3m Clear Film paint protection removal

Topic: 3m Clear Film paint protection removal (Read 1359 times) previous topic - next topic

3m Clear Film paint protection removal

November 14, 2012, 04:27:21 pm

Have tried researching but nothing comes up. Does anyone have suggestions on removing the clear protector on the nose of coach? Ours is 11 years old and looks terrible. I have read about heat guns, steam machines but ours is not wanting to release except in tiny little pieces.

I am thinking about using a 'stripper' to soften but wonder if there are any side effects to paint or fiberglass?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

David

Re: 3m Clear Film paint protection removal

Reply #1 – November 14, 2012, 04:37:21 pm

Was looking at MH at MOT at one time which had the same problem as yours. Said they charge $1000.00 to remove it and if you should try to do it yourself you will find it is worth every penny of the price. Chappell

Re: 3m Clear Film paint protection removal

Reply #2 – November 14, 2012, 06:00:23 pm

Maybe call 3M and see if the Large Area Graphics Removal Wheel will remove the stuff. The wheel works great on graphics but not sure about that clear cover. See my post on decal removal, etc
Good luck,

Re: 3m Clear Film paint protection removal

Reply #3 – November 14, 2012, 06:25:51 pm

OK ... here is what you do. You park your coach on macadam in 90 degree weather in July, with the front of the coach facing west. The sun beats down and heats tha stuff up ... BIG time. You get a little corner started with a plastic (yes, PLASTIC!) razor blade and then you puuuuulll until it rips. Then you start another piece. That is the method that Jeff and I used ... mostly Jeff, actually, because I have sense enough to stay out of the sun in July in Texas. At the end of the day, he couldn't grasp his dinner fork very well because his hands were numb ... but, by golly, he got the stuff off! THEN ... you have to go over all the areas with some potent chemical adhesive remover to get all the gook off. This also involves plastic razor blades and lots of paper towels (and destroyed brain cells from inhaling the stuff, I imagine). We had a few small areas where the paint came away with the film ... the guys at Xtreme said that white paint seems to be what comes off most often, for some reason ... but finally the front of the coach was ready for Xtreme to touch up the front end and get all the dings fixed. I can't say whether this is worth $1000 to you or not. It is not a hard job, but it IS very tedious. There is NO fast way to go about it ... just inch by inch.

Re: 3m Clear Film paint protection removal

Reply #4 – November 14, 2012, 08:15:33 pm

I met with some success using steam and a plastic putty knife, followed by citrus solvent. Then happily paid an expert to finish the job.

Re: 3m Clear Film paint protection removal

Reply #5 – November 14, 2012, 11:07:44 pm

I was at Xtream last month and they showed me how to remove the film. I removed it from my coach. There is a certain technique to doing it. It took me two full days, some steam, and lots of elbow grease. Your fingers and hands will be solid blisters and scrapes. Your forearms and hands will ache and you will swear never to put that stuff on again. There is a certain way to pull the film so when it releases its grip the glue will stay on the film and not the coach. It helps if the film is warmer rather than cooler. Thats where the steam comes in. They use an old garment- clothing steamer to heat the film up. You don't want to heat it up too much or it will tear easy and it will burn your fingers. Sometimes if you pull too hard you will pull the paint off too. If the film is real old you may only be able to remove small pieces as the film will tear easily. This is due to the weathering and sun damage which has deteriorated the film. The plastic razor blade is used to pry some of the film loose so you can grip it with your fingers. The plastic blade wont scratch the paint. The type of solvent they use will remove glue and not hurt the paint finish. There is no short cut or easy fix for removing this film. You can call Xtream and they will be happy to answer any questions you might have. Even they don't like removing this film as it is labor intensive. The amount of time it takes to remove this film will vary. The age of the film, weathering, sun damage , etc on each coach is different. Good Luck.

Re: 3m Clear Film paint protection removal

Reply #6 – November 15, 2012, 05:58:45 am

I tried the clothing steamer when I started working on my 3M film. It didn't work very well. So I tried a heat gun set on LOW. This worked better, but I got a small (silver dollar size) area too hot and removed the clear coat and paint. My painter friend down the street says he can repair this, but will wait until I have removed all of the film, in case I do some more damage.

Before I started, I called TN RV in Knoxville and asked about having them do it. They had taken a coach in trade the previous week and spent 33 hours (at $110/hr for a customer-owned coach). I decided I would work on it for a while and see how it went. It went SLOW. I am still working on it occasionally (I will have to wait for warmer weather now). It is going to be a long, slow process.

I wish I were closer to east Texas. $1000.00 sounds like a bargain!

Re: 3m Clear Film paint protection removal

Reply #7 – November 15, 2012, 07:27:31 am

Awful stuff, I removed and replaced the graphics (3M) on 350 company vehicles twice, had the 3M rep come in to give us some instruction. The best thing we found was a heat gun and plastic razor blade, once you get a piece started pull slowly (to give the adhesive time to release from the paint) at about 180 degree angle, and have a lot of patience. Denatured alcohol will take the adheasive off.

Re: 3m Clear Film paint protection removal

Reply #8 – November 15, 2012, 11:11:13 am

Tony at California Coach gave me the name of a professional 3M film installer. He did the job without damage and for a very reasonable price. The old film was not 3M. He wanted to put new film on, but I declined.

Re: 3m Clear Film paint protection removal

Reply #9 – November 15, 2012, 12:17:42 pm

Many thanks for all the input. I was thinking the bottom line would be 'hard' anyway you sliced it. Will start using the various ideas and let everyone know if we come up with something new!

