How to clean a window from a silver film. How to remove the protective glass from the phone and stick a new one

The main function of the protective glass of a smartphone is to take a hit on itself, protecting the touchscreen from damage. When this happens, it often falls into disrepair, becoming covered with chips, cracks and other damage. The level of protection against this drops significantly, in addition, the view of the display worsens, and the smartphone loses its attractiveness. To change the coating to a new one, you must first remove the broken protective glass from the phone. And here there are difficulties, which will be discussed in the material.

Precautionary measures

One must take into account important point before removing the old protective glass from the phone. Thanks to the perfectly smooth surface of the touch screen, the glass sticks to it very firmly. Usually it is held not by glue (although this happens), but by electrostatic forces. The two flat surfaces are very firmly in contact, making it impossible to remove the glass by simply prying it with a fingernail. If you take the first available handy tool(like a knife) - there is a risk of damaging the smartphone display and its body.

One silicone suction cup is also not enough. If you stick to a badly damaged glass, a vacuum does not form under it inside, and when force is applied, it will come off. If the grip is good, the suction cup will not come off, but another problem arises. The sensor is fixed in the housing using double-sided adhesive tape or glue, the tear strength of which is lower than that of the touchscreen and protective glass. Overdoing it, you can rip off the screen module completely, damaging its cables. Therefore, it is necessary to act deliberately and consistently.

How to remove the glass from the phone and stick a new one

Before you remove the broken protective glass from the phone and replace it, you need to prepare and arm yourself with a set of tools and tools.

This will require:

mediator, spatula or thin plastic card (preferably 2 pieces);
silicone suction cup optional;
lint-free napkin;
glass cleaner (preferably alcohol-containing), alcohol, vodka, or alcohol-based perfume (perfume, cologne) - to choose from;
medical gloves - optional.

Quite often new protective glass can be completed with necessary adaptations.

The dismantling procedure is extremely simple and takes a minute.

Before removing the protective glass from the phone, you need to wash your hands with soap and dry thoroughly, or just wear rubber gloves. This is to prevent fingerprints and streaks from appearing on the screen surface.
On broken glass, you should find the most complete corner, where there are no chips or other damage (or there is, but in the smallest amount). There you need to cling to the suction cup, pressing it to the screen.
The corner to which the suction cup is glued must be pryed off with a pick, spatula or suction cup so that the edge of the glass peels off. To do this, at the same time slightly pull the suction cup towards you. It is important not to overdo it so as not to rip off the screen before a gap forms between it and the glass! If there is no suction cup at hand, you can simply smoothly insert the mediator deeper into the resulting gap.
As the glass peels off, the mediator / spatula / card should be deepened. If the screen is large, it is recommended to work with two tools at once, moving them in different directions.
The final touch is to pull the suction cup towards you until the glass is completely torn off. You can take the edge with your fingers and do the same.

Today there are several types of film, each of which is designed to reliably protect the home from the scorching sun. With proper use, such material can reduce the summer temperature in rooms by five to ten degrees.

Such a protective agent has only one serious drawback - the difficulty of removing it from windows. The composition of each film includes an adhesive substance with which it is fixed on the glass. And in many cases, when removed, it can leave visible marks on the window, which will negatively affect its appearance.

Sun protection film on the window

Everything existing species films are made from materials that reflect light, and many of them contain aluminum, which can also leave ugly stains on glass. It is quite difficult to remove them without causing any harm to the glass surface. But if you use a number of chemicals designed to clean difficult dirt, you can try to remove traces of the use of a protective film with minimal damage to the glass.

Everything modern materials, which are designed to protect the premises from excessive high temperature, contain aluminum and other substances that make them difficult to remove from surfaces. In order not to leave ugly streaks and noticeable spots on the glass, the removal of such protective equipment should be approached as carefully and responsibly as possible. There are several of the most common ways to be careful, each of which can lead to success.

Steaming

If you peel the sun protection material from windows without prior preparation, then the likelihood of stains and noticeable traces from the adhesive is huge.

The ideal way to prepare the film for removal is to use a modern steamer.

The procedure for cleaning windows from material using a steamer is carried out in several stages:

A small area is heated with hot steam from a steamer. It is very important that the steam is directed to a specific place on the window.
About five minutes after steaming, you should pick up a piece of film and gently pull it towards you, separating it from the window.
The new section of the window is reheated until the material begins to move away from the glass.

