Residential Installation Instructions

LLUMAR¨ residential window film should only be applied to the INSIDE surface of standard 1/8Ó single and dual panes. This includes single, dual, removable storm panes, and all window shapes such as patio and French doors, and half-rounds.
Apply film to the INSIDE surface of exterior removable storm panes.
Apply film when the temperature is between 40¡ and 90¡F for at least three days.
Do not apply Llumar 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 any otherwise flawed or defective glass or glass that is over 40 years old.

Handle the film very carefully to prevent creasing.

Installation on larger windows (3-4Õ wide) is easier with two people.

TOOLS NEEDED:

• Before you begin applying your film, make sure you have the appropriate tools for the job.
• The Baby Shampoo & Distilled Water- Application Solution is recommended for use throughout the application and cleaning process. Do not dilute or mix with water.
• A low-lint cloth should be used to avoid any contamination of the adhesive with dirt or lint particles.
• The razor knife with breakaway blades is used for film trimming, and you should plan to change blades after every 10 feet of film cut.
• A rubber squeegee is necessary to press the film onto the glass without creases and to remove the Solution from under the film. We recommend a rubber squeegee between 4Ó Ð 5Ó wide, with a flexible blade.
• The Edging Tool will allow you to trim a 1/16Ó gap around the four edges of the film. A ruler, credit card, or wallpaper trimming guide will also work.
• You will also need some transparent tape and a razor blade.

CLEANING THE EXTERIOR OF THE WINDOW:

If possible, clean the outside of the window to ensure total clarity. Spray the solution generously and use a razor blade to remove any stubborn dirt or paint that may be on the glass.

CLEANING THE INTERIOR OF THE WINDOW:

Place a towel or sheet underneath the window to serve as a drop cloth and absorb any excess water that may drip. Clean the inside of the window as you did the outside, using a razor blade to remove any dirt or paint. Remember, any dirt left behind will cause a bubble in the film, so it is important to ensure that the glass is very clean. Use special care cleaning the corners. Re-wet the window, then squeegee downward. Wipe off accumulated dirt from the window gasket with a soft cloth.

STEP 1: MEASURE THE WINDOW AND CUT FILM

Unroll the film on a clean, flat surface. Carefully measure your window before cutting. Using one of the factory edges, cut the film at least an inch larger than the glass on the other three sides. The excess will be trimmed once film is applied.  *Please note: If you have purchased a Residential or Commercial Pre-Cut Kit, then this step will not be necessary because your film will will already be pre-labeled & pre-cut, barely larger than that particular  window.  Only installation and a bit of trimming will be necessary.

STEP 2: IDENTIFY THE CLEAR LINER

Usually the liner is on the outside surface of the film roll. Identify the liner by attaching two 3Ó Ð 4Ó pieces of transparent tape to the front and back surfaces of a corner so that about 1Ó of the tape is on the film, the rest centered and hanging over the pointed corner.

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.

DO NOT remove the clear liner entirely. Leave the tape strips in place and move to the next step.

STEP 3: WET THE WINDOW THOROUGHLY

Generously spray the Solution onto the inside surface of the window. If the window becomes dry, rewet it completely before applying film. The wetter, the better.

STEP 4: SPRAY BOTH SIDES OF THE FILM

Before removing the clear liner, spray both sides of the film sheet with the Solution. This helps reduce film curl and static electricity.

HELPFUL HINT: Have a helper hold the film by the edges while you spray. Flip the film over and repeat on the other side.

STEP 5: REMOVE CLEAR LINER

Peel the two strips of tape apart to release the liner from the corner. As you begin to pull the liner away. Spray the exposed adhesive side of the film with the Solution until the clear liner is removed and the adhesive side is completely saturated. Try to keep the film from touching itself.

HELPFUL HINT: Have a helper hold the film while you peel the clear liner away and spray the adhesive side of the film.

STEP 6: APPLY FILM TO GLASS

Hold film so that the adhesive side is facing the window and apply to the glass.

Align the factory edge to either a vertical or horizontal edge, then use your hands to smooth the film out and position it so that the excess 1Ó is overlapping the window on the other three sides.

STEP 7: SPRAY THE FILM AND SQUEEGEE

Spray the entire surface of the film facing you with the Solution to lubricate it.

Lightly squeegee the centerline of the film from top to bottom to set it in place. Starting at the top of the window, squeegee from the center to the right side and work downward, leaving a 2Ó perimeter around the edges un-squeegeed.

Repeat this process for the left side. If you need to remove large air pockets, rewet the film and push squeegee to the nearest edge.

If the squeegee drags, re-spray the film with the Solution.

STEP 8: TRIM EDGES OF FILM AND SQUEEGEE DRY

Use a sharp razor blade or utility knife and Edging Tool to trim 1/16Ó gap around the four edges of the film.

This gap is essential for the proper thermal expansion of the glass and allows you to completely squeegee the water and air from under the film.

Rewet the film and squeegee from the center to the right side and work downward.

Repeat this process for the left side. Press very firmly to remove all the water so that the adhesive can cure clearly. If air bubbles are present, you should squeegee them out now. Any remaining small water bubbles should evaporate as the film cures.

If ÒfingersÓ appear along any edge, wrap your squeegee with a low-lint cloth and carefully push the ÒfingersÓ toward the edge of the film. Hold in place to absorb any excess water.

FOR WINDOWS LARGER THAN FILM SIZE

To cover larger windows, you may need to seam the film, as you would wallpaper.

To obtain a perfect butt seam, vertically overlap two sides, 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 and slide the other waste piece from underneath.

Rewet the glass, lay down the film, rewet the film, then squeegee 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.

CORRECTING MISTAKES

You may notice imperfections such as air bubbles or debris between the film and the glass. Our adhesiveÕs allows you to peel the film away from the glass, fix the problem, and re-apply as quickly as possible.  You will have between  5-10 minutes after install to correct any problem.

Simply peel the affected area of the film away from the glass and use your squeegee or knife to remove any debris or bubble.

Re-spray the adhesive with the Solution and re-apply to the glass. Once applied, re-spray the outer surface of the film and re-squeegee.

CURING TIME

The film fully ÒcuresÓ over the next week to 10 - 30 days. Dry, sunny weather speeds curing; wet, cold weather prolongs it.

During curing, the film may initially look hazy or cloudy; this effect will disappear with time and/or exposure to heat (i.e. the sun or a hair dryer).

CLEANING AND CARE

The best way to clean the film is to use a Bounty paper towel and  a non-ammonia cleaner.  Usually the clear formula Windex that contains vinegar instead of ammonia.

Thoroughly spray the area to be cleaned with the Solution. Use lint free towels to wipe clean.

It is safe to use ammonia-based window cleaners if the cleaner doesnÕt sit on the film for a prolonged period of time (no more than 1-2 minutes).  Only use, if that is all you have.