Removing Film from Weatherglaze Door [Archive]

mary_queen_of_pots

27-08-2008, 11:18 AM

Does anybody know how I can remove a plastic type film from my door? I have managed to remove it from the window boards by spending endless hours of picking and scraping with my nails. The builder told me that this was the only way it could be done. Now my fingers are sore and I am running out of fingernails and the film on the back door is more stubborn than that on the window boards.

By the way, I have tried hot soapy water, nail varnish remover, white spirit, metelated spirits, turpentine and even alcohol based deodorant.

I have just purchased a heat gun to try it but now I can't find my scraper and I don't know if the gun would damage the door...it is mohogony effect weatherglaze.

Below is a photo of the offending door.

Stuarty

27-08-2008, 12:01 PM

Im really sorry that I cant help, but I have the same problem. I used a scraper but it damaged the door, then I set the kids on it but they got bored really quickly...

I cant wait for the good advice replies

Beckie

27-08-2008, 12:47 PM

i got new pvc windows recently and couldnt get the marks from the labels off the glass. I'm told that car accessories shops sell sprays for taking labels off windscreebs. I havent tried it yet but maybe it would work on door.

Wouldnt the heat gun melt the pvc?

Beckie

Bettybooboopbedoop

27-08-2008, 12:50 PM

I got the marks from the labels off my windows with nail varnish remover. Came off no problem, not a mark left. This door though is another story. Don't know of any easy way to peel it off. Take note producers, we need easy peel off protective strips.

Stuarty

27-08-2008, 12:51 PM

mary_queen_of_pots

27-08-2008, 01:03 PM

You can buy label remover from hardwares like Atlantic and B&Q, it works well on glass, but it can take the finish off woods and plastics, you would have to test it on a small inconspicuous area first if you were going to take the chance

I never have a problem with labels on glass. WD40 safely removes them but unfortunately it won't work on the door.

bings

27-08-2008, 01:04 PM

Hi Is it not the responsibility of the builder to remove the film. When we put in new windows and doors they took off the film. I had to do nothing just pay the bill.

mary_queen_of_pots

27-08-2008, 01:18 PM

Hi Is it not the responsibility of the builder to remove the film. When we put in new windows and doors they took off the film. I had to do nothing just pay the bill.

Hi Bing, yes it should be the responsibility of the builder to remove the film. He actually removed the outer layer but the house had been lying for so long before we moved in that that the underlayer just wouldn't budge. And so, I can either pick at it myself or get the builder back and let him pick at it and have him under my feet all day. I think not.

Bettybooboopbedoop

27-08-2008, 01:47 PM

angling mad, what pm, come on, we all want to know what to do. Go on, share...

Bettybooboopbedoop

27-08-2008, 02:17 PM

Did either work? It's a pain having to pick off little bits

mary_queen_of_pots

27-08-2008, 05:11 PM

the steam works fine

Thanks George. I have since tried hot vinegar and boiling water but all to no avail. Will try the steam next.

Bettybooboopbedoop

27-08-2008, 05:23 PM

Good Luck

bridget123

29-08-2008, 11:13 PM

mary_queen_of_pots

29-08-2008, 11:22 PM

hi , please DonT use the heat gun ,get a hair dryer and your nails,if you have any left ? it should peel off easly the dryer wont damage the door,dont stay in same place to long with it.Its great for taking stickers off the outside of cars and the the plastic tint off inside windows.The people who put my windows in took all plastic off mine.hope this helps

Thanks Bridget but I have tried the hairdryer and it didn't help. I got it all off the inside of the door without any problems but there is hardly anything left to peel off the outside. It is now all bitty and sticky. I have been assured that the steam cleaner will work so I am heading off tomorrow to buy one. And if that doesn't work, I will just have to buy a new door!

Bettybooboopbedoop

29-08-2008, 11:51 PM

Oh my God, I hope it doesn't come to that. Good luck with the steamer. I have a small steam cleaner if thats any good? Can show you pics. Betty

mary_queen_of_pots

30-08-2008, 12:09 AM

Oh my God, I hope it doesn't come to that. Good luck with the steamer. I have a small steam cleaner if thats any good? Can show you pics. Betty

Thanks Betty. That's very kind of you. Clare might be a bit far to travel but I will let you know tomorrow.

Thanks again.

