The GGF is recognized by the UK government and plays a large part in the setting of new standards and codes named the Building Regulations. These rules govern and control the way the buildings are constructed in the UK (just like our building codes here in the States).

The GGF knows, as we all do, that as time goes on the protection that film provides is waning. While most security films in the UK come with a 10-year warranty, the GGF wanted a standardized way of testing if an installation was still providing the necessary protection. Additionally, they wanted the building owners to be able to certify that their new installation was up to all industry standards, if they so choose to test.

Security film adhesive is the strongest of all window films because of what it is intended to do but on the other hand it is the worst to remove.

So how do you test the strength of security film on location? The GGF developed a method. They were not only concerned with the adhesive strength but the film’s integrity as well. We all know that film becomes brittle when it has prolonged exposure to the sun.

I’ve attached the full pdf of the instructions entitled “Peel Test Procedure” cause as with any testing procedure designed for any government regulation there are too many words to fit in this blog. So the abridged version is as follows.

Step 1. Carefully measure a vertical rectangle strip in the middle of the filmed window that is approximately 1-inch wide x 16- to 24-inches long. Draw horizontal lines on the film starting at 4 inches from the top and every 4 inches below.

Step 2. Using your knife, cut through all layers of the film all the way to the glass on the measured strip.

Step 3. Peel back the top part 4 inches and wrap it around the clip of your testing tool and make sure it is secure.

Step 4. Attach the specified amount of weight for the film being tested and if you are doing a static peel test or a dynamic peel test (see instructions) and adjust as necessary to achieve a “slow creep.” Check the tables against your findings to get the results. Keep in mind that this test is designed for films less than 9-mil thick.

Here in the United States there seems to be this misconception that once we install security film it will last forever … a one-and-done mentality. I, for one, would like to see our IWFA adopt a form of peel testing.

The benefits are multifaceted:

It would help the end user to understand that safety film doesn’t last forever and give them a quantifiable way of testing their current job upon completion and in the future as the film degrades. This ensures the protection they sought is there or needs to be replaced … the risk doesn’t go away but the protection provided will dwindle.

It also benefits our industry as it gives more credibility to our products and our concern that the public’s safety is kept to the highest standards. Not to mention a legitimate built-in repeat business model. Another side benefit to dealers is they can charge money for the peel test … especially if they didn’t do the job originally.

These test pictures above are from a recent test performed by Pentagon Protection PLC, in London at the Waterloo Train Station. In the last blog I did mention this large job. Pentagon originally installed film at this location more than 10 years ago. Since the Waterloo Station was going through a remodel they knew it was time to replace the film as well. The main reason for the film isn’t what you might presume. It’s not for a possible terrorist attack although it certainly is possible … it’s for glass retention; specifically the upper four rows of windows. The main concern is spontaneous glass breakage. This phenomenon can happen to tempered glass as it can spontaneously shatter without any apparent reason. Reasons vary from internal defects within the glass such as nickel sulfide inclusion, thermo stresses or minor damage during glazier installation—not a good thing when thousands of people are standing underneath them.

Pentagon had to remove the old film and install new Pentagon FT800 8-mil clear. Additionally, Pentagon installed their proprietary customized attachment system. This is a hybrid attachment that screws into the frame but has a peel-and-stick tape strip to the film/glass side. It was put to the test not long after they completed the job … a worker was walking on top of the glass pressure washing and slipped and fell. He shattered the glass but the film and attachment held strong … otherwise he would have fallen another 40 feet to the ground and that sort of thing could ruin your day.

In all, the job was approximately 80,000 square feet and took our crews four months to complete.

The last survey I asked if you have ever installed security film and a whopping 94.7 percent said yes. Awesome. I also asked if you had ever installed an attachment system other than Dow 995 and only 59.1 percent of you have. That means that 40.9 percent of you need to be enlightened on different attachment systems available in the market. Trust me when I say once you’ve used other attachment systems other than Dow 995 … you’ll never want to go back.

Since I’m pretty sure most of you have never heard of the peel test I want to know if you think we should have it in the United States. This month’s survey asks:

Quote of the Month

“The fundamental cause of trouble in the world is that the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt.”

