FAQ's

Sticky Back Plastic

What tools do I need to apply d-c-fix® sticky back plastic?

To cut and apply the film you will need the following items:

• scissors
• pen
• ruler
• sharp knife (e.g. craft knife or similar)
• squeegee
• a clean cloth.
  
  

On what surfaces can I use d-c-fix® sticky back plastic?

The film can be applied on almost any clean (dust and grease free) flat surfaces like walls, doors, appliances, furniture, bench tops, cupboards, windows and anything else you can think of. If applied on untreated wood like chipboard or plywood, we suggest you use a sealer or primer on the surface first. If unsure if the vinyl will adhere to the surface it's always best to order a small sample first and try it on the surface. 

How do I cut the film?

Place the film in front of you with the printed grid system up. Use the grids for straight lines and mark with a pen your required shape. Allow for about 4mm extra on each side as it may be tricky to place the film exactly where you want it to be. The extra millimeters can easily be cut off with your sharp knife once the film is applied to your chosen surface. 

1. Start by placing the film with the backing paper on the surface (the grid system is facing the item and the sticky back plastic pattern is facing you). Make sure that you have an overhang on all edges. 
2. Gently peel away a small part of one corner and pull the backing paper slowly downwards. Now place the exposed sticky film on the surface. Don't forget to allow for the overhang. Use your cloth or squeegee to smoothen down the film. Start from the centre and work your way out to each side in order to avoid air bubbles. Now the sticky back plastic is stuck to a small part of the surface and won't glide around.
3. Now slowly pull the backing paper with one hand and whilst you smooth the film on to the surface with your cloth or squeegee. This is the tricky part so it pays off to take extra care. If you make a mistake you can easily remove the film and start all over again. The idea is to pull the backing paper as you go and only expose a small part of the sticky back at the time. This is to allow for a smooth and bubble free surface and to avoid the sticky back to stick to unwanted surfaces and tangle.
4. When you are happy with the result, use your sharp knife and gently cut off the overhang.

How do I remove bubbles in the film?

Should there be any bubbles after applying the film you can either:

1. gently lift the film until you reach the bubble and start smoothing down the sticky back again using your cloth or squeegee; or
2. if close to the edge, try to smooth out the air using your squeegee; or
3. gently pop the bubble with a small sharp needle and smooth out the air through the hole.

It is always best to use a width of a film that is wider than your intended surface. If your surface is wider than the width of the roll you can use another length next to the first. In every possible way try to place the edge where it's least visible and exposed.  Make a 10mm overlap (like you do with wallpaper) to avoid that any of the backing surface is exposed. If the edges are likely to be exposed to wet conditions (e.g. in a bathroom or kitchen bench top) or accidentally to be touch very often, it is recommended to use a sealer.

Yes you can order them from here.  It is important for us that you are completely satisfied with your film selection and the best way to find out which film is right for you is by viewing and testing it. We take extra care and try to make all our images look as close to the pattern as possible but there might be some variation in reality. Colours may also appear different between different devices. Our sample pieces are 14.5cm*20cm.

Since all our films are printed there might be a small colour variation between rolls, which is most of the time not noticeable. We recommend you to order all the film you require for the project at the same time to make sure they are sent from the same roll. 

We would like you to be delighted with your order so you can tell all your friends and family about our company! Unfortunately we don't offer any return nor exchanges unless an item is faulty. Therefore, we recommend our customers, if unsure about a product, to order a sample first.

In what width are the d-c-fix® films available?

Our films are available in 45cm, 67.5cm and 90cm wide rolls. 

Our sticky back plastic is available in 2m / 15m rolls. Some patterns are available in 1.5m and 2.1m instead of 2m and 10m instead of 15m.

Our static cling window film is available in 1.5m / 15m rolls. Our sun protection films are available in 2m rolls.

All our films are approximately 0.1mm thick which is less than a writing paper.

Yes you can use it in places such as bathrooms, kitchen and laundry. We highly recommend that you seal the edges with silicone for extra protection. 

Although the product's purpose is for an indoor environment it can be used outdoor as well. Due to weather exposure from sun, wind and rain the expected life time is approximately one to three years. The material may fade and become brittle by time and it could potential lift from the surface if the edges are exposed to too much wetness. We recommend you to seal the edges if this is the case. 

d-c-fix® is for shorter periods of time heat resistant up to 75°C. 

d-c-fix® can be cleaned with the most common cleaning products. We recommend you to clean the film with soapy water. 

Is the d-c-fix® sticky back plastic fire safe?

d-c-fix® is made of pvc and is therefore not fire safe, just like other plastic products.

d-c-fix® is made of pvc, monomeric calendered film. The adhesive is water based acrylic and solvent free. The backing paper is 60 g/m2 printed with a grid of centimeters

d-c-fix® is manufactured in Germany.

The d-c-fix® brand has been around since 1958. They have a long success story and are the global leader on the market. 

The d-c-fix® adhesive is solvent-free. It is free from heavy metals and is printed with water based ink. It is light fast to DIN EN ISO 105-B02 and abrasion and scouring resistant to DIN EN ISO 105-X12. If used as specified, it is even safe in children's room.

Start by gently pulling one corner as if you were removing a sticker. The process is easier if the film is heated with a hairdryer on its coolest setting. Any adhesive residue can be removed with ethanol or warm soapy water.

