It's not uncommon for the displays of tablets, smartphones, and other touchscreen devices to be damaged. One careless move and you're in trouble - the screen is scratched or cracked. Fortunately, there is a solution - protective film can prevent some of the damage. Step by step, we show you how to apply the screen protector.

The screen protector film protects your display monitor from damage, moisture, bumps, and scratches. It is not worth saving money when it comes to screen protection, as electronic devices are becoming more and more expensive, and with a bit of investment, you can make a big difference in terms of screen life span. However, it is worth choosing carefully, because poorer quality comes with low prices.

Attaching the screen protector film

Installing a screen protector film may seem simple at first, but it requires a lot of attention. The first step is to find a quiet, light, and peaceful place where you can sit comfortably and put the phone down firmly. The desk should be clean, the surface smooth, and it's even better if you're wearing a top that doesn't touch the screen.

Once you have prepared the environment and washed your hands, you can apply the film. As well as the protective film, the packaging usually includes an anti-static wipe, so wipe the display thoroughly with this. Remove all dirt, dust, and stains with the wipe. The ideal outcome is a dust and water-free display, and when you turn it towards the light, you see nothing but a clean surface.

You must do the cleaning right before you put the film on, so you minimise the chance of getting dirt on the screen in the meantime. Remove the protective film and position it carefully over the smartphone. Once it's in place, place it on the screen, working your way down from the top, slowly and gently.

The application is the same for phones and monitors, but the latter is more problematic as it has a larger surface area.

The air bubbles

When applying the protective film, small air bubbles sometimes get trapped between the display monitor and the film. This can be avoided by dragging a card or similar, but not sharp, object across the air bubble with a firm motion, slowly pushing it towards the edge of the film until it disappears.

If the bubble is in the middle of the screen, you can still try this technique, but you may not succeed. The further away the unwanted bubble is from the edge, the harder it is to get. In this case, it is worth taking off the whole film, but be aware that doing so may damage the film and you may have to buy a new one. If you can deal with the presence of a small bubble, it may not be worth the risk.

Wet fitting

There are glass films that come with an adhesive. The process starts in the same way as for dry application, the display must be cleaned thoroughly. The difference is that you get a special spray for this application. This is then used to wet not only the display but also both sides of the protective film. Then the film is positioned and applied, and the water is removed and squeezed out between the two layers. Once the film is on top, you need to wait for it to dry completely, only then can you use the smartphone.

Data protection above all

The basic function of films protecting phones and tablets is to protect the devices from mechanical impact. But today, a simple film can do more than that. There are also so-called privacy films that prevent people standing next to you from reading what's on the screen.

These special films provide very effective protection for side views outside the 60-degree angle of view. In practice, this means that if you're on a bus, for example, and you're replying to company emails, the person sitting next to you won't be able to see it on the screen as you can, so they won't be able to access sensitive data and information.

These films are not only important for privacy but also protect the screen from dust and scratches. So, both your data and your device are safe.

Privacy films come in a variety of designs, just like normal protective films, you need to choose a different model depending on the type of smartphone you have. For example, there are films made specifically for the iPhone 6 Plus/6S Plus/7 Plus/8 Plus, but you can also find a protective film for the Google Pixel 3.

Click to get a protective film from Flanker for your phone and laptop monitor! 

…and we took a picture at our parent company's (Prades) stand.

The use of rubber glue is very common nowadays. It is a bonding agent consisting of rubber and special solvents. The ratio of the main ingredients varies greatly depending on what the rubber glue is used for. In this post, we will list the ideal probabilities of use, and describe what to look out for when using rubber glue.

What is rubber glue?

Rubber glue is perfect for bonding a variety of surfaces together because once it dries, it becomes an elastic material that resembles rubber. Because of its elasticity, it can also be used on textiles, wood, glass, paper, metal, and other materials, depending on the type of adhesive.

What types of rubber glues are there?

There are many types of rubber glue, the most common of which are described below!

Natural rubber-based glue

In the case of natural rubber glue, the vulcanising agent is sulphur and is suitable for bonding the following materials: leather, paper, and fabric.

Nitrile

One of the main advantages of glue containing nitrile butadiene rubber is water resistance. It is used for materials such as glass, wood, metal, and ceramics.

Chloroprene

A crack-resistant solution, chloroprene glue is best suited for bonding metal, glass, wood, and plastic.

Silicone

Silicone rubber glues are limited in use and are best used for bonding rubber materials.

Styrene-butadiene

This type of glue is used in manufacturing, e.g. for the production of adhesive tapes, due to its low adhesive strength.

