Tint Tool Tips For DIY Window Film Installation

www.TintingTool.com / 2020-02-12 12:02

At first,you should make full preparation for tools, such as:

A film aid application concentrate (or no-tears baby shampoo)

Bottled water (not tap water)

Spray bottle

Squeegee

Tint tool

Break-away utility knife (for cutting film)

Single-edged razor blade (for cleaning glass)

Ruler or tape measure

Soft, lint-free cloth or paper coffee filters (for cleaning the glass and film)

Before You Begin:

Residential window films are applied directly to the inside glass surface you can touch inside your home. If you have a removable storm pane, you may remove it and apply the film to the inside surface of the outermost window, then remount the storm pane.

Applying window film is a simple process, with only a few basic steps. However, patience and preparation are very important. Before beginning this project, please read the instructions completely and carefully, perhaps using a small piece of film to practice the steps before you actually tint a window. Many first-time users feel more confident after tinting a few, small windows. Start with smaller windows before applying film to larger windows, such as patio doors, which may require two people.

Preparation:

a. Fill a pump- or trigger-spray bottle with a soapy water solution: to 1qt. bottled water, add a bottle of a film aid concentrate (or 1/4 tsp of a no-tears baby shampoo without conditioner). Film Aid offers the best drying clarity and pH balance. Do not use hard tap water, which can leave spots under the film. VERY IMPORTANT: This soapy water solution (“the Solution”) will serve as a lubricant for the squeegee during glass cleaning, film application, and future cleaning. CAUTION: Do not use any household glass cleaner containing ammonia or vinegar to clean the glass or film; such cleaners can dilute or dissolve the film’s adhesive. However, extremely greasy or smoke-covered windows may need to be cleaned first with glass cleaner then rinsed thoroughly with the Solution.

b. Plan to use several single-edge utility razor blades to clean the window. A small utility knife with breakaway blades is the best tool for trimming film. NOTE: Film can dull a blade edge quickly; and a dull blade can tear film. Plan to use a new blade after every 10’ of film that you cut.

c. A rubber-blade squeegee is necessary to press the film onto the window without creases and to remove the soapy water from under the film. We recommend a squeegee between 6” to 8” wide, preferably with a flexible blade and solid handle. A quality squeegee is a good investment because you will use it to clean the glass, apply the film, and clean the film in the future.

d. Use lint-free toweling (paper coffee filters work amazingly well!), not paper towels, to clean the windows and absorb squeegeed water.

e. To trim the film (Step 8), use the edge of a ruler or a 50-cent coin or a dedicated wallpaper trimmer.

You may also like the following film tint and wrap tools