Ronnie

Bettybooboopbedoop

30-08-2008, 06:01 PM

Saw an Aldi leaflet today On sunday they have a hot air gun €14.99 in stock.
http://www.aldi.ie/ie/html/offers/2867_6823.htm

mary_queen_of_pots

30-08-2008, 06:19 PM

Saw an Aldi leaflet today On sunday they have a hot air gun €14.99 in stock.
http://www.aldi.ie/ie/html/offers/2867_6823.htm

Thanks Betty. You just made my day. I bought a hot air gun last week in B&Q for €23.99. And I thought it was cheap! I think I will just close the darn door and forget about it. The film will probably fall off it when it gets a bit more weathered.

Anyway, thanks again for all you help. I really appreciate it.

Ronkie

30-08-2008, 06:32 PM

I used windscreen washer for the car in hot water and it took mine off....

mary_queen_of_pots

30-08-2008, 07:48 PM

I used windscreen washer for the car in hot water and it took mine off....

Thanks Ronkie. I should have some windscreen washer buried away somewhere. I will try it as soon as I dig it out. Will keep you updated.

chick

30-08-2008, 08:46 PM

I had a similar problem around the edge of my windows and I heated it with a hairdryer and it came off easier. (this heated the plastic)!!!

Hope it works for you.

Mature Student

30-08-2008, 09:19 PM

Stop using solvents, you will damage the finish on the door.

I had a similar problem. what worked for me was using ice paks. place icepak on section of door for 1 min, film should start to curl up and then peel away. This method works but takes a lot of time.

What has happened to your door is the film was applied too early before the wood effect had properly cured.

PS:you could contact the manufacturer to sort this out.

zuess

31-08-2008, 04:59 PM

Hi go to a motor factor shop for eg ashgrove interparts etc and get Tar and Glue remover, put it on a soft cloth and dont scrub.

bor

08-09-2008, 08:28 AM

I would so like to know how you got on with your door as I am now at that stage with my new door & spent the weekend trying to get it off with very little success !!!

mary_queen_of_pots

08-09-2008, 11:15 AM

I would so like to know how you got on with your door as I am now at that stage with my new door & spent the weekend trying to get it off with very little success !!!

bor, I bring you tidings of great joy. After trying almost everything and almost ruining my door in the process, I finally went back to the WD40. I soaked the door every night for the past week with WD40 and when the sun shone on it next morning (we had a couple of sunny days) the film started to blister and I was able to peel some of it off. I've just soaked the last few stubborn bits and and I expect to have them removed by this evening. If the sun stops shining I am going to try the hot air gun. I will post a photo of the door as soon as I have it cleaned and shining like new. Best wishes in your new house.

mary_queen_of_pots

11-09-2008, 03:54 PM

I have finally done it! After weeks of scraping and rubbing the film has now been removed, except for a few little bits around the panels, which are difficult to see. The hot air gun was useless as that just made the film very sticky and mushy and even more difficult to remove.

If anybody else has a similar problem with their new doors or window boards, my advice is to stick with the WD40. It is a very slow process but it works

All that needs to be done now is the cleaning but that can wait for another day.

Chris P

11-09-2008, 06:22 PM

Photo added -- see above for the finished article!

Bettybooboopbedoop

11-09-2008, 06:41 PM

mary_queen_of_pots

12-09-2008, 09:36 AM

Congratulations on a tough job done well. I really feel for you. Your poor fingers and nails must be in bits by now. If you pm your details i will send you on some handcream. Lets hope this door has a long life lol

Thanks Betty, you are very thoughtful. I don't think I will need the handcream as the WD40 works miracles on hands too. I think I might keep using it instead of handcream!

bluebell21

12-09-2008, 11:36 AM

Hi, try using zippo lighter fluid . . after many years working in jewellers, I have seen it used sucessfully to remove stickers & glue off delicate surfaces . . apply with cloth & work from corner. Good luck!

wildepigge

12-09-2008, 02:07 PM

try the petrol you use in zippo lighters, i know it removes the "illegally parked" stickers and they're a pain to get off. hope this is of some help

mary11

03-01-2010, 08:00 PM

Hair dryer when it softenes it, peal it off ........ no damage from heat that way

thepallasbull

03-01-2010, 08:21 PM

Hi All
The reason for the film on the doors and windows is to stop plaster and hard wall from splashing on the doors while they are fitted
if plaster or hard wall gets on doors or windows it causes damage to the design and leaves a big dirty mark behind
Having worked for a company fitting conservatories this film is to be removed as soon as all walls are plastered
And yes it is the builders job to remove the film from the doors and windows as well as all other material left over after the job is done
To me there is no excuse only lazy builders too lazy to climb a ladder to do it
as for getting the film off around the rubbers on the panels a light rub of a stanley blade does the trick ......DONT LEAN HARD ON THE BLADE.....ok