How to Remove Old 3M Invisible Paint Protection Film (Clear Bra) from a Car

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This tutorial will instruct you on how to remove 3M invisible paint protection film that has become brittle over the years and does not peel off in nice easily manageable strips. With a few easily attainable tools and a lot of patience, one can make take the film off making it look like it was never there.

Steps

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    Be sure not to use a metal scraper as it could scratch the paint finish.
    • You may use some auto trim tools that are made of poly/nylon and are safe for the paint surface.
    • Gently stick the edge of the scraper underneath the edge of the film and push against the film to see how easily it will come off .
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    Do not get the heat gun too close to the car, 8–12 inches (20.3–30.5 cm) will work best. Hold the heat gun on the section for about a minute or two. If the film comes off fairly easily and in large strips a heat gun may not be necessary but would help. [1]
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    It is Okay and normal for to not get everything off in each pass.
    • As long as you get the top layer of the film off the rest will come off easily with Goo Gone adhesive remover.
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    You will know when you need to heat again as the strips being removed will get smaller. This process will take some time so patience is a must!
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    Grab a small microfiber towel and spray some Goo Gone onto it. [2]
    • Gently rub over the area on the car where the adhesive is.
    • Work in small sections and spray more Goo Gone on the towel as needed. Rub over the areas until the adhesive has been removed. The plastic scraper can also help on this step.
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    If you wish to be very certain you have removed all the adhesive, or get tired of trying to get every little piece, a clay bar kit is the answer. Spray down a small area, 2x2, and then rub the clay bar over it. [3]
    • The clay bar will pull up the rest of the particles that are left and make a nice smooth finish.
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    So that it doesn't stand out, you may wish to wax the entire hood or just go for the whole car!
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  • Question
    What kind of heat gun do I use?
    Community Answer
    Any standard heat gun from your local hardware store will work, or even a hair dryer if you are desperate.
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      Video

      Things You'll need

      • Plastic scraper
      • Heat gun/blow dryer
      • Goo Gone
      • Wax
      • Clay bar kit
      • Freshly washed car needing an old invisible shield removed

      Tips

      • Clay bar is an excellent way to pull all contaminants off the paint such as tar, baked on bugs, road grime. If used on the entire car before waxing, it will leave a very nice smooth surface. Use it at least once a year.
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      Warnings

      • Use care when operating a heat gun, as it gets VERY hot. You do not want to hold it too close or for too long on the paint, just a minute or two and no closer than 8 inches (20.3 cm) away. [4]
        Thanks
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      References

      1. ↑ https://howtune.com/articles/414-remove-old-3m-paint-protection-film-on-a-lotus-elise
      2. ↑ https://googone.com/howto/blog/does-goo-gone-work-on-that/
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFXfSBR5Q9w
      4. ↑ https://www.diydata.com/tool/heat_gun/heat_gun.php

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 127,076 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Ken Davis

        Jul 16, 2017

        "Worked perfectly to get that messy film off my black Lexus. Required a lot of rubbing, just like it said. Looks so ..." more
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