If you are planning a renovation and want to take the furnishing style in a new direction, you don't have to do without your well-preserved but stylishly unsuitable furniture for the new interior. Wooden furniture can easily be sanded down and given a new coat of paint. New modern cabinet handles give every chest of drawers or wardrobes a new look. You can use adhesive film to beautifully decorate furniture made of other materials and give them new value.
Imaginatively printed furniture films are plentiful in hardware stores or, in some cases, in furniture stores. They can be attached to any smooth surface and given the old piece of furniture a new finish with little effort. The purchase compared to, for example, replacing a table top is a quick and cost-effective alternative. However, there is a risk that something could go wrong when applying the adhesive film. We help here with valuable tips and two instructions.
The first step before attaching the self-adhesive decorative film is to carefully clean the surface that will be covered. Dust, grease and dirt of any kind will negatively affect the end result. Unevenness should also be removed so that the film adheres properly. Depending on the film design, they may be clearly visible after application and catch the eye.
Measure exactly the area you want to cover and cut the required piece of film according to these measurements. There are exact lengths marked on the back to help you cut the film precisely.
Once you have the precisely cut piece of adhesive film in place, all you have to do is attach it. There are two options – wet or dry method. In the first case, it is advisable to have a squeegee on hand, perhaps next to the shower, or optionally a hard dough scraper.
Attaching the film starts from one side, at an upper corner of the piece of furniture. Stick the film exactly on the corner and peel off the back of the film piece by piece. At the same time, press the squeegee on the film and move from top to bottom towards the outer sides of the surface. If bubbles form, repeat several times until they are eliminated. Then you can proceed further.
Once you've started applying correctly, the rest will fall into place. Otherwise, you can peel off the film and try again. For larger areas, it is advisable to use the wet application technique. Bubbles can be avoided by wet adhesion as the adhesive force of the film is delayed.
For small or oval surfaces, you can use a cloth instead of a squeegee and apply great pressure to the surface to remove the bubbles.
When applying the wet technique of applying self-adhesive films, a standard spray bottle is required. Dishwashing detergent or soap mixed with water is poured into this (2-3 drops of stiffener or detergent are usually enough per liter of water). The thoroughly cleaned surface is treated with this self-made soap solution before sticking.
Of course, you should measure exactly how much adhesive film is needed and cut a piece precisely. Now spray the surface with the soap solution and proceed with the application. The film should be able to be positioned freely without sticking.
Using a squeegee or possibly a cloth, start in the middle of the surface towards the outside and remove the excess water from the film. Be careful that sharp or edged objects would damage the film. Continue stroking until all bubbles and bumps are removed.
Let the freshly glued film rest for a day so that the remaining water between the film and the glued surface is completely removed.
Dirty film can generally be easily wiped off with a damp cloth. Avoid using cleaning agents with an alcohol or acid base as these could dissolve the colored print. Surfaces glued with furniture film must not be left in the blazing sun as the material escapes and can be easily removed. On the other hand, the surface is briefly treated with hot air when the film is to be removed.
The adhesive film is widely used to spice up different furniture and home accessories, as it can be applied relatively easily to any type of smooth surface. The material doesn't matter if it's clean. Most surfaces can be easily treated with a little spirit or universal cleaner before bonding and can therefore quickly become free of grease, oil, wax and silicone.
There are now no limits to the choice of furniture films. High-quality designs replicate materials such as wood and natural stone so closely that they can hardly be distinguished from one another. Structured films have the look and feel of real wood and are eye-catching thanks to their wide range of colors.
