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How do you remove 3M clear protection ??

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Old Apr 5, 2009 | 07:04 PM
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Default How do you remove 3M clear protection ??

Looked at a used C5 coupe with 3M clear protection on the nose, mirrors, behind the wheels and down the rockers. The clear is getting discolored and makes the car look less tahn perfect. How is this stuff removed safely?
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Old Apr 5, 2009 | 07:11 PM
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I have seen that happen a lot on cars, Was talking to a guy at MSI yesterday that has it on his C6 and he wasn't very happy with it.
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Old Apr 5, 2009 | 07:19 PM
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I would think a heat gun and take your time should work..........
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Old Apr 5, 2009 | 07:30 PM
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a heat gun and a mild cleaner
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Old Apr 5, 2009 | 07:34 PM
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Originally Posted by k0ts
I would think a heat gun and take your time should work..........


Chuck
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Old Apr 5, 2009 | 08:38 PM
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That would sure take some time with all that's on the car. Any chance of doing damage?
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Old Apr 5, 2009 | 08:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Logg
That would sure take some time with all that's on the car. Any chance of doing damage?
Yes, that's why you want to go slowly... It'll take you a while to learn
how much heat it takes so begin with low heat and work up... I would guess it could destroy your paint if you over do it...
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Old Apr 5, 2009 | 09:03 PM
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You can probably use a hair dryer to heat up the film and then lift an edge and pull up at about a 45% angle , going slowly as you pull. At least that is what the installer told me when he put the 3M film on my DD.
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Old Apr 5, 2009 | 09:33 PM
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Removed this stuff from my CavalierZ24 a few years ago. It's not easy. Heat it up in the sun and PULL hard on an angle. It will probably break off in pieces and it will take effort and time. The worst part is getting all of the adhesive off of the paint. I think I used a pre-cleaner, let it sit on there for a little bit, then rubbed it off. Good Luck! Great stuff to have on the car, but when it's time for removal, a bit of a pain.
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Old Apr 5, 2009 | 09:56 PM
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I would contact 3M for advice.
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Old Apr 5, 2009 | 11:57 PM
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Originally Posted by O4-/-C5
I would contact 3M for advice.
And maybe have a professional remove it. Who needs this kind of headache? Good luck!
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Old Apr 6, 2009 | 12:03 AM
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I'm very **** about my car and had about 10 coats of Zaino on my paint before having the 3M stuff applied. It was on for about a year or so and when I was having my new hood installed, i ripped off the hood piece and front bumper (my installer designed a new front end piece design and was going to install it on my car). The 3M stuff literally just pealed right off like static cling. Don't know if it was because of the Zaino or what, but took all of 2 minutes with no residual adhesive left behind. I've had the new stuff on (as well as some of the older stuff) for 2+ years with no pealing or discoloration so far... Hopefully yours will come off just as easy!
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Old Apr 6, 2009 | 12:11 AM
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Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
You can probably use a hair dryer to heat up the film and then lift an edge and pull up at about a 45% angle , going slowly as you pull. At least that is what the installer told me when he put the 3M film on my DD.
This would be the way I'd do it!
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Old Apr 6, 2009 | 10:07 AM
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Originally Posted by Shirl
Removed this stuff from my CavalierZ24 a few years ago. It's not easy. Heat it up in the sun and PULL hard on an angle. It will probably break off in pieces and it will take effort and time. The worst part is getting all of the adhesive off of the paint. I think I used a pre-cleaner, let it sit on there for a little bit, then rubbed it off. Good Luck! Great stuff to have on the car, but when it's time for removal, a bit of a pain.

That's very accurate! My car has had the 3M installed for eight years and removal is a royal pain in the @$$. I've tried the heat gun, the hair dryer and parking the car in the sun. The heat gun made a mess of the stuff and left 90% of the adhesive residue on the paint.

Parking the car in the sun and working on it slowly is by far the best method I've found. Before I repainted my nose, I was pulling the bra off (cold, no sun or heat) below the fog light area and it took about 16" of paint off too. I still need to remove the section on my hood and I'm going to do that on a nice, warm, sunny day.

If it's been installed for a LONG time, go slow . . .
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Old Apr 6, 2009 | 10:16 AM
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I was thinking about putting this stuff on my car to protect it but now I'm not sure it's a
good idea... Thoughts??
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Old Apr 6, 2009 | 06:37 PM
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After seeing this car I'd have second thoughts. I think I'd rather be careful and do without. Maybe a bra for road trips and some splash guards for the rockers.
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Old Apr 6, 2009 | 07:05 PM
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Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
You can probably use a hair dryer to heat up the film and then lift an edge and pull up at about a 45% angle , going slowly as you pull. At least that is what the installer told me when he put the 3M film on my DD.
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