How to Apply Window Decals for Birds

DECALS:

Below are detailed instructions for how to apply window decals for birds:

  1. WindowAlert decals may be used only on an exterior glass surface-free of any overlay, tinting, film, or coating.
  2. Clean glass thoroughly. Make sure glass is free of chemicals and cleaners before applying decals.
  3. Decals are best applied when glass is warm (greater than 50 degrees Fahrenheit). If applied during winter months, clean glass with warm water prior to application.
  4. Peel decal from paper backing. The same side that was against the paper goes the against the glass.
  5. Place decals on the outside of the window. Concentrate decals at center then work out, placing decals at a minimum on every two feet of glass. For optimal protection, scientific studies suggest placing decals four inches horizontal by two inches vertical from one another.
  6. UV coating will fade based on exposure and local elevation. For best results, replace decals every four months or test with the WindowAlert UV Flashlight.
  7. Position out of reach of infants and small children.
  8. Restore static cling by rinsing in lukewarm water.

UV LIQUID:

  1. WindowAlert UV Liquid may be used only on an exterior glass surface that is free of any overlay, tinting, film, or coating.
  2. Apply UV Liquid when glass is cool to the touch (early morning, overcast, shade, etc.). Cool conditions allow UV Liquid to slowly dry to clear.
  3. Clean glass thoroughly. Make sure glass is free of chemicals and cleaners before applying decals.
  4. Invert the bottle and press the felt tip against a cloth towel to break the seal behind the felt tip. You will hear a click.
  5. Very gently touch UV Liquid marker to the glass, forming a dot the size of a dime. To avoid dripping, do not touch too hard and do not squeeze the bottle.
  6. Attempt to create a "visual barrier" across the glass surfaces. Apply WindowAlert decals. Then, apply UV Liquid to areas between the decals.
  7. The ultraviolet reflectivity of UV Liquid will fade due to exposure. For best results, reapply every four months or test with the WindowAlert UV Flashlight.
  8. Bottle lasts 12 months. If application turns milky, dispose and purchase new bottle.

REMOVAL INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Remove UV Liquid in warm weather (midday, direct sun, etc.). The hotter the glass, the better.
  2. Liberally apply ammonia-based window cleaner to glass. Allow it to soak for a minute or more. Then, remove UV Liquid with an absorbent cloth or sponge.

COMMERCIAL STRUCTURE USE

Application to commercial building or sizable expanse of glass must be cleared by the glass manufacturer for your building and tested for easy application and removal before applying to the entire structure. Allow the test application to cure one week before testing removal.

For best results, use UV Liquid with WindowAlert Decals.

Stop Bird Attack

  1. 1. If Stop Bird Attack has been exposed to freezing conditions, allow sufficient time to thaw prior to use. Container must be kept at room temperature (70°F/21°C) for several hours before spraying.
  2. Apply several light coats rather than one heavy coat. Allow drying time between coats. Drying time will depend upon the thickness of the coating and the ambient temperature and humidity but may require several hours.
  3. To apply Stop Bird Attack, hold can upright 12 to 18 inches from surface to be sprayed. Point valve opening toward surface and press. For small flakes, move the can closer to the surface until desired effect is achieved. For larger flakes, move the can away from the surface to be sprayed.
  4. After spraying, turn can upside down and depress valve for several seconds to clean out spray left in nozzle.
  5. Avoid spraying on furniture, woodwork, walls, curtains, rugs, and tinted film on window surfaces. Dry Stop Bird Attack can be cleaned up with a brush, broom, or vacuum.
  6. To remove Stop Bird Attack from windows, brush off loose particles. Spray glass generously with glass cleaner. Allow to soak for 30 seconds. Remove with a squeegee or with a paper towel.

DANGER ZONES:

  1. Bird strikes often occur when birds perceive a LINE OF FLIGHT through one window of your home and out another. This also occurs on buildings with corners made of glass. In these situations, position your decals to block a bird's perceived line of flight.
  2. Bird strikes may occur when birds see OPEN SKY reflected in your window. This may occur on certain windows or areas of a window based on the time of day or orientation to the sun. Use your decals to break up this reflection of open sky.
  3. Bird strikes are often a problem near BIRD FEEDERS. Bird feeders should be positioned closer than three feet or farther than 30 feet from your windows. Feeding birds are easily frightened and then take wild, evasive flight. If your feeder is close to the window, birds fly away from the house when frightened. Believe it or not, the safest feeders are window feeders which attach to the window itself.
  4. Bird strikes are a problem with highly reflective windows, windows near bodies of water, and windows near indoor mirrors. These situations may be difficult to remedy.