The section of the film is heated with a steamer
After five minutes, it separates from the window

This is the most gentle and easy way to remove the sun protection film. In this case, the minimum amount of traces remains on the window, which can be easily removed with a simple soapy solution. This is just one of the simple answers to the question of how to remove the film from the window glass without visible marks.

Detergents and cleaners

Other effective methods include the use of powerful ones designed for cleaning glass surfaces. They allow you to remove stains and traces of the film from the window without much effort, but when using them, you should follow safety precautions, which consist of the following rules:

when treating surfaces with chemicals, the prescribed protective equipment must be used. These include gloves, closed clothing and a respirator;
compliance with the dosage indicated by the manufacturer on the detergent container;
compliance with the manufacturer's recommendations to avoid contact of the substance with some materials that are sensitive to the components of the cleaning agent.

Use protective equipment
Learn Dosage

You can clean windows with effective means, how:

Domax. This substance is intended for gentle care of glass ceramics and does not contain abrasive substances;
Cosmofen;
Shumanite;
Fenosol.

Shumanit is an effective remedy

However, even modern powerful preparations designed for cleaning surfaces cannot always cope with the consequences of the presence of a protective film material on window glass. In this case, stains and other marks will have to be removed with a harder scraper, which is designed for cleaning glass ceramics. The remaining traces are then removed with a modern Fenosol cleaner. After that, the glass is washed first with soapy water, and then with warm clean water.

All the methods described above, which tell how to remove the sun-protection film from glass, are also suitable for cleaning wooden windows and for modern PVC and metal-plastic profiles. Compliance with safety precautions and the dosage of cleaning agents will allow you to rid your windows of the remnants of the protective material without much harm to the glass and without harm to health.

Scraper for cleaning glass ceramics

other methods

There are other ways by which you can try to remove the film from the window. One is to use a utility knife or other sharp object such as scissors. During the procedure, you need to gently pry the edge of the film with a knife to separate it from the glass, and then pull it towards you. It is recommended to roll the already peeled off sections with a tube so that they do not stick to the window again.

You can also remove some types of film with newspapers and soapy water. The procedure is carried out in several stages:

Ordinary newspapers are placed on the entire glass area.
Newspapers are sprayed with soapy water until they begin to stick to the surface.
Leave for an hour, regularly wetting the paper.
Newspapers and film are removed, which will come off much easier after the procedure.

Newspapers are placed on all glass
They are sprayed with soapy water
Leave for an hour constantly wetting
Easily remove newspapers and film

Precautions for removing film stains from glass

When cleaning windows from traces of solar film, the recommended precautions should be observed. Some of the chemical cleaners can have a negative effect on the skin and respiratory tract of a person, and when using sharp objects, you can get hurt. Therefore, when removing stains from the film, you must adhere to the following rules:

carry out all work related to chemical cleaning agents only with strong impervious gloves;
when wiping marks, do not press hard on the glass, as this may violate its integrity;
when working with sharp objects (knife, scissors, scraper), you should act as carefully as possible so as not to get hurt or damage the window;
avoid contact of chemicals with unprotected skin, eyes or inhalation;
keep materials and tools intended for removing traces from glass surfaces out of the reach of children.

The profile of a plastic window is covered with a special film that protects it from dirt, scratches and other mechanical damage during delivery and installation. It is very easy to remove it from the product, but it must be done in time. It is advisable to start this immediately after the installation of the window. Otherwise, it will be necessary to resort to more radical methods of cleaning the film from the profile.

Why is it difficult to clean the protective film from the window

The instructions for plastic windows usually indicate that the film must be removed within 2 weeks after installation. Removing the film will not cause much difficulty in the coming months. However, if it remains on the profile for more than 4 months, it will take a lot of effort to remove the film.

What could be the reasons for this problem? The film in its composition has several layers, which are attached to the profile using a special adhesive. Strong adhesion to plastic occurs under the influence of solar radiation, as well as heat. In other words, the process of decomposition of the inner very thin layer of the film takes place. Therefore, the inner layer is much more difficult to remove than the surface.

