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» How to clean window frames from old film. How to remove protective film from plastic windows? Effective removal methods. How to remove film and adhesive tape from metal-plastic windows

How to clean window frames from old film. How to remove protective film from plastic windows? Effective removal methods. How to remove film and adhesive tape from metal-plastic windows

Under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, sunlight and time, the protective film strongly sticks to plastic profile and glass, bursts, cracks, dries out. Clean up protective covering no later than 10 days after installing the new window. To separate the film from the plastic, use a scraper, a dull knife or a stiff brush. Heat the dried tape with hot air from a hairdryer or use solvents (white spirit, RP6), denatured alcohol, Schumanite, professional products for cleaning plastic. Wipe off the remaining glue with a school eraser, nail polish remover, vegetable oil. To remove self-adhesive tint film or sun protection coating take an integrated approach.

Adhesive tape protects new windows during transportation, installation, construction work in room. Untimely removal leads to its drying out. Knowing how to remove film from plastic windows, you can quickly and effectively restore their attractive appearance and remove dust adhering to the adhesive base without damaging the surface.

Why does the film stick to the window?

Protective film for new metal plastic frame applied using an adhesive composition.

Its quality largely determines how easily and quickly it will be removed. Unscrupulous manufacturers use cheap coatings that “stick” to the window, burst and peel. It is difficult to remove such a film even within the prescribed period.

Hot summer weather, as well as the south side of the window, aggravate the situation.

A profile installed in winter is somewhat easier to clean if done on time. In the cold, the coating also collapses, bursts, and loses elasticity.

Important! Remove the protective film no later than 10 days from the date of installation of the new profile so that it does not have time to stick and collapse.

How to remove protective film from a window

To remove intact film from a plastic frame or window sill, just pick up its corner with any sharp object (scissors, knife, fingernail), and then carefully separate it along its entire length. The coating will easily come away from the profile, will not tear and will not leave sticky marks.

Old, stuck-on film will have to be removed using improvised means or solvents.

Conventionally, methods for removing dried film can be divided into:

  • mechanical (brushes, scrapers, blades);
  • chemical (solvents);
  • temperature (heating with a hairdryer).

In some cases, removing very old, damaged coating may require a multi-pronged approach.

Mechanical methods for removing protective coating

Using a scraper, knife, or stiff brush is one of the most popular methods for cleaning the profile from the protective film. You need to act very carefully so as not to damage the plastic or glass.

Hard brush

Any brush with stiff, non-metallic bristles or a dish sponge with an abrasive layer will do.

Algorithm of actions:

  1. Using your hands, remove as much surface area as possible from the coating.
  2. Dilute laundry soap in warm water.
  3. Wet the brush.
  4. Circular movements remove the sticky layer.
  5. Wipe the plastic with a clean cloth.

Scraper

Use a special scraper for cleaning glass ceramics or a rubberized construction spatula.

  1. Remove the coating by hand as much as possible.
  2. Wipe the frames with a wet, soapy cloth to remove dirt and dust.
  3. Holding the tool at a comfortable angle, remove the sticky layer.
  4. Wash the windows with a hard sponge and soap, wipe with a fresh cloth.

Knife, blade

Use a dull knife or blade to avoid damaging the profile and causing injury. Wash the frames with soapy warm water and carefully clean with a blade.

Important! Metal tools can leave deep scratches in the plastic, trapping dust and dirt. Their use is not advisable.

Scotch

After removing the tape, wash the frame well

The method is effective for removing cracked, dried film from PVC windows.

Cut a small strip of wide stationery tape, stick it to the frame, and tear it off sharply. Small dried parts of the protective coating will stick to the adhesive tape and come away from the plastic with it.

Chemicals for cleaning glass from film

Chemical solvents corrode the adhesive base and quickly and effectively remove film from windows.

Not everyone knows that after installing new plastic windows you need to clean them in a timely manner. protective film. It is usually advised to do this within 10 days. If removal is delayed, the protective coating will stick to the glass. Get rid of old film not easy. It is necessary to use only proven removal methods, otherwise the glass may become covered with cracks and scratches. You should start cleaning as quickly as possible so that the film does not dry out even more.

