Clear bra removal -- paint issues?

Patience and a heat gun on low setting.

 

I was told no problem by a number of Ferrari owners but never saw the finished product once it was removed

 

A steamer works better as it needs moisture to remove or break down the glue/adhesive.

 

The only issues I've seen (twice now) are razor blade scratches in the paint from the install. When they do the install they often cut too deep trimming off the excess material leaving blade cuts in the paint.

 

I recently had my 2003 spider redone. The film was on there since the car was new and wasnremoved with no paint issues. If the paint is fully cured prior to the film being placed on the car you should have no problems. A competent installer is a must.

 

You should wait at least one week before having the clear bra applied after a respray. Check with your installer and he will advise you for sure.

 

Wait 30 days

 

The longer you wait the better it is!

 

I would wait a month b4 the film. It is possible that in years ahead when you remove the film, it may lift paint from the bumper, even if steamed off. Don't ask how I know.
But it is a small issue as it can be resprayed and it will be years before it is removed.

Lastly, you may try to find an installer that has access to a pre-cut clear film for the bumper, rather than hand cutting over the bumper.

 

+1 to everything everyone has said.

Wait at least 30 days for the paint to cure before re-wrapping.

When removing paint protection film, be super patient, and go as slow as possible. Heat gun, steamer, both help.

And, if it was me, I'd make sure a professional paint protection film specialist did it. In NorCal we have Premier Protective Films, and in SoCal we have Protective Film Solutions. I wouldn't trust my cars to anyone else, to be honest. So, find someone you can trust (get referrals / see their work), and use them.

 

Here is one story:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/360-430/332462-3m-protective-film.html

and mine:
I posted photos somewhere, I tried searching but couldnt find the thread. But I also had paint come off the front fenders, side skirts. The bonnet, front bumper and rear where fine. The company that took it off was the one that installed mine. It was done 1 month after new and taken off and replaced 2 years after. Personally I would never get a clear bra on a car. Here in Czech the cost of one is slightly less then a respray at my dealer.

 

Just found the thread:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/360-430/355581-question-about-clear-bra-430-a-3.html

 

I just had the factory film removed from the inner lips of the fenders and lower air intakes. The Protint tech said his EXPEL rep told him that sometimes the paint can come off when removing the film. He used a steamer and the only issue was removing the adhesive afterwards. He said it was because of the aluminum body which I find hard to believe.
Alan

 

The problem with respraying is that it adds to a car's "story" and thus can devalue it slightly during resale.

 

+1

 

It all depends on the person doing the work. Find a really good and experienced installer and you should be fine- BUT- there is no 100% guarantee. You are just reducing the odds that there could be a problem. A good installer will warn you that there could be complications- even if they are rare.

 

After I purchased my '06 F430 Spider in Oct. of 2011, I had the clear bra removed from the hood and front fenders, but left it on everywhere else. My painter used a heat gun to loosen the adhesive, then used a liquid polish to remove the residue. There was no paint damage, and I remain very satisfied with the result. My car is TdF blue, and the clear bra was more obvious than it would be on a yellow or red car. As a rule, from what I have seen, the darker the color, the more the clear bra is apparent. Fred

 

I'm looking at buying a 2006 F430 that has a clear bra installed. I assume its original hence dates back about 7 years.

The vehicle is red and the transparent membrane probably wouldn't be very noticeable except that some edges have lifted slightly or caught a bit of dirt causing the edge to be more evident. I complained to the dealer and his recommendation was to leave it for a few more years because it was still in pretty good shape and didn't have any discoloration or deterioration except along a few edges, and then he has someone skilled in removing and replacing the bras for $1400.

What do people think? What is the typical failure mode of these clear bras and when is it time to replace them?

Based on this thread I will be extra careful to question whoever is going to do it about their method and double check who is liable for paint damage during the process.

Thanks!

 

I'd leave it on until it either gets scratched up (i.e., it serves its purpose as paint protection films), or until it gets to the point where it's unsightly (discolored, etc).

Otherwise, you're just wasting money on costly removal, and re-wrapping, when its purpose is to protect.

 

Here's what I would do if I were buying that car. I would come to terms with the seller based on HIM removing the bra before finalizing the deal. If the bare paint can't be brought back to your satisfaction, the seller would be responsible for a re-spray or you could cancel the deal, your choice.

Ask yourself what you will do after you remove this shabby bra in a years time and the paint is ruined? Do you think your bargaining position with the dealer will be strong? I doubt it.

Get the bra off, correct the paint, and NEVER put a bra on your car again. Keep the paint touched up and waxed and when the time comes to respray the bumper, do it.

As far as I'm concerned, clear bras fail the instant you put them on and they get worse from there. I believe they should never be replaced because they should never be put on in the first place. Of course, others will have a different opinion. Before you take their advice, check their living room sofas and lamp shades for plastic covers.

 

I also don't like the clear protectors. I am VERY fanatical about the way my paint looks and I can't stand how they ruin the reflection in the paint. A lot of people say they can't see them, but I ALWAYS see them from 10' away. I need my cars to have a mirror shine. As you might guess, I'm also not into the matte finish cars.
I do realize the clear protector benefits, but for me the positives of using it don't out weigh the negatives. Unfortunately, the negative of not using it is that a repaint may be necessary once the car gets too many chips. I try to avoid getting chips by keeping my distance from other cars. So far I'm doing ok, I put about 3,000 miles on my car and not a single chip! I'm sure it will happen eventually though