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Do you need special tools to install window film? We get asked this question a lot when speaking with customers who are interested in our film. Another way we get asked this question is “do I need to buy the installation tool kit?”
In this article, we’ll break down the pros and cons to help you determine if you need to buy the installation tool kit.
First, let’s take a look at what is in our Window Film Installation Toolkit:
Our Window Film Installation Tool Kit, like our film is meant to emulate a professional experience. That means, we offer the same special tools to install window film that the pros would use:
Our BlueMax squeegee is made specifically for window film installation. This is the number one special tool needed for window film installation. It has the correct hardness to tackle the job of evacuating the water from under our film without being so hard or sharp that it damages the film. The right squeegee will make the installation job that much easier and will prevent water or air bubbles being left under the film.
Read more about what makes a good squeegee.
A key to a good installation is clean windows. Remember that anything on your window’s surface will be trapped under the film once installed. That is why it is imperative to clean your windows thoroughly before installing any window film.
Pros use a razor blade scraper that is safe for glass to remove any residue, adhesives or dirt off windows prior to window film installation.
The slip-tack solution is essentially a very pure form of soap that you can (1) clean your windows with, and (2) provides enough slip to be able to position the film on the glass prior to adhesion.
What’s special about slip-tack is that it doesn’t have any harsh chemicals or extras added that could compromise the optical clarity of the film during installation.
You can substitute baby shampoo for Slip-Tack solution in the same ratio of 1tsp to a quart of water.
We provide the spray bottle as part of the kit for convenience, but also so you have a completely clean bottle that isn’t contaminated with residue of chemicals or detergents that might have been in the bottle prior to use.
Pros always ensure their sprayers are clean so that there is nothing that can react with the film’s adhesive or interfere with the optical clarity of the film during installation.
The yellow marking pencil is a grease pencil that is used with film because it can be wiped off and will not permanently mark the window film.
Clean final cuts at the window are another key to a professional installation. While most households have a utility knife, we include them in our kits as a way to ensure you have new sharp blades – and multiples of them – for your cuts.
Our knives have breakaway blade tips so that you can have a new, fresh, sharp blade per window you are installing.
Installing window film isn’t a difficult DIY job, but it does require certain steps to ensure a good result. That’s why we provide both written and video instructions that explain, step-by-step, how the film should be installed.
See all of our installation pro tip videos. You can also download written window film installation instructions.
The few times customers have called us with installation issues, it is almost always due to not having purchased the tool kit and using the incorrect squeegee to install the film. The main issue we see is water or air bubbles under the film due to using too soft of a squeegee for the job.
Window cleaning squeegees like the one pictured below are great for cleaning windows but are too soft for installing window film. You won’t get the right amount of pressure to fully remove the water and slip-tack solution when using this type of squeegee.
[insert window cleaning squeegee]
Read more about common window film installation issues.
Other online film brands will include a small plastic hard card with their product and say installation tools are included. While hard cards are often used in window film installation, they aren’t the pro’s choice for the primary task of removing the water from under the film.
Hard cards can be used (wrapped in a paper towel) to “bump” the edge of the film to remove excess water or as a guide for trimming the film to the window. But to get the proper force needed to evacuate the water from under film, pros prefer the leverage that a handled squeegee provides.
And remember that one of the key features of our film is that it is 2MIL thick – not the 1MIL that you will find at other big boxes or online retailers. A thicker film will require more pressure to properly remove the water.
Read more about why a 2MIL thick film is superior to a 1MIL thick film.
Perhaps the best sign that special tools to install window film are a good idea comes from customers who have purchased our installation tool kit. Our kit gets a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from customers. Here is a sampling of what they have to say:
“High quality tools, well worth the cost to improve your install! The squeegee and razer scraper are great additions to my toolkit for future installations, and there will be more.”
– Mark H.“Everything I needed to do a good installation.” – David B.
“Everything needed for successful installation!” – Thomas I.
“Well put together kit. Gives you everything you need!” – John S.
“The kit makes installation a breeze.” – Kevin M.
“Loved it. Perfect kit” – Kristie G.
“Was skeptical about ordering installation kit. However, after using would highly recommend for anyone self installing film. The squeegee and razor scraper are high quality tools that insure a good film installation.” – Albert R.
“Specialty tools necessary for the perfect application. I balked at the price, thinking I already had the necessary tools, but I’m happy to have this kit, and will use it on future applications.” – Ron G.
“Everything you need to get the job done.” – James R.
We thought a lot about how to offer the special tools to install window film that we feel are needed to make customers successful at installing tint themselves. And have put together a tool kit we feel balances the need for special tools with a price point for the DIYer.
We believe the right tools make the job easier, and if you are making the investment in film for your windows, you want to ensure you get the installation right and can enjoy your film and your handiwork for years to come!