- Bertrand Russell (1872-1970)

It’s amazing how many inoculations and pills are necessary to travel to Nigeria. Would you believe almost a $1000 worth? I felt like a pin cushion: malaria, hepatitis A and B, tetanus, meningitis, typhoid fever, polio booster and yellow Fever. I was a walking pharmaceutical. I know this is a third world area but geez Louise. Sometimes we don’t realize just how lucky we are.

Traveling there was an adventure to say the least. You think going through American airport security is an ordeal … try it in Lagos, Nigeria. In making our connection flight to Abuja we had a 30 minute shuttle to another airport and when we got there it was mass hysteria. The check-in counters were inside of tents and they had one security scanner for everyone. People were literally throwing their bags over other people’s heads onto the conveyor belt to be scanned. A fight started to break out between two guys and armed guards rushed in and threw them up against the wall. Don’t mess with the guys carrying the AK-47s is what I always say … and there were A LOT of men carrying AK-47’s … everywhere!

We finally got to our destination and our assigned driver was supposed to take us to the hotel. We pull up to a “compound” with ten-foot-high block walls topped with barbed wire, guard gate with armed guards (AK-47’s of course) and I ask the driver what’s this, he replies “It’s your hotel.” Holy heart failure, Batman.

Home sweet home for the next four days.

The next day we get to the job site and it’s guarded like Ft. Knox. After several checkpoints we finally get in and meet the property management people. Upon inspection I find not only their measurements are off but the window frames on the ground level are some I’ve never seen before.

Any of us who have done security film and attachments on commercial doors know that there isn’t but one attachment system (that I know of) that will work the best because of the snap on “glass stop.”  The glass stop in the U.S. (and even the doors I’ve seen in the U.K. and Europe) are typically ½ inches to ⅝ inches squared and is designed just to hold the glass in the frame. It’s not strong enough to withstand bomb blast or attempted break-in.

Pentagon Protection USA makes a rubber molded attachment specifically designed for doors called Z-Lok. It attaches to the film/glass then flexes over the glass stop and then attaches to the door frame. The attachment points are via extremely strong 3M tape strips running the full length. So even if the snapped in glass stop comes off under force (which it will) it is attached to the frame so the whole window won’t fall out.

A Z-Lok install I did on a Target store in Tucson, Ariz.

So I’m looking at these doors and the glass stop is 1inch x 1inch and I’m realizing the Z-Lok is too small. To make matters worse every window on the ground level has the same glass stop on all four sides. Holy strawberries Batman! We’re in a jam!  Door and window jam to be exact.

Upon returning I contacted Pentagon Protection USA and spoke with Sam Elzein/COO and told him of my findings. He was extremely helpful and together we designed a new extra, extra large Z-Lok to accommodate the larger glass stops. Jam averted.

On a separate note, all the men I met in Nigeria were great individuals. Very helpful and kind people … I wish I could say the same about the women. Very pushy, rude and always scowling … not all but most.

Waterloo Train Station project.

One last story about Nigeria; I was only there four days and in that time I never felt threatened or in danger … until the last day. Our driver picked us up at 5 a.m. to take us to the airport and it was still dark outside. We were just about to get on the freeway and there were no cars to be seen anywhere. Then, standing in the middle of the road directly in our path is a guy in pink and gray sweats with a flashlight and a (wait for it) … AK-47. Not just slung over his shoulder like I’ve seen everyone else but in his hands ready to fire. The driver stops and turns on the interior overhead light … and I’m thinking “holy crap … this is it.” I ask the driver why he is stopping and he says the guy is the military police and wants to inspect us. WHAT? I point out that this guy is in sweats … he replies “yes that is their normal uniform.” I ask if this is normal and he says “No there usually are 4-5 of them not just one.” After leering at us and shining the flashlight in my face he finally waived us past. Whew!

In the next article I want to bring to your attention to the “Peel Test” … no it’s not a nightclub stripper tryout. Also, I will discuss another international project we completed at the Waterloo Train Station in London (see the photo).

