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Stainless Steel
Installation Instructions
Tools Needed
Working
with Softmetal film is relatively easy. Special tools are not
necessary. A pencil, a rule, a squeegee, scissors, and a sharp knife
are all you need. Special skills are not required. Anyone can install
this product.
Surface Preparation
If there is one area to place your focus
prior to installation, it is surface preparation!
Most failed installations happen as a
result of poor surface preparation. Please take the time necessary to
completely smooth and clean the mating surface. Rough surfaces should
be sanded smooth and cleaned of dust. The entire mating surface then
should be cleaned twice.
The first cleaning should be with a
typical household surface cleaner (i.e. Windex). The cleaning
should remove surface grime and oils which find it’s way onto the
surface. BUT
YOU ARE NOT DONE!
After the surface has been cleaned of
dirt and oils, the surface needs to be cleaned of the residual
chemicals found in the cleaner you just used to clean it! As
crazy as it may sound, the chemicals left on the mating surface by the
cleaner can react to the adhesive on the film and create a gas!!!
Bubbles will rise. We have found that once this chemical reaction
has occurred, the film’s adhesive will not recover from it and the
installation will fail.
To eliminate the potential chemical
reaction, scrub the mating surface with a vinegar and water solution.
We have found this works better than alcohol. Once the surface has been
scrubbed, apply a final coat of the solution and wipe dry with a clean
cotton cloth. Now you’re ready to install the steel film!
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Procedure:
The
squared backing paper simplifies measuring and ensures straight,
clean-cut edges. When applying film to larger surface areas, first
remove one inch of backing paper and smooth down this initial section.
Then, while evenly removing the backing paper with one hand,
progressively smooth down the foil with the other hand. Always smooth
from the center to the edges. For best results smooth with a soft
cloth, this allows you to flatten out any air bubbles or soft creases.
Should air bubbles form nonetheless, just prick them with a pin and
flatten out. If the film has been applied, but it appears misaligned -
no problem! Because full adhesion occurs only after several hours, the
film can be carefully removed without stretching and reapplied
correctly.
Please note: If the film appears to have
soft creases before applying, these will not show after installation.
(see the dishwasher installation photos – the film appeared to have
serious creases. Those creases disappeared once the film was installed
and smoothed)
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The "Wet"
Method:
The
wet method is as is sounds. The same steps used above, but first
wetting the mating surface liberaly with normal tap water. It
takes a while longer for the adhesive to set, but the film is even
easier to manuver.
Removing
Softmetal:
Softmetal film is just as easy to remove
as it was to apply. Normally it can be simply peeled off. But if it
adheres more firmly, it should be warmed with a hair dryer and then
effortlessly removed. Any adhesive leftovers can be cleaned off with
turpentine or an alcohol-based solvent. To remove dissolved adhesive
use a damp cloth sprinkled with some flour.
Cleaning
Softmetal:
Softmetal is totally indifferent to
dirt. Cleaning with warm water is usually fully adequate. For more
stubborn stains a drop of detergent does the trick. Dry off the damp
areas with a soft towel. The film does not react to normal surface
cleaners, so feel free to treat the surface just like a counter top.
Avoid any cleaners containing abrasives as the surface will scratch or
at least become dull.
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Update a Vanity With Stainless
Steel Film
Using a
power sander, sand over the entire vanity, including all doors and
drawer fronts, until smooth (Image 1). Once it's sanded, make sure
surface is dust-free and clean prior to adhering the foil (Image 2).
Remove a
small section of the backing paper and smooth down onto one section of
the vanity (Image 1). While evenly removing the backing paper with one
hand, progressively smooth down the foil with the other hand, covering
the rest of the vanity. Always smooth from the center to the edges.
Using a ruler or credit card is great for smoothing out air bubbles and
creases (Image 2). Should air bubbles form, prick them with a pin and
flatten out. If foil has been applied crookedly, it can be carefully
removed without stretching and reapplied correctly.
Using a
utility knife or a razor, cut an X through the cabinet door openings
and fold the extra edges of foil back into the vanity.
Once
excess foil is wrapped around the edges of the vanity, use a blow dryer
set on low to heat the edges. This releases the tension and causes the
foil to adhere firmly to the edge. Be cautious of melting the film; do
not hold blow dryer too close.
Continue
these same steps for the vanity doors and drawer front.
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