eilig

Has anyone ever removed a clearbra? I'm just wondering if it can be safely removed without damaging the paint underneath? I put a clearbra on my car, but just having some thoughts such as: What if, in 10 years from now, I want to remove it? Will it come off safely and completely? Maybe I would have been better off not installing it, as my car isn't driven very much....

Would be interested in hearing from anyone who has any first hand experience removing a clearbra.... If for no other reason, to put my mind at ease!

Thanks.

STG

Have the pros who install remove it. Should be very little risk. Many have techniques where they warm it/steam it to remove it easily.

NateOZ

+1 - Only place for concern is if you did the headlights they will delaminate
Also if they cut it on the car there may be some cutting marks in the clear - mistakes happen and it's a risk vs using a precut pattern.

eilig

Everyone seems to be doing the 3M clearbra these days, it's the "new thing." But I remember back in the early 70's when the "new thing" was getting your new car undercoated. So I did it, as I was 100% convinced that it was the right thing to do. All these years later, for the cars I kept, I now know it was 100% the WRONG thing to do... Just hope it doesn't end up the same case with this Clearbra someday...

NateOZ

Agree - I'm not 100% sold on the clearbra thing so I just do the main impact areas and a pre-cut pattern so it's easier to pull off. It doesn't look as good, but it doesn't look as good as a panel without the clearbra either way.

Jpacione

I've removed one recently. I used a heat gun set to low and mineral spirits to clean up the adhesive after peeling it off. It didn't come off easy, but it worked fine; no damage whatsoever.

997rs4.0

Removing a 4 year old clear bra on my 4.0 this coming Monday. I'll try to take a few pics during removal. As you might see in the picture this is the pre cut 3M that is coming off. The only thing that might be damaged is the sticker on the hood. A new sticker run about $300bucks. I wouldn't keep a clear bra on a car for more than 4-5 years.


I removed the stone guards on my 993tt this spring! They had been on the car for 19 years. No fun removing those. But they sure did the job. Paint was perfect underneith.

Guest89

I've been told that removing a clear bra on a bumper cover - ie, polyurethane - will likely necessitate a repaint of the bumper cover as some of the paint will transfer with the film. Or at least that was the case with circa 2007 vintage film on my 997.1 GT3.

Picking up my 991 GT3 momentarily from paint correction/Full Xpel/coating. Not cheap...

eilig

I have half a notion to remove mine now, before it becomes so attached that it will damage the paint later if/when removed. Now I wish I hadn't put it on my car.

Guest89

Just ask your installer about your options?

ChrisF

I've done the clear bra on my car twice now. First one was tattered from canyon and track driving after 3 years. Paint was flawless - as new; bumper was fine; headlights were fine. I used a very high quality installer both times.

I think if you're using a professional, you shouldn't have any damage to the paint at clear bra removal. Isn't that why we do this in the first place: to protect the paint?!

eilig

Exactly!! Which is why I get uncomfortable when I hear/read about guys who damage the paint or clearcoat if/when the Clearbra is removed later.... If the very thing that's supposed to protect it can eventually damage it, then it seems like it's just a gimmick.

mwar99

There should be no damage when it is removed unless the paint was resprayed and the film was put on before it adhered properly to the panels.

If it is taken off correctly (slowly and without ripping it off the paint, let the glue loosen up with heat and steam) there should be no issues. Anyone having paint/clear coat come off likely had other issues.

Da Hapa

Two comments:
1. The installer is the most important part of a clearbra installation. All the good products today are very good. But a good installer, like a good mechanic or detailer, can and does make all the difference.
2. Clearbra technology has come a long way in a short time. The high end products of 5-10 years are pretty crappy compared to even the low end stuff used today. The good products today are much less prone to yellow, etc. and if applied properly (see #1), there should be no problem removing the product.

I don't work in the industry, I don't sell clear bras, I just have researched this a lot more than any one person should.

FWIW, I'm still going back and forth on whether to clearbra my GT4 when I get it.

sezme

I just had the 3M replaced on my daily driver 2012 Suburban 2500 HD. I wanted to have bare paint, but when it was removed there was damage to the paint (adhesive bit into the clear).

The shop replaced the film with Xpel which looks 1000% better than the 3M - as their cost - since they did the original install of the 3M.

Never again will I install 3M. Xpel is the only way to go.