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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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