Window Film

1. Cut the film  to the desired dimensions. 
2. The glass surface should be free from grease and dust. Spray it sufficiently with a mixture of cold water and a few drops of dish soap.
3. Remove the film entirely from the backing paper. Start at one edge and place the film on the glass surface. Then let the rest of the film slowly slide on the glass. If necessary move the film carefully on the glass to its final position.
4. Use a squeegee to squeeze out the water between the film and the glass. Always work from the middle to the edges.
5. Remove remaining water on the film with a towel.

Please note that:

• When applied to a glass surface the space between the film and the window frame or rubber seal must be a minimum of 2mm at each side.
• Static films can only be applied to flat and smooth glass surfaces (including acrylic glass). For satined and structured glass surfaces self-adhesive films are recommended.
• If a static film is to be used after a while when it has not been applied on glass, it should be cleaned first. Therefore, carefully remove dirt and dust from the adherent side of the film with clear water.
• Static window films resist temperatures between -10 to +50°C.
• The static cling can easily be removed and reused. 

In this video you can see how static cling window film is applied:

Self-Adhesive Tiles

On what surfaces can the tiles be applied to?

The tiles are suitable for kitchen, bathroom, laundry room and motorhome splashbacks. Recommended surfaces include:

• smooth ceramic tiles
• smooth glass tiles
• wall panel (acrylic)
• wall linoleum
• mirror
• wallpaper

Not recommended surfaces:

• stucco wall
• stone wall
• unfinished wall (gypsum or plaster)
• unpainted plywood

How do I install the tiles?

How do I prepare my walls / splash back for optimal adhesion?

It's crucial to make sure that the surface is correctly prepared for optimal adhesion and durability. The surface needs to be clean from dust and grease. Make sure that you use a powerful grease remover that is recommended for your surface. Let the surface dry completely before application. 

You may want to consider scrubbing painted surfaces with a high grit sandpaper. This will help removing the oily layer and the tiles will stick better to the surface. 

What size is each sheet?

Each sheet is approximately 25cm x 25cm x 0.2cm. There is a small variation between the different designs and some are only 23cm. Please refer to each model for their individual dimensions. There are no edge pieces. You will need to cut a the first and last sheet to make a straight edge. The overlapping are is reduced by 2cm-3.3cm depending on design. 

Can the tiles be removed?

Yes. Heat them with a hairdryer and pull carefully. 

Are the tiles bendable?

Yes they are slightly bendable and can be used for curved wall areas (e.g. in buses, caravans, camper vans)

Are the tiles water proof?

Yes the surface of the tiles are waterproof.

Can the tiles be used in the bathroom?

Yes they can be used for the splashback or walls in the bathroom and are humidity and water resistant.

Can the tiles be used in the shower?

It's not recommended to use them in the shower. The surface of the tiles are waterproof, but overlapping parts can be weakened in places where there is a lot of water.

Are the tiles heat resistant?

Yes the tiles are both humidity and heat resistant once applied. They are not easily damaged by hot oil. 

Are they suitable for behind the cooktop in the kitchen?

Yes the tiles are both humidity and heat resistant once applied. They are not easily damaged by hot oil. If installed behind a gas range without a protective rear panel, allow a length of 20cm above the surface to prevent the tiles from coming in contact with open flame.

What tools do I need to install the tiles?

You don't need any special tiling tools but the installation will be easier with the following:

• grease-remover
• pen for marking
• ruler / plain and a level for cutting and marking a straight line
• scissors or craft knife
• cutting board (optional)
• application kit (optional)

What material are the tiles made of?

Tic Tac Tiles are made of a thick moulded plastic (epoxy). They have a 3D gel effect and a self-adhesive back. 

Where are they manufactured?

Tic Tac Tiles are manufactured in Korea.

How do I treat a primed and painted wall?

If you have used a primer on your wall, make sure that you allow enough time for it to cure before applying the tiles. The curing time for a primer is normally around 72 hours. A primer will make untreated surfaces like plywood, plaster and gypsum more uniform. Most primers are fine but don't use Zinsser as some chemical components may effect the adherence of the tiles. 

If you decide to paint your wall you will need to prime it first. Wait at least 21 days until you apply the tiles to allow enough time for the paint to dry completely. Auroa  by Benjamin Moore is the only known paint to avoid that may harm the adherence of the tiles. 

What lifetime can I expect from the tiles?

Tic Tac Tiles are highly tested and can be permanent if installed correctly. For best results make sure that you follow the following guidelines:

Wait a period of three (3) weeks before affixing Tic Tac Tiles on a freshly painted wall to allow the paint to penetrate and dry thoroughly.

The surface must be smooth and undamaged.

The surface must be clean and dry.

You should clean the surface with a degreaser such as T.S.P. (trisodium phosphate).

During installation, the ambient temperature must be at least 18 °C and should not exceed 35 °C.

Tic Tac Tiles should not be exposed to direct steam, or be in direct contact with a heat source and should not be submerged in water (do not install in the shower).

To install behind a gas range without a protective rear panel, allow a height of 20 centimetres above the surface to prevent the tiles from coming in contact with open flame. If there is a wall to the right or left side of the range, Tic Tac Tiles must be installed at least six centimetres away.

Keep a distance of six centimetres between an oven toaster grill and the wall covered with Tic Tac Tiles.

If you decide to remove the Tic Tac Tiles once they have been firmly applied, they cannot be reused.

Tic Tac Tiles are not designed to cover a floor, countertop or work surface, or to serve as a trivet.

For maintenance, you should only use a mild non-abrasive product.

If you are unsure of what design to choose or if the tiles are suitable for your surface, we recommend that you order a sample first before purchasing a whole pack. 

For more information and how to install the tiles please watch this short tutorial: