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21 of 23 found the following review helpful:
 No problems!Mar 21, 2011
By Niki911nj
"Nic"
This product was great. We followed the directions and it went up in a snap. Covered what we needed it to and was easy to use. It was simple to put up with two people, I don't know that I would attempt it by myself as it wouldn't be as easy with just two hands, but I'm sure possible. Had no problems cutting it to size. Once it is up you cannot see through it to the inside of the house during the daytime. At night with the lights on you can see in so it is necessary to use shades or curtains. I am happy with the purchase and the product. I would buy this product again.
8 of 8 found the following review helpful:
Easier than it seems. Finished look is great.Sep 07, 2011
By Jason Rittenhouse
If you follow all instructions and use all tools available and use two people (at least for your first time), this is an easy and quick project. However, just plan on ruining the first one you attempt. Once you mess up the first one, you can get a good system down. My wife and I were able to do two windows in an hour (after throwing the first one away because it curled around and stuck to itself) and the second one was a breeze.
1st - Use two people unless it's a very small window or you've done this before. The hardest part it getting the film from the cutting table to the window because it tends to stick to itself. Keep all 4 corners held at all times and use plenty of spray.
2nd - Buy the installation kit that you can get separately. You still will need a squeegee and some other tools but it really helps.
3rd - Follow the video instructions on Gilafilm's website. I didn't even look at the paper instructions.
4th - Don't try and align a "factory edge" of the film to an edge of the window. When you are first putting the film on the window, make sure there is an extra inch or two all around and just get it on there flat. Trying to align an edge perfectly just makes the film stick to the wrong spot on the window or curl up at a corner and stick to itself.
5th - Use plenty of application spray and don't apply the film to a window that's in direct sunlight if you can avoid it for your first time. The spray dries very quickly otherwise.
I was very happy with the finished look. From the outside looking in, you can only see objects that are very close to the window inside, even if you get close to the window (in daylight of course). And inside, the room is noticeably darker and less warm by the window.
I just ordered a 2nd one to do another window.
66 of 86 found the following review helpful:
 Once again Amazon fails miserablyJul 22, 2008
By Andrew G. Hardy
"DRM Free"
Amazon, as per usual, fails to provide anything even halfways close to a full product description here.
This product is NOT "static cling". It is virtually the same as automotive window tint and that means that you had better have the artistic skill of a freakin' DeVinci to apply it.
It claims to be "easy" to apply and remove, but if you're new to this stuff, you'll probably destroy half a roll before you figure out how to make it work and if you go to your local big box store to buy it, you'll see "removal kits" being sold which include a razor scraper and solvent, so maybe NOT so easy to remove after all, I would guess.
Get the application kit and an extra bottle of application solution spray. Do NOT use regular glass cleaner because it'll react with the adhesive and blister like crazy.
Don't apply the film when it's hot or your application spray will dry up too quick and the film will stick to itself and become so fouled that you'll need to toss it in the trash.
If you're looking for a do-it-yourself project that'll have you inventing new curse words, then look no further!
16 of 21 found the following review helpful:
 HorrificJun 05, 2011
By xylenol15
I read all the instructions prior to installing the product several times and even watched the online installation video, partly because once I watched the video it became clear that installation was not "Easy as 1-2-3!".