The survey last month asked if you have ever gone to SEMA.  44 percent of respondents have attended while 56 percent of you don’t know what you are missing. However, more of you plan on going next year as 58.8 percent responded affirmative. See you there.

Since we have a theme of security film this month I was wondering if either you or the company you work for has ever done a security film install. Also, have you installed any different attachment systems other than Dow 995?

Quote of the Month

In keeping with the Batman Theme this month (sorry younger readers if this makes no sense to you):

“Holy Kleenex Batman, it was right under our noses and we blew it!” – Robin

New York in September … I had secured a contract to a very popular TV show that tapes all across the country. It’s a crazy whirlwind job as they require LLumar 5 percent auto film on the windows to reduce the light coming in (I know, I know … we aren’t supposed to put limo tint on flat glass cause it can very easily cause thermo fractures … they sign a complete waiver and are responsible for any breakage). In cameraman terms it reduces the light by 5 F stops so they can have the proper lighting for filming. Then they may want you remove it after the days shoot so they can do some night shots and need all the light. You then reinstall before the next morning for the next day’s shooting. We generally hire a local dealer to do the install as we like to spread the work around and that logistically works better for the client. Finally when they are done filming you do a final removal. So in essence the film is only up for 3-4 days.

3 a.m. … One row done, one to go. Add one gallon of Dunkin Donuts coffee and one dozen donuts and we’re good to go.

I had everything lined up until the 11th hour when the dealer called and backed out 36 hours before the install. Have tools will travel … yes yours truly packed up his tools and grabbed one of my best installers, Alex Asuquo and headed to the airport. One “red eye” flight later we are onsite at 10 a.m. with no sleep from the previous night … so we’ve been up for over 24 hours to this point. After tracking down the film and taking care of all the logistics they told us we couldn’t start until later that night as they were going to do some shooting. Fine with us …so we headed to the hotel to get some much needed shuteye. By the time we got to the hotel my head hit the pillow at 3 p.m. At 4:30 p.m. the phone rings … you guessed it they were ready for us.

So after a full 90 minutes of sleep we head back to install 1,800 square feet.  Keep in mind that these windows were 83 inches wide by 102 inches tall and two rows worth. So every window had to be seamed and it was frameless glass to boot. We finally got started around 6:30 p.m. and the final squeegee stroke happened as the clock chimed 9 a.m.

We’ve all been there on demanding jobs like this but 90 minutes of sleep in a 48-hour time frame … I’m gettin’ too old for this; actually I think it’s what keeps me young.

One last look before taking it all down.

I think I’ve taken enough of your time this month so I will save the Nigeria visit for next month. However, let’s briefly touch on SEMA. Huge as usual but attendance seemed lighter. No doubt due to Sandy. My first observation while walking the rows and rows of exhibitors is the increasing amount of “film manufacturers.” Most of the big companies had their normal large booths with their full entourage but the amount of small booths with rolls of film being displayed was astounding. Mostly oriental in origins and it was very difficult to communicate. They surely can’t all be manufacturing their own film. I lost count at around 28 different window film companies displaying and that’s not counting all the PPF booths and the wrap booths. Our industry is going through some monumental changes and the choices available to dealers are growing. In some ways it’s good for us dealers to have choices especially when we get yet another price increase from our mainline manufacturers. But in other ways it’s reducing the quality of film and could hurt the whole industry in the long term. We shall see.One new film that I thought was interesting was from NDFOS. It’s a marriage of two films Anti-Fog and Ceramic. This combo automotive film claims to stay fog free when damp out and block 95 percent heat and 65 percent VLT or 35 percent heat blockage and 85 percent VLT. Competition breeds innovation.

The survey in my last post asked if you knew about Scotchkote before my article. Seems like I enlightened the majority of you as 91.7 percent were not aware of this product while only 8.3 percent were. I’ll keep looking for new products throughout my travels.

This month I want to know how many of you have ever gone to SEMA. Of course it might be skewed as not every film dealer does automotive … but then neither do I. I go to see what’s new on the film front and make connections with the dealers I work with all across the world.

