"Did you replace the seals yourself or hire someone? I've been debating tackling mine, but not sure if it's worth the hassle... How tricky was it?"
I did mine myself last fall, and honestly, it wasn't as intimidating as I thought it'd be. Watched a couple YouTube vids first, then took it step-by-step. The trickiest part was carefully removing the old seals without damaging the frame—just take your time there. Once that's done, cleaning the area thoroughly before applying the new seals makes a huge difference. Definitely doable if you're patient and have a free afternoon.
Totally agree, patience is key. Did mine last summer—biggest hassle was scraping off the leftover adhesive residue. A plastic scraper and some rubbing alcohol helped a ton. Worth it though, windows look brand new now.
"biggest hassle was scraping off the leftover adhesive residue"
Yeah, adhesive removal can be tedious. Did you notice any scratches or marks afterward? I'm considering a heat gun next time to soften things up—wondering if anyone's tried that route yet.
I get the appeal of a heat gun, but honestly, I'd tread carefully with that. Last summer, when I first moved into my place, I tried using one to remove some old window film adhesive, thinking it'd speed things up. It did loosen the adhesive alright, but it also softened the paint around the window frame. Ended up having to repaint the whole trim—wasn't exactly thrilled about spending an entire weekend on that.
What worked better for me (and with less collateral damage) was just plain old rubbing alcohol and patience. Yeah, it took longer, but at least I wasn't left with unintended DIY projects afterward. Scraping aggressively tends to leave scratches or marks too easily, especially if you're dealing with older glass or wooden frames. I learned that the hard way on my first window—still bugs me every time I notice those faint scrape marks.
If you do go the heat gun route, maybe test it out on a small hidden section first? At least then you know what you're getting into before committing to the whole window. Either way though, removing adhesive residue is always going to be a bit of a drag... seems like there's no perfect solution, just trade-offs.
"What worked better for me (and with less collateral damage) was just plain old rubbing alcohol and patience."
I hear you, rubbing alcohol can definitely be safer on delicate surfaces, but personally I've had mixed results with it. Last year, I tackled some stubborn leftover adhesive from privacy film on my bathroom window. Thought I'd go the gentle route first—grabbed the rubbing alcohol and got to work. After about half an hour of scrubbing and barely making a dent, I realized it wasn't cutting it (literally). Maybe my adhesive was different or older, who knows.
Anyway, what ended up surprisingly effective for me was just a hairdryer on medium heat combined with a plastic scraper. Not as intense as a heat gun, so less risk of melting paint or damaging wood trim. It softened the glue just enough without getting overly hot. Still had to be careful—I learned quickly to keep moving the dryer around instead of holding it too long in one spot—but overall it felt like a good middle ground.
Totally agree about aggressive scraping though... that's an easy way to ruin your day (and your windows). I still cringe seeing those faint scratches from my impatient first attempts.
I guess it's all about finding that balance between effectiveness and caution. Maybe the key is less about the exact method and more about being patient enough to test small areas first? Either way, window adhesive removal seems destined to be frustrating no matter how you slice it...
"Maybe the key is less about the exact method and more about being patient enough to test small areas first?"
Yeah, I think you're onto something there. Patience is definitely the unsung hero in these DIY battles. I've had my share of window adhesive nightmares too, and honestly, rubbing alcohol was hit or miss for me as well. It worked great on some lighter residue, but when it came to the really stubborn stuff—forget it. Felt like I was just smearing it around rather than actually removing anything.
Funny you mentioned the hairdryer trick—I stumbled onto that method by accident a couple years back. My wife had put up some decorative film on our kitchen window, and after a few seasons of sun baking it on, it was practically fused to the glass. I tried alcohol first (of course), then vinegar, even WD-40... nothing budged it. Finally, out of sheer desperation, I grabbed her hairdryer and started heating up a corner. Lo and behold, it peeled off like magic after a minute or two of warming up. Wish I'd known that sooner and saved myself an afternoon of frustration.
I agree though—keeping the dryer moving is key. Learned that lesson the hard way when I accidentally warped a plastic blind slat nearby... oops. Thankfully it wasn't noticeable unless you knew exactly where to look.
Anyway, glad you found something that worked for you without too much collateral damage. Seems like window adhesive removal is one of those universal homeowner rites of passage—annoying as heck, but oddly satisfying once you finally conquer it.
I can definitely relate to the hairdryer method, but honestly, I've had mixed results. Last winter I tried removing some ancient privacy film from our bathroom window—probably there since the 90s—and the dryer barely made a dent. Ended up carefully scraping it off with a razor blade after heating small sections. Took forever, but patience and steady hands did the trick without scratching the glass...mostly.
Yeah, the hairdryer trick can be hit or miss depending on how old and stubborn the film is. Sounds like you handled it pretty well though, especially considering it was probably baked onto that window for decades. I've had similar experiences—some films practically peel themselves after a bit of heat, while others cling like their lives depend on it.
One thing I've found helpful with really stubborn stuff is using a heat gun instead of a hairdryer. The higher temp range can soften up even the most ancient adhesive. You just gotta be careful not to linger too long in one spot or you'll risk cracking the glass. But honestly, your razor blade method is solid—tedious for sure, but effective if you're patient and steady-handed.
Anyway, props for sticking with it despite the hassle. DIY window film removal is definitely one of those projects that tests your patience and perseverance...sounds like you passed!
I've been down that road too, and honestly, the razor blade method is still my go-to. Heat guns are great, but I've seen friends get a little too enthusiastic and end up with cracked glass—talk about an expensive lesson. Patience and a steady hand usually win out for me, even if it means taking a coffee break every half-hour to keep my sanity intact. Glad you got through it; foggy windows are a battle worth winning, especially in winter.
Totally agree on the razor blade method—slow and steady wins every time. I've also found that keeping the blade at a shallow angle helps avoid scratches. Learned that one the hard way... glass isn't forgiving, that's for sure.