First of all, when I took the roll out of the box there were already creases on the first four inches, which is already grounds for returning the item in my opinion, since I bought this for around $30. This would be a harbinger of things to come. I rolled the film out carefully on a flat tabletop, and put a piece of scotch tape one either side to remove the backing as described in the installation video. Unfortunately, getting the tape off proved difficult, and I struggled not to tear or scratch the film in the process. Eventually I gave up and decided it would be better to remove it when the film was on the window, but as soon as I removed about 1/5 of the backing all pretense of good behavior vanished as the film fervently began to collapse in on itself, it's low mass and the substantial static cling created as the backing was removed creating a perfect storm of crinkly vinyl. In a panic I pinned down one corner with my hand, discovering that the static cling, far from being a useful phenomenon working in tandem with the product, was in fact as I had feared an inconvenient accompaniment to a tenacious adhesive backing which was only too happy to steal the dead skin cells and oils off my fingertips. Swearing hurriedly, I laid the film flat and returned the backing and had one of my friends help me. Unfortunately, at some point to keep removing the film you have to pull the backing towards the center, and every time the film would bunch up and stick to itself. Mechanically, this film behaves as some unholy combination of cling wrap and aluminum foil and is much harder to work with than either. It clings to itself as cling wrap does, but it also creases permanently in the manner of aluminum foil, so it's much less forgiving. You really only have one shot to get it right, and the static cling turns a difficult task into one that felt nearly impossible. I will be returning my roll of Gila mirror film and will make a point next time of choosing a film without adhesive designed to use static cling instead.
6 of 7 found the following review helpful:
Works wonderfully; you notice the difference immediatelyJul 21, 2011
By G. Poirier
"educator, mountain biker, camper, traveler... fight on!"
I have covered three bedroom windows and two smaller ornamental windows with this film. I had very little trouble. If you follow the instructions EXACTLY as they are given and you use the kit that Gila makes, it works very well. If you are not handy at all, you might have trouble. But, I consider myself an apprentice do-it-yourself-er. I can patch drywall, paint a room, install a ceiling fan (though, I haven't wired it; we used a swag cord and a conduit cover) and change a lightswitch. So, I never had tinted any windows before.
Clean your windows first. I would think this goes without saying, but maybe not.
It helps if you have two people to do it, you and a helper. First, measure the actual glass you're covering. Then, add an inch on both dimensions. Next, measure the film. Do it twice. Measure twice, cut once! Use a straight edge like a metal tape measure to keep your cut from wandering. Then, put tape on both sides of the film in the corner. Fold the top of the tap over so it sticks to itself and makes a little tab sticking out from the corner of the film. This way you can pull the tape pieces and the liner will come off of the film. Now, you know which side is the sticky side.
Use the water solution (the stuff that Gila sells in the application kit) and spray first the outside of the film then the sticky side. Only spray the sticky side as you take off the clear liner. THIS IS WHERE YOU NEED THE HELPER! Have one person hold the film up and the other spray and pull the liner off.
Did you spray the window, too? If not, do that right now. Now, apply the film. Smooth it out. If you were generous with the spray, this is really easy. Use the squeegee tool and, starting from the middle, squeegee the film. Water will run down the sides and you will remove bubbles.
Is there a big bubble? No worries! You can peel it back, wet it, and re-set the film. Usually you can do this up to 24 hours after the application, according to the instructions.
Finally, after you squeegee both sides top to bottom, you're ready to trim the film. You should have at least a 1/2 inch of overlap on all four sides. I think this is easiest. First, I made a diagonal cut from the corner of the glass to the outside of the film. That's not in the instructions but I thought it made the whole thing easier. I used my sharp Swiss Army knife. Then, using the cutter in the Gila kit, cut the film to fit the glass. I used the squeegee to go ahead of the cutter and help the film get closer to the edge. See, the spray will get under the film and until you cut it, the film will rise up a little. Going carefully, I got a pretty good edge. Take your time and cut carefully. That's all I can say.
Finally, spray the film again and squeegee. My guess is, if you follow these directions along with what's included in the box, you're going to save yourself some cash! The room will be cooler and you'll have some privacy since the film is a mirror during the daytime. Note: at night, if you have the light on in the room then the film is see-through. You will still need blinds or curtains or similar.
I'm very happy with this film. I think the negative reviews are either angry professional tint installers or people who didn't follow instructions. Or, simply unlucky people. My bedroom, my daughter's bedroom, and the master bath all have tinted windows now. There are no bubbles at all. From the outside, they look professionally done to me.
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based on 16 reviews
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