Menu
It’s not often that people remove their paint protection film (PPF) since it’s a big investment and usually outlasts vehicle ownership. There are some times, however, when PPF removal becomes necessary or when you decide to upgrade to a more artistic vehicle aesthetic. The paint protection film is removable, but there are a few things you should know before you set to peeling it off of your car. In today’s post, the expert PPF technicians at Jet Black Tint and Glass offer some insight into everything you need to know about PPF removal.
First things first, how do you know your PPF needs to be removed or replaced? Here are some signs and symptoms that it’s time to take the paint protection film off of your vehicle.
Yellowing is the most common paint protection film problem, especially when clear PPF is applied or cheap film is used. Over time and exposure to direct sunlight, the adhesives that hold the film to your car may begin to take on more of an amber hue. It is most noticeable on white vehicles with clear PPF and in areas of high sun exposure, such as the roof or hood. When high-quality adhesives and paint protection film is used, yellowing will be much more subtle or not happen at all. The same is true for window tint and the adhesives used for it as well. If your PPF and/or auto glass tint is looking a little more golden than it should, it’s time to have it removed and reinstalled.
Cracking film is a sure sign that your PPF is damaged, and if not repaired quickly, may damage the paint beneath. Cracking film is caused by excessive wear and tear, aging, and exposure to harsh conditions or repeat trauma. PPF tends to crack on horizontal panels and on vehicles that are exposed to chemicals. The adhesive and/or the film itself begins to break down, causing cracks to appear as they do on a fragile eggshell or a cracked window. Once this happens, the protection of the paint beneath has been compromised and it can even lead to more damage by trapping moisture and chemicals in the crack folds or peeled areas. When this happens it is important to have it removed, as soon as possible.
If the times and your tastes have changed and it’s time to retrofit your car rather than trade it in for a new ride, replacing your PPF could be just the ticket to making you fall in love with your car all over again. We have plenty of customers who just decided the original PPF design they had installed just doesn’t suit them anymore, and we are here for the redesign! We’ve also had plenty of clients who purchased a used car and with the money they saved not going to a dealership, they reinvested into upgrading the aesthetics and protection of their new whip. Either way, if your PPF is outdated, replacing it can completely change the way your car looks and feels, and is an easy way to boost the value of your car.
It is important to repair damaged paint protection film (PPF) as soon as you notice issues because stopping the damage when it’s just a minor issue can prevent major issues and costly damages down the road. Cracks, holes, or other breaks in the PPF allow moisture and all the toxic elements you were attempting to protect your car from, to get to your paint. And, like a bandaid on skin, the intact PPF surrounding the damaged area holds onto the toxins, allowing them to fester, and, over time, it may seriously damage the original layer of paint on your vehicle. The good news is, that if caught early, if the PPF damage is minor enough, it can be repaired rather than requiring your entire film to be replaced.
Now that you’ve decided your PPF needs to come off, you’ll need to know how to remove the PPF safely. Before you can begin the tedious process of removing the PPF film, you’ll need to clear plenty of time as you cannot rush the process. If you do, you risk peeling the original paint or its lacquer up with the protective film.
Step 1. Gather your tools –
Step 2. Look for the area of the greatest separation between the film and the car — a bubble, an area it’s started to peel on the edge, etc.
Step 3. Take your plastic razor blades or plastic, flat tool to carefully and slowly lift the film and see how easily it comes off. If you feel any resistance, or it comes off in little chunks, you’ll need the heat gun to break down the film adhesive and make removal smoother.
If you apply heat to the car’s surface, make sure the gun is at least eight inches from the car to avoid burning or scarring the paint or body.
Step 4. Use the scraper or plastic razor to push under the heated film to remove it. If the top layer comes off, the rest should come off pretty easily when you use the adhesive remover.
Step 5. Once all of what you can remove is off the vehicle, next it’s time to remove the rest of the adhesive and any adhesive residue. Read all instructions on your adhesive remover and follow the package instruction carefully. It’s always a good idea to spot-test it somewhere not very noticeable in case it interacts with your vehicle paint.
Step 6. When the film and adhesive are all removed, grab the microfiber towels and gently clean the entire surface of the car.
Removing film and adhesive doesn’t sound like a fun Saturday? Save the sweat equity and let the pros at Jet Black Tint and Glass replace your PPF for you. If you’re just looking to have your current PPF removed, we’ve got you covered. If you’re looking to remove what you have and replace it with new PPF, we’ve got a variety of package options that will save you a ton. And, the best part is, we’ll install complementary full-car window tint at the same time! Book your PPF service at your local JBT today.