How to Care for Your Protective Window Film
Protective window film for vehicles and property windows need special care to last longer. Learn how to protect this film here.
Do you own a home, a commercial building, or a car? Do you have a film over your windows? If so, do you know how to clean them properly?
If not, you've come to the right place. Protective window film can make all the difference in your vehicle, commercial building, and even your home. It can help reduce your energy bill, reduce glare and UV rays from the sun, and increase privacy in your home business and car.
Once it's installed, you must know how to maintain it. You don't want to replace it after only a few months. Proper care will ensure your window film lasts a long time.
In this article, we are going to tell you everything you need to know about how to care for your protective film. Read on, so you're prepared for when you get your windows film installed.
Window Film Maintenance
The important thing to remember with any film, whether it's going on your car or commercial windows, is to ensure it dries completely before you clean it. This process can take some time, but there are a few ways you can speed it up.
If you're having film applied to your car windows, then you can put your car in the sun, and it will dry a little faster. If you live in a place that's cold or cloudy most of the time, it'll likely take a little longer to cure. It can take anywhere from a week to a month for it to be completely ready for you to clean.
During the curing process, you may see some water droplets or a cloudy tint, that's normal, and there's no need to panic. If you aren't sure if the windows are ready to be cleaned, wait a whole month, it's better to be safe than sorry.
Cleaning the windows too early could cause the window film to shift on the glass. You'll then have to call the professional back to fix it, and it won't be cheap to have it repaired.
Cleaning Vehicle Film
When you're cleaning your car's windows, you'll want to be sure you're using a soft cloth. Hard bristles and even some paper towels can leave stretches in the protective film.
One of the most important things to remember when you're cleaning your car or house's windows is to avoid cleaning solutions that have ammonia and baking soda. Any harsh chemicals and brushes should be avoided.
It's also important to use separate brushes on the inside and outside of your windows. If you use other cleaning solutions on the outside, some could be left over and transferred from the bristles to the film on the inside.
Whether in your car or your house, you'll want to take your time cleaning around the edges. You don't want your sponge or rag to get caught on the corner and pull the film up.
The best solution for cleaning your windows is 1/2 ounce of soap for every quart of water. That can be used on your house, car, or commercial building.
Cleaning Commercial Film
If you own a commercial building, it's likely you have a lot of windows, and they may not all be on the bottom level. This means you'll need to hire a professional to help you keep them clean.
When you're searching for a company, be sure to ask if they have experience cleaning windows with film on them. If they do, then they will have all the right materials and supplies.
Protective window film requires a little more care than windows without it. It's crucial that the team you hire knows how important it is to maintain the tint.
The type of facility you own will determine how often you need to have your windows cleaned. For example, if you own a restaurant, then people may be constantly touching the windows beside their table. The same thing goes for medical facilities and retail stores.
Reasons Regular Cleanings Are Important
Regular window maintenance may not seem like a big deal, but it is. Taking the time to clean your windows will ensure the tint lasts a long time.
It can be hard to see scratches and damage when the windows are dirty. If you clean them often, you'll be able to identify any areas that may need to be repaired before the issue becomes too big. You'll be able to reduce the chances of a replacement being needed later on, too.
Regular cleaning will also keep indoor air quality high. If bacteria or other substances stay on your windows too long, they could start to eat away at the window film.
Do's and Don'ts
There are a few things that you shouldn't do, no matter what. First, you shouldn't use any scrappers or sharp objects to remove particles from your windows. If there are substances that are stuck to your window, they may be difficult to get off, but a scrapper will peel the film off.
Typically film is applied to the inside of your car or home so you can wash the outside windows like you normally do. You can run your car through the car wash without worrying if the film is going to be damaged.
However, it's crucial that you don't roll your windows done for a few days after it's been installed. Be sure to ask your installer for any tips, and be sure to follow all the instructions that he or she gives you.
Protective Window Film
No matter what type of building or car you own, protective window film can be useful. It's important to remember to clean them frequently and follow the instructions of the professional.
If you're ready to have protective window film installed on your commercial building, your home, or your car, reach out to Applied Film Technology and contact us here. We can answer any questions you may have and give you a quote.