Reasons that contribute to strengthening the bonding of the film and PVC frame:

heat action. V summer time the film dries to the frame much faster than in winter;
the quality of the special adhesive applied to the film affects the complexity of its removal. The cheaper the windows, the lower the quality of the glue;
exposure to UV rays. The adhesive layer of the film on the windows located on the south side of the building may dry faster. Therefore, it is more difficult to remove the film on such windows than on windows located on the north side.

How to remove film and adhesive tape from metal-plastic windows

It is recommended to remove the protective film from the window within 2 weeks after installation. Then it will be difficult to do so. This is due to the fact that under the influence of various factors, its adhesive layer will change its characteristics. You may need to seek help from a cleaning company or wipe off the old tape yourself using tools and substances such as:

scraper;
building hair dryer;
scissors;
Cosmofen;
different chemicals.

If the adhesive tape does not come off completely, then you should use alcohol or tape.

Methods for removing adhesive tape from the glass of plastic windows

There are many methods for removing adhesive tape from double-glazed windows. However, the fastest and most effective ways, thanks to which the entire film is removed and the window surface is not damaged, are the following:

scraper or brush. Tape removal with this tool will never damage the window surface when used along with soapy water;
an eraser that will need to scrub the film intensively enough. But at the same time, the surface of the profile is well preserved;
construction dryer - the best remedy, but one condition must be met when using it. You can direct the hair dryer only at the frame. If a jet of hot air hits a double-glazed window, it may crack or burst from exposure to temperature. A building hair dryer heats up the tape, after which the glue begins to dissolve, which means you can easily remove it;

Advice. In the absence of a building hair dryer, you can always use the usual one, only it should work in turbo mode. But do not forget that this option is suitable if the protective film is not very strongly adhered to the PVC profile.

white spirit can also be useful in removing the adhesive film from the product, but it is usually applied not on top of the PVC window, but between the film and the surface of the product. It is necessary to pry off its edge and moisten the place with white spirit. Wait a few minutes and remove the film;
Kosmofen perfectly eliminates the film. This tool has proven itself as a cleaner for plastic windows;
thin knife. Use such a tool carefully, because if you press it hard, you can scratch the window profile. In this case, the actions should be as follows: with a knife, you need to pick up a small edge of the film, then tear it off very slowly. Residues of glue are removed with a solvent;
wide tape will help remove the remaining adhesive tape. It is very easy to use it. It is necessary to stick the adhesive tape on the surface and carefully remove it along with the remnants of the film;
technical alcohol or denatured alcohol must be poured into a small spray bottle and the substance is evenly sprayed onto the protective film. Denatured alcohol should be left for a few minutes on the surface. Then pry off the edge of the film with a knife and remove the film. In this way, the entire profile is sprayed, and the remaining film is removed. Glue is removed with acrylic solvent;
Shumanit. The effectiveness of this detergent, which is produced in Israel by Buggy, has been proven by numerous consumer reviews. And since this strong remedy, then it must be used with extreme caution;
RP-6 is an excellent film remover that should be thickly applied to the frame surface for 10 minutes. The film swells and easily leaves after the use of this drug;
a weak solvent well eliminates traces of PVC film. However, remember that before you apply the tool on the entire surface, you need to check its effect on an inconspicuous area of \u200b\u200bthe window.

Attention! It is worth saying that the options listed above are always applicable to all parts of window structures, since the adhesive used for them is the same.

How to remove solar control film or foil from a window

All modern materials that protect our homes from high outside temperature, have in their composition not only aluminum, but also other elements that complicate the process of removing them from the surface. And so that there are no noticeable spots on the glass, as well as streaks, the foil or film from the window is removed with special care. There are the most popular methods for cleaning windows from PVC film.

Steaming against old duct tape

With the help of a modern steamer, you can easily remove the film from the window. The entire cleaning process must be carried out in several stages.

A small area on the window must be heated with hot steam, which produces a steamer. At the same time, it is important that its direction be pointwise, and not over the entire area of the window.
After 5 minutes, you must raise small plot film, and then pull it towards you, thereby separating the film from the window.
We do the same with the new section until the entire window is clear of the sun-protection film.

This is the most elementary and most gentle option for removing the film. And even if after it there are traces on the window, then they are removed with the help of an ordinary soapy solution.

