How To Safely Remove Home Window Film

The thing we love most about home window film is the ability to completely remove it without a trace. There are several reasons you might want to remove it from tenancy agreements, accidental damage, age or just wanting a change.

Removing your home window film can be a daunting task for many homeowners. As such the team at ALLCOOL always recommend hiring a professional to safely remove your home window tinting to avoid any mishaps.

If you are feeling adventurous however you can follow the below guide to safely remove your home window film.

Before you dive in you want to make sure you have all the right materials and tools. The below materials should be applicable for most window films however dependent on the age and quality of the film you might need heavier-duty equipment.

• Stanley knife or razor blades
• Window scraper
• Soapy water
• Spray bottle
• Gloves
• Hairdryer
• Hand steamer
• Vinegar and/or ammonia
• Glass cleaner
  

Now you're setup with all the right equipment, you can get cracking on removing the window film.

The first thing you need to do is soften the film by spraying it with a soapy water solution. If you’re working with a particularly stubborn film, you might want to consider adding ammonia and vinegar to better dissolve the adhesive. If so, ensure you have ample ventilation to let the ammonia escape and always use gloves.

For the best results, we suggest letting the film soak overnight.

Once your window film is softened, you’re ready to remove the window film. Removing the film during the day during peak sunlight will help you greatly as the warmer the film is the easier it will be to remove.

Now take your Stanley knife and score a corner of the window film and gently pull. Dependent on the age and state of your window film it should be quite easy to pull off however if it’s being stubborn consider applying more of your solution to soften the film and letting it soak.

This part of the process may take some time, it’s important to be patient and if you get stuck use your window scraper to help pry the window film off the glass.

Now you should have been able to successfully remove your home window film!

You’ll likely find some glue residue left behind. Dependent on how much glue is on the surface you should be able to take your window scraper or razor to gently remove it.

Once the glue has been removed you will need to clean the glass. Apply a liberal amount of glass cleaner to a sponge, rag or cloth and wipe down your windows, removing any remaining excess.

After completing this last step your windows should be back to their original form.

If the window film you’re attempting to remove is very old or of lesser quality, you might need to try some other techniques.

• If your solution isn’t doing the job, consider using a hairdryer to heat the window film and break down the glue gradually.
• If you want to avoid using harsh chemicals like ammonia to remove your home window film use a hand steamer. A hand steamer will work similarly to the hairdryer to break down the glue, making it easier to remove.
• Another alternative method is spraying the film with your soapy water/ammonia/vinegar solution and covering the window in cling wrap. This will trap the solution on the film and help accelerate the softening process.

Need help with your window film removal? Perhaps you don’t have time or the whole process seems like too much hard work. Why not leave it to the professionals at ALLCOOL Window Films?

Having fitted home window films in Perth for over 35 years we’ve seen it all when it comes to windows. Our team has the experience and the expertise to ensure your windows are in good hands!

Our team operates all over the greater Perth metro area including Willetton, Scarborough, Karrinyup, Midland, Fremantle, Bayswater, Joondalup, Applecross, Cottesloe and Cannington and all surrounding suburbs.

To receive assistance with your next window film solution talk to our friendly team today.