Giovanni Giovino 6.0+6.0TT

Hello All,
Well after removing the protective film from the fog lights last month, I decided to do the same with the headlights, then the mirrors, and now onto the hood, as can be seen in the pictures it has progressively gotten worse this year to the point shown in pictures, the fenders are fine, but the hood has turned dull, and the mirrors stained, which neither would come up clean or clear, as of this writing I am working on the hood, the fog lights and headlights had a very thick film which came off in one piece, but left a very heavy layer of glue behind, some rags and gasoline took care of that, but the mirrors film is like peeling sunburn, it took almost as long to do one mirror as it did a headlight, and as the hood has the same film as the mirrors, oh the joy I am having....

So to my questions,
Have any of you ever removed the film from any body panel, and besides a heat gun and gasoline, what other method did you use, as in is there a spray on solvent to remove the film, if so what kind, and next would you put new protection film back on everything, headlight films are $53 for the pair, and the hood, fenders, and mirrors kit is $177 , not a bad price at all considering the level of protection provided over 11 years, BUT the headlights and fog lights look like the day the came from the factory, and the paint on the mirrors is beautiful, as I am sure the hood will be also, so I am just trying to decide what look I like better.

Your opinions please.

.

dvs_dave

Unless you live in a place where stone chips are a problem I wouldn't bother replacing. Rust will never be an issue, and the car is already 11 years old, so it won't add any value over the remainder of its useful life with you (5 years?) other than a psychological one.

TSHong

I was looking at the Suntek PPF. They quoted me like $ 700 or so for the front end including all the lights. The only reason I have not done it was the issue of possibly the glue at some age damaging the headlight? Sound like you were able to remove the glue without damaging the plastic head lights. I was afraid of the glue being baked into the plastic headlight but looks like my fear might be unfounded.

BTW the Suntek film can heal it self. If it gets scratched, just pour hot water over it and presto, the scratch is gone. There are one other brand that will also heal itself but my window tiner caries Suntek and he offers a 5 year warranty so I would just use him if I wanted it done.

Giovanni Giovino 6.0+6.0TT

Hello Thomas.
Here is a link to the product I was looking at, the "PRO" series, it is also self healing with 7 year warranty.


L


And yes I had no problems with getting the glue off the headlights, I just still stink like gasoline....

Giovanni Giovino 6.0+6.0TT

Hello Dave,


New Jersey, stone chip capital of the world......

03_AR_CO

Maybe its just me, but you'd think ther'd be a lot more chaffing after wearing a bra for 11 years

dvs_dave

Stone chips are the least of your worries in NJ. No film will protect you against all the suicide deer that bound around that place like a bunch of crazies. My uncle lives there and is always hitting the damn things.

TSHong

John, can't really go wrong with 3M. Go for it.

BrianE

I would try Goo Gone before I would use gasoline.

OFDPOS

I was blown away when a friend that owns a Audio shop called his friend at a dealer and was given "the Dealer cost quote" of $700.00 for front end, lights and mirrors.
I was thinking more like in the $300 range, am I that far out of touch ?

We live right by stone ally (freeway to the Sierra's) and the roads are sanded and crushed rock grit spread on the freeway during the winter months but the sand grit is there year round..

Windshields, mirrors and the front end gets pitted big time !