Glossary: terms for protective film
Short explanations of the words that appear in the guide, articles and configurator. Where a data sheet is missing, we say so instead of inventing a value.
Curing
Curing means two things. Fresh paint must cure for at least four weeks before film is applied, otherwise the adhesive can leave marks in the paint. And after application the adhesive of the film needs 24 hours to hold fully; during this time do not clean wet, do not put anything on it and do not load it. We name no further times.
Freshly painted furnitureDXF file
DXF is a file format for drawings from CAD programs. You can upload a DXF file in the configurator as the outline for a freeform. PDF, SVG, PNG and JPG also work, all up to 4 MB. With “Exact to size” we cut the outline exactly like that. Check file and scale before uploading, because there is no trial template for an uploaded file.
Preparing the cutCorner radius
The corner radius describes how strongly the corners of a surface are rounded in plan view. You give it in millimetres, all other dimensions in centimetres. The rounding of the edge in cross-section, for example on a rounded table edge, is not part of it. Round corners lift less than sharp ones.
Measuring the corner radiusFreeform cut
A freeform cut follows an outline that is not a rectangle, circle, oval, rounded corner or trapezoid: a live edge, a recessed grip, a cut-out. You upload the outline as a file or send us a photo and dimensions. First you need the rectangle that encloses the shape, and it must fit the roll width. A surcharge per piece applies for freeform.
Configure freeformHigh gloss, piano lacquer and piano black
High gloss describes a surface that shines strongly. Piano lacquer is such a lacquer on furniture, piano black the glossy black trim in a vehicle interior, for example on the centre console. On such surfaces signs of use show first. Clear and Premium Clear leave the gloss as it is; High Gloss is the film for a deliberately glossy finish. We name no gloss level because no data sheet backs it up.
High-gloss furnitureMelamine and laminate
Melamine and laminate panels are coated furniture panels with a smooth, closed surface. They are found in many desks, kitchen fronts and cabinets. They are suitable for the film, because the adhesive holds across the area on a closed coating. Oiled or raw wooden surfaces, on the other hand, are not suitable.
Surfaces at a glanceApplication solution
The application solution is water with a drop of washing-up liquid, filled into a spray bottle. You use it to wet the surface and the adhesive side of the film so that the film can be moved when aligning it. We name no mixing ratio or special application fluid because there is no confirmed specification for it. Too little application solution is a common cause of bubbles.
Applying without bubblesWet application
Wet application means: surface and film are wetted with application solution before laying. The film therefore stays movable on the surface, you align it and then squeegee it from the centre outwards. As long as the application solution has not evaporated, the film can be moved. After application the adhesive needs 24 hours to hold fully. We also call laying with application solution wet laying.
Installation step by stepPlotter cut
In a plotter cut a cutting tool follows the outline stored in a file. With “Exact to size” your cut piece is made this way, including cut-outs and holes. We name no cutting tolerance in millimetres because production has not yet confirmed one.
Freeform and templateSqueegee
The squeegee is the tool you use to smooth the film onto the surface after aligning it. You work from the centre outwards and overlap the strokes. A squeegee is part of the Application Kit; anyone applying the film themselves needs it for installation.
Application KitRoll width
The film is cut from the roll. The roll width is therefore the greatest width a cut piece can have: the shorter edge of your surface may not be wider, the longer one is free up to a maximum length. You lay wider surfaces from several strips. The current values are in the measuring guide and in the configurator.
Dimensions and limitsFactory film
The factory film is the transport protection film with which manufacturers deliver new furniture, above all high-gloss fronts. It is not our film, and the manufacturer’s instructions apply to it. In general you peel it off slowly and at a flat angle, starting at a corner, without blades and without abrasives. Our film only goes onto the bare surface.
New high-gloss furnitureCutting allowance
The cutting allowance is the margin you add all round with “Cut it yourself”: about one centimetre. You trim it at the edge after application. With “Exact to size” there is no allowance, because there the dimensions entered are the final dimensions and you add nothing.
Choosing the cutting optionIs a term missing?
Tell us what you would like to look up – we will add it.