How Long Does the Smart Film Switchable Last?

What is a privacy film?

A smart film switchable is a self-adhesive sticker made from a high-performance film (glass decoration film) with an elegant sandblasting effect, suitable for smooth glass surfaces. Visually comparable to etched glass or frosted glass, the privacy film is opaque and yet 70% translucent.

Daylight is therefore hardly lost. The privacy film is contour cut with no background and comes ready to install with transfer paper. Where the motif/text is cut out negatively, the glass surface remains visible.

Is the privacy film opaque?

Yes, the privacy film is opaque. In the dark and in a bright room, you will be able to see outlines from the outside, but no people or objects. Please note that with privacy smart film switchable, the motifs or texts are cut out of the film. In these places, the privacy screen is of course not opaque. We recommend selecting the right motif according to the desired effect.

For which glass surfaces is the privacy film suitable?

The glass surface should be smooth – i.e. no structured glass. If the background consists of a milky glass, you will probably only recognize the privacy screen slightly or very discreetly.

The privacy film can be used indoors, outdoors and in wet areas without any problems, i.e. also in the bathroom or wellness area.

Is the smart film switchable glued from the inside or from the outside?

The privacy film can be stuck on from the inside as well as from the outside. The foil has the same effect on both sides.  For shop windows, we recommend pasting the outside to avoid glass reflections.

How is the privacy film installed or removed?

With the help of our assembly instructions, the privacy film can be easily assembled and easily removed even after a longer period of time – by heating it with a hair dryer. Please be sure to follow the appropriate assembly instructions included in each package.

How long does the smart film switchable last?

The film manufacturer gives a guarantee of up to 7 years on the privacy film (glass decoration film) outdoors. Experience has shown that the durability is significantly higher. It is best for both short-term and long-term use.

How long can I store the privacy film?

If storage of this film is necessary, the sticker should be stored in a dry, cool and dark place and processed within four to six weeks of the delivery date.

How do you clean a pane of glass that has been covered with privacy film?

The glass surface comes with our smart film switchable. It can be cleaned as normal. We recommend e.g. B. Chamois leather, lint-free cotton cloths, normal glass cleaners (no scouring agents) – just no rough and pointed objects such as blades or scouring pads.

I have stains in my privacy film. What can I do?

Due to wet bonding, the adhesive can temporarily turn white/yellowish. After complete drying, these “clouds” disappear completely, usually after 1-3 days. Depending on the humidity and temperature, this can take up to 14 days in individual cases.

Just like all other window protection and safety films, the privacy films are made of polyester film (PET). Due to their opaque properties, Film-Pal smart film switchable prevents prying eyes from entering private and business premises.

Despite this property, they are translucent and allow light into the premises.

Is a sun protection film also a privacy film?

It always depends on the light difference between the rooms.

If it is brighter outside than inside, dark sun protection films with a reflective exterior (with a high degree of reflection) provide privacy protection. But is it darker inside than outside?

then the effect reverses you and you can look into the room again (trick mirror effect). With smart film switchable such as the white matt Classic from Film-Pal, the lighting conditions are not important. They guarantee privacy regardless of these factors.

How does privacy film hold up?

Like all other films from WGLASS, privacy films are provided with a special acrylate adhesive. Our privacy films are also processed with moisture, as wet.

In this state, the foils can be moved on the glass pane until the mounting liquid has been squeezed out from under the foil. After that, the privacy film holds just as reliably as all other smart film switchable from WGLASS. It is best to connect the foil to the edge area of ​​the pane.

There are one or two ways to do this. If there are removable glazing beads or rubber seals, the film underneath can be processed indoors. These are not available or outdoors in general, the film should be sealed with neutrally cross-linked silicone.

How do you stick privacy film?

Like other window films, privacy films are glued to flat/smooth glass surfaces, since processing on structured glazing is only possible with limitations in processing and adhesive strength.

First you clean the glass surface to be coated with glass cleaner to avoid inclusions. Then pull the protective film off the previously cut smart film switchable and then wet the adhesive surface of the film with assembly fluid (mixture of assembly concentrate and water 1:60).

Once the privacy film is positioned correctly, you can start squeezing out the liquid from under the film to fix it on the pane. Finally, dry the edge area. Lint-free paper towels that do not shed fibers are best suited for this. You can buy best privacy films from us.

How do privacy films differ from each other?

Privacy films are available in different colors and types. The foils differ in their different transmission values, their reflection values ​​and the colors of the foils.

Smart film switchable is available in matt white, matt silver or opaque black and opaque white. For outdoor use, we also offer the opaque variants in silver-black and silver-white. You can also use spy mirror film as a privacy film, which is completely opaque under the right lighting conditions. However, note the previously described trick mirror effect.