If you are thinking about how to reanimate outdated furniture, one of the best options would be a self-adhesive film. It’s easy to work with it and even a novice can paste over furniture with it. In addition, this method will surprise with its cost-effectiveness and stylish look. Today, there is a huge variety of self-adhesive films for furniture, windows, doors, glass, window sills and even platbands. If you wish, you can paste almost everything - of course, if you do not consider it too much. In the article, we will examine in more detail how to glue the furniture with self-adhesive film, talk about the existing types of materials and how to choose them correctly.
How to choose the material?
In order to choose the right material that is suitable for solving your problems, you need to determine the composition, structure, design and direct purpose. You may need a white, self-adhesive film. There are plenty of other options. For example, it can be a film under a tree. How not to get confused in the assortment and choose the most suitable option? To do this, understand all existing types of materials.
Types of composition
The composition of the film depends on which polymer component was involved in its production. It is polymers that give the film its inherent elasticity. In addition to them, the composition of the material includes various pigments and additives. Based on the composition, three types of films can be determined: from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyester and propylene.
Surface types
The surface of the material plays an important role in pasting furniture of various styles and decorating the room. It can be divided into several types:
- Glossy. This film is used mainly in those rooms where daylight does not penetrate, or in rooms with windows facing north.
- Matte film is preferred, decorating spacious and bright rooms.
- Transparent is taken for gluing glass surfaces as a means of protection against mechanical damage.
- Holographic will be appropriate in any room, as it refracts light. Depending on the angle of illumination, its shade may vary. The volume of the pasted piece of furniture also changes visually.
- It is better to use mirror film if the room is small. Thus, you can visually increase it. It is possible to paste over a door and a cupboard. Correctly combining structures and colors, it is quite possible to achieve a very harmonious and stylish solution.
Structure
There are single and double layer self-adhesive films. What are their features? Single-layer are made by combining different chemical components. These are mainly polymers, stabilizers, resins and pigments.
Two-layer films consist of a lower layer, which is made of fabric or paper, as well as an upper layer made of the above polymers and additives. They make such materials in different ways. In order to stick the film, you need to disconnect it from the base.
Types of material for design
There are a huge number of options. Self-adhesive decorative film can have absolutely any kind, color, pattern. In stores you can find a film for gold or precious stones, for natural stone, tapestry, leather, fabric of various textures, cork, wood of different species. The drawing is also diverse - from motifs of folk tales to images of wildlife landscapes or frames of your favorite movie.
If you are interested in how to stick a self-adhesive film on a wooden surface, it is important to familiarize yourself with some features of this option for decorating furniture. The pasting process will be considered further.
Advantages of self-adhesive film
Among the main advantages, we highlight the following:
- Heat resistance. The film withstands temperatures up to 80 degrees.
- Resistance to mechanical damage: the denser the film, the more difficult it is to scratch it.
- Moisture resistance. Thanks to this, the film can be glued in any corner of the apartment, including the toilet and bathroom.
- Low price. In stores you can find an option for any budget. For a small price, you can significantly refresh the look of old furniture without acquiring new ones.
- Large selection: from the cartoon for the children's room to the cote d'azur for the bathroom. There are also materials with various patterns and decorations. Everyone will find the most suitable option for themselves.
- Practicality and versatility. It is very easy to stick a self-adhesive film on chipboard, metal, plastic and glass - and you can do it yourself (we will consider instructions for applying the material to the surface below).
- Fast pasting process. This work is done in a short period of time without excess dust and dirt, long cleaning and other difficulties. If the need arises, the material can be easily removed (we will also consider this point later).
- Durability. Due to its strength and durability, the film is able to last for years.
- Simple care. Thanks to moisture resistance, the material is very easily washed.
How to paste furniture with self-adhesive film? Training
Before gluing the film, it is necessary to prepare the surface. Make sure the furniture is not cracked or rough. If several irregularities are still found, they need to be eliminated, otherwise self-gluing will repeat all the scratches and humps and focus on them. To do this, sand the surface and carefully putty on small cracks.
Be sure to remove all the accessories - you will screw it back after finishing work. Decor elements or glass will also have to be temporarily removed.
Clean the surface by wiping with a damp cloth. After that, degrease it with any available means. Prepare an acrylic varnish: they need to carefully cover the surface. Before you get a film, measure the elements that need to be pasted. This will be needed in order to determine how wide a roll you will need. The task consists in high-quality pasting of furniture, preferably without joints (if possible). When you buy self-adhesive, pay attention to the marking grid on the back. It will help you quickly and correctly cut out the details. Cut out all the necessary fragments and get started.
Pasting process
How to paste furniture with self-adhesive tape? The main thing is not to rush. Hurry can ruin the scrupulous process, but in any case it is important to remember that the error is easy to fix. Therefore, boldly get to work. If a decorative self-adhesive film is intended for pasting a small part (for example, a cabinet door), the material can be glued without wetting the substrate with water. If the area is larger, it is better to treat the base with a liquid soap solution. In this case, the film does not seize immediately, and you can easily correct the distortions. This is especially important if you have little pasting experience.
It is best to start applying the film from top to bottom. For convenience, the cabinet doors can be temporarily removed. Carefully separate the film from the bottom layer by 10-12 centimeters and attach it to the top of the part. Make sure that the material lies flat, press it to the surface and smooth it with movements from the center to the sides (use a damp cloth).
Thus, continue to move from top to bottom, slowly smoothing with a rag new areas of the film and gradually separating more and more from the base. Try to prevent the formation of bubbles. After the element is pasted over, examine it for distortions and bubbles. If there is skew, peel off the right amount of film, smear with soap and water and glue it again. If a bubble appears, gently pierce it with a needle, bleed air and gently press the material to the surface.
How to paste furniture with self-adhesive tape? It happens that when smoothing it wrinkles are formed. In order not to peel off the entire canvas, warm the place of wrinkle formation with a hairdryer and smooth it again. After gluing, wait until the film has completely dried. When you are convinced that the work is done efficiently, you can screw the fittings and return the decorative elements to their place.
If material needs to be removed
How to paste over old furniture with self-adhesive film, we already know. But if the film is already too many years old or you just wanted to refresh the interior, you can dismantle it. To remove the old or boring film, you need to heat up the adhesive composition on which it is held. In this case, it will be easy to separate it from the surface.
For such work you will need a hairdryer. If you are shooting material from a small surface, take a regular hair dryer, but if the area of self-adhesive is much larger, you will need an industrial version. After turning on the hair dryer, direct a stream of hot air onto the film and start pulling it gently. Do not rush - it is important here not to tear the material. After removing the film, glue may remain on the surface. Remove it with a solvent, but before doing this, make sure that it does not damage the surface. Try it beforehand, applying a little substance to an inconspicuous place. If there is no negative reaction, feel free to remove the remaining glue.
Self-adhesive film care
There is nothing complicated in caring for her. To clean it, just wipe the surface with a damp cloth. If you need to remove greasy stains, use a regular dishwashing detergent. It is better not to take powder products, since they can scratch the surface, and over time, the film will fade and look unpresentable. Also, do not use solvents such as mineral spirits, as this may harm the material. Better use regular alcohol by dampening a cotton pad.
Conclusion
After all the above information, the question of how to glue the furniture with self-adhesive film should not scare you. Doing this is quite simple with your own hands, even without helpers. A little patience and time is enough - and very soon your apartment will sparkle with new colors, and old furniture will delight you with an updated look.