Aging 3M Mask on the front of my coach
Posted 09-21-2022 at 11:29 AM by HiBanky
Updated 03-27-2024 at 08:19 AM by HiBanky (Delete the old post. Add new pics and explain new method)
Updated 03-27-2024 at 08:19 AM by HiBanky (Delete the old post. Add new pics and explain new method)
Now that the mold has completely ruined the look of the front cap I have started what will likely be a very long project. The only good solution is to scrape off all the Diamond shield film. Ten hours later and about twenty plastic razor blades the hood is looking really good. My choice of solvent was mineral spirits, but I am searching for something better for the next section. Some plastic scrapers from Harbor Freight may also make the job easier.
The top half is finished with no damage to the paint and it is looking beautiful. I stuck with the plastic razor blades but changed the solvent to 90% Isopropyl Alcohol. Im considering covering the bottom half with Vvivid Vinyl Wrap in place of scraping.
After some reconsideration, I abandon the vinyl idea and continued to scrape off the rest of the shield. Now the entire front end looks like new. The results were far better than expected but the effort was way beyond what I anticipated. It took countless hours, 80 plastic razor blades, three liters of alcohol, and many doses of Tylenol. Between the time and the toll on my body, I would pay a thousand dollars to someone else if only I could count on a perfect outcome.
I learned some techniques that would have made the job much easer had I employed them from the beginning.
Work at a temperature between 70 and 80 degrees and not in direct sunlight.
Use liberal amounts of solvent from a spray bottle directly on the adhesive.
Sharpen the plastic razor blades frequently using 600 grit emery paper.
Scrape in an arc as opposed to a straight line.
Use the razor and solvent to scrape off the majority of adhesive.
Clean the residual adhesive with a microfiber towel and solvent.
If the cleaned surface looks dull, continue to rub on it with a microfiber towel and lots of solvent.
When possible, pull the shield off with your hands and fingers as this will remove all the adhesive at the same time. This only works if the mold has not spread much.
Be prepared for a workout and sore fingers.
The better alternative is to take it to Ugly Shield Removal in Florida and pay the money to have it done.
The top half is finished with no damage to the paint and it is looking beautiful. I stuck with the plastic razor blades but changed the solvent to 90% Isopropyl Alcohol. Im considering covering the bottom half with Vvivid Vinyl Wrap in place of scraping.
After some reconsideration, I abandon the vinyl idea and continued to scrape off the rest of the shield. Now the entire front end looks like new. The results were far better than expected but the effort was way beyond what I anticipated. It took countless hours, 80 plastic razor blades, three liters of alcohol, and many doses of Tylenol. Between the time and the toll on my body, I would pay a thousand dollars to someone else if only I could count on a perfect outcome.
I learned some techniques that would have made the job much easer had I employed them from the beginning.
Work at a temperature between 70 and 80 degrees and not in direct sunlight.
Use liberal amounts of solvent from a spray bottle directly on the adhesive.
Sharpen the plastic razor blades frequently using 600 grit emery paper.
Scrape in an arc as opposed to a straight line.
Use the razor and solvent to scrape off the majority of adhesive.
Clean the residual adhesive with a microfiber towel and solvent.
If the cleaned surface looks dull, continue to rub on it with a microfiber towel and lots of solvent.
When possible, pull the shield off with your hands and fingers as this will remove all the adhesive at the same time. This only works if the mold has not spread much.
Be prepared for a workout and sore fingers.
The better alternative is to take it to Ugly Shield Removal in Florida and pay the money to have it done.
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