The film dries on the windows and is difficult to remove for several reasons:

  1. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation. If the windows are on sunny side, then the protective coating must be removed as soon as possible. If you miss the deadline, it will stick firmly to the surface.
  2. Heating. If the window becomes hot due to sunlight or heating devices, then the film dries to the glass very quickly. To get rid of it without a trace, you will have to try.
  3. Poor quality glue. If cheap glue was used in the manufacture of the film, it will soon dry to the window. This may even happen before the deadline for its removal.

Regardless of the reasons for drying, the film must be disposed of. After all, she spoils appearance plastic windows.

Removal methods

It is possible to remove old coating from glass at home. Even if it has managed to stick strongly to the window, you can try to fix it.

But to do this, you should choose proven means and methods that will not harm the glass surface.

Mechanical impact

The easiest way to get rid of dried film is mechanical action. To do this, pry up its edge with a knife or blade and try to tear off as much of the dried coating as possible with your hands.

This method is dangerous because it may leave noticeable scratches on the glass. Therefore, you need to act very carefully and do not use metal scrapers. It is advisable to minimize the contact of sharp objects with the window.

Hairdryer

If the protective coating sticks strongly, you can use a hair dryer. It should be used carefully - there should be no sources of fire or flammable objects in the room.

Algorithm of actions:

  • direct a stream of hot air onto the plastic frame or window sill, trying not to hit the glass;
  • When the film heats up, you need to carefully pry off its edge with a knife and peel it off manually.

It is important not to direct air directly onto the glass units. Otherwise, the glass will crack due to temperature changes.

If it is not possible to use an industrial hair dryer, you can use a steam generator or a regular hair dryer. However, they will only be effective if the film has recently adhered.

White Spirit

A powerful product that helps remove even long-dried film is white spirit.

Mode of application:

  • pry off the edge of the dried protective coating;
  • apply white spirit into the gap between it and the window;
  • Gradually remove film from the entire surface.

This product must be used very carefully, as the solvent can damage the surface of the window. Therefore, before use, it is necessary to test its effect on an inconspicuous area of ​​the glass unit.

Alcohol

You can also remove old film from plastic windows using alcohol. To do this you need:

  • take denatured alcohol;
  • using a spray bottle, spray it onto the old coating;
  • leave for 5 minutes;
  • pry up the edge of the film and tear it off with your hands.

While working, you should protect your hands with rubber gloves.

Ready-made products

You can also use it to remove old coating. special means. They are able to effectively and quickly clean plastic windows.

1. Cosmofen.

Companies that install plastic windows often sell a special solvent, Cosmofen.

There are three variants of this composition: No. 5, No. 10 and No. 20. They differ in the strength of their impact. The most aggressive is No. 5.

Therefore, it is advisable to use No. 20 or No. 10. Otherwise, you can dissolve not only the film, but also the glass unit itself.

2. Paint remover RP 6.

You can purchase paint remover - RP 6.

Instructions for use:

  • apply the product in a thick layer to the surface to be cleaned;
  • wait 10 minutes;
  • the coating should begin to bubble;
  • After the allotted time has passed, the softened film should be removed.

When using this method, it is necessary to protect your hands with thick rubber gloves, and your eyes with special glasses.

3. Schumann.

In shops household chemicals you can find the Schumanite detergent. They need to process the glass and wait a certain time specified in the instructions. Then wash the window clean water and wipe it dry.

This product is very caustic and should be used with extreme caution.

Window cleaning

After removing the film, traces of glue will remain on the glass. You can wash off the residue using this method:

  • prepare a concentrated soap solution by dissolving laundry soap shavings in warm water;
  • moisten a rag with the resulting solution;
  • wipe the window, not forgetting the edges and corners.

You can also wipe off dirt with newspaper. After cleaning, the glass is wiped dry.

It is advisable to remove film from plastic windows immediately after installation. However, if for some reason the protective coating has dried to the glass, it is necessary to begin solving the problem as quickly as possible using proven means.

Plastic windows are provided with a protective film that protects the frame from possible scratches, dust and dirt during transportation and installation of the window. It must be removed after the window has been installed in the opening within 10 days after installation.

However, for various reasons, many owners of plastic windows do not remove the film on time and end up with another one. headache, since over time it tends to “stick” to the plastic profile.

