How to Remove Strippable Film from Metal Roofing & Siding Panels

You purchased a metal roof or metal siding package and it came with strippable film applied to the panels. Great! Strippable film protects the finish of your panels during transit and ensures the product doesn't get scratched when it's bouncing down the road. However, there are some things to be aware of with strippable film.

Remove strippable film as soon as the panels are delivered.

Strippable film is an adhesive plastic. The longer it stays adhered to the panel, the more difficult it will be to remove. You should begin removing film from your panels as soon as the delivery is complete.

Never leave products with strippable film in direct sunlight.

If you're unable to immediately remove the film from your metal roofing and siding products, try to keep them out of direct sunlight. Exposure to direct sunlight will quickly make the film difficult to remove from the panels.

Never use harsh chemicals to attempt to remove the strippable film.

The use of unapproved chemicals to remove strippable film from your panels could cause irreversible damage to the coating on your metal roofing or siding panels, and will likely void the warranty of your product.

I can't get the strippable film off my metal panels, now what?

If you find yourself unable to remove the strippable film from your panels or you find adhesive being left on the panels when removing the film, you'll need to use an approved adhesive remover to assist.

Cleansweep® Cleaner for Metal Roofing and Siding - 1 Gallon

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Cleansweep® is a Sherwin-Williams approved cleaning solution for metal roofing and metal siding products. Follow these steps to remove strippable film from your metal panels using Cleansweep®:

Ensure you're wearing proper PPE (gloves, safety glasses, etc.). Cleansweep® contains chemicals that could irritate your skin and eyes.
Test Cleansweep® in a small area to ensure you are achieving your desired results.
Use a bucket and a soft brush, or a pump sprayer, to apply a liberal amount of Cleansweep® to the metal panels.
Let the Cleansweep® sit on the strippable film for about 30 minutes to allow the adhesive to start breaking up.
Once the adhesive is loose, use a 2500 psi pressure washer at a 45 degree angle to remove the strippable film.
Repeat the process if all film isn't removed in the first attempt.