Clear bra removal

[Jumbosrule]

Found several helpful threads on removing a clear bra and tried everything suggested in those threads.

Unfortunately the clear bra on my car has been on there waaaay too long and there is just no taking it off the ways that are suggested. It has dry-rotted on the car - cracks are visible everywhere in the bra.

The basic problem is that the bra shreds as soon as I try to lift it off the paint. I can't get much more than a couple of milimeters up before it breaks off, leaving every bit of the adhesive behind.

The adhesive itself seems to have cured to the paint. There is no hint of plastic over the stuck adhesive, but using goo gone, 3M spray on adhesive remover, oils... nothing works very quickly. With a lot of elbow grease and about an hour of careful work, I was able to remove about five square inches.

I wiped down the exterior of the bra with some goo gone and actually observed it penetrating the cracks in the surface of the bra. Eventually it evaporated but at no point was the bra easier to remove.

I also tried an adjustable heat gun. Warming the bra didn't make it come off any easier, but it did begin to liquify the adhesive. I tried a range of temperatures but the underlying problem is the fact the that bra has started to decompose - the cracks don't allow the bra to be removed in a sheet. It keeps shredding into tiny peices.

Next up, I'm trying a drill mounted eraser. I could really use some advice or any other methods I could attempt. I'm not too afraid of minor damage to the paint. Pretty sure I can correct whatever I cause in the removal process.

 

[FUNX650]

... nothing works very quickly.

I also tried an adjustable heat gun. Warming the bra didn't make it come off any easier, but it did begin to liquify the adhesive.

It keeps shredding into tiny peices.

I'm not too afraid of minor damage to the paint.

Next tool on the list for "stubborn-clear-bra" removal:



What you're using so far...heat, removers for adhesive softening...picking the pieces off...slow going, but effective on PPF this decrepit, IMO. Maybe a plastic paint/tar-remover scraper might help some.

Good Luck!



Bob

 

[FUNX650]

Maybe a plastic razor blade, for say, tar-remover, might help some.

These:



ScrapeRite Plastic Razor Blades, Scrape-Rite Razor Blades, Plastic blades



Bob

 

[Jons6.7]

biased on the title I was going to say dinner and drinks after but that may not work in this case. Although after all that you have tried it may be worth a shot LOL

 

[Jumbosrule]

These:



http://www.autogeek.net/scraperite-plastic-razor-blades.html

Great minds think alike - I ordered these the day before you posted!

I'm really banking on an eraser wheel. I really hope it's a miracle worker.

 

[rakkvet]

We use steam or 3M adhesive remover at our shop along with the plastic razor blades. Take your time if you can.

 

[Midnight1700]

I just removed a clear bra from a 2007 Lotus and our steamer and heat gun worked wonders. Maybe see if someone has a steam cleaner, the kind used for pressure steaming engines. Just a thought????

 

[Jumbosrule]

We use steam or 3M adhesive remover at our shop along with the plastic razor blades. Take your time if you can.

I just removed a clear bra from a 2007 Lotus and our steamer and heat gun worked wonders. Maybe see if someone has a steam cleaner, the kind used for pressure steaming engines. Just a thought????

Steaming, huh? Makes sense, I guess.

My plastic razor blade scraper arrived on Saturday. Hopefully the eraser wheel arrives before the holiday weekend. If I can't make decent progress with this method...

steam will be my next try.

 

[rakkvet]

Where are you located?

Maybe I can help.

 

[Jumbosrule]

Where are you located?

Maybe I can help.

Houston, Texas. Would welcome help in any form!

 

[FUNX650]

Houston, Texas. Would welcome help in any form!

XPel PPF is located in San Antonio.....But they have installers located all around the Texas area, and beyond!....Give them a call...they may be able to provide further guidance. No sense beating your brains out if you don't have to:

800.447.9928



Bob

 

[Jumbosrule]

Thanks Bob, I'll use them as required.

Most of my motivation for detailing in general is to be able to do these things myself. Learning is part of the fun for me. I know that could mean I do some damage, but then I just have more practice in corrections! Couldn't hurt to call and ask for advice either.

Thanks again.

 

[Jumbosrule]

Well I guess I'm partially successful with the eraser. There is definitely a learning curve - the rpm speed is pretty important to how well the eraser works. Too slow and nothing happens. Too fast and the rubber starts to burn. In either case, clean up was as simple as a duster and a vigorous buff with a MF and a quick detailer. It's still too slow and too difficult to clean up when faced with such large area. I think the steam method will be my next attempt.

Here's a couple photos:

Eraser on my cordless 18V

Corner of the clear bra on the hood - the white is burned eraser (before I figured out the proper speed.

Cleaned off enough rubber to see that the paint is in really good condition under there. It should be - it's had a clear bra over it since 2004!

Removed the pinstripe and took a bite out of the clear bra by the headlight.

Obviously the rest of the pinstripe will be removed as well, but that's a different thread. I'll continue to work on sections of the bra with my eraser but plan to hold off on the largest peices till I get a better method.