INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLIED WINDOW FILM
International Window Film Association
1. Installed film has a discrete time for full adhesion to be effected since installation utilizes a detergent solution in
the water to float the film onto the glass: the excess water will remain between the film and the glass. The time to
achieve full adhesion is often referred to as “the adhesive cure time”. Visual and adhesive cure time is related to
thickness of the film and various metallic coating the film.
2. Inspection for optical quality can be made before full visual cure is attained. It should be noted that effects during
cure, such as water bubbles, water distortion, and water haze are not to be regarded as defects.
3. The glass with applied film shall be viewed at right angles to the glass from the room side, at a distance of not
less than 6 feet (2 meters). Viewing shall be carried out in natural daylight, not in direct sunlight, and shall assess
the normal vision area with the exceptions of a 2 inch (50mm) wide band around the perimeter of the unit.
4. The installation shall be deemed acceptable if any of the following are unobtrusive (effects during visual cure
should be disregarded): Dirt Particles, Hair and Fibers, Adhesive Gels, Fingerprints, Air Bubbles, Water Haze,
Scores and Scratches, Film Distortion, Creases, Edge Life, Nicks and Tears.
5. The inch (50mm) wide band around the perimeter shall be assessed by a similar procedure to that in 3 and 4,
but a small number of particles is considered acceptable where poor frame condition mitigates against the high
quality standards normally achieved.
6. Edge gapes will normally be 1/32-1/16 inch (1-4mm). This allows for the water used in the installation to be
squeegeed out. This ensures that film edges are not raised up by contact with frame margin. Contact with the frame
margin could lead to peeling of the film.
7. For thicker safety films the edge gap will normally be 1/32-1/16 inch (1-4mm), with 1/32-1/8 inch (1-5mm) being
acceptable for films of > 7 mil (175μ). Combination solar control safety films will also fall within this standard.
8. An edge gap of up to 1/16 inch (2mm) is recommended, especially for darker (tinted, metallized, tinted/metallized,
and sputtered) films, to minimize the light line around the edge of the installed film.
9. Splicing of films is necessary when larger panels of glass are treated, where both length and width of the glass
exceed the maximum width of film. This line should be straight and should be parallel to one edge of the frame
margin. Film may be overlapped, spliced or butt jointed.
10. Certain films with special high performance coating may have lengthened cure times. Consult the manufacturer
for cure times of these films.
IMPORTANT DETAILS ABOUT YOUR FILM
• Do not touch film for one full week
• Drying time is 30 days
• All water bubbles will dry (cure) during this period
• Haziness will disappear once the film has cured.
International Window Film Association
1. Installed film has a discrete time for full adhesion to be effected since installation utilizes a detergent solution in
the water to float the film onto the glass: the excess water will remain between the film and the glass. The time to
achieve full adhesion is often referred to as “the adhesive cure time”. Visual and adhesive cure time is related to
thickness of the film and various metallic coating the film.
2. Inspection for optical quality can be made before full visual cure is attained. It should be noted that effects during
cure, such as water bubbles, water distortion, and water haze are not to be regarded as defects.
3. The glass with applied film shall be viewed at right angles to the glass from the room side, at a distance of not
less than 6 feet (2 meters). Viewing shall be carried out in natural daylight, not in direct sunlight, and shall assess
the normal vision area with the exceptions of a 2 inch (50mm) wide band around the perimeter of the unit.
4. The installation shall be deemed acceptable if any of the following are unobtrusive (effects during visual cure
should be disregarded): Dirt Particles, Hair and Fibers, Adhesive Gels, Fingerprints, Air Bubbles, Water Haze,
Scores and Scratches, Film Distortion, Creases, Edge Life, Nicks and Tears.
5. The inch (50mm) wide band around the perimeter shall be assessed by a similar procedure to that in 3 and 4,
but a small number of particles is considered acceptable where poor frame condition mitigates against the high
quality standards normally achieved.
6. Edge gapes will normally be 1/32-1/16 inch (1-4mm). This allows for the water used in the installation to be
squeegeed out. This ensures that film edges are not raised up by contact with frame margin. Contact with the frame
margin could lead to peeling of the film.
7. For thicker safety films the edge gap will normally be 1/32-1/16 inch (1-4mm), with 1/32-1/8 inch (1-5mm) being
acceptable for films of > 7 mil (175μ). Combination solar control safety films will also fall within this standard.
8. An edge gap of up to 1/16 inch (2mm) is recommended, especially for darker (tinted, metallized, tinted/metallized,
and sputtered) films, to minimize the light line around the edge of the installed film.
9. Splicing of films is necessary when larger panels of glass are treated, where both length and width of the glass
exceed the maximum width of film. This line should be straight and should be parallel to one edge of the frame
margin. Film may be overlapped, spliced or butt jointed.
10. Certain films with special high performance coating may have lengthened cure times. Consult the manufacturer
for cure times of these films.
IMPORTANT DETAILS ABOUT YOUR FILM
• Do not touch film for one full week
• Drying time is 30 days
• All water bubbles will dry (cure) during this period
• Haziness will disappear once the film has cured.
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