EdgeGuard "On Vehicle" Installation Instructions

EdgeGuard is relatively easy to install. However, to assure proper installation, it's IMPORTANT that you read these directions thoroughly and then follow them carefully.

An experienced individual can install EdgeGuard on a windshield in 20 -- 25 minutes. First time installers may take as much as 1 hour. Do not install EdgeGuard on a cracked or severely pitted windshield.

The greatest challenge in installing EdgeGuard is in preventing minute particles of dirt from being trapped between the EdgeGuard material and the windshield. If this happens, tiny pockets or gaps will form under the material. Although this won't affect the performance of the product, it will affect how it looks on the vehicle. Washing the car, especially the windshield molding, prior to installation is advised. EdgeGuard MUST be installed in a relatively clean, indoor environment such as a garage.

The other important consideration in installing EdgeGuard is in removing all of the special EdgeGuard Application Solution from between the windshield and the material after it's applied. If this is not done, the adhesive will not be crystal clear in all areas of the application. Temperature is also a factor. For best results, EdgeGuard should be installed at air and windshield temperatures between 50° and 95°F.

Below are detailed instructions -- you should read these at least once. To guide you through the actual installation process, we've also provided a quick reference checklist.

After installation:

1. Do not wash your car (and preferably, don't expose it to rain) for 48 hours.
2. Use care when removing ice and snow from your windshield. An ice scraper can scratch and even gouge the EdgeGuard material.
3. Avoid using plastic solvents on your windshield as they may dissolve the EdgeGuard material.

Component Verification and Work Area Preparation

1. Confirm you have all of the following components:
1. EdgeGuard "practice strips" (if necessary)
2. EdgeGuard pattern strip -- Passenger's side bottom
3. EdgeGuard pattern strip -- Driver's side bottom
4. EdgeGuard pattern strip -- Passenger's side top and side
5. EdgeGuard pattern strip -- Driver's side top and side
6. Non-scratching white nylon scrub pad
7. Single edge stainless steel razor blade
8. Blue lint free cloths
9. Bottle, EdgeGuard Application Solution
10. EdgeGuard installation squeegee
11. Glass cleaning solution
12. Roll, paper towels
13. Roll, masking or "Scotch" tape
14. Pair, scissors

2. Park the vehicle in a clean, well-lit, indoor environment where temperatures are between 50° and 95°F.

3. Thoroughly wash your hands.

4. Arrange the installation components provided so that they are within easy reach as you carry out the installation. If you are new to installing EdgeGuard, we strongly suggest you practice with the "practice strips" available so that you can get comfortable installing the product and determine where you want the various components located as you do the installation.

Note: The EdgeGuard material is actually composed of 3 layers.

1. Top side (identification label attached) release film that will be removed and discarded.
2. High-impact, LEXAN^® (link to PDF file) material with adhesive backing.
3. Adhesive side release film that will be removed and discarded.

Pattern Verification

5. Prior to removing the release films from either side of the EdgeGuard material, using several small pieces of tape, "test fit" your 4 pieces of your EdgeGuard material by positioning each on your windshield and confirm they fit per the drawing provided. Trim whatever pieces necessary to assure proper distance between the pieces and between the pieces and your windshield's molding.

6. Remove the EdgeGuard material from your windshield and set aside.

Windshield Surface Preparation

7. For best results, use your glass cleaning solution and a paper towel to clean the painted area surrounding your windshield.

8. Using the windshield cleaning solution and non-scratching white nylon scrub pad provided, aggressively clean the windshield and surrounding molding.

9. Before wiping the glass cleaning solution from the windshield, use the single edge razor blade provided to thoroughly scrape off any foreign material from the outer 6 inches of the windshield surface. This is a critical step!

10. Wipe the windshield clean with one of the blue lint free towels provided.

11. Apply a liberal amount of the special EdgeGuard Application Solution to the entire windshield, and starting at the top, use the squeegee provided to remove as much of the Application Solution as possible. Your windshield should now be as clean as it's ever been. Do NOT take a break. The longer you wait, the more dust will accumulate on your windshield -- increasing the chances of tiny unsightly pockets forming under the EdgeGuard material.

EdgeGuard Material Installation

12. Attach a small piece of tape to the corner of the top side (side with identification label attached) of the Edgeguard material labeled "Passenger's side bottom" and using the tape as a handle, remove the release film.

13. Attach another small piece of masking tape to the corner of the adhesive side of the same piece of EdgeGuard material and peel it back only ý" or so. NEVER allow the adhesive side of the EdgeGuard material to come in contact with anything but the application solution and your windshield. Always hold the material by the edges only.

14. Before the adhesive side release film is removed, liberally spray both sides of the Edgeguard material using the EdgeGuard Application Solution. This minimizes the amount of static electricity that will be developed as you remove the release film and minimize the chances of dust particles adhering to the adhesive side of the EdgeGuard material.

15. Making a mental note of which side is the adhesive side, carefully remove the adhesive side release film from the EdgeGuard material and liberally spray the adhesive side with the EdgeGuard Application Solution. Again, NEVER touch the adhesive side of the EdgeGuard material with your hands.

16. Still using the Application Solution, lightly spray the area where the EdgeGuard material is to be placed and IMMEDIATELY place it on the windshield adhesive side down and slide into position per the drawing provided.

17. While holding the EdgeGuard material in place with one hand, gently squeegee the Application Solution out from beneath the material by working from the center and squeegeeing outward. Repeat this process with increased squeegee pressure until moisture and air bubbles are no longer visible. You may need to lightly spray the EdgeGuard material with the Application Solution to keep the squeegee from grabbing or skipping. Again, the goal is to express most, if not all the remaining moisture from between the EdgeGuard material and your windshield, providing for a securely installed piece.

18. Blot up any residual liquid using a blue lint free towel.

19. Repeat steps 12 -- 18 for the remaining 3 pieces of EdgeGuard material.

20. After all the pieces are in place, look for any bubbles and press out using the squeegee.

21. Allow to dry for a minimum of 2 hours out of direct sunlight.

That's it!

Click here to download a MS Word file containing these directions and a one page checklist summary for use during the actual installation. Word file to be provided.

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