Quote of the Month

“Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don’t turn up at all.” — Sam Ewing

“I have had the pleasure and displeasure of working with all three.” — Ross Kehl

At each venue my crews were installing 7 mil security film, but one venue had hundreds of windows that were stippled glass. As we all know we can’t put film on a non-smooth surface. In come the geniuses at 3M who have a liquid security film called Scotchkote (Urethane Glass Coating 605). Admittedly I have been in the industry a mere 13+ years but I never heard of this product and neither did any of my installers. So I thought maybe some of you haven’t heard of this product either.

Scotchkote is made expressly as a single component liquid applied anti-shatter coating for use on glass (including stippled glass) and it’s rolled on like paint. Being intrigued by this new (to me) “quasi film product” I wanted to get my hands dirty and see how it installs—yes that’s me in the video.

Scotchkote is clear and much thicker than a traditional paint. It rolls on easy and requires two coats. For maximum protection it needs two coats on both sides of the window. Of course the surface must be cleaned before installation and appropriate safety gear must be worn. I don’t see it as a replacement for security film on regular windows because it doesn’t have the optical clarity that a high quality film does. However, it certainly offers a protection for certain types of glass that we haven’t had a solution for before. This, of course, means another product we can make money on.

If you remember, in my last blog I left you hanging and guessing on four pictures from Muscat, Oman of some U.S. retail institutions. How many did you get right in “Name That Place?” Here are the complete pictures of each sign.

The survey last month asked how you trim film. Do you use a trim card, free hand or do you do both? It seems like most of us use both methods depending on the windows and circumstances as 46.2 percent was the highest response. Coming in second was trim card only at 30.8 percent, while only 23 percent of you like to go free hand exclusively (you daredevils).

This month I want to know how many of you knew about Scotchkote. Was I the only one in the dark?

Quote of the Month

When asked what surprised him most about humanity, he said:

“Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”

This quote is often attributed to the Dalai Lama, but this is disputed. I love the quote though.

World travel continued as last week I was flown to Muscat, Oman to install 450 square feet of clear 7 mil security film on a new bank branch being built for one of our international customers. It was a very interesting experience and I thought I would share it with you.

When I got to the job site there were construction crews onsite putting on all the finishing touches to the interior space. All the workers were from the subcontinent of India and didn’t speak a word of English. That made us even since I didn’t speak a word of Hindi. I wouldn’t say they were unfriendly but they were cautious and curious.

You know when you start installing a project or film on a home and the customer will watch you do a window or two just out of curiosity—imagine 12 uncommunicative workers all standing behind you in total silence watching while you install the first window. When I had finished they all dispersed and went back to their respective jobs.

About an hour later I came across two of them that had picked through my dirty trimmings and were trying to install it on their cell phones. These were your basic cell phones and not touch screens. I think they thought I would be upset but I gave them the universal thumbs up. I then went to my clean scraps and gave them a small piece along with a pair of scissors. I motioned for them to cut the shape they needed for their phone and I would install it. They were extremely grateful and happy. Just when I was finishing the second phone, I realized that the other 10 workers were lined up behind me and wearing big smiles. More scraps and 30 minutes later I had 12 new friends.

For the rest of the job as I finished each window one of them would run over and pick up my trash wipe up the floor, smile and nod. It was their way of repaying my kindness with kindness. Who says you need to speak the language to communicate? No discussion about religion or politics, just a mutual propensity for window film and respect for a fellow earthling.

When I finished they helped me carry out my tools and boxes to the cab and shook my hand.

I must say that the natives of Oman were very friendly and polite. Many citizens did speak English so it made it easy to get around. It was just hot (104 – 110 degrees), reminding me of home in Arizona.

While in Oman I was surprised by all the U.S. retail chain stores. The signs looked a little different, but the logo was unmistakable. Here are a few for you to guess on and play “Name This Place.” Next month I’ll show you the rest of the signs.

