New and freshly painted furniture: when can the film go on?
In short
Film goes onto freshly painted surfaces only after at least four weeks of curing, otherwise the adhesive can leave marks in the paint. With new furniture, first remove the manufacturer’s transport protection film. If the state of the paint is unclear, send us a photo.
The paint must be cured before the film adheres to it. What that means for furniture you painted yourself, what applies to new goods and what happens after application.
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Why the paint has to cure first
A paint that feels dry is not automatically fully cured. If you stick a film onto a surface that has not yet cured, the adhesive can leave marks in the paint. This often shows up only when you peel the film off again.
That is why the rule for freshly painted surfaces is: wait at least four weeks of curing. That is how it is stated in our suitability list, in the FAQ and in the guide. We name no shorter period because we cannot back it up.
Painted it yourself: how to plan
If you painted a table, a sideboard or a door yourself, count the four weeks from the last coat. You can order earlier: the film is only cut after the order and arrives rolled up. You just should not apply it yet.
Use the waiting time to check the dimensions. With the trial template at 1:1 you see whether the dimensions are right without touching the surface.
If the surface is painted and you do not know how long ago that was, treat it like an unclear one: a photo and a short description are enough, and we help with the assessment.
New furniture: factory film off first
New high-gloss furniture often arrives with a protective film from the manufacturer. That is the transport protection film, not our film. The manufacturer’s instructions apply to it.
In general: start at a corner, pull slowly and flat, no blades and no abrasives on high gloss. Only then does our film go onto the bare surface, after the preparation from the guide.
How long the paint of new furniture needs to cure only the manufacturer can say. We name no period for that. If you are unsure, ask the manufacturer or send us a photo.
After application: the first 24 hours
Even when the surface is ready, the adhesive needs 24 hours after application to adhere fully. During this time do not clean the surface wet, do not put anything on it and do not load it.
After that you can use and clean the surface normally again. We name no time for new goods because the 24 hours are the only period we can back up.
Preparing once the paint is ready
Once the paint has cured and the factory film is off, you prepare the surface: work in a low-dust environment, make the surface grease- and dust-free and have the application solution ready, water with a drop of washing-up liquid. We name no particular cleaner or room temperature because no data sheet backs them up.
The steps themselves are in the guide: clean the surface, wet film and surface, align, squeegee from the centre outwards and press down the edges. We do not repeat them here so that there is only one source.
When in doubt, test first
For sensitive surfaces the rule is: test the film at a hidden spot. The sample set with a piece of every film is suitable for this. That way you see how surface and film work together before you cover the visible surface.
This does not replace the four weeks. But it shows you whether adhesion looks good on a surface where you cannot judge the curing reliably.
Furniture from the carpenter or retailer
If you have a piece of furniture from a carpenter or retailer, ask about the treatment of the surface: paint, coating, oil or wax. The answer decides suitability, not the wood and not the price of the furniture.
If you do not know the answer and there is no documentation, send us a photo of the surface. Then we will tell you whether and which film fits.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know whether my paint has cured?
We cannot say this reliably from a distance. Count at least four weeks from the last coat or send us a photo.
Is the manufacturer’s protection film the same as your film?
No. That is the transport protection film. It comes off before our film, and the manufacturer’s instructions apply to it.
Can I order the film beforehand?
Yes. You just should not apply it until the paint has cured.
What happens if I stick it on too early?
The adhesive can leave marks in the paint. This usually shows when peeling off. That is why we do not stick it there in the first place.