How to clean mirror film with newspaper

The sunscreen can also be removed using plain soapy water and newspaper. This work is done in several stages.

Other means and methods

Cleaners and detergents that can remove adhesive tape from a window frame are suitable for removing stains and film from the glass surface. In addition to the already mentioned Cosmofen and Shumanite, effective substances such as:

Fenosol;
Domax (the preparation is intended for careful care of ceramics and glass, therefore, it does not contain abrasive substances).

But even these very powerful tools do not always cope with the task. In this case, you need to use a hard scraper or choose another way to clean the window from the film.

Video: remove the stuck film with tape

Precautions for removing film residue from glass and plastic

Precautions should be taken when removing sunscreen or conventional film from a window. It is necessary to use protective equipment against chemicals that have a negative effect not only on human skin, but also on his respiratory tract. Use sharp objects carefully so as not to get hurt. Try to follow the following rules:

work with chemicals in impenetrable and very durable rubber gloves;
do not press hard on the glass, as you can break it;
proceed with extreme caution when using a scraper, scissors, knife and other sharp objects so as not to scratch the window or injure yourself;
do not allow chemicals to come into contact with eyes, skin, or inhalation;
Keep tools and materials that remove film marks out of the reach of children.

In order for the result of the work on removing the film from the window to please you, adhere to the following rules:

remove the protective film immediately after the window is installed. And if installation work not yet completed, then it is better to stick masking tape on the surface of the window. So you can avoid not only pollution, but also damage to the surface of the PVC profile during the repair process. Then, after completing all the work, you will not need to make great efforts to remove the stuck tape;
after removing the protective sticker, treat all moving parts of the fittings with grease;
do not use abrasive substances;
when using chemicals, take into account their level of impact on the PVC surface, otherwise one of the layers of the window can be broken at the micro level;
work carefully with sharp objects, and if possible, remove the film with your fingers so as not to leave scratches on the profile;
do not use strong solvents that can damage the profile.

Before proceeding with the removal of the film from the PVC window, it is necessary to complete all installation work. In this case, a great view of the window opening will delight you for a long time. The exception is such types of work, after which you cannot physically remove the film.

Taking care of the warmth and comfort in their homes, many prefer the installation of plastic windows. These modern designs are impeccable appearance, sealed. Usually, after the installation is completed, a protective film remains on the frames, which is often forgotten to be removed in time. Over time, it tightly dries to the plastic surface, after which it becomes difficult to get rid of it. It happens that you need to remove the sun-protection film from the windows or remove traces of glue. Effective methods will help to cope with these problems.

Why is it difficult to remove the protective film from windows

The main function of the film applied to plastic window frames in the factory is to provide effective protection products during transportation. But under the influence of aggressive external environment(heat, ultraviolet) they are able to stick together with a plastic surface. In addition, high-quality adhesive composition is not always used in the manufacture of protective films, which makes it even more difficult to remove such protection over time. It is possible to get rid of the film without any special efforts within 10 days after the installation of double-glazed windows. If for some reason it was not possible to do this on time, do not despair.

If the protective film is not removed in time, it will be much more difficult to do this over time.

How to remove film and adhesive tape from plastic windows

Using chemical or mechanical methods, you can cope with this task. For work you will need:

construction or household hair dryer;
scraper for cleaning glass-ceramic surfaces;
denatured alcohol;
eraser;
solvent for acrylic;
White Spirit;

When choosing a store product, you must carefully study its composition. Solvents containing harsh acids and acetone can damage frames, as can abrasive cleaners.

Mechanical methods

A scraper, eraser, hair dryer and other tools will help to remove the film mechanically.

How to use the scraper

The method does not require special physical costs, since the film is removed very easily with a scraper. However, careless handling of the tool can cause damage to the plastic frames.

Armed with a scraper designed specifically for glass-ceramic panels carefully remove the remaining film.
After the procedure, clean the surfaces with Cosmofen 10, Fenosol or R-12 acrylic thinner.

How to remove film with an eraser

To remove the film from the window frames, you can use an ordinary soft eraser. Although the method requires a lot of physical effort, using it will not damage the surfaces. With the help of an eraser, you can also get rid of the sun-protection film on the windows.

