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Help with mirrored film removal
- Thread starter Ldiprinting
- Start date
DL Signs
Never go against the family
Mirrored are pretty much the same as other window tint films.
They come off with heat. Heat gun will work, but best trick I've found is a steamer. We have a bigger unit, but started out with a handheld unit from one of the big-box stores, they're reasonably priced, and handy for a lot of things besides this. They have plenty enough heat to release the adhesive, and won't shatter glass, break seals on thermo-pane glass, or warp/ damage/ melt anything else by overheating like it's so easy to do with a heat gun. How easy or clean it removes depends on age & quality of the film, just like vinyls. They usually come off pretty clean for me, if it doesn't, just use a good adhesive remover or goo-gone for residue. If it's really stubborn, last resort is to scrape it off with a blade.
This is the same method I use to remove tint films. If it's on exterior windows, don't do it on a cold day, it'll take forever.
They come off with heat. Heat gun will work, but best trick I've found is a steamer. We have a bigger unit, but started out with a handheld unit from one of the big-box stores, they're reasonably priced, and handy for a lot of things besides this. They have plenty enough heat to release the adhesive, and won't shatter glass, break seals on thermo-pane glass, or warp/ damage/ melt anything else by overheating like it's so easy to do with a heat gun. How easy or clean it removes depends on age & quality of the film, just like vinyls. They usually come off pretty clean for me, if it doesn't, just use a good adhesive remover or goo-gone for residue. If it's really stubborn, last resort is to scrape it off with a blade.
This is the same method I use to remove tint films. If it's on exterior windows, don't do it on a cold day, it'll take forever.
Ldiprinting
New Member
Thank you so much, I was planning on using heat but I have never used steam before, that looks like a game changer! It's been dang cold up here so have been waiting as I didn't want to use heat on a cold window for obvious reasons. Thanks again!
Ldiprinting
New Member
I hadn't started yet, but wanted to find out, what people use. I've installed it a lot but never had to remove it. The client wants to replace it with frosted.
If these windows are not tempered.. do NOT use a steamer or heat gun. You will break the glass if you do. Solar film will likely have 1 or 2 different adhesive types . One is pressure sensitive like a typical vinyl. If it is this type, rip the film off , spray the adhesive with soap and water and scrape the glue once it softens. The other adhesive could be what's called CDF or dry adhesive , this type chemically bonds to the glass and when you rip off the silver layer.. the adhesive layer remains behind and is not tacky at all, This type needs to be dry scraped .. lots and lots of work.. and lots and lots of blades.
DChorbowski
Pixel Pusher
I have used this trick with both frosted and dusted crystal vinyl. Maybe it will work with the film you are trying to remove. Give it at least an hour or more during soaking and it worked for me like a champ!
Decal Removal Expert
New Member
From what we have found, Mirrored Vinyl degrades fast on exterior surfaces and depending on what grade it is can be a real PITA! The fact that it is on glass gives us an edge with consideration to chemical removal. I don't know about Torches or heat guns, as we only use steam as our heat source and have found that sideview mirrors on vehicles can shatter but have never damaged any windows in temps down to 22° F. How did the project go?
Ldiprinting
New Member
Update: it worked out really well, I used a razor blade scraper, insuring I removed both the mirrored film and adhesive film layers. Then I used adhesive remover, cleaned the windows and applied the frosted vinyl. It took way less time than I expected. Thanks for everyone's suggestions.