I've had my 22 HTC for 18 months and absolutely LOVE it. My dilemma is the previous owner put PPF on the entire front end and I'm starting to notice little "nicks" in the PPF with no way to fix them...they have the appearance of small rock chips. My OCD thinks that removing the PPF I could touch up the paint with the old toothpick and bit of sandpaper method and take the DA to it to polish them out. I understand the PPF has probably saved my paint from rock chips obviously because of the nicks in the plastic...it just seems counterproductive to protect the paint underneath and look at rock chips in the plastic that cant really be repaired. Protects it from rock chips but now you have rock chips.

Has anyone else removed the PPF, can it be done in the garage or should I take it to the pros?

Just venting / wondering.

 

Removing PPF is a pretty simple process. There are quite a few videos on how to do it on YouTube. Your best friend will be hot water in something like a pitcher. That'll loosen the adhesive while you slowly pull it off. Take your time and do a bit of research before you start.

I'd also recommend checking out the "General Corvettes Topics > Car Care Discussions or Paint/Body" part of this forum. There is a wealth of knowledge there and probably plenty of professionals that will give you hte best advice.

 

This is something either google and/or PPF installers should be able to help you with. All the best!

 

When I've removed it, I used a hair dryer to get it warm then pulled it off at a 90-degree angle.

 

Here ya go:

https://www.google.com/search?client...+from+vehicles

 

Depending on the PPF, some have self-healing properties, which enables the underlying layers to rearrange their particles when heat is applied:

“When self-healing paint protection film comes into contact with heat, it will return to its lowest energy state, appearing to be smooth and seamless. Think of self-healing PPF like an ice cube. If you scratch an ice cube with your fingernail and then heat it up, the ice cube will return to its original state once again. Similarly, self-healing PPF will “heal” any dings or surface-level scratches if you wash it with warm water or leave your car out under the sun.”

 

Yep there is a right way and wrong way!

My 2014 C7 Z51 came with GM supplied from the factory PPF. Was not very good stuff as 3M etc. GM knew where the problem was, on the rockers from the door center up in front of the rear wheel well. Mine had dings in about a month. Installed full length side skirts that solved the rock thrown by front tire problem.

MUST pull at 90 degrees. I did for most of the 1st side but along the rocker panel as I moved sitting on the ground made a mistake and pulled at 45-degree angle you would think would be easier. It was BUT the device stayed on the car. What a PIA to get it off!



Took a lot of effort to remove. For that 1 foot took as much time to remove the adhesive as to do all the rest properly! Had to change rags often as the adhesive sticks to the rag and can't be reused.

 

Why leave your paint naked and afraid? If you plan on removing the PPF with the intent on replacing it just let the pros do it all in one shot. I have a few blems on mine too but I sleep soundly knowing it's the PPF thats chipped - NOT my paint. Just my opinion, I could be wrong.

 

I agree. A pro can most likely get the old PPF off the car in a fraction of the time it will take an inexperienced person to do it.

 

I use hot water on towels

 

Get a handheld steamer, instead of pouring water everywhere. I’ve found the steamer works better than a heat gun as well.

 

Thank you to everyone who chimed in...looks like I have something to do this weekend.

Gonna leave it naked...I've had PPF on several vehicles but now I'm wondering why I'm keeping the paint underneath looking good but its covered in plastic that has 20-30 little chips on it that won't come off. I just think I could fix the paint chips as they happen and make it look nice versus having the PPF with a bunch of nicks that look like rock chips anyhow. Damn the love for black cars!

Thanks again for the feedback...appreciate you all on this forum! Be safe.

 

Interesting. Never had PPF on all my 7 Vettes except what GM installed at the Factory on my 2014 C7 Z51 (and a small amount on my 2017 Grand Sport.) I found it was useless on my 2014 and solved the digs from pebbles thrown by the front tires with full length side skirts on it, my 2017 Grand Sport and C8 Z51. Removed from both as I noted in prior post. Just pull perpendicular, sounds a bit crazy BUT that way the adhesive comes with the film!

So my plan for the E-Ray was to get full length side skirts. BUT GM does not offer nor the aftermarket for the wide body Z06 or E-Ray. What to do as it comes with 3/4 length side skirts leaving that last quarter to get dinged. In our rural are happens quickly.

By buddy had his new GMC Denali done with PPF at a shop in town he recommended. My cousin was visiting from Virgina who has a Porsche Carrara 4S with PPF all over. Brought him to look at the shop. Couldn't believe the shop quality for our town! I told them I wanted just a small amount on the rockers behind the 3/4 length side skirts and behind the rear wheel. Normally would use splash guards that work well for the rear, but GM does not offer and ACS are $499 just for the rears. They quoted the PPF for rockers and rear for $350!

When I went in for the appointment a week later the shop owner happened to be there and loved the E-Ray. He said I want to do this myself! He quickly convinced me to go from the ~3 Inch high I thought would work, 8 to 10 inches high both on the sides and rear! He showed some small scratches above where I said I wanted.

Did not appreciate how much work was involved and the skill needed. Here are some pic:

1st class clean shop. They have 2, one in town and one in Sumter near the state capitol. Had some high end cars being done. They also do a lot of window tinting.

Owner happened to come by when my car was being pulled in. Love the E-Ray and said I want to do this one. 1st thing he did was convinced me I needed more than the small 3" high pieces I asked for and they quoted the week before. Owner left working with Tech to cut the patterns they had for the E-Ray for just what was needed.


Owner Installing on one side of car above the end of the side skirts. He went to a body seam above the rocker panel as he said easier to hide the end.

One of their 8 Techs did the rear, again higher than I had requested, but smarter. They only charged me what they had quoted, $350 plus tax.
Was thinking I might have the front done BUT after listening to your logic, that is what I have done with all 6 prior Vettes. Just got my Cacti touch-up paint for chips!

 

I pulled the PPF from a 2005 SLK350. The PPF shops wanted a few hundred $ so I tried DYI. Heat gun/hair blower/hot water did nothing. Just pulled at 90% and tooka a while and some sheets split bur it was 15 years old.

While everyone discusses whether paint chips are worse than plastic chips, I think that is a misleading benefit. I had my paint corrected so its perfect. Then sealed with PPF so it will remain perfect. Chips/scratches in PPF segments will be replaced.