Clear bra removal - seems like a nightmare...need some input

[Mr. Slick]

It`s all about liability......
If there was a repaint as well, there are some isolated instances where paint could potentially come off

My client said he was about to take a torch to it and see if it could come off. I think he was serious.


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[RaydiantDetail]

I would do a test spot and see what is involved .. it may just start peeling off or

Thank you. One can only hope to be so lucky it would come off easily.

You need a steamer, heat and moisture will cause the bra to lift and loosen the adhesive.

Yup I would use my Vapor Chief 75 steamer, plastic razer blades and adhesive remover.

That`s the worst clear bra I`ve ever seen and our summers down here get well over 100*. I guess it would be like a clear bra installer trying to buff a really swirled up vehicle...he probably wouldn`t want to even attempt it.

You and me both. Ive removed some yellowing clear bra but never something like this.

I remember people bringing me lacquer paint jobs that looked like that and expected it to look new again :wall

Sounds like most customers who think you can make their car perfect after a decade of mistreatment. lol

yikes, good luck. I am very interested to see what approach you take. Since it is fractured in so many pieces, I wonder if an eraser wheel would help "chipping" it off (?) . Also, I personally would consider the gentle use of a plastic razor blade to aid in removal in combination with whatever approach you attempt , since that`ll definitely need polishing afterwards.

Thank you. Yup I would use my Vapor Chief 75 steamer, plastic razer blades and adhesive remover. Car will be getting a paint correction after clear bra removal.

Raydiant -

While a steamer is indeed going to be your best friend but as you can see, it`s beyond it`s usable life....
I would avoid the removal job unless you`re willing to take the the risk of some hrs with a plastic knife and alot of choice language words.

Either you are blessed at it might come off in small sheets or you will be scraping all day with a plastic blade.
You`re talking a 12 year old install.....not that it may matter, but the paint underneath might not exactly blend with the exposed paint a well.

Thank you. This is where I am struggling. I only have a limited time since I do this on the weekends as a part time business. If this is something that will take me 12 hours the client has to be willing to pay for the time which they may not be lol.

This could provide a great learning experience when you think about it, if you can remove this...you can do anything hahaha . If the customer is realistic, I would explain the risks and potential outcome, do a test area and then if you`re willing to help them out by tackling this, come up with a price that`ll be worth your time. I`d probably rather spend a weekend removing this clear bra, than doing a full detail inside out on a vehicle probably since I`ll be focused on just one area/aspect of the vehicle while tackling something others may decline,which then frustrates the client.

Thank you. I dont know if I would prefer this or a full detail lol. I guess I will know if I attempt this but its getting a full detail inside and out as well.

It`s most likely going to come off in hundreds of little bits, just bill accordingly. It`s not a tough job, just an odious one.

Lastly, make sure you have a quality adhesive remover... your going to need it.

Thank you.

Call around to PPF installers and explain to them the severity of the film and ask how much time they would need and at what price. If you feel compelled to remove it, base your time and price off of their quote.

Thank you. This is a great idea.

A lot of good points here. Talk with client reference the dangers and potential out come. Also what other places would charge if you want and go from there

Thank you. I did have the conversation with them about the dangers or potential damage to the paint.

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[RaydiantDetail]

After removing with a heat gun and plastic squeegee I used goo gone to remove the adhesive. Then I polished and sealed the paint.

They took it back to the shop and they said they can`t remove it. Well I could.


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Nice job! How long did it take you to remove?

It`s all about liability......
If there was a repaint as well, there are some isolated instances where paint could potentially come off

My client said he was about to take a torch to it and see if it could come off. I think he was serious.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I wouldn`t touch that with a 10` pole! Send it to a PPF shop and let them deal with that nightmare. Once they get cracked like that I won`t touch them.

This is the worst one I`ve done, not as bad as that car.

Thank you and nice job! Ugh all the little pieces. How long did it take you to remove?

 

[Nth Degree]

This is a situation where you might want to do a test spot. First explain the risks and let the owner know it is likely going to be very expensive due to the condition of the film. Spend 10 minutes and remove what you can from a section on the hood. Use that as a basis to estimate the time to do it all. I wouldn`t be surprised if it is an 8+ hour job just to remove.

 

[Mr. Slick]

Nice job! How long did it take you to remove?


Around 4-5 hrs over a few days

 

[RaysWay]

I just helped remove a clear bra from a friends 2004 Ford Lightning and it looked just like the pic you posted. My friend tried to remove it before several times and never had luck.

I went at it by myself at first alternating between heating the clearbra with the steamer, then using a plastic blade. It was taking forever. Once the glue cooled down, it turned back to concrete. I was moving in millimeters.

So we tagged teamed it and had much better results. I blasted the bra with steam to heat it up while my friend used a plastic blade on a long handle and the bra started to come off in longer strips. We tried our best to get the adhesive at the same time, but it stuck behind while the bra came off.

After we had all of the plastic removed, we moved onto removing the adhesive which was just as big of a pain. We used a combination of towels, Goo Gone, 3M Adhesive Remover and my favorite...a 3M Eraser tool on a drill.

I forgot to bring my camera since I was technically "off the clock" helping a friend, and I only took one pic from my phone. But I`ll be back later to help him finish coating it. It came out great minus one paint chip that came off with the adhesive, so make sure the owner understands there could be some damage but you`ll do your best to be careful. Luckily some Dr. Colorchip should take care of that one spot.

It took us about 5 hours to remove the clear bra from the bumper, grill surround, and mirrors.

As long as you have a steamer, I say go for it.

Good luck!

 

[RaydiantDetail]

I just helped remove a clear bra from a friends 2004 Ford Lightning and it looked just like the pic you posted. My friend tried to remove it before several times and never had luck.

I went at it by myself at first alternating between heating the clearbra with the steamer, then using a plastic blade. It was taking forever. Once the glue cooled down, it turned back to concrete. I was moving in millimeters.

So we tagged teamed it and had much better results. I blasted the bra with steam to heat it up while my friend used a plastic blade on a long handle and the bra started to come off in longer strips. We tried our best to get the adhesive at the same time, but it stuck behind while the bra came off.

After we had all of the plastic removed, we moved onto removing the adhesive which was just as big of a pain. We used a combination of towels, Goo Gone, 3M Adhesive Remover and my favorite...a 3M Eraser tool on a drill.

I forgot to bring my camera since I was technically "off the clock" helping a friend, and I only took one pic from my phone. But I`ll be back later to help him finish coating it. It came out great minus one paint chip that came off with the adhesive, so make sure the owner understands there could be some damage but you`ll do your best to be careful. Luckily some Dr. Colorchip should take care of that one spot.

It took us about 5 hours to remove the clear bra from the bumper, grill surround, and mirrors.

As long as you have a steamer, I say go for it.

Good luck!

Thank you Ray! Sounds like its going to be a lot of work as everyone has mentioned. I`ll be at it solo if I do decide to do the job so my expectations now are set that its going to be a long day of just clear bra and adhesive removal accompanied by choice words.

Appreciate the detailed responses!

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