Abstract: Methods for protecting an electrochromic stack, individual layers of the electrochromic stack, a first transparent conductor layer, a second transparent conductor layer, one or more bus bars, or a low E layer on a glass substrate. Methods for protecting the outside surfaces of an insulate glass unit including the substrate and one or more mating lites are also described herein. Methods include laminating a sacrificial coating over the substrate and/or the one or more mating lites, and peeling off the sacrificial coating from the substrate and/or the one or more mating lites.