A process is disclosed for forming at least one thin substantially uniform fluid coating comprising polymeric film forming material on a cylindrical mandrel, solidifying the fluid coating to form a uniform solid coating and separating the uniform solid coating from the mandrel. The process may comprise forming at least one thin substantially uniform fluid coating comprising polymeric film forming material around a cylindrical mandrel, the mandrel having a larger mass or lower thermal conductivity than the polymeric film forming material and a critical surface tension greater than the surface tension of the fluid coating, solidifying the fluid coating to form at least one thin substantially uniform solid coating comprising the polymeric film forming material around the cylindrical mandrel, heating both the uniform solid coating and the mandrel to a temperature at least above the apparent T.sub.g of the solid coating to expand the coating and the mandrel while maintaining contact between the coating and the mandrel, cooling the coating to below the apparent T.sub.g of the solid coating prior to substantial cooling of the mandrel, and cooling the mandrel whereby the mandrel contracts at a greater rate than the polymeric coating until separation occurs between the mandrel and the coating, and removing the coating from the mandrel.