How to Install Privacy Window Film - Tutorial

 Installing Privacy Window Film (or any other window film)

Materials & Tools.

Buy your Privacy Window Film of good quality. Even though you will change it from time to time, it will stay in your glass for a long time, avoid the very thin and cheap ones. These are one of those things you may want to pay a bit extra to have the quality you need.

• Rubber squeegee
• Utility knife with a new blade.
• One side, sharp knife.
• Clean spray bottle (1 liter may be better, or keep a clean container to refill the solution)
• A wooden ruler or similar to help you as a guide to cut the film, especially if you have large windows.
• Baby's shampoo - Johnson & Johnson no tears - Proven to work great!
• Clean water.
• Coffee filters or Microfiber cloths. (To clean without leaving particles, do not use toilet paper or kitchen towels)
• Adhesive tape is just to help to separate the film from its back.

Plan your installation

Measure and write down the length and width of each window that you will cover. This way you will learn exactly what to order. Is always advisable to get about 15% extra to be covered in case something goes wrong.

Application

Cautions:

Read entirely this process before doing anything.

It takes medium to advanced manual skills to perform, Practice with a few small windows before starting with the big ones.

Avoid the excessively hot days to apply it, you may want to work early in the morning or late afternoon if your area is too warm. Heat causes the soapy solution to fry too fast.

Prepare the area, keep out any furniture, draperies, or anything that may let you move freely in the area. Water will be present, take your cautions with carpet, hardwoods, etc. Be prepared with all materials and cleaning cloths, etc.

1. Clean your windows thoroughly. Baby shampoo is the best for this purpose. Do not use vinegar or ammonia-based window cleaner at this time. If you feel some particles glued to your glass, use a small one-side blade to scrap it out. Make sure your glass is PERFECTLY CLEAN. Let it dry and inspect it.

2. Precut your Privacy window film 1" wider and 1" longer than the window's actual size.

3. Spray. use a spray bottle with a baby shampoo solution (try the No tears) same you used to clean your windows. If you don't want your fingerprints on it is good to keep wetting your hands with the same solution. Be generous, you will not over wet the glass.

4. Remove the backing from the film, you may use two pieces of the adhesive tape to make it fast. Simply make two tabs to pull it apart. Once you separate the film like one inch, start spraying it as well with the same solution of soapy water. For large pieces, you will need someone helping you as you peel the other person keeps spraying. Be careful, do not let any dirt particles, dust, or grease touch the film

5. Set the precut pieces of Window film with the pre-glued side touching the glass. Again have someone spraying the outer side of the glass. Make sure it is all sprayed uniform. Start at the top and work it down. Use your hands to make it stay in place. Remember, there must be an inch overlaying each side of the glass.

6. Start squeegee any bubbles between the glass and the film. Keep spraying the outer of the film as you squeegee the inner bubbles, to avoid friction that may damage the film. You may want to start with the squeegee in the center to the edges. Do not go all the way, get close to it like 2 inches at this time.

6. Using a new utility knife, cut the excess of the film starting on the top, left, right sides. Leave as much as 1/16" shorter than the actual glass. Do not try to make it exact. This is the way it will be, otherwise, you will have water you can not take out.

7. Again, spray the outer side of the film. Squeegee again, taking out any bubbles. Air bubbles will need to be pushed towards the edge of the glass and taken out through the 1/16" space between the film and the edge of the window that you left for this purpose.

8. The film will start to dry and stay in place within nest half an hour. If you have some bubbles you can not take out, simply pull it all out and start again. Rest between attempts, relax and start over. You will be a Master by the time you finish your project. The film will be completely dry in a week or so.