Clear bra removal

G

gtpaul

New member
Hey gents,



I have an Aston Martin Vantage coming up, and from what I am hearing the clear bra is severely etched or stained. If its not fixable with polishing the client will want it removed. (I wont be seeing the car until it arrives)



Ive never had to remove clear bra after its set for 1yr+.



Lots of heat, and adhesive remover should work?



Any suggestions, tips or cautions?



Thanks,

Paul
 
Hey Paul - I've done a ton of these, they range from hilariously easy to hang yourself hard. It all depends on the film that is on the car. Generally speaking, ime, if it is a year old or just over it shouldn't be too hard. Even 3m stopped using their ridiculous adhesive at that point.



Either way I start with light heat on a corner and just start to pull back at about a 135 degree angle (so you're pulling toward you, but not entirely toward you...sort of like toward, but up), very slowly. Heat the front of the bra as you pull slowly. If you don't get enough heat down or pull too fast you'll leave residue (which is a hassle). If its an easy film and you're slow/steady it will pull right off, almost no residue. If it's an older film with a stronger adhesive you'll have a ton of residue left (they will look like long lines, the bra will "snap" as you pull it leaving residue behind), I normally let them dwell is a strong APC then claybar off, or dwell/heat/clay. It takes forever.



One caution - ask if any re-sprays were done pre film, if so ime there is about a 90% chance some of the paint will come of with the film. If not you're good to go. Just remember, slow, steady pulling, about 135 degree angle from the edge.
 
I removed a six year old clear bra with no real ill effects besides an annoying line that won't polish out...



It was pretty hot out and came off quite easily. I'm not sure of the brand since it was used but there was some very severe etching (places where bugs ate THROUGH) and it still came off easily.



Your experience may vary, I'd prep for the worst with what is stated above. Good luck!
 
Picus said:
Hey Paul - I've done a ton of these, they range from hilariously easy to hang yourself hard. It all depends on the film that is on the car. Generally speaking, ime, if it is a year old or just over it shouldn't be too hard. Even 3m stopped using their ridiculous adhesive at that point.



Either way I start with light heat on a corner and just start to pull back at about a 135 degree angle (so you're pulling toward you, but not entirely toward you...sort of like toward, but up), very slowly. Heat the front of the bra as you pull slowly. If you don't get enough heat down or pull too fast you'll leave residue (which is a hassle). If its an easy film and you're slow/steady it will pull right off, almost no residue. If it's an older film with a stronger adhesive you'll have a ton of residue left (they will look like long lines, the bra will "snap" as you pull it leaving residue behind), I normally let them dwell is a strong APC then claybar off, or dwell/heat/clay. It takes forever.



One caution - ask if any re-sprays were done pre film, if so ime there is about a 90% chance some of the paint will come of with the film. If not you're good to go. Just remember, slow, steady pulling, about 135 degree angle from the edge.
Click to expand...



Thanks! I'll hope for the best that it's a newer film.
 
Picus said:
Hey Paul - I've done a ton of these, they range from hilariously easy to hang yourself hard. It all depends on the film that is on the car. Generally speaking, ime, if it is a year old or just over it shouldn't be too hard. Even 3m stopped using their ridiculous adhesive at that point.



Either way I start with light heat on a corner and just start to pull back at about a 135 degree angle (so you're pulling toward you, but not entirely toward you...sort of like toward, but up), very slowly. Heat the front of the bra as you pull slowly. If you don't get enough heat down or pull too fast you'll leave residue (which is a hassle). If its an easy film and you're slow/steady it will pull right off, almost no residue. If it's an older film with a stronger adhesive you'll have a ton of residue left (they will look like long lines, the bra will "snap" as you pull it leaving residue behind), I normally let them dwell is a strong APC then claybar off, or dwell/heat/clay. It takes forever.



One caution - ask if any re-sprays were done pre film, if so ime there is about a 90% chance some of the paint will come of with the film. If not you're good to go. Just remember, slow, steady pulling, about 135 degree angle from the edge.
Click to expand...



I concur with picus but would like to add that sometimes using heat hinders instead of helps by leaving greater amounts of adhesive on the paint for you to remove.
 
A steam gun will be the best tool for the job. I'm a 3M installer and it's what we were told to use when removing film. Its best to do it when the panel is warm, so you can leave the car in the sun a while before you start to peel the film. As you're peeling the film, continue to steam the crease where the film meets the paint.



If the clear bra is under a year old, there shouldn't be too much adhesive left. BTW, do you happen to know what brand the clear bra is? The reason I'm asking is because a lot of them can be lightly polished to remove stains. 3M film can actually be wetsanded and compounded. Try m205/po85rd with a white/black pad before you remove it just to double check.
 
I havent seen it yet, once i do, ill go from there. Just wanted a worst case scenario to do list.



Thanks!
 
RE; compounding the film. I've found D300 works great on ventureshield premium; might be worth a try if its a) a newish film and b) is a good enough install to warrant saving. I find so many installs are poorly done that taking them off generally improves the appearance of the car (and then having them re-applied properly, of course).
 
I got a gallon of D300 in and its pretty impressive. M105 this year has not been kind to me so its nice to have a low dust, non gummy compound to play with. I'll give it a shot on the film.. worst case the film comes off anyways.
 
Im working on the car as we speak and figure id provide an update.



Tree sap etching was not removable and was pretty deep. Film looked horrible in the first place (poor texture, do not know the brand). Hood was hot from the drive so i began peeling and it came right off like butter.



Someone put the film over a hologram fest.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top