Nordstrom Rack Anti-Graffiti Film Replacement, 2019

Project at a glance

• Client: Nordstrom Rack, Kildeer, Illinois, through the general contractor Bond Companies
• Year: 2019
• Problem: etching and scratching on the store’s existing anti-graffiti film
• Work: removal of the damaged film and installation of new film
• Film: Solar Gard Graffitigard 6 mil anti-graffiti film
• Glass treated: 35 storefront panels, 28 on the first visit and 7 more later that month

The storefront glass at the Nordstrom Rack in Kildeer was already protected with anti-graffiti film. Over time that film had been etched and scratched. The damage was on the film, which is what sacrificial film is for: the film takes the marks so the glass underneath does not have to.

Working for Bond Companies, the general contractor, AAA Glass Tint removed the damaged film from 28 panels and installed new Solar Gard Graffitigard 6 mil film. Later the same month we returned and replaced the film on 7 more panels. At the same time, we replaced anti-graffiti film at a second Nordstrom Rack store in Northern Illinois.

Graffitigard is a clear, sacrificial film made for glass and other smooth surfaces that are exposed to vandalism. Solar Gard lists it in 4 mil, 6 mil and 7 mil thicknesses. Its adhesive is designed to come off with the film, so damaged film can be removed and the glass prepared for new film. Like any film, it has to be approved for the glass it goes on, and we check that before installation.

We do not subcontract installation; our own crews do the work.

The etched and scratched film was replaced on 35 storefront panels, and the store’s glass went back to being clear and protected by a fresh layer of film. Because the damage was on the film, the fix was a film replacement rather than new glass.