been cleaned, it is best to wash the window. Mild detergents are suitable for cleaning the profile - do not forget to look at the markings in the hardware store. There are special products for washing such products, but those designed for ceramic surfaces are also suitable.

Important! It is better to wash not with a rag, but with a foam rubber sponge.

Process order:

1. Wipe dust off window sills and window frames.
2. Make a detergent solution.
3. Wash the glass in zigzag motions.
4. Wipe it with a soft cloth or blot with paper.

Important! To give the glass a shine, finally wash it with an aqueous solution of ammonia - a few drops per 1 liter are enough. If you wash windows for the winter, then to prevent frost and snow on the window, wash it from the outside with saline.

To remove the protective film from plastic windows at home, you can use a solvent, scraper, hair dryer and other tools. You can also solve the problem with soap, window cleaner, brush, denatured alcohol. Next, the structure must be cleaned of the remnants of the adhesive base and the protective film. In this case, a screed, sponge, crumpled paper and a special glass cleaner will help.

Film removal methods

According to the rules, the protective film from PVC windows must be removed within 10 days, because after a year this will be quite problematic. The film is very thin and delicate, under the influence of sunlight and high temperature, it collapses and, as a result, dries up. To prevent the glue from drying out, you must use the following means:

1. 1. Blade, knife or scraper. When using sharp objects, it is important not to damage the surface. Carefully pry off the edge of the film with a scraper or blade, then tear off the rest with your hands. After you managed to peel off the protection from the windowsill or plastic window, traces of the adhesive composition may remain on the surface. You can get rid of them with a cleaning gel (Cif, for example) and a sponge for washing dishes. When removing the adhesive, no effort is needed, otherwise there is a risk of damaging the surfaces.
2. 2. Building hair dryer. The jet of hot air must be directed directly to the frame, and not to the double-glazed window, because cracks may appear on it. Under the action of heat, the adhesive composition will become softer, this will greatly simplify the cleaning of glass from the film. Similarly, you can use a regular hair dryer or steam generator.
3. 3. White spirit or other solvent. Before using any of these tools, it is worth checking the effect of the composition on an inconspicuous area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe window, window sill. If the plastic is not damaged, then you can proceed to remove the protection. How to use: gently pry off the edge of the film with a scraper or other sharp object, then apply the agent between the plastic and the film. So gradually clean the entire surface.
4. 4. Cosmophen. This is a special solvent for removing protection from PVC windows. There are 3 types that differ in the degree of impact: No. 5, No. 10, No. 20. With careless use, you can dissolve not only the film, but also plastic. Therefore, it is recommended to use the least aggressive compound number five.
5. 5. Paint remover RP6. To get rid of the old dried film, it is necessary to apply this agent on it with a thick layer. After 10-12 minutes, the surface will begin to swell. To remove the film, wear gloves and goggles. The soapy solution will help remove any remaining adhesive and product.
6. 6. Soap solution and a hard brush. This method is effective if the window is on the shadow side. The adhesive composition does not heat up much, respectively, its adhesion to plastic is weak. To do this, it is necessary to dissolve 2 tablespoons of household soap shavings in hot water (1 liter is enough). After wetting the brush in this product, try to wipe off the remnants of the film.
7. 7. Denatured alcohol. Pour denatured alcohol into a spray bottle, evenly spray the surface on which the protection has dried. After 5 minutes, you can pry off the edge of the film and remove it with your hands. When performing these manipulations, be sure to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands.

If the film does not come off, it will be possible to solve the problem with a chemical detergent (Shumanit). To clean the surface from protection, you must follow the instructions on the package. If, after removing the main part, small "islands" remain, then you can rub them with a regular eraser.

Cleaning windows from film residues

After you managed to peel off the film at home, the double-glazed window must be washed.

There are several ways and means:

1. 1. Paper, rags and window cleaner with a spray bottle. First you need to process with a damp cloth to remove the remnants of the compositions, glue and pieces of the film. After that, spray the windows with a spray and wipe them first with a dry rag, then with paper (you can use napkins).
2. 2. Sponge and screed. This option is ideal for those cases when it is necessary to reach windows. In this case, it is required to use a screed with a handle, the length of which should be within 25-30 cm. The cleaning itself is carried out as follows: first of all, you need to prepare a washing solution - 2 drops of the product per 2 liters of warm water. Wet the sponge in the solution and wring it out well so that excess liquid does not drain onto the windowsill. You need to wash in a circular motion, paying special attention to those places where the protective film was removed and the adhesive base remained. Then, clean warm water should be drawn into the container, wet the screed in it and run it along the entire length of the surface. After clean windows, wipe with a dry cloth in horizontal movements from left to right. At the end of these manipulations, remove water from the windowsill.
3. 3. Concentrated soap solution. To clean the surface of the remnants of the film and glue, you first need to prepare a solution from the shavings of laundry soap, then soak a rag in it and wipe the windows. When a soapy crust appears, remove it with crumpled toilet paper or newspaper. To avoid streaks, use a window cleaner with a spray (Chistulya, Cinderella and others).

