| Measuring Your Project: |
| The first rule to follow
is "always order too much". When measuring your project, first, measure
the length, then measure
the height of the counter. Add 2" to the
length + the height. If your counter is an "L" shape, figure your length to the farthest
point on each side. Then add the height, and then add 2". |
| Ordering Your
Granite: |
| Our granite film is 35"
wide. Measure your countertop's length and the height. Always add 2" to the amount you
order for a "fudge factor". The last thing you want is
to get your film in, have your counter ready for the install and then not have enough film to
complete the project. |
| Timming the Film: |
| Don't be too quick to trim your film. It's
always best to ready the mating surface and then lay the film down on the counter. Make
sure you've measured correctly. Use the markings on the backing to make clean cut
lines. We recommend using a quality straight edge, especially when cutting a edge which
will be spliced to another sheet along the countertop. If the film is cut correctly,
splices can hardly be seen. Wait to trim the excess film along the bottom of the sides
until the heated film cools (see "using heat guns" below). |
| Readying the Mating Surface: |
| One of the most important
items on your checklist is readying the mating surface. The smoother and cleaner the mating
surface is the better the result. The surface must be smooth. Any bumps or rises on the
surface may show through. Although the granite film is extremely forgiving in this area, we
still recommend the surface be absolutely smooth. It must also be cleaned of any dirt or
residual oils. It is best to clean the countertop with a vinegar water solution once it has
been thoroughly cleaned with soapy water. The vinegar water solution will clean any residual
chemicals which could interact with the adhesive on the granite. |
| Installing the film: |
| Once the mating surface is
ready and the film is cut, it's time to spray the mating
surface with soapy water. The soapy water deactivates the adhesive long enough for the film
to be manipulated into place. Once the film is in place, use a squeegee from the center out,
which causes the soapy water to move away from the center of the film. Once the water is moved
outward, the adhesive will attach to the mating surface and the film will stabilize in it's
position. You will still be able to move the film
around at this point in order to position it properly.
Use a soft cloth to further smooth out the film applying a constant pressure. Once the film is in the proper position, it's time to secure the corners
and edges. Time to break out the heat gun! |
| What about Corners and Edges? |
| Most existing non-granite countertops have some sort of mitered edging. To
make your granite film look like a real granite countertop, the film must conform to this mitered edge and it must adhere well. This is where a
heat gun comes into play. Once the granite countertop is installed and the soapy water
squeezed out, it's time to heat the edges of the film. Watch the videos below to see how the
heat gun is used to make the film very plyable. The heat also causes the adhesive to boil
which helps the cementing process. Once the film has been conformed to the edging, the
cooling of the adhesive will make the cement strong. |
| |
|
Click HERE to
learn about heat guns!
|
|
Featured in this section are some
amateur videos of the installation process. The
videos are very amateur, but the content is great. From
these videos you can get the feel of working with the film. Pay particular attention to the
use of tools in the process (i.e. exacto knife, heat gun, squeegee). Even though the process
was not shown on most of these videos, we recommend the use of the "Wet Method" installation
process.
|
Breakfast Bar
Center Island
|
|
