RECOMMENDED TOOLS:
GILA® Film Aid application concentrate (or "no-tears" baby shampoo)
Bottled water (not tap water)
Spray bottle
Squeegee
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:
All GILA 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.
REMINDER: ALL GILA residential films are compatible with standard 1/8" clear residential windows. However, the Heat Control Insulating™ films are specifically engineered to be the most compatible with dual-pane (thermopane) and Low-E windows, whether 1/8" or 1/4" glass.
CAUTION: Do not apply GILA residential films to plastic or Plexiglas surfaces or to motor vehicle windows. Do not apply any film to frosted, etched, leaded, cracked, holed, or deeply scratched glass, or glass that is very old (over 40 years).
SPECIAL POINTS TO REMEMBER
1. MEASURE THE WINDOW
Measure the dimensions (Figure 1) of your window carefully before unrolling and cutting the film. Film may be applied from side to side, or top to bottom from the kit roll. Use the measurement that leaves the least waste. You may also choose to pretrim the film to the window dimensions, less 1/16" on all sides (see steps 3 and 8 below).
3. CUT THE FILM
Unroll the film on a clean, flat surface near the window. Use a ruler as a guide and cut the film 1" larger than the dimensions of the window to be sure that the film will fit. Of course, you may wish to use the factory edge of the film for one side of the window. Or, if you choose, pretrim the film to the final dimensions of each window (including the 1/16" gap described in step 8). We recommend pretrimming the film to final size for French panes, skylights, and arched windows.
For Windows Larger Than Film Size:
To cover larger windows, you may need to seam the film as you would seam wallpaper. To obtain a perfect butt seam, vertically overlap two sides of the film, then use a ruler as a straight edge to guide your knife as you cut through the center of both layers of film. After cutting the seam line, peel the loose sheet of film from the top, then lift the edge of the film and slide out the other "waste" piece from underneath the film. Rewet the glass, lay down the film, rewet the top of the film, then squeegee the film from top to bottom in a slow, firm vertical motion. A week after installation, you should waterproof the seam with a coat of clear fingernail polish
4. WET THE WINDOW THOROUGHLY
Generously spray the Solution, which acts as a lubricant for the film, onto the inside surface of the window until beads of the soapy water run down the glass. (Figure 2) If the window becomes dry, rewet it completely before applying film.
5. REMOVE THE CLEAR FILM BACKING ("the liner")
Take your time with this step: be patient and be careful not to crease the film while removing the clear, protective "liner" from the back (adhesive side) of the film. (NOTE: Usually the liner is on the outside surface of the film roll.) Remove the liner by attaching two 3-4" long pieces of transparent tape to the front and back surfaces of a corner of the film so that about 1" of tape is on the film, the rest centered and hanging over the pointed corner of the film. Press the two pieces of tape firmly together, then quickly pull them apart to begin separating the clear liner away from the adhesive side of the film.
(NOTE: This process may require a quick, snapping pull, much like pressing together and quickly pulling apart two pieces of velcro.) As you carefully peel the liner away, generously spray the soapy solution onto the exposed adhesive. This spray helps break any static cling, reduces contamination, and makes the liner separation easier. Wet your hands with the Solution before handling the film to avoid leaving fingerprints on the adhesive.
For small windows, remove the liner diagonally, from one corner toward the opposing corner. Try to keep the film from touching itself. Two people should coordinate the liner separation on a large sheet of film.
For Large Windows and Patio Doors
Removing the liner from a large sheet (i.e. patio door size) involves two people. Your helper faces the window and holds the film perpendicular to the floor. You face the liner side of the film, separate the corner of the liner, slide your finger along the top edge of the film to fully separate the liner, then peel the liner down toward the floor in a smooth, even motion. After removing the liner completely, thoroughly spray the glass then the adhesive side of the film.
6. PLACE THE FILM ON THE WET WINDOW
Completely remove the clear liner from the back of the film and thoroughly wet the exposed, dry adhesive surface. Be sure the window is dripping wet: too much Solution is better than not enough. Apply the adhesive side of the film to the wet glass. Start at the top of the window, then allow the film to gently lay down onto the glass. Handle the film carefully at the corners to avoid wrinkles or creases, which cannot be removed. Use your hands to smooth the film onto the glass. (Figure 7) You can slide the film around and position it correctly so long as the window and film are thoroughly wet.
This time, imagine an invisible line dividing the window from top to bottom. Starting at the top of the window, squeegee from the center to the left, then from the center to the right. Repeat this process until you reach the bottom of the window. (NOTE: If your squeegee has a stiff blade, PUSH it toward the sides. If a flexible rubber blade, PULL the squeegee.)
FILM CLEANING TIPS: Always clean film with the same soapy Solution and a clean, pliable squeegee. DO NOT USE ammonia, vinegar, household glass cleaners, papertowels, or brushes.
PRODUCT LIFE: When properly applied and cleaned, window film will usually look good for quite a few years. Because film protects your furnishings by absorbing up to 99% of the harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, the film itself bears the inevitable ultraviolet damage. As a result, over the years, tinted films may lighten in hue somewhat. This is to be expected. Overall product life is affected by climate, geographic location, and exposure to the sun.
REMOVAL: Use GILA Window Film and Adhesive Removal Spray to remove old film more easily.