How to glue a film on glass?

So I want to change things from time to time in the situation, but to start expensive overhaul or buy new furniture instead of so comfortable, but a little fed up old is not an option. Manufacturers of finishing materials have long been thinking about this, offering modern designers and landlords of apartments and private houses the best option - self-adhesive film. Such material is presented in stores in a wide palette of shades, the surface can have the most elaborate and intricate patterns, drawings, accurately imitate valuable materials - stone, wood, ceramics. And all is well in this way, because you can change the interior of any room beyond recognition and transform it relatively quickly, and even for ridiculous money. Another advantage of self-adhesive - it can be used for any materials - wood, plastic, tile, chipboard, etc. In this article we will look at how to glue the film on glass to simplify the solution to your problem if you have already come up with a new cabinet design with glass inserts, but not yet ready to get to work.

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What is a self-adhesive film?

Self-adhesive is a vinyl or other plastic material. One surface has a decorative design, for example, textured, patterned or colored, and the second side is treated with an adhesive layer that is reliably protected from unplanned gluing and dusting.

The scope of such material, primarily, is decorative interior work in an apartment or house. Self-adhesive material is also used when creating and placing advertisements.

Important! The material is waterproof, so there are no restrictions on its use in bathrooms, kitchens or toilets. Strength, resistance to weathering and organic solvents can also be attributed to the advantages of self-gluing.

The stained-glass film increases the wear resistance of windows upon impact, or other mechanical influences, including protecting the surface from scratches, and preventing glass fragments from flying over significant distances if glass is broken. There are such film options that protect the room from overheating in the summer season and delay infrared rays, and there are those that absorb noise. Options - a lot, it all depends on your imagination and taste.

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How to glue a self-adhesive film on glass?

Sticking a decorative film on glass consists of several technological steps:

1. Glass cleaning.
2. Film cutting.
3. Sticking.

Consider the tools that we will need to carry out all three stages, as well as each stage separately.

Required Inventory:

• Sprayer or spray bottle with soapy water.
• Rubber scraper for glass.
• Breadboard knife.
• Squeegee.
• Suede, paper towels or lint-free rags.

Important! The film is applied to the glass surface both from the inside and from the outside. The choice of application method depends on the type of film and the tasks for decorating.

Glass cleaning:

• First, the glass must be thoroughly cleaned of grease, dust and other contaminants. To do this, you can use soapy water or a special glass cleaner.

Important! Dust makes film sticking more difficult, and large particles, falling under the film, can spoil the appearance of the glued surface. In addition, debris can cause blistering, tearing, and splitting joints.

• Clean slightly contaminated areas with a lint-free cloth or cloth soaked in a solution of water and a neutral dishwashing detergent.

Important! It is better not to do the usual soap or hygiene treatment, as shampoos and soaps contain fats or alkalis, which can affect the durability and quality of adhesion.

• Moisten the fabric sparingly so that dirt is not transferred from place to place. After cleaning, wipe the surface with a dry, lint-free cloth.

Important! Do not let the cleaning agent dry out spontaneously.

• The cleaning process can be completed by treatment with isopropyl alcohol, after which the glass should also be wiped dry.

Important! Such completion of the glass cleaning operation may not be possible in all cases. For example, acrylic glass cannot be treated with alcohol. Therefore, always consider the features of the base material.

• To prevent the formation of stains, a rubber scraper can be used to remove water.

Important! Do not forget about the cleanliness of your hands, because they can leave stains on the cleaned glass.

Film cutting

You should first measure the size of the glass, add 2-3 cm to each side to these parameters, cut out an element of the material from the film according to the dimensions obtained.

Important! By making allowance for films, you will be able to compensate for possible errors when pasting.

The process of cutting the film must be done using a metal tape or breadboard knife.

Important! It is better not to use scissors, as they will not allow you to make an even cut.

Film sticking

The process of sticking a film to glass proceeds in three stages.

Stage 1 - preparation of soap solution and its application:

1. Add a few drops of dishwashing liquid to the water. The proportion should be approximately 10 ml of the product per 1 liter of water.
2. Pour the prepared solution into the tank of the spray gun. You can use the simplest spray gun.
3. Apply soapy water to the glass surface. Do not overdo it with the amount of solution, as this can greatly complicate the fixation of the material and prolong the time of final gluing. Only a few drops will be enough to reduce adhesion.

Important! In some cases, it is not glass that is wetted, but the adhesive layer of the film, but this option is considered less convenient.

Stage 2 - separation of the substrate from the film:

• Hook up the corner of the substrate.

Important! If this is a problem, then use tape: stick one piece on the side of the film, the other on the side of the substrate, release the outer ponytails of the tape out. Pull the tape by the tails in different directions, the substrate will easily lag behind the film.

• Remove the backing completely. If the glass has not been wetted, moisten the adhesive layer of the film with soapy water.

Stage 3 - sticking the film:

• Take a piece of film, attach it with an adhesive layer to the glass. Place the film in the right place, soapy water will allow you to do this without any problems.

Important! At the initial stage, one should not try to press the film tightly, it will hold due to diffuse adhesion.

• Spray the outside of the film. This will ensure a good slip of the squeegee.

Important! Make sure your squeegee is smooth and free of any burrs. Instead of a squeegee, you can use a regular plastic card.

• You need to start gluing the film from the top edge. Smooth the film horizontally, from the center to the right and left, without reaching the edges of the film about 10 cm.
• Smooth the last 10 cm from the center to the right and left. Make sure that no water bubbles form.

Important! It is necessary to completely squeeze out the soapy water that is under the film. If at the same time bubbles remain, then after gluing the film they cannot be squeezed out from there, as a result, marriage will result. If nevertheless there are swellings, pierce them with a thin needle, let out air, smooth out the canvas thoroughly.

• Cut off excess film at the edges with a breadboard knife.
• Dry with a soft, dry cloth the pasted film.

Important! Stained glass film is a colorful variety of self-adhesive. How to glue stained glass film on glass? Yes, on the same principle as ordinary self-adhesive material.

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Stock footage

Following the above instructions, you will transform glass inserts on the doors or mirrored surfaces on the cabinets. You can also successfully decorate the apron in the kitchen. And you already know how to glue a film on glass. There is nothing complicated, you will need only accuracy and diligence. But the result will not be long in coming.