Newly installed plastic windows are always covered with a protective film. It is advisable to remove it as soon as possible, otherwise the coating will stick firmly to the double-glazed window, and it will be very difficult to remove it. There are several ways to remove the film.

Why does the film stick to the window

New PVC windows are covered with a protective film that needs to be removed

Double-glazed windows can be scratched during transportation and installation, so manufacturers cover them with a protective film. Its top layer is dense, it is easy to wash it. But inside there is a delicate material that quickly collapses and is tightly glued to the structure. Such an “addition” spoils the appearance of the room, it must be removed no later than 10 days after the installation of the windows.

The adhesive layer hardens over time. Temperature can affect the rate of this process. The windows are located above the heating radiators, warm air flows rise up and heat the double-glazed window. The film begins to dry quickly, and it becomes difficult to tear it off. If the sun's rays hit a window, the heating from the radiation is exacerbated by exposure to ultraviolet light.

Good materials, even in heat and direct sunlight, will not harden within 10 days, but film manufacturers are trying to save money. They can use cheap low-quality glue that sets very quickly.

The rate of dense adhesion of the film to glass depends on the quality of the material and the conditions in which the structure is operated. Be serious about choosing a company that installs plastic windows. Remove the coating immediately if the insulating glass units are exposed to heat or sunlight.

Mechanical methods for removing the protective coating

Building hair dryer will help remove the film from the window

Do not try to scrape off the film with a knife or scraper, no matter how firmly it adheres. With the inept use of tools, you can scratch PVC bindings and glass, expensive windows will look sloppy. Do not use a metal brush, its teeth will surely leave marks.

Do not scrape off with a knife, but only pry off the edge of the film, and then tear it off with your hands. If you don't take too long to remove the coating, it will easily come off the glass. It remains only to wash the window block to remove the remaining glue. Instead of a knife, it is better to use a special scraper for glass-ceramic tiles, it scratches the plastic surface less.

Heat the firmly adhered film with a building hair dryer. Using a steam generator or a hair dryer will not always give the desired result: the air flow temperature of household appliances is too low. Direct the air stream not at the glass, which can burst from temperature changes, but at the frame. Pick up the lagging edge of the film with a knife and separate it from the double-glazed window with your hands.

Mechanical methods help only at the initial stage - within a few days after installing the windows, and even better - immediately after the installers leave. If they do not work, you have to move on to other measures.

Chemical preparations for cleaning double-glazed windows from the film

When working with aggressive substances, protective equipment is useful

You can clean the windows from the dried film with the help of chemicals. All of them are harmful to the skin of the hands and dangerous to the eyes. Work with gloves and goggles. It is advisable to wear a respirator.

To reduce the adhesion of the protective coating to the glass or frame, you can use the following means:

• White Spirit. Peel off the edge of the film, and pour a little solvent into the resulting gap. The softened part of the coating should be well removed. Repeat the procedure until you have cleared the entire area.
• Denatured alcohol. Apply it to the entire surface with a spray bottle. After a few minutes, the film will become softer, pick it up by the edge and remove. You can wash off the remaining adhesive with soapy water or acrylic thinner.
• Cosmofen. A special solvent that is number 5, 10 or 20 depending on the aggressiveness. The strongest is number 5, it can dissolve plastic bindings. Take number 10 or 20 and follow the instructions.
• Paint remover SP 6. Apply it to plastic windows in a thick layer.
• "Shumanit". Detergent, which must also be used in accordance with the instructions. After 10 minutes, the coating will begin to bubble, remove it.

Be careful that the aggressive preparation does not damage the glass and frames. First, try it on an inconspicuous area: some drugs can ruin the plastic.

Folk remedies for removing coatings from windows

If you heat the film with a hair dryer, it will be easier to remove it.

Instead of aggressive chemicals, safer folk methods can be used. Try to use:

• hair dryer complete with wooden sticks;
• brush;
• eraser rubber.

You can use a combined method. First, heat the film with a hairdryer, then clean it from the window with a sharp object. Use detergent or acrylic thinner to remove adhesive residue.

Wooden toothpicks or sticks for cleaning nails, kitchen spatulas made of wood are good, but they will need to be sharpened periodically. Wipe the stuck adhesive tape with a brush made of hair or synthetics with detergent, this method can give a good result.

Sometimes it is necessary to wipe off not the building film from the windows, but the old coating to protect the apartment from the sun's rays. It is made from lavsan, which is not affected by solvents. Clean the glass with a sponge and a strong detergent such as Shumanite. If it does not help, there is only one way out - to slowly clean the film with a knife.

The use of folk methods does not give a 100% guarantee. It all depends on the materials and the strength of the bond between the film and the coating. For example, an eraser on some windows quickly wipes the entire surface, on others it cleans a piece the size of a palm in half an hour.