How to remove old film from a plastic window
If you don’t remove the protective film from the frame immediately after installing the window, then after a few months it will stick, dry out from the sun’s rays, and simply remove it in the future will be impossible.
Well, if this has already happened, and you are faced with a similar task, then several difficulties arise at once. Firstly, using chemical solvents will lead to nothing, since the dried glue is hidden under a layer of plastic film. Secondly, the mechanical method of influence is not sufficiently effective. This means that it is necessary to add thermal to the mechanical effect and then, in theory, everything should work out.
As a result, it is necessary to correctly combine all 3 methods: thermal, mechanical and chemical. The final task here is only one - not to damage the frame.
Will need
- Construction hair dryer with temperature control.
- Plastic spatula.
- Rags.
- Solvent.
How to quickly and safely remove old film from a plastic window
Before working out the ideal combination, you need to find a less noticeable section of the frame on which to conduct all the experiments.
First of all, we select the required heating temperature with a hair dryer, increasing it from 70 degrees Celsius.
As a result, the maximum temperature at which the film softens and the frame is not damaged was 100 degrees Celsius.
To remove, we will use a plastic spatula. Its hardness is optimal for this type of work.
Well, now, warming up the area with a hair dryer and at the same time working with a spatula, we remove the old film from the frame.
Naturally, traces of glue remain on the frame, which can be safely removed with a degreaser. But before that, do not forget to “test” the degreaser or solvent on the end of the frame in order to prevent corrosion of the plastic.
The result is a perfectly clean frame without defects.
When all the tests are done, you can start removing the tape on the rest of the surface.
Watch the video
In the video you can see additional nuances for removing stuck film.