FAQ:

Q. How many decals are in an envelope?
  • Most designs are packaged with four WindowAlert decals in each envelope. The Leaf Medley design has five decals and the Hawk design includes two decals. The Aspen Leaf design has eight small decals.
Q. Do the decals adhere to the windows due to static electricity or is an adhesive involved? (How do the decals stick?)
  • Our decals utilize "static cling" to adhere to windows. There is no adhesive.
  • Decals are easy to remove from glass. Occasionally, a residue of dust will exist at the outline of the decal. This may be easily removed with warm water and soap.
Q. Can you take the decals off windows and then put them back on?
  • Decals can be removed and later re-installed on a window. Prior to re-installation, restore the static cling by rinsing the decals in warm water.
Q. Can you wash the windows with the decals on?
  • Yes. If you leave the decals on the window and use a squeegee to wipe down your window, it may leave a halo around the decal. This halo can be diminished by dabbing around the decal with a clean towel.
Q. Can you see the decals when viewed from the inside of the house?
  • The decals have the appearance of frosted glass to humans.
Q. Are WindowAlert decals designed for commercial applications?
  • Our Classic Square decal is designed with modern dwellings such as condominiums and commercial structures in mind.
  • WindowAlert decals and UV Liquid are designed to be utilized together. In some situations (high-rise buildings, sky bridges, sea and wind walls, etc.) it may make sense to use UV Liquid alone. UV Liquid can be installed quickly by window washers and can withstand high winds often present around or at the top of such structures.
  • UV Liquid is a suitable choice for glass enclosures at zoos, city bus stops, etc. and where vandalism or theft may result in the loss of decals.
Q. Do the decals work if they are placed on the inside of the window?
  • Decals are designed to be installed on the exterior of a window and reflect UV sunlight directly to the eyes of birds.
  • Decals installed on the interior of a window are typically less than 25% effective. Why? In this situation, sunlight must often pass through a double pane window, off the decal, and then back out through the double pane window before reaching birds. Most of the UV sunlight is thus absorbed by the glass.
Q. Can the decals be placed on surfaces other than glass?
  • Our decals adhere best to glass surfaces.
Q. How long will the decals last?
  • Our decals have a coating that brilliantly reflects ultraviolet light. Like any product, man-made or natural, our decals will degrade when exposed to the elements. Direct sunlight, inclement weather, and higher elevations (greater UV exposure) accelerate degradation of the decals. For best results, reapply every four months or test with the WindowAlert UV Flashlight.
Q. Do the decals work when placed on windows that do not receive direct sunlight such as north-facing windows or those under covered porches?
  • Our decals do not require direct sunlight. Ultraviolet light is always present during daylight. This is why people can still get sunburned on a cloudy day.
  • The reflectivity of our products is determined by the UV index on any given day. Dark and rainy days have a low UV index. Clear, sunny days have a high UV index. Sunny days with a few white cumulus clouds can have the highest UV index because the clouds are reflecting sunlight back to Earth.

WINDOW TINTING:

EXTERIOR TINT: Some windows have been treated with an EXTERIOR film or liquid coating. Most of these coatings were after-market products. Most were guaranteed for a limited time, such as three to four years. Our decals and UV Liquid should NOT be placed directly on these exterior coatings. If our products are placed on such tinting products, our products may in some instances accelerate the inevitable flaking and chipping of these tinting products.

INTERIOR TINT: Some windows have been treated with an INTERIOR film or liquid coating. This coating may be after-market or factory applied. In either case, our decals and UV Liquid are safe to apply because these products should be applied to the exterior of the glass.

FACTORY TINT: Today, modern glass coatings applied during the manufacturing process are typically applied BETWEEN double-paned glass. This is done to protect the coating during installation and from the elements after installation. In this case, our decals and UV Liquid are safe to apply because these products should be applied to the exterior of the glass.

If you have concerns or are seeking to use our product on an extensive area of glass (such as a high-rise building), we advise that you check with your glass manufacturer to determine if our decals or UV Liquid are suitable for application on your glass

For more information on how to apply window decals for birds, please contact our team today.