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Removing Vinyl and Film Graphics From Windows

May 3rd, 2019

You will find that the ease of removal will depend on several factors:

Surface

Most adhesives stick very well to glass; however, cheaper grades of glass will often cause the adhesive to have a higher grip than a premium grade glass.

Adhesive Strength

Did you use a media with a removable or ultra removable adhesive? For exterior window application, using a media with an ultra removable adhesive like Quality DuraVinyl 252 White or DuraVinyl 352 White 6mil vinyl, will make the removal much easier than a traditional removable vinyl.

Time Frame

The longer the graphic is on the window, the stronger that adhesion. The adhesive often adheres better to the glass than it does to the vinyl over time.

Sunlight

If the graphic is in direct sunlight, this will often cause the graphic to bond to the window and make removal more difficult.

 

Tips for Removal

First step for removal- pull the top edge of the graphic down by 2-3 inches. Slowly pull down at 180 degree angle across the graphic. This will break the adhesive bond.

 Do not pull from one corner as this will often leave excessive adhesive residue or cause the graphic to rip.

If the vinyl/ film is not releasing, carefully heat the graphic starting at the top and pull down at 180 degrees. The heat will soften the adhesive and should allow it to release.

If you are still having issues removing the graphic, another solution would be to liberally spray the graphic with a mixture of soapy water, then apply a release liner (from a laminate or adhesive vinyl), and wait 15 minutes. Often the soapy water mixture will penetrate the vinyl/ film and aid in the removal.

If you end up with a brittle graphic that has released in strips, spray the graphic with isopropyl alcohol, wait 10-15 minutes, then carefully remove the graphic with a razor knife.