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How to remove stained paint protection film at door edges

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Derwood Shrub, Jun 24, 2024.

  1. Derwood Shrub

    Derwood Shrub New Member

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    I’m looking at a 2015 that has more paint protection film on edges of doors and even behind door handles. It’s developed stains at edges from neglect and I’d like to remove. I’ve been told heat gun and boiling water. Had experience??? Looking for first hand experience. Car is Blizzard White.
     
    #1 Derwood Shrub, Jun 24, 2024
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 25, 2024
  2. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    I have bid this job several times and waiting for someone to say yes... My plan would be to use a heat gun and a sharp edge that's soft enough to not damage the paint, then use lacquer thinner on sticky residue, then clay bar and polish and wax.
     
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    I used a heat gun (carefully), worked a corner loose and gradually pealed it off. Think I just used a fingernail to get it started. Then went over it with wax. Took about an hour.
     
  4. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    That's exactly right something that'll produce a little heat My heat gun is adjustable so I said it well below where it won't really damage the paint and just gently softens the very hard mastic behind the clear plastic that you're looking at once it becomes a little flexible from the heat then it peels off then you can buff it wax it whatever you want to do. You just want to be careful with your heat gun If you own an older heat gun it will be unregulated like the Milwaukee red and silver gun it will burn that paint right off the car before you even get to looking at it good My newer heat gun is a Cobalt and I can set it for 200° and that's what comes out the front of it very handy
     
  5. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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    The removal process is the reverse of the install process.
    First give a baby shampoo / water mixture a try. It's used during installation to allow the film to move around on the paint surface. Alcohol / water mix is used to make the film adhere to the paint surface.
    Bonus: the baby shampoo mix might even clean up the dirty edges before you pull off the film.
    You only need 10-20 drops of baby shampoo to a quart of water in a spray bottle
    Spray the area you want to remove and let it soak in ( like hitting a rusty nut with pb blaster).
    get a grip on any loose area, peel, spray, rinse and repeat. wipe down.
    3M adhesive remover for residual glue.

    How To Install Paint Protection

    If it takes too long or wouldn't peel, hit it with low heat.