Community Forums

Dogpatch · 04-27-2013, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by popechops

Cannot say how others managed it, but I have just recently completely removed off of my 1999 Monaco Windsor. I bought it used 4 years ago and it was already ruined. Previous owner had scratched the entire surface and over time it turned really black and nasty looking. I bought a package of 2 plastic chisels at local auto parts store. The larger of the two gave me enough leverage to scrape it off. Just brute force scraping. I tried a heat gun and immediately lost paint, so reverted to brute force scraping. It turned into a two step process. First scraping and then removing the glue with goof off. Took me every week end for about 4 weeks. I have before and after pictures and pictures of the tools. Will try to post the pictures.

Attachment 24945

Attachment 24946

Nice job Jim.

jollyjim · 04-27-2013, 02:19 PM

Our Diamond Shield looked so bad that we bought a black bra for the front. Later while at Alliance Coach in Wildwood, Fl, we mentioned how bad the Diamond Shield looked under the bra. They said they would remove the Diamond Shield on front of a coach with no damage to the paint for $500. If in the area it might be worth it, as a new paint job can be expensive if you mess up. As of yet, we haven't come up with an extra $500 (especially since the bra was $600).

Jon Mopar · 04-27-2013, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gestexas

I used a Shark clothes steamer and a soft scraper. Worked great on the Diamond Shield. Now to get the adhesive goo off. Any suggestions?

Papertowl scratches...FYI. Wipe a black car with a papertowl, and you'll see. Always use a soft rag. Dominion Sure Seal automotive sticker & decal remover or equivalent. Using proper products is always better. And that stuff is fairly cheap too.

FOLEYMECH · 08-31-2013, 05:34 AM

I am about to embark in the removal process for my 2003 Mountain Aire. I think this stuff is put on to get through the paint warranty term. It does look good for some years. The areas where I have removed it the paint looks new. I believe I would have had to paint the front of my coach by now without it. So I think I would have it put on a new coach. By the way, what do the little campfires mean under our names?

Planocat · 08-31-2013, 06:11 AM

"I am about to embark in the removal process for my 2003 Mountain Aire."

It will be interesting to hear your thoughts AFTER you have gone through the process. LOL

FOLEYMECH · 08-31-2013, 06:14 AM

And you only have one campfire under your name like me!

vraines · 08-31-2013, 06:21 AM

I tried a couple of different heat guns on my Dutch Star and found that sunlight, not mid day worked best for softening the shield. I used a pretty hard plastic scraper, (not a soft Bondo scraper) and 3M adhesive softener using the same plastic scraper. I still removed some paint where rocks had impacted the surface. I still had to repaint the front and that cost some major bucks. Picture attached.

Dogpatch · 08-31-2013, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FOLEYMECH

I am about to embark in the removal process for my 2003 Mountain Aire. I think this stuff is put on to get through the paint warranty term. It does look good for some years. The areas where I have removed it the paint looks new. I believe I would have had to paint the front of my coach by now without it. So I think I would have it put on a new coach. By the way, what do the little campfires mean under our names?

The campfires are awarded for the amount of posts you submit to the forum.

0 to 9 = No fire
10 to 74 = 1 campfire
75 to 249 = 2 campfires
250 to 499 = 3 campfires
500 to 999 = 4 campfires
1000 to 2499 = 5 campfires
2500 to 4999 = 6 campfires
5000 to 9999 = 7 campfires
10,000 and up = 8 campfires
Each 5000 posts above 10,000 one campfire will turn blue

The user title is also dependent on the number of posts.

Junior Member = 0 - 29 posts
Member = 30 - 99 posts
Senior Member - 100 or more posts
__________________

PushedAround · 08-31-2013, 06:36 AM

Seems like it is the sun that is causing the damage. I have had the 3m "clear bra" on all of my cars, some for over 7 years and they all look perfect. Could be because they are all garage kept. It might be worth it to rig up a cover to block out the sun when you have it parked.

FOLEYMECH · 08-31-2013, 08:36 AM

So is it good or bad to have a lot of fires? Over 10,000 posts?

FIRE UP · 08-31-2013, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tha_Rooster

Mine is now 7 years old and still looks good as new. I understand it takes a (heat gun) to remove. If you use a soft cloth to clean and regular waxing works for me. I have seen some people that used a scotch brite pad on theirs and what a mistake it looks like spider cracks.

Tha_Rooster,
Gotcha beat pal, ours is "9" years old and looks as good as new except for where I scraped a small patch, about 1.5" in diameter on the lower left corner by hitting our retaining wall while backing the rig in it's parking spot. What an air head. Anyway, This topic of the Diamond Shield, 3M Vinyl or what ever product was/has/is being used has been on here a few zillion times and, I'm not sure just what the true reason(s) is or are, for longevity of that item to keep looking good without any discoloring, peeling, flaking, tarnishing, "cracking" etc.

I would assume that since our coach is an '04 Itasca Horizon and, the film has been on there since day one, the primary reason it's still in very fine condition is the fact that that coach has never, seen a day of sun, unless the owners are in it, traveling, in camp spots, RV parks etc. The two owners prior to us, both kept it under, drive under covers. I built ours within a week or so after we bought the rig. I hate it when ours is in the sun camping but, not much I can do about it. So, again, not sure why some do that they do and get ugly and the owners take on the task of removing that stuff.
Scott

tlkhorses · 08-31-2013, 09:24 PM

I can tell you the issues I've had with it on my cars, I let the bugs stay on for days. When I finally cleaned them off you could see the splatters etched. I have one that is seven years old in is still in great shape. The one on my MH was there when I bought it and obviously want taken care of. So while it protects your paint you still have to take care of it.

Mr.Papabear1 · 08-31-2013, 09:50 PM

Hello everyone. New to the MH world. What exactly is diamond shield? is it similar to clear coat and do all MH`s have it?
Thanks

tlkhorses · 08-31-2013, 09:58 PM

No not all have it. It is a clear film that is applied over the paint and is designed to protect it from dings, bug acids etc. Diamond shield is one brand. 3m makes one and there are other lesser knowns out there.