Window panes have the advantage that they are smooth and adhesive residue can be removed comparatively easily, in contrast to the window frame. In order to remove them without leaving any residue, the adhesive used is crucial.
Different adhesives – different tools
While some adhesives can be removed without any problems, others require great effort. In addition to heat-unstable hot melt adhesives, there are fat- and water-soluble adhesives. Water-soluble is e.g. B. Acrylate adhesive, which is used, for example, in double-sided adhesive tape and packaging tape.
Heat-sensitive hot melt adhesives can be found on numerous stickers and fat-soluble ones on paper labels that are often attached to new windows. But how exactly do you remove adhesive residue from window panes and frames?
Remove adhesive residue with heat
If the adhesive residue can be removed with heat or hot air, it is probably hot melt adhesive, which many manufacturers use for stickers, stickers and labels. The classic hairdryer is the method of choice here.
- Set the hairdryer to medium level
- Aim the air stream at the adhesive residue to be removed for about two minutes
- Heat causes glue to soften and melt
- After heating, remove the adhesive residue immediately
- Ideally with a scraper
- Do not use sharp objects
Tip:
You should definitely work quickly, because when the glue cools down, it solidifies again and the process starts again. It is also important not to set the hairdryer to the highest setting, as too much heat could cause the glass to shatter.
Fat or oil
Paper stickers, for example, are fat-soluble. But there are also plastic labels that can be coated with fat-soluble adhesives. Therefore, the best way to remove them is with grease.
- The best way to remove plastic labels and adhesive is with oil
- Treat paper labels only with butter or margarine
- First, lightly peel off the corners or edges of the sticker
- Then rub or coat stickers or adhesive residue with grease or oil
- Additional heating of the surface can be beneficial
- Then let the whole thing take effect for some time
- Now carefully peel off the sticker
- Remove glue residue with a scraper
- Or remove with a damp cloth
Tip:
If you are in doubt about what kind of adhesive you are dealing with, you should generally start with heat and if you are unsuccessful, try water, then oil and only then alcohol.
Water
A good way to remove water-soluble adhesives such as acrylate glue is, of course, water, ideally mixed with a little dishwashing liquid. The condition of the adhesive plays a particularly important role here. As a rule, you soak the sticker, if it is still there, otherwise just the adhesive residue, with warm water and dish soap. After a short time, the stickers and the adhesive should come off. If the carrier is brittle and the adhesive underneath is not too hard, you can pre-treat it with heat if necessary and then wash off the adhesive residue with warm, soapy water.
Spirit, acetone or mineral spirits
If the adhesive residue is particularly stubborn, as a last resort you can use alcohol, benzine or acetone in the form of nail polish remover. To do this, put some of the respective liquid on a cloth and use it to moisten the adhesive residue. If necessary, the whole thing has to be repeated. If the sticker is still there, it is advisable to first remove it at the corners and edges if possible. This allows the cleaner to bond better with the adhesive. Once all adhesive residue has been removed, wipe with clean water and dry the window pane.
Tip:
With these products, it is important to ensure that only the pane and no polished or otherwise sensitive materials such as plastic-coated window frames come into contact with it. Otherwise they could weaken.
label removers
Special label removers are available in stores that can be used to remove almost any sticker or its adhesive residue. When using it, you should follow the manufacturer's instructions. As a rule, the agent is sprayed onto the sticker or adhesive. It needs to sit there for some time so that the glue can be removed easily.
Remove adhesive residue from the frame
Adhesive residue from stickers or labels can remain not only on the window pane, but also on the frame. The difference here is the respective surface, as the frame can be made of plastic or wood.
- Painted wooden frames are more sensitive than untreated ones
- Treat glue residue on painted frames with hairdryer and cooking oil
- On unpainted wood, use a sander to remove it
- Or with a steel wool sponge
- For plastic frames, use acetone-free nail polish in addition to heat
- The use of adhesive tape (Scotch tape) is also helpful in places
- To do this, cut off a strip of adhesive tape
- Then press firmly on the adhesive to be removed
- Then pull off with a jerk
- Glue residue should at best stick to it
- Usually several attempts are necessary
