Removing plastic film from hood/bonnet of 2002 C5

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nicko252
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Removing plastic film from hood/bonnet of 2002 C5

Post by nicko252 »

Hi. There is a clear plastic film on the front third or so of the hood/bonnet, beginning from just above the headlights, presumably there as protection. Unfortunately pollen grains seem to have washed in under the film and there are now unsightly mould spots across the entire area between the film and the paint underneath. Any advice on how to get this film off without wrecking the paint? I tried picking away at a corner but it pulled the paint away. Cheers.
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Dormouse
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Re: Removing plastic film from hood/bonnet of 2002 C5

Post by Dormouse »

Most protective films need heat to soften the glue between the film and the body. Don't just attack it with a heat gun on full blast - you could do more harm than good. Start with a low heat setting and slowly peel the film away. You may still peel paint away if the paint is not properly adhered to the bodywork. Be careful.
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Dormouse
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plus notable cars I have owned :- Studebaker 1921, Daimler Consorts, Mercedes 220 Pontoon, Simca 1301, Austin Metropolitan, lots and lots of Minis, both steel and fibreglass bodied, Fiat 500F, Citroen GSA's, Skoda Estelle 120 Rally replica, DKW 1000S, Triumph Herald Estate, Warwick GT (very briefly)
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Re: Removing plastic film from hood/bonnet of 2002 C5

Post by Dormouse »

One method is to use a scalpel to neatly remove the damaged edge by cutting it back to soundly attached film. I have never been brave enough to try this!
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Re: Removing plastic film from hood/bonnet of 2002 C5

Post by Gibbo2286 »

If you can get under an open edge a pressure washer will often remove them, that's how we removed plastic signwriting on the vans we sold.
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