Removing Light scratches in 3M Clearbra

I cannot answer your question specifically, however, I have been told to put on a coat of wax periodically.
Suggestion: Google 3M and find someone to speak to?

 

My local installer says NOT to wax it as many waxes have some yellow pigment that will yellow the 3m. Same guy told me to lightly spray isopropal alcohol on the bra, let it sit a bit then wipe with a micro fiber to remove light scratches.

 

buffer

 

I thought you can take a hair dryer and heat it up a little and melt the scratches out. I use RelyX on my clear bra. I got it from Sam at Primier in Fremont.

 

Took my '07 into the detailer today. Have scratches on the clearbra (bumper) from a tumbleweed shooting across the 101 (santa anna's blowing) last fall. They think they can get most out. I'll let you know what happens. Since I bought the car used a year ago i do not know what brand of clearbra is on. The detailer thought it might be 3M (or one other brand) because it seemed to have a clearcoat on it. Because of that they felt pretty confident. We'll see.

 

well fortunately you can always just peel it off and install a new one

 

I believe alcohol is the preferred treatment for 3M film with clear coat. Heat is only used for VentureShield. Check with Sammy at Premier for the proper technique.

 

You are correct. I recommend asking your installer...

 

Guys, I'm an installer. During my research this is what I've come up with. I've also tried some of these methods myself and if done correctly they seemed to work for me. Please note that this is a post from another source. This gentleman belongs to the XPel team located in San Antino Texas. The XPel team has an unbelievable source of knowledge and in my opinion is the best in the business. There pre-cut patterns are next to non and the film they have (XPel film) is top notch. I'm a dealer through them and speak to them at least a couple times a month so I'm sure they wont mind me posting this info here. I've copied and pasted the info below for your knowledge. If you have any questions I'd be more then happy to answer them.

Here's the info:::::::::::::::

I used a few different methods to see what worked best. On the first section, the scratches came out using Mequiar's Number 9 (swirl remover) and a microfiber towel, though it took quite a but of rubbing and 3 applications to remove the scratches. The process left a slightly hazy appearance, which came off with some Quick Detailer and a fresh microfiber cloth. The haze was just excess swirl remover on the surface. I put a fresh coat of wax on afterwards and there was no trace of the scratches afterwards.
I did the same thing with a cheap orbital polisher on another section of film using a wool pad, which made the process faster.
On the last section I used a variable speed buffer with a wool pad set on low speed (1800 RPM). This worked the best by far. I still used the same polish and wax, but it took very little time and the surface seemed shinier when I was finished. A couple of notes on this method:

1) You don't need much swirl remover. A couple of drops for a 1 foot by one foot section is plenty.

2) Keep the buffer moving and don't over do it. Of course, the same would apply if you were buffing paint.

3) For deep scratches, you may need to buff the area more than once, but let the surface cool before the second run.

4) Use low RPM. Do not try to buff the surface at high speed.

5) Do not buff anything in direct sun. You need to be in the shade or inside a shop or you will ruin it.

The buffing method also removed the bug etch quite easily. The whole thing looks like it was just put on.
I will continue to test using some different polishes and pads on various colors. I have some foam "edge" pads on order, which I have heard are the best.
With this new information, I would also encourage you all to test polishes you have sitting around to see what kind of results you get and report back (especially you detailers out there). The Meguiars worked, but there may be something better. Just be careful with solvent based stuff. It can cause discoloration if it has petroleum distillates in it. Water based stuff is best.

Here's somemore info as well:::::::::::::::::::::::::

Meguars number 9 does not remove the clear coat. It is primarily a cleaner/polish. Numbers 1, 2 and 4 as well as Scratch X contain abrasives that remove clear and should be avoided.
Numbers 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 80, 82 and 83 should all be safe to use as they are not abrasive, but I will be testing them all to be sure.
I wouldn't advise any customer to use a buffer on their car unless they knew what they were doing. If applied by hand though, there is practically no risk in using these products.

And somemore info:::::::::::::::::::::::::::

I just finished another batch of tests as well as some reasearch into some of waxes listed above. I found that Meguiars number 6 and number 7 both contain kerosene, so take those off the safe list (at least on white cars). Number 9 still seems to be the best polish.
I tested 2 more panels. One for scratch removal and one for hard water spots. On this test I used a foam pad (The Edge 2000 8 Inch E-205 White Finishing Foam Pad) at 1800 RPM with Meguiars number 9 and found it to work much faster and easier than wool.
I also found that it is not necessary to buff the polish until it is gone. Buff it for about 10 seconds to spread the polish uniformly, keeping the pad as flat as possible. Then spray with quick detailer and wipe it off.
I followed that up with Zymol Cleaner Wax (16 oz Part Number Z503) that I picked up at Target for $11.99. The resulting finish was perfect and the wax is perfectly safe for PPF.
Total time for each 2 foot by 3 foot panel was less than 5 minutes. I also attempted to put hard water spots back on the film after the Zymol was applied (we have incredibly hard water here) and could not get anything to stick to the film.
So far, the Zymol Cleaner Wax seems to be the best all around product I have found in terms of ease of use, cost, safety to the film and protection.

 

ALTA ADAM,

Your local installer is correct about waxes causing the film to discolor but if a wax that has no dyes or pigments in them is used your safe.

I've only tried these waxes on XPel's film and they haven't caused any problems for me thus far. I learned this information through the XPel team so I want to give them credit for this research. I haven't tried any other waxes other then what I've listed here.

Waxes that are known to not have these in them are as follows:

Zymol Field Glaze and Cream

Meguires NX2 Wax

Turtle wax ice (only the clear liquid kind)

Also just as an FYI....taking your car through a touch less car wash can cause the film to yellow...the chemicals in these car washes can cause a chemical reaction with what the film is coated with to cause the yellowing over time so be careful when doing this.

 

And coming from another installer I will tell you to ask the installer that put it on. All films react differently to different methods. If you ask your installer the proper way to do it for the film they installed, well if it messes up its on them. If you take the word of someone else about a different film then the installer can tell you that he did not recommend it and will not replace it. Always ask the original installer how to maintain their film... not someone else. If one of my clients came to me and told me they buffed out ClearMask AR or VentureShield Ultra and ruined it... without asking me first... well its on them and I will not replace it. That goes for any maintenance of the film.

 

I have meguiar's #83.. it's definitely an abrasive polish. If you put a little on your fingers, you can feel the particles. I would not use it on clear film. #80 is also abrasive, though less so than #83. #82 is similar to #9, both are rated on meguiar's 'cut scale' so they likely have mild abrasives, too. 9 and 82 may be mild enough for clear film, but I don't know for sure.

Their deep crystal paint cleaner (not the deep crystal polish) is a chemical, non-abrasive paint cleaner. #'s 5 and 7 are pure glazes, #3 is a machine glaze with some mild cut.

 

I've used P21s Concours-look Caranauba wax on 3M and Venture shield for years with no staining and no issues. It has no dyes or perfumes. Also, for Venture shield, plexus works well.

 

rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) works beautifully on 3M clear bra.