The type to be chosen depends on what is to be bonded and under what conditions. For example, if high temperatures are expected, it is worth choosing a type that can withstand them. Similarly, external effects can include vibration, shock, and other mechanical stresses.

The size of the layers to be fixed with the glue and the material they are made of are essential. Moreover, it is also worth paying attention to whether the adhesive comes in contact with food, as many types of rubber glue are highly toxic.

High-performance sealants and glues

For rubber and sealant, neoprene rubber and sealant glue is a reliable solution. It provides high bond strength and good heat resistance, and is waterproof, making it suitable for large surface area rubber coating applications, impact damping and more.

This category includes 3MTM 847 nitrile, which has a low viscosity, making it easier and more convenient to apply. It has good oil and heat resistance, making it excellent for sealing and rubber applications.

Use of rubber glue

Using rubber glue is fairly simple, but there are a few basic rules to follow.

The most important thing is to clean the surface thoroughly before using the glue. Any dirt that sticks will result in the glue not being able to work properly or if it does stick, it will not be as durable as it would be if the surface were clean. Special cleaning agents and solvents should be used to ensure a high level of cleaning.

In all cases, the instructions for use can be read on the box of the rubber glue. This should be studied carefully, and the instructions followed. This will avoid accidents and achieve the desired effect. Rubber glue must be only used under suitable conditions, away from open flames, as its ingredients are flammable.

Flanker, as a supplier of industrial materials, also offers rubber adhesives alongside many other raw materials used in construction and manufacturing. Learn more about the products we supply!

There are special cases where it is advisable and mandatory to fit a vehicle with a reflective material, i.e. some form of reflective sheeting or reflective films. In this post, we have collected information on when it is necessary to use this technology.

What is reflective sheeting?

A reflective film is a special car decoration material that is used as a decorative element on the windows and bodywork. However, the aesthetic function of such a sticker is not the primary concern, its function of increasing visibility when stuck on the vehicle is also important.

This type of car decoration is phosphorescent, fluorescent, reflective, and light-reflective, making the vehicle visible and noticeable in the dark. Most often the classic white and red sign is used, but it can also be used to display letters, telephone numbers and other useful information. The aim is to increase visibility and safety.

Reflective sheeting or reflective films can be of different basic colours: white, yellow, red and  blue. The self-adhesive versions are very easy to apply to cars. There is no fuss, just a few simple movements and the vehicle is visible in the dark. This increases safety even in poor visibility conditions.

For which vehicles is reflective film a good choice?

Reflective sheeting is used to draw attention to public service vehicles, such as police cars and ambulances. The other large group is vehicles that need to be approached with due care, such as a trailer.

Let's look at the vehicles for which you should fit reflective sheeting.

Ambulance

Ambulances and blood carrier ambulances must be marked with reflective material so that they are visible in the dark and can be seen from a distance by other drivers to be able to provide them with a clear path.

Police vehicles

The main vehicle used by police forces responsible for public safety is the police car itself, which typically carries blue, yellow, and red colours with standard letters. Special sheeting on the car draws attention to the vehicle.

Fire trucks

Like ambulances and police vehicles, fire trucks have priority in traffic when using their distinctive signals. To ensure that they can be seen at night, in rain, fog or snow, they sound an audible warning when approaching at high speed and have reflective sheeting on the front, rear and sides. For fire trucks, white and yellow foils are usually used.

Trailers

Trailers are part of the traffic and should be brought to the attention of other drivers. It is a good idea to mark the dimensions of the vehicle with reflective sheeting, i.e. stickers on the sides and rear of the vehicle. This is in line with the principle of the Highway Code that vehicles that are too large should be marked. On this basis, it may also be advisable to affix such reflective strips to motorhomes, caravans and motor coaches which, because of their size, deserve to be distinguished.

Vehicles carrying dangerous loads

It is particularly important to display appropriate markings on vehicles carrying dangerous goods or materials. In the event of an accident, it can be vital to be able to see clearly and unambiguously in all situations, even at night, if the car is carrying any dangerous substances. Reflective sheeting can prevent accidents with serious catastrophic consequences.

Patrol service

In addition to police officers, patrol vehicles should also be equipped with such sheeting. The design and colours of these vehicles are determined by the company's branding, but the aim is to ensure that they are visible in low visibility conditions.

The use of reflective materials is essential for safety. It is not only about the safety of the passengers in the distinguished car, but also about the safety of other drivers on the road. Flanker offers a range of solutions to address the issue of reflection.

Click here to see what can we offer on our webshop!