Method of manufacturing a windshield having a protective laminate

A method of applying a protective laminate film to an exterior surface of a vehicle windshield attached to a vehicle to provide shock absorbing properties and protect the exterior surface of the vehicle windshield from rocks or other debris, comprising:

• (a) providing or obtaining a protective laminate film comprised of:
• a flexible single layer polymer substrate having a first surface and a second surface;
• a UV-stabilized scratch-resistant material forming or adhered to the first surface of the single layer polymer substrate;
• a pressure sensitive adhesive layer adhered to the second surface of the single layer polymer substrate;
• and
• a release liner adjacent to the adhesive layer that protects the adhesive layer prior to application of the laminate film to a windshield,
• the laminate film being flexible so as to readily conform to a curvature of a vehicle windshield and/or be wound and stored as a roll while remaining substantially optically transparent;
• (b) removing the release liner from the protective laminate film;
• (c) placing the protective laminate film over the exterior surface of the vehicle windshield on the outside of the vehicle;
• and
• (d) causing or allowing the adhesive layer to adhere to the exterior surface of the vehicle windshield.

A method of applying a protective laminate film to an exterior surface of a window to protect the window from scratching or optical damage, comprising:

• (a) providing or obtaining a protective laminate film comprised of:
• a flexible single layer polymer substrate having a first surface and a second surface;
• a scratch-resistant material forming or adhered to the first surface of the single layer polymer substrate;
• an optical grade pressure sensitive adhesive layer adhered to the second surface of the single layer polymer substrate;
• and
• a release liner adjacent to the pressure sensitive adhesive layer that protects the pressure sensitive adhesive layer prior to application of the laminate film to the exterior surface of the window,
• the laminate film being flexible so as to remain substantially optically transparent if curved or bent prior to or during installation,
• the flexible single layer polymer substrate, scratch-resistant material, and pressure sensitive adhesive layer together having optical transparence and providing light transmittance across the visible spectrum greater than 97%;
• (b) removing the release liner from the protective laminate film;
• (c) placing the protective laminate film over the exterior surface of the window;
• and
• (d) causing or allowing the pressure sensitive adhesive layer to adhere to the exterior surface of the window.

A method of applying a protective laminate film to an exposed side of a transparent surface to protect the transparent surface from scratching or optical damage, comprising:

• (a) providing or obtaining a protective laminate film comprised of:
• a flexible single layer polymer substrate having a first surface and a second surface;
• a scratch-resistant material forming or adhered to the first surface of the single layer polymer substrate;
• a manually removable protective backing sheet adjacent to the scratch-resistant material for protecting the scratch-resistant material during handling and prior to use;
• a pressure sensitive adhesive layer adjacent to the second surface of the polymer substrate;
• and
• a release liner adjacent to the pressure sensitive adhesive layer that protects the pressure sensitive adhesive layer prior to application of the laminate film to the transparent surface,
• the laminate film being flexible so as to remain optically transparent if curved or bent prior to or during installation;
• (b) removing the release liner from the protective laminate film;
• (c) placing the protective laminate film over the transparent surface;
• (d) causing or allowing the adhesive layer to adhere to the transparent surface;
• and
• (e) removing the backing sheet from the scratch-resistant material.