How to Clean Paint Protection Film
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Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 96
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From: Nashville, TN
2007 R350 - P01- Black on Black, 2008 Toyota Sienna Limited
How to Clean Paint Protection Film
I've had my 3M Paint Protection film on my black R350 for right at a year now. I've dedicated this weekend to pulling out the PC 7424 and giving her a full exterior detail including clay, Menzerna intensive polish, finish polish, glaze, and sealant. I checked out the sticky at the top of the forum but it doesn't really give any maintenance details from what I can see.
Common sense tells me that I should probably not apply polish to the film since it is abrasive and would scratch it all up, would glaze and sealant be a good idea to apply to the film? All other resources have only mentioned wax as recommended maintenance on it. If glaze and or sealant are ok to apply, will the 7424 with a blue or black pad be ok to use for application or should it be done by hand?
Before I apply anything, I've got some stubborn bug guts on the film along with a few areas that almost look like scratches (imagine a few lines of white crayon that have been scribbled on the film) right on the front of the bumper. How is the best way for me to get this stuff clean and looking like new again?
Thanks in advance for all your suggestions.
Common sense tells me that I should probably not apply polish to the film since it is abrasive and would scratch it all up, would glaze and sealant be a good idea to apply to the film? All other resources have only mentioned wax as recommended maintenance on it. If glaze and or sealant are ok to apply, will the 7424 with a blue or black pad be ok to use for application or should it be done by hand?
Before I apply anything, I've got some stubborn bug guts on the film along with a few areas that almost look like scratches (imagine a few lines of white crayon that have been scribbled on the film) right on the front of the bumper. How is the best way for me to get this stuff clean and looking like new again?
Thanks in advance for all your suggestions.
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Ponte Vedra Beach FL/ Hampstead, London, England
'84 380 SL/ '02 XK8
Maintenance and Care- polyurethane protection film is porous, that's why it's so important to keep the film sealed. Dirt, dust, and other air born impurities left on unsealed film will eventually cause the film to become dull. Clean and maintain its surface with (Z-8™ Grand Finale Spray Seal) or a plastic cleaner (Plexus® Plastic Cleaner, Protectant and Polish) tape the edges of the auto mask and lightly glaze over the material; start at the centre and work outwards, do not use detailer’s clay as it will cause micro-fine surface scratches.
Ultra Violet Protection; more correctly, UV absorbent is a sacrificial ingredient that needs to be re-applied on a regular 2 – 4 month basis (dependant upon climatic conditions) - 303™ Aerospace Protectant
1. To clean stains - use a d-limonene based (d-limoene based (citrus)) cleaner (P12S Total Auto Wash) polish the paint and the clear plastics separately, tape the edges with masking tape. It has a clear coat so it can be cared for like a clear coated paint; use Zaino or Klasse as they will dry ‘clear’. Use Z-14 Plastic Magic Cleaner & Polish™ or Plexus® Plastic Cleaner, Protectant and Polish for maintenance and to remove any finger marks / smudges (avoid the use of abrasives)
2. To remove minor scratches in the film - (tape the edges of the auto mask when polishing the vehicles paint, use a high speed buffer (white foam pad only) and lightly glaze over the material. Menzerna Final Polish 106FF, LC White foam pad at 800-900 RPM do not use any downward pressure and maintain a fast linear speed than used on a paint surface; if you apply too much heat to this material it tends to ‘lift’. It is also important not to apply a lot of pressure to the film as this may lead to burning of the surface. Use a Q-tip and some isopropyl alcohol to clean out the edge.
Note – do not polish Venture Shield clear protection
Ultra Violet Protection; more correctly, UV absorbent is a sacrificial ingredient that needs to be re-applied on a regular 2 – 4 month basis (dependant upon climatic conditions) - 303™ Aerospace Protectant
1. To clean stains - use a d-limonene based (d-limoene based (citrus)) cleaner (P12S Total Auto Wash) polish the paint and the clear plastics separately, tape the edges with masking tape. It has a clear coat so it can be cared for like a clear coated paint; use Zaino or Klasse as they will dry ‘clear’. Use Z-14 Plastic Magic Cleaner & Polish™ or Plexus® Plastic Cleaner, Protectant and Polish for maintenance and to remove any finger marks / smudges (avoid the use of abrasives)
2. To remove minor scratches in the film - (tape the edges of the auto mask when polishing the vehicles paint, use a high speed buffer (white foam pad only) and lightly glaze over the material. Menzerna Final Polish 106FF, LC White foam pad at 800-900 RPM do not use any downward pressure and maintain a fast linear speed than used on a paint surface; if you apply too much heat to this material it tends to ‘lift’. It is also important not to apply a lot of pressure to the film as this may lead to burning of the surface. Use a Q-tip and some isopropyl alcohol to clean out the edge.
Note – do not polish Venture Shield clear protection
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: NY
For the bug smear I would try to break it down with a degreaser like the Poorboy's World Bug Squash or a similar product. Spray it on the area and wait about 1 - 2 minutes then agitate it with a damp wash mitt to try and loosen it. You may need to repeat the process and possibly follow up with a clay bar. The clay bar will help remove light surface contaminants that are tightly bonded to the clear coat or clear bra. If you need more info about either step please let me know.
As for the protecting the clear bra you should not polish it as you stated. A glaze is really not necessary so I would apply the sealant to it just like you would the rest of your paint. I try to be careful around the edges just to make sure I don't pull at them and I give the edge a little extra attention when I'm removing the excess product so none of it gets stuck in the ridges.
I hope this helps, good luck!
Greg @ Detailed Image
As for the protecting the clear bra you should not polish it as you stated. A glaze is really not necessary so I would apply the sealant to it just like you would the rest of your paint. I try to be careful around the edges just to make sure I don't pull at them and I give the edge a little extra attention when I'm removing the excess product so none of it gets stuck in the ridges.
I hope this helps, good luck!
Greg @ Detailed Image
