Has anyone actually taken off the 3M film themselves?
Horace Cupp told me when FOT (?) removed his, they used a standard steamer, of which he had one to loan me.
He said it took him (them?) about two hours to remove the old film.
I borrowed his steamer and have begun. I have between 2 and 4 hours invested now and I have a space less than a square foot removed.
It seems that the film comes off with a scraper (when good and hot!) but leaves the ADHESIVE on. I bought some expensive 3M 4061 adhesive remover; it works SLOWLY, scrapes off, but leaves leaves lumps and areas of adhesive which require a second and third spraying with the "remover".
I cannot believe anyone who has ever tried to remove this film would reapply it!
Duane, I watched my neighbor on the adjacent pad remove this crap from his Monaco this winter. Seems like it took him most of two weeks with a heat gun and plastic scraper. Sounds like you are into the same process. Good luck.
Duanne,
Call James Stallings at Xtreme Graphics in the morning. He can tell you the easiest way to remove both the material and the adhesive. Not a fun job, even with knowledge.
I did remove my original 3M film using a steamer at the Foretravel paint shop around 5 years ago.
It did not leave hardly any adhesive on the paint.
Very slow process to remove film.
I did reinstall a film called "Diamond Shield" here in Calif and it has held up well.
Invisible Paint Protection Film - Diamond Shield Clear Protective Film (http://www.diamond-shield.com/)
I removed it on my coach using a plastic scraper to get edges started, and a lot of slow pulling then rubbing alcohol to remove the adhesive. It seemed that less adhesive stuck if you pull the plastic off at a 90 degree angle to the surface but every time you stop and restart, some adhesive sticks. I didn't use a steamer but waited until the plastic was rather warm in 80 degrees temp.
James' folks use a steamer - but if the plastic is at the age is is cracking, you have a lot of work. Best to remove before it gets that way.
FYI, Foretravel factory now uses a spray on finish that seems to be thicker and doesn't leave any seems. It's supposed to prevent chips but so far I have seen chips on two coaches, including an IH-45 - it must have been a rock that hit it.
Duane. I am more and more convinced that having James Stallings at Xtreme remove mine was a good investment at $300, +/-!
If anyone knows where I can go in Southern California and have mine removed for a fair price, please pass the word.
Duane
These people are the California distributors for 3M film. They may be able to help you.
aerotectfilms.com - Home (http://aerotectfilms.com/)
Keith
Thanks, Larry! I made a couple of "scrapers" out of oak and tackled the job again. You are quite correct - peeling the film at 90 degrees leaves less adhesive. In fact, there is much less adhesive left just using the wooden scrapers. And using this method may allow me to score the film and leave the bottom of the front covered with film for now. The bottom portions appear not to have the deterioration that the film on the white areas has.
Karma to you!! :)
The windows on my boat had the same type of film that they put on car windows.
I had started with heat gun, adhesive stripper, ...
I found that the quickest, simplest way to remove it was with the type of razor blade holder that the inspection sticker guys use. Has a long handle and folds in the middle. Made quick work of the problem.
HTH