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removing 3M film

I've finally built up the resolve to remove the 3M film from the front of my 2003 Foretravel.  It is a shame for such a beautiful work of art to have that look marred by blistering peeling and dirty looking film.

I bought a steamer, the kind with a 16oz tank and a hose that leads to variousl nozzles and wands.  Using that with the pistol grip nozzle and a plastic putty knife, I found the film very easy and safe to remove.  It is not yet all off, but the worst parts are gone.

I hold the steam nozzle just ahead of the putty knife, and push the knife along and under the film.  Very easy (but slow) going, with no sign at all of damage to the paint and clear coat.  It did leave an adhesive residue that I removed easily with Citrusolve.

When the weather cools down here in Los Angeles, I'll get the rest off.

Then what???  Do I have new film put on, have the spray-on protector applied, or leave it as-is???
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: removing 3M film

Reply #1 –
Great job.  I would not reapply another film. My theory is that when the front gets stone chipped, I'll take it to FT or Xtreme and have them fill the stone chips and repaint the front.  Your coach is similiar in color as ours and the edges of the film with the lighter color paint shows all the dirt and crap. 
I just paid to have our removed and some paint touchups done.  Not sure of the cost just yet. 

Tom & Bill

2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Re: removing 3M film

Reply #2 –
I am not sure of the cost to have the film installed on a coach.  I do know it seems to last approx. 3 years before starting to get nasty. I also know James will paint the whole front of the coach for approx $1,500.00.  That is taking everything down to the fiberglass and having him do his magic.  Fixing rock chips would be $300-$400.00. 

Did the complete front on our 95 and repaired chips, etc on our 02. 

FWIW
We are only strangers until we meet; however, some of us are stranger than others

Re: removing 3M film

Reply #3 –
Be careful when you get to the white (cream) paint. According to James Stallings and crew, that is the color that is most apt to peel off with the 3M stuff. It is the only area that we had trouble with, so we believe him.  We were very, very careful but there was just no way to escape it.
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs

Re: removing 3M film

Reply #4 –
So far, all I have removed is in the white (cream) area around the left headlights.  So far, no problems.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: removing 3M film

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Tom Lang –
So far, all I have removed is in the white (cream) area around the left headlights.  So far, no problems.

I had good success removing the film from the front cream area without any paint coming off.
Very slow process. Like watching paint dry  ::)

Motorhome Front End Protection Systems
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: removing 3M film

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Tom Lang –

.........................Then what???  Do I have new film put on, have the spray-on protector applied, or leave it as-is???...................................
Tom,
I have an opinion that runs counter to many.
I've had good luck with the 3M Premium grade shields and I believe it's mostly in the care that I have taken with them.
At any rate, you might check out this thread:
Front Bra
FWIW,
Neal
The selected media item is not currently available.
Neal (& Brenda) Pillsbury
'02 U320 SPEC, 4200, DGFE, Build #5984
'04 Gold Wing
'07 Featherlite 24'
'14 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit
MC #14494
Exeter, NH & LaBelle FL
Quality makes the Heart Soar long after Price is Forgotten

Re: removing 3M film

Reply #7 –
Barry, after you removed your 3M film, did you replace it with anything or just a good coat of wax? 

Tom & Bill

2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Re: removing 3M film

Reply #8 –
Quote from: txforetravel –
Barry, after you removed your 3M film, did you replace it with anything or just a good coat of wax? 



I had it replaced by a company in "City of Industry" Calif. I don't remember the brand he used (I think Diamond Shield) but said it was not what I originally had on it. Several years now & it still looks good.
I am still happy with it.
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: removing 3M film

Reply #9 –
I am in the "leave well enough alone". I had James S. take my 3M shield off several years ago and the front still looks great. I sincerely believe that the plastic add-on protectors are bad case of suspenders AND belt syndrome.
No RV! Have hung up the keys.
In the past: 2016 Winnebago Era, 1994 Foretravel U240, 1995 Foretravel U240 (wide body), 1999 Foretravel 320, 36 Foot, 2003 Foretravel U320 38 foot,

Re: removing 3M film

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Barry Beam –
I had good success removing the film from the front cream area without any paint coming off.
Very slow process. Like watching paint dry  ::)

Motorhome Front End Protection Systems

Bumping to thank Barry and Tom for previously posting their experiences in removing the front film from their coaches.  We are considering doing it in advance of taking the coach in for our headlight conversion (we work cheaper than most shops in Nac for the stuff we can do ourselves  ;) ). 

Fortunately we already own a small canister steamer (Eureka EnviroSteamer) with various nozzles.  We also have a heat gun.  Any preference for one over the other?

Quote from: Tom Lang –
It did leave an adhesive residue that I removed easily with Citrusolve.

What about using Citrusolve as part of the initial removal (not in the steamer, but with a spray bottle)?  Thoughts?

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: removing 3M film

Reply #11 –
Any preference for one over the other

Heat gun is not recommended.  The shops I know all use steam and plastic razor blades. Since you are having the headlight conversion don't believe you need to be real careful. Get er done...
We are only strangers until we meet; however, some of us are stranger than others
 

Re: removing 3M film

Reply #12 –
I like the steamer because the highest temperature possible is not too much above boiling water.  A heat gun can get hot enough melt or burn anything around.

The citrusolve I used had no noticable effect on the adjacent (intact) 3M film.  I see it as useful for cleanup or residual adhesive, but not the main task of softening and removing the film.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer