Many of our customers use our adhesive films to change the appearance of windows and doors. In this tutorial we will show the application of our film on a door from inside.
It is a complete tutorial, which covers not only the facade but also jambs and architraves. Nevertheless, of course you can get ideas for applying the film only on the facade and simplify your work.
Coating of door and Uprights.
Medium
Cleaning cloth
Cleaning brush
Meter
Cutter
Paper tape
Tools for applications
Sprayer for water
Hair dryer or heat gun
Introduction
This tutorial is divided into written parts and videos showing the process in a practical application. Normally, even those who are beginners can proceed, but we suggest looking at the tutorial and if necessary to get help from someone. The application time is about 2 hours depending on the experience of those who apply .
Usually those who decide to put the film on a door only need to apply the film on the front regardless of edges, corners or pillars. In this case however we have deliberately created a tutorial that shows every stage, from removal of the uprights until the repositioning at the end, for those who truly want to transform the door completely.
Step 1. Surface preparation and film
The first thing to do is remove the door, remove the trims and side posts, door, jambs, and casings. Remove the hardware: lock, handles and hinges. It is important to move to an area large enough not to hinder the processing steps, and work on a surface that is stable and secure.
Clean all the parts to be coated, eliminating any defects on the surfaces. If the door is really marked or dented it is a good idea to fill and smooth dents, cracks or holes, because if the door is not perfectly smooth this can affect the final result.
Measure the length and width of the parts to be coated being careful to always leave at least 5cm on each side of the edge. In addition to the uprights, in the center is a slit for the rubber gasket, remember to cut two film strips: one for each side of the mast. This will facilitate the application and once rearranged the seal will not be noticable.
After cutting any part of the film we are ready to proceed with the first phase of application.
Step 2. Application on the jambs
After preparing all suitable and clean surfaces start with the application on the jambs. Each post usually has a rubber seal and it is good to use this intermediate point to divide into two film strips to apply. Doing this means the film strip will be at the point where you enter the seal and you will not notice any cuts at the end of work.
Remember to remove the uprights and then will be divided into 3 parts: 2 side and one top.
We start the application from the outer side of one half of the upright and one proceeds all along the edge. Do not worry if you are not perfectly aligned because then the outside will be covered for about 5 / 6mm from the architrave.
As the video shows one of the most important parts is mounting along the outside edge, trying to adhere the film completely and remove all air bubbles. Use the special spatula, and slightly moisten the surface to more easily move the air bubbles to the outside.
Always allow at least 3/4 cm per side (length) of the outer margin so as to “close” the upper and lower parts of the uprights and also prevent accidental detachment.
After applying both the top and along the inside edge, you will have to cut the film just inside the slot dedicated to the seal. Do not worry if you cut flush because once mounted seal defects will not be noticable.
Follow the video and complete the application in all 3 pillars. When finished re-insert the original seal or replace it with a new one to match the new colour.
At this point you can reassemble the frame or leave the mount until the door is ready.
Step 3. Application on ports
We start our application on the door itself. With the same system already used for the struts we start from a side of the door following the direction from top to bottom. Leave some cm margins from the top, and apply the first 3 or 4cm being careful to maintain a good online film. To do this ask a second person or fix the lower end with masking tape to hold it in the right place and avoid going out of line.
Once you have attached the first area of film you can remove the paper tape as the film will follow the direction given by the first part already applied.
Use the spatula and fix step by step the film always starting from the center to the outside and remove any air bubbles. You can also moisten the surface first.
For holding the roll, follow the video which clearly shows the correct procedure.
After application on the flat part you will have to proceed on the edges just like you did with the uprights. Keep a slight tension on the edge, slightly warm the adhesive coating and fastened with the spatula. Movements that must be done slowly, starting from the centre and going towards the two outer ends.
Cut edges and corners along the inside edge with a margin of about 2 mm as shown in the video. You can use the spatula as a guide. Then apply the film on the opposite side, you will have an “overlap” along the inside edge which will avoid the cut and on each side of the film covering any defects of the overlying film. It seems a complex operation but is not, and in this step the video definitely helps.
Once applied on one half of the door and the upper and lower edges are finished, you will need to replicate the same process on the opposite.
Remember not to cut along the part which is inserted in the lock and apply only small holes where you will screw the hinges and handle.
Follow the advice of the video for these steps.
Step 4. Reassembly
Once the application is complete you can reassemble. You can also decide whether to hold the wire covers or not. Replace handle and lock, insert the hinges and reassemble.
Your new door is ready!
