Removing Paintshield
Discussion
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?
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! 
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 said:
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?
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
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
Used Paintshield for 2 cars now and they are fantastic. They were recommended to me too. There is also a guy called Paul Gray who I know my local dealer use...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
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...
Any glue left behind can be easily wiped off using clean petrol.. Then a good wash and polish...
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!Any glue left behind can be easily wiped off using clean petrol.. Then a good wash and polish...
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.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
I also removed the paintshield from the bonnet and wings using a bit of heat - in this instance, it came off very easily.
Beware though as much as it was great to lose the line of the paintshield on the Onyx black paintwork, the car picked up stone chips pretty quickly in the areas previously covered - so it does do its job well !
Beware though as much as it was great to lose the line of the paintshield on the Onyx black paintwork, the car picked up stone chips pretty quickly in the areas previously covered - so it does do its job well !
johnnyBv8 said:
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!Any glue left behind can be easily wiped off using clean petrol.. Then a good wash and polish...
R1CKF said:
I also removed the paintshield from the bonnet and wings using a bit of heat - in this instance, it came off very easily.
Beware though as much as it was great to lose the line of the paintshield on the Onyx black paintwork, the car picked up stone chips pretty quickly in the areas previously covered - so it does do its job well !
In danger of stating the obvious here but the best solution is to replace it with full bonnet and wings film. Invisible and fully protected paint. Another recommendation for Paintshield in Peterborough here too.Beware though as much as it was great to lose the line of the paintshield on the Onyx black paintwork, the car picked up stone chips pretty quickly in the areas previously covered - so it does do its job well !
If any of my clients want PPF I send that to paintshield. Some of the things I’ve seen from other companies is shocking. If you ever see posts from detailing/ppf companies and they have big sheets draped over the car, it means that they don’t have a pattern for it and will be “bulking” it, which means they fit the film and then cut off the excess with a knife. Paintshield do exact fit patterns cut on a machine and no knives go near the car.
As for removing it, there is always a risk of pulling the paint off, particularly with cars that have had resprays.
A hair dryer is the best bet and you pull with film up and back rather than over on itself. Be prepared to get some blisters though!
I would go to a ppf installer to have the film taken off. Bodyshops don’t know their arse from their elbow.
As for removing it, there is always a risk of pulling the paint off, particularly with cars that have had resprays.
A hair dryer is the best bet and you pull with film up and back rather than over on itself. Be prepared to get some blisters though!
I would go to a ppf installer to have the film taken off. Bodyshops don’t know their arse from their elbow.
When I asked Paintshield in Peterborough if they would remove it they said yes but wouldn't guarantee the results.
I decided to have a bash myself. No heat application just very patiently and slowly peeled it back, no issues whatsoever. I do know mine had been installed from new so no resprayed panels to worry about.
I decided to have a bash myself. No heat application just very patiently and slowly peeled it back, no issues whatsoever. I do know mine had been installed from new so no resprayed panels to worry about.
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bentley01 said:
I'm thinking about putting it on. Why is everyone taking it off?
I think in the OPs case because the PPF only covered half the bonnet leaving an unsightly line (seriously if you’re going to do PPF spend the extra £100 to get the whole bonnet covered!). Not sure about others but the film does typically have a 5-7 year life so it does need to come off at some pointI’ve heard good things about Paintshield. I’d also recommend Topaz (who are just about to open a second site in Bristol to go with the existing London one). I know one or two on here your Reep but not heard much feedback.
It strikes me that the advantage of the bigger installers is that they do use computer designed templates (I guess they get the volume to justify). I certainly wouldn’t want anyone coming cutting while on the car
bentley01 said:
I'm thinking about putting it on. Why is everyone taking it off?
As Rob said, mine was 6 years old and looked shabby so I took it off. The previous owner had already removed the bonnet protection. Once I've had the front end repainted, a Paddy detail, I will then consider all options.
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