How to Apply Static Cling Window Film

Static cling window film is very easy to apply to glass windows, doors, or even to other smooth surfaces including aluminum, metal, fiberglass, and plastic. Usually, if the room that needs covering is small, it is easy for one person to take care of. If, however, you are planning on covering a larger expanse of window you may need to enlist the help of someone else as it can be a little difficult to do by yourself.

The first step is to prepare all the materials you will need to put up the film. You will need a putty knife which you will use to smooth the film onto the window; a couple of spray bottles with water; razor knife, and kitchen lint-free towels. In one of the spray bottles, place about half a teaspoon of dish detergent as you will use this to clean the window.

Measure the area you want to cover and then carefully cut the film to size, remembering to leave about half an inch extra on each side to aid you in your placing the film on the window.

Clean the window very, very well using the detergent and water mix and the lint-free kitchen towels. This step is very important, make sure that you get all smears and dirt and dust off the window and then dry it to make sure there are no smears left on it.

Once you are sure your window is clean, lightly spray a fine mist of warm water onto the window from the second spray bottle. You don’t need to soak the window, just lightly spray it.

The next step is to peel the backing off of the window film. The easiest way to do this is to grab the film on one corner and peel it down. This is where it is handy to have someone helping you as they can hold the film in place while you take off the backing. If you are hoping to re-use the film at some point remember to keep the backing that you take off, you’ll need it if you want to keep your film.

Line up the top edge of the window film with the top of the window, leaving that half inch hanging over at the top, and gently smooth the film onto the window. You are just getting the film in place on the window now, so there’s no need to push down too hard on the film just hard enough to get it to stick to the window.

Once you have the film in place, and you are happy with the placement, pick up the putty knife. Now you are going to work the film all over to secure it in place. Start at the top, tilt the putty knife to a 45 degree angle and run it carefully over the top part of the window securing it down.

Next, using the putty knife, go straight down the middle of the film and secure it all the way down vertically. Once that is done take it from the top middle, and still using the putty knife, smooth it out first to the right from the middle and then over to the left starting at the middle. Do this all the way down the film till you get to the bottom. When you have smoothed it out from the middle to either side start back at the top and work your way all the way down to the bottom with vertical strokes this time.

By now you should have the static cling film firmly in place. Now, still using the putty knife, work out any bubbles trapped under the film to the edges.

Finally, once all of that is completed, dry off the film with the paper kitchen towels. It takes a few days for it to really stick, so be careful with it for the first week.

The great thing about this type of film is that it is even easier to take off than put on, which means it is a very simple process. If you want to take it off the window just grab a corner of the film and peel it back down diagonally across the window. The film can even be re-used at a later date, though you will need to store it by putting the original backing paper back on.