Icky Mettle

I've been meaning to remove my 3M Clear Bra for about a year because it has started to look like total hell, and finally got started on it yesterday. About an hour into it, I realized I probably made a huge mistake. 6 hours later I only managed to remove the film from the headlights, wing mirrors, and maybe 20% of the front bumper. The headlights were surprisingly easy, the film was thicker and just came off in one full piece. The rest of it...goddamn. I'm trying to use a heat gun on a 200 degree setting to keep from softening or bubbling the paint so it doesn't peel up with the film, but seriously, I'm only able to get tiny slivers and splinters of this crap off at a time. My fingers are blistered and raw from trying to peel this thing off and at this point I probably have about another 14 hours of excruciating tedium and pain taking this approach. I know 3M makes a "solvent" but from what I've read about it, it really isn't that much better than your standard bug/tar/adhesive remover. If it can't penetrate the plastic to dissolve the adhesive beneath, I don't really see its worth anyhow. Regular Goo-Gone did a fine job removing the adhesive residue from under the pieces I've actually been able to remove, and so far the paint looks pristine. I tried putting adhesive dissolver in a spray bottle and spraying beneath the pieces as I was heating/peeling, but that did nothing other than make them slippery and near impossible to get a grip on and doesn't penetrate far enough under the film to really do any good.

So, what's the verdict from the jury? Has anyone paid to have one of these removed -- if so, at what cost? I was trying to save myself some money but I'm having some serious second thoughts. I'm mostly afraid of some jackass being overzealous with the heat gun and trying to rush through it only to wreck my paint. Has anyone had any luck removing one of these themselves?

I have to say, whoever installed it did a great job. There are no creases, wrinkles, or unsightly seams and it's done it's job as promised. The problem is that it's starting to cloud and has taken on a cracked appearance that makes my front bumper look like it's taken a lick and caused the paint to spiderweb. After going through this, I will NEVER have one of these put on a vehicle. I wish I could go back in time and plead with the original owner to not do it. Anywhere between $300 - $400 to have one installed, and then a few years later you have to pay to have it taken off, and then buy another one + install if you still want one. I don't know, it jut doesn't seem worth it to me. I'd rather just keep touch up paint on hand or pay for a fill and respray after about 5 or 6 years.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Mine just peeled off Not sure if it was 3M though.

Icky Mettle

Just peeled off, huh? I wish I could be so lucky.

The only upside to this is the possibility of no longer having fingerprints when I finally get this damn thing off...

Texas RX8 R3

I had a Ventureshield clear bra installed when I first got my 8. After a few days of staring at the film, I got sick of it and started to hate it more & more as time went on. I lost my patience and peeled it off myself. It probably took me a solid hour to peel it all off (full hood, half-fenders, headlights, full front bumper). It took some good effort, while still being gentle at the same time... And slowly but surely, it came off without using any sort of liquid solution.

Granted it had only been just under a week since the film had been installed, so that's maybe why it was a bit easier than what it could've been.

I'm probably one of the rare few, but I'll never be getting a clear bra ever again.

OP: To help your specific case, have you called one of your local clear bra installers for advice in regards to your situation?

Icky Mettle

No I haven't called anyone about pricing yet - was hoping someone might be able to give me a ballpark or some good tips for removal. I already had the heat gun, so I was hoping it wouldn't cost me more than a little sweat equity. Even if it's just a couple hundred dollars to have it removed, I'd rather save that money and put it towards my upcoming honeymoon and wedding expenses if at all possible.

That's 2 for "just peeled off" so I guess I just have crap luck.