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Detailer's Domain: 01 Porsche 911 - Clear Film Removal Nightmare!!!

You've seen this story play out on Facebook and Instagram, here it is in its entirety.

Subject: an 01 Porsche 911 Carrera needing some much needed love.
Requirements: Remove 1st gen 3M Paint Protection Film - wow has clear film gone a long way! - Full paint correction, Quick Engine Detail, Interior Detail.

Before


After


Click here for the complete story.

jhg41977

Phil, What did you use for a steamer? Would a wallpaper steamer with a mf cloth wrapped around it work? Also, where did you get plastic razors? Thanks for the write up, Im about to remove my rear quarter stone gaurds.

detailersdomain

you can get the plastic razor blades here.

Plastic Razor Blades

You can try the steamer you have however we used one of these.

Dupray Steamer.

jhg41977

Thanks Phil, Does not look like a wallpaper steamer will work! I will try to find a rental.

detailersdomain

no problem let me know how it goes.

did you try peeling it off yet?

jhg41977

not yet. I like to be as prepared as possible before starting.

detailersdomain

got it let us know how it goes.

jhg41977

The removal went pretty smoothly. I did not have a steamer so I used a heat gun. Mine has a good range or temperature so I kept it around 200F. Too hot and the adhesive melted and became a gooey mess. When just right it peeled off in decent size sections. I think it may have been pliable enough that an afternoon in direct sun would have warmed it up just right.

Install of the new guard (from Pelican Parts) was not so good. I used a 3M adhesive remover and a shop towel to remove the remaining adhesive. After that denatured alcohol to remove any greasy mess left behind. Meguiars correction compund on a Meguiars micro fiber pad to remove scatches (from detailers domain) and then Menzerna SF4000 on a green Uber pad (also from dd) The finish now looked good and I was ready to start the install after a wash and rinse.

Install of the new guard. I used the no rinse wash and shine in a pressurized bottle (both from detailers domain) that worked well. I had a rough time aligning the guard where I wanted it. I wet the body surface and the sticky side of the guard. When I applied it, the guard stuck pretty fast. I didnt press down too hard, not sure why it didnt want to slide around easily. After a few tries I was able to get it where I wanted. Then I started working the bubbles out and smoothing it to the body. I wasnt happy with one section so I pulled it back a little. That left some snottiness on the film. Worked it a bit more and got it pretty well where I wanted it. Working on a few more bubbles and I stretched the film at the edge. I pierced a few remaining bubbles and decided that was enough. Ordering a new new one shortly.

detailersdomain

film is not an easy process. I leave it to my guys who have over 10 years under their belt. it's time consuming and patience is needed. good luck on the next try.

Marine Blue

The film on my C32 wasn't that bad but it was visibly cracked due to UV and in very rough shape. It came off in small pieces and was extremely difficult to remove. I needed to use Goof Off (strong citrus) to remove the adhesive. What a pain!

It made me realize the importance of replacing clear film every 5 - 7 years.

jhg41977

Much harder than window tint. Still not sure why it stuck almost immediately.