I question why someone would ever put this on to start with? Question their sanity if they ever put on twice.

David

Re: 3m Clear Film paint protection removal

Reply #10 – November 15, 2012, 04:19:21 pm

Quote from: dwest – November 15, 2012, 12:17:42 pm

..............................I question why someone would ever put this on to start with? Question their sanity if they ever put on twice...................................
David

David,
It's interesting that there is such a range of experience.
Do you know what your product is and how long it has been in use?
We used 3M "Diamond Shield" two times on the coach and have put the same on our Lexus.
With reasonable care and useful lifetime expectations (each application is only good for 5 to 6 years), we have been extremely pleased with two sets on the coach and 45K(+) miles/3 years on the Lexus.
We decided to not put the 3M back on the coach after our 2010 upgrades and I've gritted my teeth in disappointment ever since. I have accumulated more "road rash" and nicks/chips on the front cap in the past 3 years/22K miles than in the 10 previous years/148K miles of use. The removal both times was on the order of 5 to 6 man-hours labor, no more.
For more insights that you may not have discovered and may be of some interest to you:

http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=11911.msg60999#msg60999

FWIW,
Neal

Re: 3m Clear Film paint protection removal

Reply #11 – November 15, 2012, 10:48:23 pm

My understanding is that the issue with most ugly 3M Film situations is not with the film, but with a "mildew" in the adhesive that was just gnarly and awful. Perhaps a newer adhesive eliminated that problem. We removed the stuff from our coach because of a brutal rock chip that caused a fairly massive "ding" in the front of the coach and actually pierced the film. We figured that we could have the front touched up at least 3 times for the cost of a 3M application & removal. I use my little "touch-up kit" in the interim, as well. I am just not a fan of the film.

Re: 3m Clear Film paint protection removal

Reply #12 – November 15, 2012, 11:05:47 pm

The front of our coach is dark brown and the paint protection film (not sure what brand) shows many, many "scuff" marks. As much as I've tried I cannot make the marks go away or lessen their appearance.
Removing the film and going au natural for awhile is on my summertime todo list. Down the road I might try the armour coat spray on protection based on real world longterm reports from others who have made that investment recently.

Re: 3m Clear Film paint protection removal

Reply #13 – November 16, 2012, 05:19:11 pm

Ok, I've been doing my homework. I called 3M and after several people, I finally reached the guy in charge of the film division. He said they we had a first generation product (2001) and I was experiencing what everyone has. Basically all of the above. He said it is hard to remove no matter what you do.
He gave me the name of a man in Arcadia Fl. who he says is the best in the country at installation and removal and has down to an art. I called the guy. He simply informed me that he uses a steam machine and a rigid plastic scraper and to work small sections (size of the palm of your hand) and keep steam handy because as soon as it cools down you apply heat again. When finished with film removal, remove glue with 3M Adhesive Remover or comparable product. He also stated that his success rate is above 95% on not having paint damage. Does not even have to polish when finished. Heat guns were too radical and could easily burn through the clear coat.
Will start over the holidays and keep you informed of success. He also said it takes him about 4-6 hours. He said it will take me 3-4 times that long.

Re: 3m Clear Film paint protection removal

Reply #14 – November 17, 2012, 05:52:54 am

David West said: "I called the guy."

Could you please post the name and phone number for us?

Re: 3m Clear Film paint protection removal 'UPDATE'

Reply #15 – November 20, 2012, 11:38:16 am

The company is 'Cool Runnings' in Arcadia Florida. Owner: Mark Miller. Work-941-564-6524, cell: 941-380-7899.

I think they have a web site as well?

FYI: His procedure is working well. Will give update when finished.

David

Re: 3m Clear Film paint protection removal

Reply #16 – November 21, 2012, 06:31:56 am

Thanks, David. The update when he finishes would be appreciated

Re: 3m Clear Film paint protection removal 'UPDATE'

Reply #17 – November 21, 2012, 07:59:02 am

Quote from: dwest – November 20, 2012, 11:38:16 am

The company is 'Cool Runnings' in Arcadia Florida. Owner: Mark Miller. Work-941-564-6524, cell: 941-380-7899.

I think they have a web site as well?

FYI: His procedure is working well. Will give update when finished.

David

I think the physical address is North Port Fl. http://www.coolrunningsprotection.com/

We may have to check them out when we head down yonder.

Dean

Re: 3m Clear Film paint protection removal

Reply #18 – December 14, 2015, 07:16:46 am

Steam did NOT work for me.

Tried several methods, but the best results were with a heat gun that had the function to reduce the heat output and the plastic razor blades. The film came off OK, but left the adhesive to be taken off with solvent and more scraping. This method did NOT damage the paint.

I have one more idea to try when we get into warmer weather and will post those results in the spring.

Re: 3m Clear Film paint protection removal

Reply #19 – December 15, 2015, 12:04:26 pm

Quote from: Tom Lang – November 15, 2012, 11:11:13 am

Tony at California Coach gave me the name of a professional 3M film installer. He did the job without damage and for a very reasonable price. The old film was not 3M. He wanted to put new film on, but I declined.

Tom,

Can you post up the pro installer's name?

Re: 3m Clear Film paint protection removal

Reply #20 – December 15, 2015, 06:10:40 pm

I tried everything. Finally resorted to heat gun on low and plastic razor blades. Took forever, but got the film off. Removal of the adhesive was equally trying. Tried 3M and several other removers. Found that lacquer thinner in small areas at a time worked best. Took a long time but results were worth it.

Affiliate Notice