1. Why does the film stick to the window?

If the plastic windows were installed quite recently, then removing the film will not be difficult, but if too much time has passed since installation, it will be very difficult to remove the film from the window. This happens due to the fact that it is influenced by the environment and Sun rays, at which the film begins to deform.

How to clean glass and profile in a plastic window? In order to remove the film immediately after installing the windows, it must be carefully trimmed using stationery knife with internal and outside windows, then carefully remove. If the film is already deformed, then it will not be removed normally, it will tear, come off in pieces, and the glue may remain on the window.

It should be noted that the film is made of two layers and is glued using a special adhesive composition. Inner layer under the influence of the sun it begins to deteriorate and sticks more and more tightly to the plastic. Take off upper layer It won’t be difficult even after 2-3 months, but the inner one becomes more and more attached to the plastic every day.

2. Methods for removing film from a window

If for some reason the film was not removed on time, then the stuck film can be removed in several ways. What products can be used for cleaning plastic window ? This will be discussed further.

2.1. The first method of film removal

If the film cannot be removed, you can use construction hairdryer. It must be directed to the frame of the plastic window, where the film cannot be removed. When exposed to it, the adhesive mass will heat up and gradually lag behind the window. After this, you can remove the film without special effort using a hard cloth or scraper. You can also use a regular home hair dryer, but only if the film does not stick to the frame too much.

2.2. Second method of film removal

Residues of the adhesive composition can be removed using a scraper for glass-ceramic hobs or cookware. Such tools are quite rarely found at home, and buying one would not be advisable. Therefore, if there are no such tools, it is better to use other means.

2.3. The third method of film removal

You can also remove the glue using a knife or blade. They can be found in almost every home. To do this, you need to pick up the edge of the covering and tear it off piece by piece from the plastic window. Remaining glue must then be removed using a rough sponge. detergent. This method is very long and requires good willpower, and there is a possibility of damaging the plastic.

2.4. The fourth method of film removal

This method is quite simple, since there is nothing special about it. Everyone knows what a school eraser is. Ever since school days, during art class, they could erase pencils and even pens. So, you can do the same with the adhesive base of the film, erase it with an eraser. This is, in essence, means for soft cleaning glass and profile in the windows.

2.5. Fifth method of film removal

If the film has been more or less removed, but there is still glue from the film on the plastic window, it can be removed using a brush with stiff bristles and a soap solution. To do this, you need to moisten the plastic window with the solution and walk over it with a brush.

It is important not to be too zealous, since this glass cleaner and profile can damage the plastic and scratches may form on it.

2.6. Sixth method of film removal

In some cases, if you have white spirit at home, you can try to remove the film with it. To do this, you need to pry off the edge of the film using some sharp object, after which you need to pour not a large number of solvent. It is important that it gets under the film. After a couple of minutes, you can try to remove the film.

2.7. Seventh method of film removal

This method is probably one of the most expensive and most dangerous for plastic. For this, you need to purchase special products for cleaning plastic from various types of contaminants. They can be purchased at any specialty store.

You need to be very careful with these solvents, as they can corrode the plastic itself, which affects the service life of the windows. A.

In order to avoid problems with the operation of plastic windows, experts recommend:

  • Follow the instructions for using plastic windows. The film must be removed after installing the window.
  • If the window is installed in a multi-story building, then the outer film must be removed in advance, even before installing the window, so as not to subsequently risk your life by tearing off the film on a high floor.
  • You can contact a cleaning company that will help you clean up your house and also remove the protective film that seems to be stuck “to death.” It is only important to indicate this clause in the contract.
  • If, after removing the film, small scratches appear, then do not give up, they can be easily fixed. To do this, you need to buy Cosmofen cleaner and apply it to the scratches. It can perfectly polish small cracks and even help remove remaining film.

Conclusion, conclusion

Thus, it should be noted that in order to avoid problems with removing the protective film from the window, you must follow the instructions from the manufacturer and remove the film immediately after installation is complete and finishing works. Otherwise, problems may arise that will be much more difficult to solve.


It is advisable to carry out some work right away so that there are no problems in the future. For example, the removal of protective film from plastic windows is often postponed, or for some reason is not done at all. Later, under the influence of the sun, it bursts, cracks, takes on an unpleasant appearance, and the frame burns out in pieces, but such problems could have been avoided.

