DiamondShield Clear Bra Removal - 2003 Coachmen Elite Motorhome - LOTS of pics!

SuperiorAutoLLC

SuperiorAutoLLC

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I had a customer contact me about removing this DiamondShield Clear Bra on their 2003 Coachmen Elite RV...originally, I was going to "let the other guy have the blessing," but then I decided to give it a shot.

My Weapons of Choice:
  • Porter Cable Heat Gun
  • 2 Gallons of Xylene
  • About 15-20 Plastic Razor Blades
  • 3M Solvent Resistant Gloves, 3 pairs
  • 3M Half-face Respirator
  • TONS of Terry Cloth & Microfibers
  • Foam Cannon w/ CG Honeydew
  • Pinnacle XMT 360, Pink LC CCS polishing pad
  • Flex 3401
  • LOTS of patience!!

My Process:
  • Heat small section using the PC Heat Gun
  • Peel back small section using plastic razor blades
  • Repeat this process over entire RV front area
  • Suit up with PPE (Respirator and Gloves)
  • Soak Terry Cloth towel in Xylene, apply to small section and rub vigorously
  • Mist section with water and wipe off with Microfiber to ensure no Xylene is left on the paint
  • Repeat this process over entire front of RV
  • Wash with Foam Cannon/CG Honeydew and Polish with Pinnacle XMT 360 for protection and shine
  • Go home, drink beer. LOTS OF IT!

I'm glad I took on the work because the turnaround is fantastic and the customers were thrilled!! All in all, 17 hours invested. Enjoy the pics and please comment!


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Man that thing was nasty! Great job, looks beautiful now
 
Great job!I would have been very worried about heating up the side mirrors,knowing how thin the paint is on them.You did an awesome job,I am sure they were thrilled,I would have liked to see their face when they saw it for the first time.Again,great job.
 
Good post thank you! 17 hour dear god... clear bras arent cheap to begin with 17 hour removal time if you wouldent mind how did you go about pricing this? Hourly or by job? Thanks

Sent from my SGH-T889 using AG Online
 
Dr_Pain said:
:iagree:

Knowing what you know now, would you do it again? price it differently?
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Call me crazy, but yes, I would absolutely do it again. It was a nice change from all the traditional details and was very challenging.

As far as pricing, I don't mean to pat myself on the back, but I nailed this one. Turns out the owners had contacted the Coachmen dealer to see if they could remove it and they quoted the same price that I did, only the owners would have had to drive over an hour to the closest dealership. So it was a no brainer for them to have me come to them.

All in all, it was fun!:xyxthumbs:
 
Just wow. Wonderful work - kudos!

Any thoughts on what went wrong with that film? I've seen the results of many poor installation jobs, and a few cases where (cheap) film failed, but NOTHING like this. That cracking and discoloration is incredible.
 
VroomVroom said:
Just wow. Wonderful work - kudos!

Any thoughts on what went wrong with that film? I've seen the results of many poor installation jobs, and a few cases where (cheap) film failed, but NOTHING like this. That cracking and discoloration is incredible.
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Thanks! Actually yeah, I have an idea. You're supposed to wash these things GENTLY with a little soap and water...the owner freaked out when she saw bugs on there and scrubbed the heck out of it using *wait for it, wait for it* Clorox. Yes, as in bleach. Straight bleach! So I assume after multiple bleach washes, the bra then cracked and with some rain, snow or whatever other conditions it was exposed to, began to develop a strong mold and mildew growth underneath. Then combined with the Florida sun, baked to a crisp onto the front of the RV.

:doh:
 
Oh, wow! That certainly matches the 'before' pics... Thanks for following up. Good film (and, obviously, installation...and proper care) can be a terrific value-add to just about any vehicle. Certainly doesn't take away from the quality of your work, though. Congrats again on a job very well done.
 
VroomVroom said:
Oh, wow! That certainly matches the 'before' pics... Thanks for following up. Good film (and, obviously, installation...and proper care) can be a terrific value-add to just about any vehicle. Certainly doesn't take away from the quality of your work, though. Congrats again on a job very well done.
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Thanks Jerry!!
 
HellaBroke said:
Good post thank you! 17 hour dear god... clear bras arent cheap to begin with 17 hour removal time if you wouldent mind how did you go about pricing this? Hourly or by job? Thanks

Sent from my SGH-T889 using AG Online
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I forgot to mention that this was priced by the job and not by the hour...although I ended up pretty close to my hourly rate in the end anyway :props:
 
Amazing job. Thanks for sharing that info. Not even sure what the charge for that would be with 17 plus hours involved
 
Killer job Brandon! :)

At first I thought it was some sort of 'marble' pattern on the front. Then as I looked at the photos I ended up shaking my head wondering what in the heck the owner DID to it. :eek: Shouldn't have scrubbed it with bleach huh? :laughing:

The logo/lettering on the front, isn't it vinyl too?

Just WOW! :applause:
 
cardaddy said:
Killer job Brandon! :)

At first I thought it was some sort of 'marble' pattern on the front. Then as I looked at the photos I ended up shaking my head wondering what in the heck the owner DID to it. :eek: Shouldn't have scrubbed it with bleach huh? :laughing:

The logo/lettering on the front, isn't it vinyl too?

Just WOW! :applause:
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Thanks Tony!! I know, I could hardly believe it myself when I heard she used bleach.

Yes, the front lettering is vinyl as well. My biggest concern was that the clear bra would be too adhered to the lettering to come off separately. The owners said they didn't care if the lettering on the front came off. I was super careful, used a little less heat around that area and the bra actually came off really easily on top of the letters. :awesome:
 
SuperiorAutoLLC said:
Thanks Tony!! I know, I could hardly believe it myself when I heard she used bleach.

Yes, the front lettering is vinyl as well. My biggest concern was that the clear bra would be too adhered to the lettering to come off separately. The owners said they didn't care if the lettering on the front came off. I was super careful, used a little less heat around that area and the bra actually came off really easily on top of the letters. :awesome:
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As I said in my other thread tonight "You can't fix stupid!" ;) At least she perhaps learned a lesson. AND.... who to call to get everything else she owns done too! :)
 
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