Frequently Asked Questions

3M™ Scotchtint™ Films are professionally applied by skilled, well-trained authorized 3M Dealers. Almost all of our films are designed to be applied to the inside of your glass.

The first step is to prepare the window area for the application; placing drop cloths on the floor protecting and/or moving furniture where necessary.

Next, the window glass is cleaned using simple cleaning solutions (often water and ammonia) and razor blade scrapers. Then the film is sprayed with a slip solution (detergent and water) for proper positioning, and applied to the window glass. Using a professional grade squeegee and following proper techniques, the application is completed by removing excess water, trimming the edges, and a final squeegee technique to dry the edges.

3M™ Scotchtint™ Window Films are warranted to maintain their solar properties without bubbling, peeling, cracking, or crazing. Many of our films are warranted against discoloration, too. (Those which do not use dyed polyesters). Should the product proved to be defective, 3M and the authorized 3M™ Scotchtint™ dealer will replace the film and provide the reapplication labor free of charge.

Seller also warrants against glass failure due to thermal shock fracture or seal failure (maximum value of $500 per window) caused only as a direct result of the application of 3M™ Scotchtint™ films (or 3M™ Scotchshield™ Films) provided the film is applied to recommended types of glass and the glass failure is reported to the seller within the specified time (listed below) from the start of the installation.

• Sixty (60) months coverage against thermal shock fracture
• Forty (40) months coverage against seal failure if covered by original window manufacturer

Any glass failure covered by this warranty must be reviewed by Seller prior to repair, and only covers film and glass replacement.

Optional Platinum Warranty - Residential Applications Only
The 3M Platinum Warranty matches the terms and conditions of the residential customer's existing window manufacturer's warranty for a mere $.35/square foot. This allows the customer continuous coverage on new windows and the peace of mind having assurance that a product from 3M is protecting their investment.

Contact your local 3M dealer for details.

The application of 3M™ Scotchtint™ will increase the temperature of your sunlit glass which will increase the stress on the glass edges. The quality of those glass edges and several other factors (external shading, interior shading, glass history, type of film, size/shape of glass, indoor/outdoor temperature) all contribute to the potential risk of glass breakage.

3M's thirty (30) years of experience with applying 3M™ Scotchtint™ Window Films to different types of glass enables us to make proper film/glass recommendations and minimize the potential for glass breakage. In addition, we support these recommendations with our 60-month glass breakage warranty against thermal shock fracture. Should the glass break within 60-months of application, 3M; will replace the glass (maximum $500.00 with a $25.00 consumer deductible, or 5% of replacement cost, whichever is greater per claim), and the dealer will replace the film.

No, 3M™ Scotchtint™ Window Films do not cause seal failure. We've been applying 3M™ Scotchtint™ films to insulated windows for over 30 years with several millions of square feet of film applied to date.

When recommended films are applied to the inside pane of an insulated glass unit, there will be some absorption (except with clear safety films) of the sun's energy, which will increase the temperature of the glass pane. Some of this heat will transmit to the airspace, slightly raising the airspace temperature. However, even a 20 F degree increase (unusual for most films) will result in a less than 3% change in air pressure, whereas properly made units are designed and tested to withstand 22% changes in air pressure.

Risk of seal failure is greatly determined by the quality of workmanship and the quality of the materials that go into building the insulated glass units. The best guard against seal failure is to purchase well-made units from reputable window manufacturers that have solid experience and histories with insulated units.

Nothing completely stops fading. 3M™ Scotchtint™ Films are designed to help reduce the major causes of fading (ultra violet light, visible light, and solar heat), thus prolonging the life of your furnishings, perhaps as much as two to five times.

Keep in mind the article(s) to be protected; if they have a typical life of five (5) years then they may last ten (10) years to much longer depending on the performance of the film selected. However, if the typical life is only 2-3 weeks, then the expectation should be expressed in terms of months.

As a general rule of thumb, ultra violet (UV) is approximately 40% of the cause, visible light is about 25%, and heat about 25%. The remaining 10% can be attributed to humidity, pollutants, interior lights, dye stability, and more.

3M™ Scotchshield™ Ultra Safety and Security Window Films are designed to make glass shatter-resistant by holding the glass pieces together when broken.

Compared to 3M™ Scotchtint™ films, 3M™ Scotchshield™ Window Films are made with thicker polyester and a much thicker, more aggressive adhesive, 3M™ Scotchshield™ Ultra Films are unique in the industry; they are built using a special micro-layered polyester technology which increases the films' tear resistance significantly. Pound for pound, the impact and tear resistance of Scotchshield Ultra films outperform all other films of similar thickness.

No, 3M™ Scotchshield™ Ultra Films are not hurricane-proof, earthquake-proof, bullet-proof, bomb-proof, nor burglar-proof. Again, they are designed to make the window glass more shatter-resistant.

In the event of a windstorm, these films may have significant safety and security value. They can reduce the risk of injury from flying shards of broken glass, and possibly help prevent debris and water penetration through the window depending on the severity of the storm (and the type of glass, framing system, size and velocity of objects, and more).

In an earthquake, these films can reduce the risk of serious injury from flying shards of broken glass, and possible prevent glass from falling out of a home or building. Again, much may depend upon the severity of the quake (and the type of glass, framing system, and more, too).

Bullets: these films are not designed to stop bullets.

3M™ Scotchshield™ Films were originally developed to address international concerns and needs for improved safety and security against terrorist acts of bombings. These films can significantly reduce the risk of serious injury from flying shards of glass due to blasts, however, much depends upon the severity of the blast and the proximity of the window glass to the blast (and glass type, framing system, and more too).

3M™ Scotchshield™ Ultra Films are a low profile, high performance measure of security in the battle against 'smash and grab' crime. The tough, shatter-resistant qualities of the film can hold the window glass together even if a brick (or similar object) were actually to pass through the glass. The thief must now make a choice; continue to attack this window, try another window, or move on. Time is short, and often they move on. However, if they are determined to gain entry, they will get in. It is generally recommended that the property have proper alarm systems in addition to Scotchshield ultra Window Film.

This is difficult to answer with any degree of certainty because it is difficult to test for this. Window glass varies in strength from piece to piece, and lot to lot. So, if a 3M™ Scotchshield™ protected window were impacted, yet, failed to break, it would be difficult to determine if the glass alone, the film alone, or the film and glass together resisted the breakage.

When glass breaks, 3M™ Scotchshield™ Ultra Film demonstrates it's best performance!

No one has more experience with Window Film than 3M. In fact, not only did 3M issue the very first patent on 3M™ Window Film in 1966, but today we're still the only manufacturer that produces our own raw materials such as polyesters, adhesives, metals and scratch-resistant coatings. This gives us the quality control and product consistency other manufacturers just can't match.

What's more, we have a core of carefully screened authorized dealers who are trained by 3M to professionally install your 3M™ Window Film correctly. And 3M™ Window Film is backed by a warranty that covers 100% of materials and labor.* It's the most comprehensive warranty you can get.

That, along with 3M's worldwide reputation as the adhesive experts, means you can rest assured knowing 3M™ Window Film is safe for your windows, and safe for you.

For more information, or the name of the authorized 3M Window Film Distributor nearest you,