Before I went to Oman I downloaded the iSpeak App for Arabic to English to my iPhone. What a great help that was. I could type in what I wanted to say, hit the translate button and the phone would speak the phrase in Arabic and type it out as well. The only drawback for using this app is you have to have cell service or a WiFi connection to get the translation. So I spent some time coming up with standard questions and statements and saving them in the app so I had them at the ready. “Hello,” “thank you,” and “where is the toilet,” were very helpful. Now I have iSpeak French and Dutch as well. Chinese might be next.

Last month my survey asked how many film companies you represent.  It was a first place tie between one, three and four at 25 percent each. Taking a solo second place was five-plus at 16.7 percent and bringing up the rear was two garnering only 8.3 percent. If we look at the overall numbers, 75 percent of the responding dealers sell more than one brand of film. I guess the day of the monogamous dealer is a dying breed.

This month I want the installers to tell me how they trim the film on the glass. In the past I used a trim card exclusively but after seeing many awesome installers doing the freehand I developed the skill. Actually, I use both methods depending on the frames and sometimes both methods on the same window. I found if the window has an aluminum channeled frame it’s best to use a trim card along the bottom. This gives a little more gap between any pooled water and the edge of the film, thus eliminating those pesky fingers from popping up.

Finally I want to give a shout out to Mike Nesler in Las Vegas. Thank you for your comments and I would love to discuss the industry sometime. Our Managing Director, Steve Chambers, said to say hello…also my wrist is actually doing pretty good. I don’t have all my strength back yet but it keeps getting better every day.

       Quote of the Month

“Good judgment comes from experience, and often experience comes from bad judgment.”

Rita Mae Brown

US author and social activist

The Olympics is coming up this year in London and there are approximately 400,000 square feet of security film that needs to be installed within 40 days. So it’s all hands on deck—or in my case all one and a half hands. Any tips on how to install with a broken wrist?

In my travels it is interesting to note the differences between installers and their tools. My first trip to the U.K. was for training and evaluating some installers. I was surprised that they all had the same sprayer—it’s literally a pesticide sprayer. You know the hand pump two gallon container with the long metal spray nozzle and about four feet of hose. When I watched them install it actually took a long time to get the window/film wet because these sprayers don’t generate a lot of pressure. It just so happened I took my small three gallon stainless steel pressurized canister with 25 feet of hose along on the trip. When I pulled it out they were looking at it like it was a spaceship. When I showed them how it sprayed they jumped back and said “Holy %$#&, that’s a fire hose.”

Another difference is ladders. They don’t use tall ladders. There was one small window they had to install on the exterior of the building and that was on the second floor. It’s only 15 feet up. I ask them where their ladder is and they said, “Oh, we can’t use a ladder for that. It’s too dangerous. We’ll have to come back and erect a tower.” A tower over there is like our small scaffolding on wheels. They are all great guys over there, but no wonder we won our Independence.

One of the similarities on both sides of the “pond” is most of us use our teeth to peel the film liner, which brings us to our results from last months survey.

Last month my survey asked how you peel the liner. Let’s just say the results are in and I think all dental associations should be dues-paying members of our IWFA (Hear that John Parker?).

An overwhelming majority grind our teeth to extract the film liner at 69.4 percent. In second place we had a tie between fingers and finger nails at 11.1 percent each. “Other” accounted for 5.6 percent while “tape” brought up the rear at 2.8 percent. All those who don’t use their teeth are either very talented installers or don’t have any teeth left.

This month I would like to ask my fellow window film dealers how many different film manufacturers’ products you sell. Don’t worry; there is no way for us to track who you are and how you answered.

       Quote of the Month

“ Every bad precedent originated as a justifiable measure.”

Gaius Sallustius Crispus (c. 86–35/45 B.C.), Roman historian.

“What makes you ask that?” I ask.

“Well,” he said. “I’ve only seen this wear pattern on teeth once before and he was a window tinter. He told me he used his teeth to help peel the film.”

Busted—guilty as charged.

Last month my survey was asking what soap/slip solution you used for installation. So I figured what better survey question for this month than to find out how many other installers have deformed teeth like me. I’ve worked with many installers over the years and have seen numerous ways to peel the liner off the film ranging from teeth to tape. So if you are an installer or a dealer who knows how your installers peel…please take the survey. My dentist wants the results as well.

