How to remove masking tape and duct tape from a car.
I have a love-hate relationship with them.The best protection you could give your car is clear-film.It protects the paint 100 times better than anything else.I don't like clear-film because it takes away from the natural luster that true paint offers and limits the amount of detailing to those portions of paint work.
PPF doesn't last forever.The film is clear.The average lifespan for Clear Bra is about 5 years.
Most clear film can be polished with foam pads and a mild polish if the condition is good but showing signs of needing care.Light surface scratches can be removed via machine polishing and film is correctable to bring back some gloss.Keep up with your film if it's in good shape.Film is a good investment.
It is hard to determine a price during a quote because it is difficult to justify the amount of time it will take to remove.If we looked at all film the same without determining the condition and tossing out a random price, it could very well come back and give you a run for your money.I usually ask the customer a few questions when I see clear film that is in poor condition.
I may ask a few questions to get a better idea of what to expect.It is usually noticeable that the film is in poor condition.If the clear film has a tacky feeling to it, it is ready to be replaced.
It's important for customers to understand before any removal is done.You can't put a figure on the amount of time it will take or the situations that you will be faced with.The suffering of a horrible clear film removal experience can be mitigated by being prepared with the right products and tools.Getting ready to deal with the worst starts with having a steamer, heat gun, 3M glue, clay bar, alcohol, plastic razor blades and a prayer.
There is a photo of a car.Most of the cars come with clear film on the side flares because they are very susceptible to road debris.They are often overlooked.The film is over thirteen years old and has never been replaced.The film was tacky and didn't want to come off.It took a lot of patience to get the film off.There are a number of things happening in the picture.The film is breaking down in layers, deep scratches, and not coming off in one piece.Small dime size chunks can be seen in the blurry portion of the floor.
The best bet in these situations is a steamer.Denatured alcohol is one of the things I use.It helps after the IPA solution.The film isn't going to come off in one section, so it's important to focus on the small area
The paint was still getting abused due to the failure of the clear film.I had to wet sand this area down due to the age of the vehicle and the improper machine polishing on the painted side over the years.I could feel the difference in height between the clear coat and the line.The paint was higher on the section that had the film, after the wet sand and correction the paint meshed together very well and the car came out amazing!
The film came off in one section but the paint did not want to let go of the glue.It is easier to tolerate something like this.The clay bar should be followed by some 3M glue removal.This particular vehicle was purchased out of state and had the film installed by the dealer.The vehicle was purchased out of New Jersey and spent a year sitting under trees before moving to Florida for clear film removal and detail.The clear film was over 5 years old and did not get the attention it needed.
Sometimes these sections of film get overlooked.It will be much easier to replace them as needed.It keeps the car looking very good.The customers should be aware of it and the companies should make sure they get their money's worth.
We have a car like that in the picture below.The film has been around for a long time.Allowing the film to age more would lead to issues like I showed above.This is what film removal should be like.The paint looks amazing but there is a clear film on the car.The film on this car still looked great.The rear flare sections were most likely on since day 1.
I put my heat gun on low and moved it up, down and side to side for 15 to 20 seconds to get the clear film off.Keep the heat gun moving by not holding it in the same place.The film will come up once the section is warmed up.Continue to pull the film towards you as you start in a corner.I can only think of one way to describe it right now, do you peel it like a banana?You want to pull it towards you constantly.The lift from the surface will be aided by this.The banana approach would leave a lot of sticky mess on the paint surface.It is more difficult to clean up after a film has been removed.
When doing larger sections, Gloves are very important.Having a good grip is important as you grab and pull the film towards you.Roll the film over on itself and not allow the sticky side to touch the paint again if you want to get your composure back.A good set of gloves will help the lager pieces avoid blisters and bloody knuckles.
As in the picture below, not all the time clear film comes right off very easily.Most of the time, an issue will be faced.The bonnet film was coming off and the quarter panels above the headlights were not a problem.I think it was caused by one of two things.The car had been machine polished with disrespect to the small sections, but not the large piece of the bonnet, if that makes sense.
I like to loosen up all the edges on large sections of film first.You can increase your work space by having all the edges done first.It is possible to have better luck from one side to the other.
The best paint protection to date has been provided by film.It isn't the best in looks as far as detailing is concerned, but it still offers protection.I would not dream of tracking a car without it.You can also track your daily commute vehicle.Things happen, a shopping cart might hit you, you may brush the garage every now and then, stuff falling out of a large semi truck, flying off the track, who knows.When our paint gets damaged, we hate it.
When there are light accidents and the vehicle is protected with clear film, it makes it easier to sleep at night.It doesn't beat the price of anything.
The white scuffs that were pressed into the film were unable to be polished out.We can simply remove it.Problem solved.The paint, no trips to the body shop, is worth the investment.
When removing film from exotics, classics or anything of intense value, the previous practice gets questioned.
Nothing is more nerve-racking than being a passionate automotive detailing enthusiast.A million things go through your mind as you prepare to remove clear film on vehicles.You are getting yourself focused.
The film should be replaced every two or three years.It could be a terrible thing to have the clear film fail on such paint surfaces.If the car is being driven, a clear film is a necessity, as owners look to maintain these cars with top dollar spending/products for expensive vehicles.I don't recommend clear film for vehicles that are being stored.
Where do we start when removing film from expensive cars?The test section would be the lowest portion of the vehicle and the clear film in the most discreet area.You wouldn't want to start in the most obvious spot and have a horrible event happen.I would measure up my sections and work from there.Set the car outside on a hot day for an hour or two, have all your products and tools ready, and be prepared to take your time.
Thanks for checking out the article on clear film removal and a few of my examples.I had experiences with the removal of PPF.Finding a way to leave the least amount of film behind is one of the key things to do.Pull the film towards you.Try not to pull paint up.Get the customers full awareness and consent, ask lots of questions, and have all your products and tools ready.I hope the information will be useful to you.Do you have any questions about your film?Give us a call.We are here to help.
It looks like removal of ppf can be difficult.Have you ever removed film and paint?Is there a place where you can learn how to install ppf and get better with time?
I have had paint come up before.Depending on the age and location of the film, it can sometimes come up.I haven't installed film yet.You get better at it with time and practice.
I would ask the customer if the areas have been painted.The paint will come off with the plastic guaranteed.
I have posted a couple of times on DI regarding care of a clear film and have tried light polishing but as you pointed out, a film takes away from the natural gloss and depth of the paints finish, this has become more and more obvious.I have been using the recommended cleaner and enhancer as well as a light machine polishing, claying and applying Cquatrz for a year.It takes a beating from the Florida sun for 300 days of the year, so the car is not garaged.I was wondering if I could try a more aggressive compound to extend the look of the film.If I stay with a clear film, what are your thoughts on the 3M colored film as after this film comes off, I was tempted to go for a color change.
99% of my clear bra has been removed.There is still a small portion that is giving me fits.I've tried a lot of different things, including heat and plastic razor blades, but no success.Any comments or thoughts on how I get the remains off are welcome.The man is named Joe Joe.