Rub the film remaining on the surface of the frames or glass with an eraser.
Remove adhesive residue with white spirit or any other cleaner.

Using a hair dryer or steam generator

This method is highly effective and allows you to get rid of the film quickly and easily. However, you should work with such devices as carefully as possible: excessive overheating of the PVC surface can cause irreparable harm to it. If you have an industrial hair dryer at hand, the procedure for removing an old protective film will not take much time and effort. If it is not there, you can get by with an ordinary household appliance or a steam generator.

Heat up the surface of the film.
Gently pry off its edge with a knife or other sharp object.
Remove the remaining glue with the help of the same cleaners.

Using a building hair dryer, remove the protective film from the windows

Chemical methods

Using tools and devices to remove the protective film from plastic window frames, even a specialized scraper, you can scratch the PVC profile. It is for this reason that for many people faced with solving a similar problem, the most acceptable option is the use of chemicals. With their help, you can remove the film with a minimum of effort and without damaging the surface of the window. However, these substances must be handled with care.

Denatured film remover

Denatured alcohol is one of the means that allows you to quickly and efficiently clean plastic surfaces from a protective film. When using it, personal safety precautions should be observed, protecting exposed skin and mucous membranes. The method is simple and effective, does not require special physical costs.

Pour the substance into a spray bottle.
Apply denatured alcohol to the surface to be treated.
After 5 minutes, remove the film by prying it with a sharp object or a clerical knife.

How to remove film with Shumanite

The effective ingredient is detergent Shumanit. Using it, you do not have to make special physical efforts when removing the protective coatings from the window. Since the components of Shumanit are very aggressive, remember the safety precautions: use gloves and goggles, ventilate the room well.

Apply it to the surface.
Remove the film without the need for special physical effort.

Step-by-step instructions for using RP-6

The RP-6 tool, designed to remove paint, will also help get rid of the protective film. Its effectiveness is quite high, and working with it requires the presence of protection on the hands.

Apply the substance in a generous layer on the surface of the film. After 10 minutes, the film will begin to foam right before your eyes.
Remove cover. It will come off without much effort.
Wash off adhesive residue with soapy water.

How to use Scotch Remover to remove tape and film from PVC windows

Scotch Remover, a specialized tool designed to remove tough stains from glass and plastic surfaces, will also provide the desired effect when removing the film. When working with it, it is necessary to use protective glasses and gloves, as well as to ventilate the room well.

Shake the bottle with the agent.
Spray the substance onto the film surface.
Remove film.
Wipe the cleaned surface with a clean cloth.

How to use WD-40 penetrating lubricant

One of the most gentle means for plastic surfaces is VD-40. This lubricant is widely used in the automotive industry. The composition includes a number of components that can penetrate the most difficult pollution. With it, you can easily get rid of protective films stuck to double-glazed windows, as well as clean adhesive traces. When working, it is recommended to use gloves.

Apply the composition to the film.
After a few minutes, remove it from the surface.
Wipe the treated area with soapy water, rinse with clean water.

WD-40 is a universal cleaner that will easily remove the film from the PVC window frame and adhesive traces.

Attention! When working with chemicals, it is necessary to remember personal safety, trying to avoid getting these products on exposed skin and mucous membranes. To do this, use safety goggles and rubber gloves.

How to remove solar control film (foil) from a window

During hot summer days, the windows and glazed balconies of many apartments are exposed to scorching sunlight, which negatively affects the internal microclimate of the premises. A fairly effective means of protection against them is a film that can reflect the sun's rays.

With the onset of autumn and cold weather, the need for such protection disappears and the film must be removed. However, such materials are able to tightly eat into the surface of the window under the influence of the sun, after which it becomes difficult to remove them. To solve the problem, you can use:

denatured alcohol;
steam generator;
eraser.

You can also remove the sun protection film using various detergents:

Domax;
Shumanite;

Using these formulations, it is also advisable not to forget about safety precautions, follow the recommendations of manufacturers and dosages. If after them the adhesive base of the film remains, you can use the following means:

liquid with Kiehl Tablefit spray: apply on a tissue and clean the surface;
stain remover Taygeta S-405: apply to the remaining glue for 15–30 seconds;
FORMULA X-5 liquid solution: works after 10-15 minutes;
Super CMF-240 from Krizal: positioned as a “dirt separator”, it removes the adhesive base of the film worse than the previous ones, but for allergy sufferers it may be the only applicable remedy from industrial formulations;
strong alkaline liquid Merida Impet for removing stubborn dirt: apply to the adhesive for 2 minutes.

Means for removing adhesive contaminants from various surfaces - gallery

Domax will allow you to get rid of the film and its traces
Cosmofen is a strong and highly toxic cleaner with high efficiency Fenosol is a high quality cleaner used on plastic surfaces
Kiehl Tablefit - a product designed to remove adhesive traces
FORMULA X-5 allows you to quickly destroy traces of glue Super CMF-240 quality universal cleaner

Soap solution and old newspapers

There is another method of removing the sun-protection film, which does not require special material costs. To use it, you will need:

soap solution;
old newspapers.

Operating procedure:

Holding the newspaper with your hand, lean it against the glass and moisten it with plenty of soapy water using a spray bottle. Repeating this operation again and again, it is necessary to close the entire window space with newspapers.
Leave newspapers stuck to the window for 1 hour, periodically spraying them with soapy water.
Remove sun protection film along with newspapers.

This simple and effective method is very effective, but requires a sufficient amount of time. Using it, you will not harm the treated surfaces.

Safety

When removing protective films from double-glazed windows, it should be noted that many of the chemicals are very aggressive solutions and can harm the body. For this reason, they should be handled carefully, not forgetting to use rubber gloves, goggles, and if prone to allergic reactions, a respirator.
When rubbing the adhesive from the glass, do not press too hard on the surface. Otherwise, the glass may crack or fly out.
When working with sharp objects, care must be taken not to damage the plastic surfaces and cause accidental injury to yourself.

Using simple mechanical and chemical methods for removing protective film coating from windows, you can achieve the desired result without much effort. However, it should be remembered that such work is not in a hurry, and when performing it, one should not forget about safety precautions.

When I had a chance to take the job of removing the film from a window installed 3-4 years ago, I tried many methods, and on personal experience I was convinced that there is no ideal and quick remedy, in any case, you will have to pretty tinker and show patience. So, here are my own writings with reviews:

1 Remove the film with something sharp

This is the simplest and affordable way, find a blade from a razor or a clerical knife, or any other sharp object, including even sticks for cleaning nails, and with this object pick the edges of the film, slowly tearing it off the plastic.

The work, I'll tell you, requires a lot of patience, as it comes off in pieces, which also stick back to another place, some kind of direct restoration. Too long and tedious, and when you lose patience and try to speed up the process, you start scratching the plastic.

The best sticks to use are:

There is even a professional tool, although it was developed not for removing the film from the window, but for cleaning glass ceramics:

I did not have to work with them, but most likely it will not be so useful in oval and hard-to-reach places.

2 Hot air from a hair dryer

First tried with a hair dryer, but it doesn't give such a powerful flow and overheats quickly, so I had to ask for a professional hair dryer with a tip. The action is simple, you need to warm up the remaining film, and then tear it off.

Things went faster when they began to use sticks and a hair dryer at the same time, the film actually, when warmed up, it was easier to remove, but here's the inconvenience - it burns your hands.

The hair dryer is good when you remove the film from a new window and in large pieces to pull the edge and warm the place that has not yet been removed.

3 Solvent liquid

You just need to apply the solvent to the film and wait until it softens, then use either a rag or a sponge, or all the same sticks or blades.

It can be used as ordinary solvents, such as white spirit, 646 and others, but first you need to try on a hidden piece of the window so as not to dissolve the plastic. Or use a professional solvent, like this industrial one:

The use of a conventional solvent is such a stink that even an open window does not help, but it does not dissolve the film, but only makes it softer and only along the edges it leaves well.

A professional solvent with a smell (we had an orange), so it doesn’t really stink, but the dissolution products still have to be inhaled, and it dissolves the film not much better than usual, despite the fact that its price per bottle is about 1000 rubles.

5 Eraser - an elastic band for erasing a pencil.

Absolutely useless thing, unless you need to remove the film no larger than a fingernail.

6 Soap solution using a stiff brush

I also tested this method, it cuts off only the edges of the film, and the main part holds. But it removes the glue itself well when the film is torn off.