Speaking of last month’s survey let’s gander at the results. Regardless the clear winner was “Baby Shampoo” with 44.4 percent of the responses. Coming in a fuzzy second was “Other” with 33.3 percent with third place going to “Joy” at 18.5 percent. Bringing up the rear was Ajax at 3.7 percent and that was influenced by me cause that is what I use.

I was a staunch proponent of Johnson & Johnson Baby Shampoo for years and years, no generics or cheap alternatives. But while I was on a very large install a few years back I noticed that all the other installers were using Joy dishwashing soap. Naturally curious I went to ask the lead installer why they were using Joy. He asked me if while I was installing I was having an issue with fingering. I replied that on occasions the film wouldn’t sit down and it would give me the finger or two. He informed me that there was something in the baby shampoo that caused this and I should try Joy. He was right. My installs went faster because I wasn’t spending extra time carding and bumping fingers down. The only problem was I started to get a rash on my arms from the Joy, so I switched to Ajax.

The next solutions I want to try (just for experiment sake) are the Slip Solutions available from some of the film/tool distributors. I’m always on the lookout for a better mousetrap.  Any suggestions?

This month let me know how you peel the liner. Take the survey, but if your method isn’t listed then please fill in the comment box at the bottom of this blog and tell me how you do it.

Word of the Month

Brisance

brisance \bri-ZAHNS\, noun:
Brisance is the shattering capability of an explosive. It is a measure of the rapidity with which an explosive develops its maximum pressure. The term originates from the French verb “briser,” which means to break or shatter. Brisance is of practical importance for determining the effectiveness of an explosion in fragmenting shells, bomb casings, grenades, structures and the like.
A brisant explosive is one that attains its maximum pressure so rapidly that a shock wave is formed. The net effect is to shatter (by shock resonance) the material surrounding or in contact with the supersonic detonation wave created by the explosion.
“Security film and attachments are made to counter the effect of a brisant explosive.”

While I know how to tint cars and have done maybe 200-plus over the years, I don’t consider myself an expert. Flat glass is my specialty and I have devoted my time and efforts to perfecting the craft—I’m still learning too.

I’m a member of the IWFA and have earned accreditation as a sun control specialist and a safety and security film specialist. My intention is not to impress you, but to impress upon you that I am involved in this industry—up to my eyeballs. In addition to being the active president/founder of TintingPro.com (an Authorized 3M Prestige Dealer) I also wear three other hats—U.S. development manager for three other companies National Glass Service Group (a window film coordination company for large retail chains in the U.S.), International Glass Solutions (a worldwide film company) and LiquisolUSA(a liquid solar control paint distributor).

So what should we talk about? I would like this to be an open forum and not just me contributing my two cents worth on window film topics. My goal with this blog is to inform, educate and entertain all readers—with a heavy slant towards dealers. I encourage you to email me with some of your knowledge, suggestions and experiences in all aspects of being a window film dealer. Whether it be a solution to a really difficult install, an effective sales close, a new install trick, attachment techniques or even what type of advertising works. Anyone who shares will be credited for their contribution.

This column is not about me. It’s about being a window film dealer in this ever changing market (both automotive and flat). We can help each other. Every year I attend my film manufacturers’ dealer meeting and it still amazes me how much I learn. Not just from their speakers but more from the after hours conversations with my fellow dealers. We possess a wealth of knowledge and when we share the whole industry benefits.

As a part of this ongoing discussion let’s include a survey each time. Topics can vary widely but for this month I want to know what soap/solution do you use for film installation? In addition to taking the survey below send me an email with the following. Is it different for auto vs. flat? Is it different for different types of film? What is your mixing ratio and is it different for type of films?

Word of the Month
Foofaraw
foofaraw \FOO-fuh-raw\  , noun:
1. Excessive or flashy ornamentation or decoration.
A fuss over a matter of little importance.
The homeowner was staging a foofaraw over one tiny little spec of dust under the newly installed window film which was found using a magnifying glass.