We won’t beat around the bush, but will tell you right away how to remove film from plastic windows, even one that has already hung for a decent amount of time.

Newly installed plastic windows

Follow the instructions

When installing PVC windows, craftsmen do not immediately remove the protective film from the windows. They carry out the work according to the instructions, and it clearly states that the film must be removed within 10 days after installation window design. Thus, they entrust the work of removing window protection entirely to the owners. If you don’t want to put up with this, ask the installers to finish the job.

The protective film consists of two layers: the first, decorative one, usually contains the manufacturer’s advertising, and the second has an adhesive base that reliably attaches it to the surface of the window. Being in a closed position, under the influence sunlight and warmth, adhesive composition It thickens more and more, tightly sticking to the window frame.

It will still be easy to remove the top layer after a couple of months, but by this time the inner layer will already stick quite firmly. This is why old film will be extremely difficult to tear off entirely. You will have to use a large arsenal of tools and tools to clean the window from the remnants of its former protection.

This is the problem we often encounter on windows.

Tools

So, let's look at how to remove the protective film from plastic windows if the time for this work has been lost and the materials have almost grown together.

The easiest way to remove film from a window involves precise and careful work, which will take a lot of time and effort. Arm yourself with a sharp knife or blade that will be convenient for picking up thin material, and gradually, piece by piece, tear it away from the window. After the protective material is removed, it will be necessary to wash the window frame from any remaining adhesive. This can be done using a regular dishwashing sponge and detergent.

If you don’t want to bother with the sticky adhesive on the PVC window frame, you can quickly wipe it off with an eraser. Again, it will take quite a lot of time to process the entire frame. However, we note that there will not be huge residues of glue everywhere; in some places it will be removed along with the film.

If you think that the protective coating has not stuck to the frame too much, you can try to remove it with a hair dryer. The heated adhesive composition will soften, and in this form it will be easier to work with the film. Use a rag and a stiff scraper and systematically remove the old film from the frame of your PVC window. You are unlikely to be able to work quickly, but in terms of quality there will definitely be success.

Even timely removal of material promises some difficulties

Many housewives do an excellent job of removing protective coatings on frames using steam cleaners and steam generators. This method is extremely simple and effective: steam heats and softens the film, making it elastic, after which it is easily removed. Note that it is necessary to warm up the frame properly with steam, and not to pull too hard on the hooked end.

If you are dealing with ceramics and you have a scraper for glass-ceramic stoves in your home, then you can use it. It will help to quite accurately and quickly scrape off all layers of unnecessary material. You can try to wash off the remaining glue with a detergent, and rub the frame with a brush with strong bristles.

Among all the solvents, white spirit has proven to be the most effective for removing the protective coating from the frame.

It is convenient to pry off the film with a sharp knife, and then remove the glue with a rag soaked in white spirit. If you can’t wipe off the glue right away, you can soak it in a solvent for a couple of minutes, after which it will definitely be removed. It is also worth noting here that among all the solvents, this one smells the least.

Using a window scraper

Scattered remnants of the protective coating can be removed with ordinary tape. To do this, you need to wash the frame with a detergent and dry it. Then stick transparent tape on it, smooth it over the entire surface, and then smoothly peel it off. Scotch tape will remove many unwanted elements.

You can buy plastic cleaning compounds at hardware stores. It is better not to use these products, or to use them in extreme cases, because they can damage the frame of your PVC window.

Removing the sun protection cover

Many people are interested in whether it is possible to remove the sun protection film from glass, to which it has become quite strongly attached over the summer. Of course it is possible, but since this coating is made of a special lavsan material, solvents will not help us; we will have to use physical force.

Please note that in the instructions for use solar films There is usually no information on how to remove it. Manufacturers apparently believe that it is installed on the glass forever. We will not argue with them, but will use the available means to remove it.

To work, you will need a sharp knife, it is best to take a stationery version, as well as dishwashing gel. Using the gel, we will need to make a soap solution, which we will gradually apply to the surface of the glass. Then we can easily pick up the soaked film and remove it with the sharp tip of a knife.

Cleaning glass from additional reflective elements

The process of removing sun protection coating from glass is very, very labor-intensive, but if everything is done according to the instructions, the surface will be perfectly clean.

