Community Forums

davismills · 08-21-2019, 01:04 PM

I finally got around to removing the ugly, moldy 3M film from the front of my coach this week.

I used plastic razor blades, plastic scrapers, a small clothes steamer, AutoTech solution, and many rags.

1. I steamed a small area just ahead of a moving plastic scraper to strip the actual 3M product off. This left quite a bit of the gooey glue.

2. I sprayed the area with the toxic smelling AutoTech and waited 1 minute. Then I scraped with the plastic razor and wiped the mess into a piece of paper towel. This was repeated at least two times.

3. The final spray of AutoTech was a quick wipe down with microfiber towels.

It took me three four hour days.

I'm very pleased with the final product. Here's a list of what I used. The Autotech solution is very expensive but it's the only thing that works on this glue that I've found. Goo Gone is worthless.

Plastic Razors

Autotech

Plastic Long Handle Scrapers

Microfiber wipes

Clothes Steamer

Sandy Swede · 08-21-2019, 03:03 PM

Way to go!

Care to share some photos of your handiwork?

You give me the motivation to do this myself. Thanks.

FatChance · 08-21-2019, 05:29 PM

Welcome to the club!

May we assume you are not going to replace it?

Arch Hoagland · 08-21-2019, 05:40 PM

Thanks for the information. I've been thinking about doing mine.

Trying to think of a way to "Tom Sawyer" some of my friends into doing the work.

Hey...Dave and Holly, how you would like a full hookup space for free near Yosemite for a week or so.....

Spk64 · 08-21-2019, 05:47 PM

I spent 2-3 years removing mine. Each year working a little in one area. Finished up most of it this year as what was left was looking really bad. Once the mold starts underneath it gets ugly. Majority was removed with only plastic razor blades. If pulled off most of adhesive comes off with the film. Any cleanup I just used Goo Gone for the small amount or residue left in spots.

davismills · 08-22-2019, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandy Swede

Way to go!

Care to share some photos of your handiwork?

You give me the motivation to do this myself. Thanks.

I'll try and take some after pics next time I'm at the storage facility.

davismills · 08-22-2019, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FatChance

Welcome to the club!

May we assume you are not going to replace it?

Fat Chance

davismills · 08-22-2019, 03:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

Thanks for the information. I've been thinking about doing mine.

Trying to think of a way to "Tom Sawyer" some of my friends into doing the work.

Hey...Dave and Holly, how you would like a full hookup space for free near Yosemite for a week or so.....

Haha. I don't want to do this again so soon!

falconman · 08-22-2019, 10:31 AM

So the expectation is that DS should last forever? Seems the average life is about 10 years and when you remove it the surface is near perfect? Looks like it’s done it’s job. The replacement cost I think is about $1K and a LT warranty. Not sure you could get a repaint for that and that wouldn’t last 10 years unprotected. Took mine off about three years ago and regret not replacing it then.

Ivylog · 08-28-2019, 09:48 AM

Citrus air freshener is an excellent glue remover...don’t laugh until you try it. Do not get the 100% biodegradable.

Divingbiker · 08-28-2019, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davismills

Fat Chance

OK, so this begs the question.......
Are you planning to install a DIFFERENT product or just wax the front and travel without it?

We have a brand new bus with DS on the front and around the door handle. It looks great NOW but I keep hearing horror stories about mold growing under the DS and looking like crap in a few years. I have our coach stored inside and it will only see weather when we travel, which unfortunately for now isn't a whole lot. Because its new, I may be able to peel it off now, but what then. Is there something better???

Arch Hoagland · 08-28-2019, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Divingbiker

OK, so this begs the question.......
Are you planning to install a DIFFERENT product or just wax the front and travel without it?

We have a brand new bus with DS on the front and around the door handle. It looks great NOW but I keep hearing horror stories about mold growing under the DS and looking like crap in a few years. I have our coach stored inside and it will only see weather when we travel, which unfortunately for now isn't a whole lot. Because its new, I may be able to peel it off now, but what then. Is there something better???

Mine held up pretty good about 10 years but it is outside and faces the sun so it has deteriorated.

However, if I had it to do over again I'd still have it put on because it has prevented big paint chips etc. The front of my coach has taken some pretty big hits from whatever is out on the roads.

I think storing your coach inside will help a lot.