Removing Paintshield

[johnnyBv8]

My new (to me) midnight blue Vantage has paint protection film over the front bumper, and the lower part of the bonnet and front wings. I expect it’s been there from new (31k miles ago). My previous Vantage didn’t have this, and the line accross the bonnet and wings catches my eye - I’m tempted to get it removed. Has anyone else done this, and if done correctly by the AM-approved bodyshop should it come off fairly easily?

[johnnyBv8]

macdeb said:

I'll be interested in opinions as mine has the full monty done which is good (bonnet, wings, sills, rear arches, wing mirrors) But, the line on the bonnet always seems to get unwanted attention and people feel the need to scrape their finger along it which is really annoying so I thought about maybe removing that part. One chap thought it was the shut line!

Yeah that’s what mine has - happy enough with the sills and arches, but would probably get the rest removed.

[johnnyBv8]

magarnett said:

Johnny

any good PPF company/detailer can remove it. REEP is very good.

M

Thanks - you’d recommend finding a detailer rather than a body shop?

[johnnyBv8]

burntout said:

I have removed lots of vehicle films in the past, even some of my vans when I sell them I strip off all the wraps using a heat gun... Once you heat up a section gently heat the rest and it lifts off really quick.

Any glue left behind can be easily wiped off using clean petrol.. Then a good wash and polish...

I think I’d be worried about overheating the paint!

[johnnyBv8]

klaiberp said:

Be careful what you decide to do. If you don't know where it was installed it may have been cut on the car which quite a few do. I found this out to my cost. The bonnet film had been cut across the bonnet and wings. They were able to correct the line on the wings but not the bonnet. Ended up with a re-paint when all I had hoped for was a full front protection.
For quality of film and workmanship I would recommend Paintshield in Peterborough. Both the Astons I have owned were done by them and they will never allow a knife anywhere near the car!
Hope this is some help to you.
I couldn't believe how someone would take a knife to the paintwork of a car. Like you I didn't like the look of the standard paint protection film but the line across the bonnet when it was removed was even more disturbing.

Paul

Thanks - the way it fits around the badge and body lines, I’m pretty sure it’s one of the vehicle-specific templates fitted by a dealer, so there shouldn’t be an issue with cut lines.

[johnnyBv8]

Hi Emilio, I started this thread, and based on the feedback on here went ahead and removed the ppf - half bonnet, front wings and door mirrors. It was fitted when the car was new (6.5 years ago), and came off pretty easily with no damage to the paintwork. I heated it very slightly if it seemed to be sticking, but it generally came off ok.

The latest preference seems to be applying a ceramic coating to the whole car, which lasts for several years.