Remove Diamond Shield from front of Dutchstar

[Keith727]

Does anyone know if there is anyone in South Texas that can remove diamond shield.. I will be in Mission, Tx this winter...

Thanks,
Keith

2005 Dutchstar

[tom chelbana]

Had our Diamond Shield taken off our 18 LA and they used a heat gun and it peeled right off.
Newmar Man

[Nellybelle]

I don't know how, But wondering why???

[navychop]

Mcqueeny Collision in New Braunfels removed ours and had a specialist install the new one.

[dms]

Did it myself after much "googling" as to how and what to use. We have a 16 MA and just added a used class B+ to the fleet for weekends that had moldly diamond shield on the entire front end.

Heres how I did it:

Purchase a set of plastic scrapers from HF or any auto parts store. ($9.00)

Order a bottle of "Contactors Solvent" online or from Ace Hardware. ($15.00)

Face your MH in the sun to warm the Diamond Shield.

I quickly learned that if the temp is not hot enough, the DS will easily tear, and if it's too warm, it will pull off but stretch and tear and leave residue.

Once you figure out the correct temp, you can slowly pull it off at 90 degree angles, walking it off back and forth. At the right temp, the DS will come off bringing the adhesive with it. If not warm enough, it leaves the adhesive residue on the paint.

Any adhesive remaining after pulling of the skin can be removed with the Contractors Solvent and the scrapers. Spray and let sit for 5-10 minutes and scrape off.

It took me a half day on the bumper to figure out the right temp, then just a couple of hours to remove the entire front, hood and cap. At the right temp, no paint damage. Just go slow and find the right temp.

The Contractors Solvent is the only thing that will easily remove the adhesive. I tried Xylol, lacquer thinner, mineral spirits, alcohol, GooGone, and several other chemicals to no avail.

I tried the heat gun and steamer method but it's too difficult to walk the skin off and hold the gun or steamer to warm the adhesive. You need 3 hands with this method. The sun is the easiest warming method. I'm in NC and this time of year the sun is plenty hot enough.

Good luck.

As a side note, I'll never have another MH with DS. To me, its much better to maintain the paint or even have the front cap repainted than to have to deal with DS. The cost of DS removal and reapplication is no more than a repaint every few years.

[Keith727]

Thanks for the info on removing the diamond shield. I may try and take it off myself this winter down in Bentsen Palm Village in Mission, Texas.

Thanks again! Keith
2005 DSDP 3815 4 slides road master tow bar M&G tow brakes tow 2018 Tahoe!

[dutchstr3884]

X2 on what DMS said.
I removed mine last summer in one afternoon. Only difference I did was to lightly score the Diamond Shield (DS) into 6 inch wide strips using an Xacto knife (while being careful not to cut all the way through the DS). This made it easier to manage handling the DS and easier to pull off in controlled width strips. Also I used mineral spirits to clean off the small amount of residue and it worked well for me.
You can always try removing a small section to see if you want to tackle the entire front.

[ShelbyTom1]

Why are you removing the Diamond Shield?

[Keith727]

It has cracks all over the front where the diamond shield is covered.

Keith

[Rob Hentges]

On my 2016 bay star, there is discoloration trapped under the shield. They dealer told me that it is mold and there is no way to get rid of it unless the shield is removed. When we were shopping for a used motorhome we saw this same issue on many units.

[Tilzbow]

I just recently took delivery of a 2020 Dutch Star and plan to apply a product to the Diamond Shield that's called "Halo" and is made by GTechniq. I applied their new marine ceramic coating to my Ranger fishing boat along with the black outboards and I've been extremely pleased with the results. I can pretty much wash my boat with a garden hose. If the Halo works as described on the Diamond Shield it'll be worth it. I don't plug products but this one is fairly new and might give you guys an option that's better than removing the Diamond Shield. That said if yours has already gone bad this isn't going to help...

From their literature:

Why use Gtechniq HALO Flexible Flim Coating?


HALO enhances the performance of Paint Protection Film (PPF) and vinyl. It’s a chemically bonding, ultra-dense flexible film that becomes the permanent surface of the film – protecting it from the elements a car faces on a daily basis.


The density of the coating and its low surface energy improve dirt and water repellency of PPF or vinyl. It also helps to prevent staining from dirt ingression, as well as reducing yellowing caused by UV rays.


Overall, HALO keeps the PPF looking in a much better condition and makes it much easier for people to keep their car clean following PPF/ vinyl application.


Rigorous real-world and laboratory testing has proven HALO to be compatible with all types of gloss, matte, and satin vinyl and PPF. It is also proven to work on self-healing films.

[Fefanatic]

I'm in the middle of pulling that crap off my '04 DSDP. I was good until I got to the bumper where it apparently has been repainted at some point in its life. Not only the vinyl comes off but it is taking both clear coat and in places the base color coat with it. I'm going to have to send it in for a repaint of the front bumper and part of the nose section.

FWIW, I too have seen numerous units with mold under them. If I were lucky enough to order a new unit I would shoot the salesman that put the order in for installing that crap. I can see it if you are trading every year or two but not keeping it for any length of time.

I know you may say it protects your front end but in the end you may still have to repaint it anyway. I personally think it creates more headaches than it solves.

I am not quite done getting it all off yet but the only way I have found is to scape it with a plastic scraper. On my '04 there is no peeling it off, it is old and weak and will not come off in strips like some here have had. It's a time consuming mess that I wish I hadn't started.