3m removal

newskool

Active Member
Oct 17, 2006
251
37
48
Fayetteville, NC
To make a long story short I moved to Hawaii this year and apparently the CDC window scoops i had covering my quarter windows are illegal here. So as much as it sucked to do it I had to remove them. Now there are a few spots of hazy residue left on the stang and for the life of me i cannot figure out a paint safe way to remove them. Am I totally hosed or is there some secret technique that I don't know of? Any help would be appreciated
 
  • Sponsors (?)


I used acetone...but just do a google search for adhesive remover, or run down to the hardware store and ask an employee. Put some of that stuff on there, let it sit just a little bit, then wipe it off. If it doesn't come off easily, try using a credit card to scrape it off after you've applied adhesive remover.
 
I recently had to remove some automotive 3M tape from my vent shades on my 06 GT, the back section had come loose due to my high speed adventures:D and I had to remove the tape to reinstall some new 3M tape. I have used this stuff for about a year and it will remove any left over sticky residue from all sorts of tape and labels. This is not the first time I have used this on my paint. You know those cheesy stickers they put on the back of the car for the dealership you buy the car from? Well I tried to be slow and steady and peel it off gently but no matter what I did I could not get that residue off without losing strength in my arm!!!:eek: I use De-Solv-it!! You can buy it at Wal-Mart, it is located mostly in the chemical isle with the Windex, I have attached a picture of it so you know what I and talking about. When using it you want to put it directly on a clean soft towel and DAB the residue, allow to sit for about 30 sec- 1 min and just use your elbow grease! You will have to rub several times to get it all, but it is not abrasive, it does leave a oily surface but I simply use some alcohol pads you find in the medicine isle also at Wal-mart to clean it off, followed by a dry wiping of a clean unused towel. ( you can also use a quick detailer for the last step if your car is clean)

Hope this helps!! sorry for the long read! That stuff is awesome, I also use it on stains in my clothes, it works wonders!!
 

Attachments

  • DSC01901.jpg
    DSC01901.jpg
    76.6 KB · Views: 52
at work if its a metal surface i use a rubber wheel, and after that i use hisolv to get off the rest, although the rubber wheel can leave a mark and burn thru paint if your not careful enough. i would recommend just something like hi solv, let it soak in it, and slowly try to peel it off with your hands. then take a cleaner wax after your done and go over the area.
 
If You Can't Find 3M Adhesive Remover...

If you can't locate 3M's remover, go to a pharmacy and get bandage adhesive remover. Works about the same and it's mild so it won't hurt your paint. Just let it soak for a while. Good luck!
 
I can't possibly see how a plastic credit card could damage your paint at all. It's just useful as a straight edge.

it'll definitely damage the paint. especially on a dark colored car.

whites a pretty good color for hiding things like orange peel, or scratches, etc. you look at a black car it'll show every little bit of orange peel, every little scratch, ding, etc.

even using something like hisolv, or another product like that, will leave scratches, its an abrasive product.
 
Just so you all know, I have a black car and the De-Solv-it worked like a dream. I tried WD-40 but it was not as effective. I still recommend De-Solv-it. It did not leave and scratches just a oily residue that came off easily with a alcohol pad.
 
::shrug:: Shows how much I know.

All I know is the credit card thing worked fine on my white GT.

thats because it is very hard to see minor scratches on white, since light reflections are usually white as well. using a plastic scraper can work, but something as generic and beat up as a credit card should not be used.
 
thats because it is very hard to see minor scratches on white, since light reflections are usually white as well. using a plastic scraper can work, but something as generic and beat up as a credit card should not be used.

Exactly. I bet someone with a keen eye or someone who knows what to look for could easily find flaws in the paint. It's just a matter of how serious you take care of your paint. Personally, I'm not happy unless my paint is perfect. I am willing to do things differently and spend money that other people won't to take care of my paint.
 
thats because it is very hard to see minor scratches on white, since light reflections are usually white as well. using a plastic scraper can work, but something as generic and beat up as a credit card should not be used.


i hate working on white cars at work. prepping them to blend. try to sand down the orange peel and its hard to see unless you look from the right angle.

i either end up missing some orange peel, or going through half the time. and it never goes thru in a good area where color will be getting sprayed. its usually at the opposite side of the panel. :mad:

Exactly. I bet someone with a keen eye or someone who knows what to look for could easily find flaws in the paint. It's just a matter of how serious you take care of your paint. Personally, I'm not happy unless my paint is perfect. I am willing to do things differently and spend money that other people won't to take care of my paint.



i hate that. i feel like a picky bastard, i spot cars with flaws in them from miles away. hah.


i am doing the best i can to make my paint shine as good as, if not better then it came from the factory. unfortunately teh old owner didnt do too good a job and i have a few swirl marks in places like the hood. and my trunklid needs to be claybared. i bought my car right as winter hit, so i havent gotten a chance to make that baby shine.


i love the black cars that come in looking like they washed them with steel wool, and just want the bumper cover replaced and repainted. so you've got one nice shiney panel.