It is best to carry out such work on a sunny day, when the heated surface of the glass softens the glue. In this case, the shiny protective coating can be removed more easily. If the weather is bad, you can heat the glass with a hair dryer or a steam generator, but this must be done carefully.

In conclusion, I would like to note that when installing plastic windows, remove the protective film within 10 days, or ask the installers to do it right away. Otherwise, you risk providing yourself with long, tedious and uninteresting work with windows in the future.

Many users, faced with the problem of window film firmly “fused” to the PVC profile, rush to experiment, which does not always end well. Especially in the case of colored windows, there is a risk of destroying them. The OKNA MEDIA portal will tell you how to effectively and without disastrous consequences remove old protective film from plastic windows.

All plastic windows come to the market with frames protected by the manufacturer using self-adhesive film. According to the rules, the protective film must be removed as soon as possible after completing the window installation - especially when the PVC window is exposed to direct sunlight.

Why is it so difficult to remove old protective film from PVC windows?

Unfortunately, this happens quite often, and due to the negligence of installers or the user himself, the protective film on the PVC profile can remain even for several years. In this case, when the hands get around to putting the new plastic windows in order, the user will be in for an unpleasant surprise - it is almost impossible to remove the protective coating.

It is difficult to remove old window film from a plastic window profile because it consists of two layers. The outer layer (transparent film) under the influence ultraviolet rays starts to peel and is relatively easy to clean. But at the bottom there is a second layer of white plastic with markings applied - it is this that sticks so strongly to the substrate.

The presence of old film looks especially bad in the case of a tree-like profile, because usually a protective coating is used white. Under the influence of UV rays, the film undergoes vulcanization and adheres very firmly to the surface of the PVC window. At the same time, it becomes less durable and breaks easily.


Some people try to wash off the protective layer with gasoline, acetone or other solvents - this helps a little, but at the same time you can remove the wood texture that is used to laminate the frame (white PVC windows, of course, are insured against this). Experts do not recommend exposing the surface of colored PVC profile too strong mechanical impact(scraping or sanding) because it is very easy to damage the lamination layer.

Eureka: There is a way to get rid of old protective film!

Fortunately, there are several ways to get rid of the protective film, we suggest you consider one of them. This method is simple, effective and, most importantly, will not destroy the plastic window. However, the procedure will take quite a long time and will require the use of a device with a steam cleaning function.

Such a device can be bought without problems; they are often sold in supermarkets. Please note that the package includes a special hose that allows you to fix the nozzle. Versions of this device often appear on sale, in which steam exits directly from the tank through a nozzle. In this case, you will have to constantly hold the heater in your hands during cleaning, but it will soon become clear that heating the film in the lower part of the frame is impossible in this case (the window sill gets in the way).

Work begins by filling the purifier with water and connecting to the power supply. After a few minutes you can start heating small area protective film with a jet of steam (hold the nozzle directly above the film or even touch it). Heat a small section of 1-2 cm across the entire width. If window film It's already too old and won't peel off, you'll have to reheat it (after cooling). At this time, you can heat the protective coating of the window from the other end.

To remove the protective film using steam, shortly after heating a small area, you should try to separate the film from the substrate with your fingernail. This must be done carefully and slowly, across the entire width of the tape. This is the most important point. It is necessary to ensure that a small piece of the film peels off across its entire width. Then you can grab the end and slowly (!) tear off the film while simultaneously heating with steam from above and below (at the points of contact with the substrate).

If the protective film begins to tear and its fragment does not come off, you need to use a fingernail in this place and lead to a situation where it peels off again across its entire width. After removing a sufficiently long fragment, cut it off with scissors, leaving 2-3 cm so that there is something to cling to to continue further cleaning of the PVC profile.

After removing the protective layer, it remains on the surface of the window frame. white coating, which is quite difficult to wash off. And here there is a proven method - you can use a glass cleaner for this purpose (for example, Mister Muscle).

When buying new plastic windows, do not ignore the advice of the window company, which is clearly stated in the operating instructions, when it is worth removing the protective film from the PVC profile. This will allow you to save time and money, and save your nerves. In general, following the manufacturer’s recommendations not only in this point, but also in all others, is the key to the impeccable appearance and durability of your plastic windows.