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FAQ Sticky Back Plastic

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.

These surfaces are OK:

  • wood
  • worktops
  • flat glass
  • laminate
  • flat wall tiles (not the grout)
  • laminate
  • veneers
  • marble
  • metal
  • painted/plastered walls
  • plastic
  • mirror
  • primed MDF
  • Radiator covers
Avoid:

  • brick wall
  • stone wall
  • embossed / bevelled glass
  • dirty surfaces
  • wet areas e.g showers
  • fire surrounds
  • damp surfaces
  • raw MDF
  • radiators
  • floors 


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 5cm extra on each side as it may be tricky to place the film exactly where you want it to be. The extra centimeters can easily be cut off with your sharp knife once the film is applied to your chosen surface. 


How do I apply the d-c-fix® sticky back plastic to the 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 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 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.

How do I apply d-c-fix® sticky back plastic to curved surfaces?

Heat the film with a hairdryer on the coolest setting. Gently smooth the film and press it onto the surface as you warm it. Make sure you don't pull the film too hard whilst it's warm as it may overstretch. We recommend that you try it a few times with a sample or an off cut first until you get the technique right. You may want to use a glow or sock on your hand to protect your fingers from the heat.




Can I patch the d-c-fix® if the width of one roll isn't wide enough?

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 2-5mm 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. Overlaps with wood grain designs are not really visible to the eye. You don't need to think about matching the design. For glossy finishes it's important to try and match the design of the first length for optimal result. 


Can I use sticky back plastic on bench tops and table tops?
Yes you can. Sticky back plastic can take heat up to 75°C and is both water and alcohol resistant. It's possible to prepare food and bakings directly on the surface and it's easy to wipe clean with a damp cloth. Avoid food with strong colouring like turmeric and curry spices, grinded coffee, food colouring and tomato sauce. They may stain the surfaces in simliar ways they can do to painted surfaces. Treat the vinyl the same way a normal bench top should be treated. This mean don't put anything hot from the stove on the surface (a cuppa is normally fine), use cutting boards at all time and avoid scratching / moving heavy and sharp objects around on the surface.


How do I apply sticky back plastic around a stove top and sink?
There are two methods to do this:
  1. Cut the vinyl in four pieces and apply around the stove top or sink. Make a small overlap where the pieces meet.
  2. Cut a hole for the stove top or sink before you apply it. Make sure that the hole is slightly smaller so that you can trim off excess vinyl and get a perfect finish when applied. 

Can sticky back plastic be applied on kitchen and bathroom cupboards with grooves?
Yes you can. Use a hair dryer to heat up the vinyl so that you can shape it to the shape of the grooves. 


Can I order samples?

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.


Could it be a slight variation in colours between different rolls of the same pattern?

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. 


What is your return policy?

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. 


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

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.


My project requires a longer length than 2m but shorter than 15, Can you split a roll?

Sorry we can't split any rolls. Our warehouse is not clean enough to keep unwrapped rolls. In some cases you can combine two lengths but it's recommended to use one length wherever possible. 


Can I custom order a different size of a roll (e.g. wider than 90cm or a different length)?

Sorry we can't take any custom orders. All rolls come to us straight from the manufacturer in standard roll sizes.


Will there be any different roll sizes in the future?

We have requested wider rolls and medium long rolls from our manufacturer. At the moment they don't have any plans for any new roll sizes. 
 


How thick is the d-c-fix® film?

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


Can I use the d-c-fix® sticky back plastic in damp areas?

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. 


Can I use the d-c-fix® sticky back plastic outdoors?

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. 


How heat resistant is the film?

d-c-fix® sticky back plastic can comfortably take temperatures between -10°C and 40°C and up to 75°C  for shorter periods of time. 


What products can I use to clean the film?

d-c-fix® can be cleaned with the most common non-abrasive cleaning products. We recommend you to clean the film with soapy water. Avoid using cleaning products containing chlorine that can bleach or discolour the vinyl. 


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.


What material is d-c-fix® made of?

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


Where is d-c-fix® manufactured?

d-c-fix® is manufactured in Germany.


How long has d-c-fix® been on the market?

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


How environmentally friendly are the d-c-fix® films?

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.


How do I remove the d-c-fix® sticky back plastic?

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. The vinyl will come off fine most of the time without damaging the surface or leaving any marks behind. If the surface wasn't flat (e.g flaky paint), consist of particle board, paper, or paint that had not properly cured you may find that the some of the surface may come off.