Clear Bra/Paint protection film issue

[Joe Kraebel]

Today I started the long process of prepping for ceramic coating and think I may have ruined the clear bra on the car. Not sure what you would call it but I guess it is marring (Pics below, looks worse then pics showing). Wondering if it was caused during the chemical decontamination I was doing with Iron X and Tar X.

I don't think the dealer applied this correctly either as it is slightly coming up on left side which has accumulated some dirt. I tried using some detailer spray and pressing firmly but nothing would come off of it. Don't know of claying/compounding would fix it or make it worse.

Anybody know of a way to fix the marring so it is clear again or should I just remove it? If removing what is best way to do it? Want to get this taken care of tomorrow as starting the clay, compound, polish and ceramic coat tomorrow.

 

[westcoastGT]

I think it's cooked ................delete , repeat I think ..................good luck

 

[Joe Kraebel]

Yeah I think I am going to take off. May take off side patches too before they get too dirty.

 

[westcoastGT]

Yeah I think I am going to take off. May take off side patches too before they get too dirty.

,also I think doing the paint prep and coating will make the new clear bra look better

 

[Joe Kraebel]

I'm not going to replace, just going to polish and coat. If sides still look flawless I may end up coating over them vs removing.

 

[westcoastGT]

I'm not going to replace, just going to polish and coat. If sides still look flawless I may end up coating over them vs removing.

Coating over the clear bra ?

 

[Joe Kraebel]

Coating over the side patches if I leave them. If i remove the one up front I am not re-adding one and will just polish and coat directly on paint.

 

[Joe Kraebel]

I was able to successfully remove the clear bra from the front and wasn't bad at all to get off. From watching another youtuber I think the best way to get this off is with a hand held steamer (https://www.amazon.com/Conair-Extre...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=6V3HXNFJENQYWJ8N1V69). Came off pretty easy and didn't really leave any adhesive behind. The little it did was easily taken off by goo gone.

Thinking this steamer may be a good solution for debadging the way it worked for this.

 

[Joseph Spiegel]

Coating over the clear bra ?

Ceramic over Clear Bra has the nickname Bullet Proof.

 

[Mach_Tuck]

Ceramic over Clear Bra has the nickname Bullet Proof.

The places i chatted with about this said they would not warranty any ceramic over the clear bra and most recommended against it. Basically said they couldn't guarantee it wouldn't affect the color of the clear bra. I did see online that Ceramic Pro makes a special coating for PPF so maybe worth checking out. Def cant put clear bra after you ceramic.

 

[Joseph Spiegel]

The places i chatted with about this said they would not warranty any ceramic over the clear bra and most recommended against it. Basically said they couldn't guarantee it wouldn't affect the color of the clear bra. I did see online that Ceramic Pro makes a special coating for PPF so maybe worth checking out. Def cant put clear bra after you ceramic.

Thanks I will.

 

[Joseph Spiegel]

From the Xpel website.

Can I apply a ceramic coating on top of the film and how does it affect the self-healing feature of XPEL?
Dec 05, 2016
by Benjamin Kenney
0 Comment

Yes, Coatings can be applied to the films. Adding a coating does not stop the film from self-healing. Coatings can add a protective layer over the film, which depending on the coating can provide different properties (Please contact your installer or coating company for more information). That additional coating layer, depending on the coating applied, may or may not self-heal. Once the coating wears down and deteriorates, the self-healing qualities of XPEL ULTIMATE and STEALTH will still remain.

 

[Alex Popov]

Be smarter than me and stay away from anything Ceramic Pro. I paid $2000 for "gold' package, got one layer of unknown sealant with plenty of spots missed.
Ceramic Pro Canada agrees that my "gold" package should be redone from 0, but does not think it is responsible for their own recommended to me certified installer. He is still certified and advertised by them.
I have a life time warranty but they do not reply to any of my emails where I am trying to claim it. The warranty is created solely for us to come back every year and pay for refreshing coats. You can't claim it!

 

[Mach_Tuck]

From the Xpel website.

Can I apply a ceramic coating on top of the film and how does it affect the self-healing feature of XPEL?
Dec 05, 2016
by Benjamin Kenney
0 Comment

Yes, Coatings can be applied to the films. Adding a coating does not stop the film from self-healing. Coatings can add a protective layer over the film, which depending on the coating can provide different properties (Please contact your installer or coating company for more information). That additional coating layer, depending on the coating applied, may or may not self-heal. Once the coating wears down and deteriorates, the self-healing qualities of XPEL ULTIMATE and STEALTH will still remain.

I'd read the fine print in that. From my discussions it appeared that the coating dudes i chatted with didn't want to take any liability for the PPF and the PPF company advised that any damage from the coating "may" interfere with my PPF warranty. That said, maybe a place that does both t the same time is your best bet. It was too many "maybes and unknowns" for me. I still may cost the remainder of the car. However, given the recent paint flake/chip issues, I may clear bra the rest of it as price is comparable.

 

[Kyle Vallade]

Would it be wise to do a Ceramic Coating first before PPF? Could you even do both at all? Was thinking of doing Partial PPF at the front end and mirrors and ceramic coating the rest. Trying to make sure I get the best protection of this paint.

 

[SilverNitr8]

You can do PPF first then apply the ceramic coating on top. Suntek actually recommends this for added protection and noted that it won't affect the self healing properties of this film. I would invest in full hood protection. I've done the partial hood in my previous car, and ended up getting chipped on the part of the hood without protection. Lesson learned since then so all my PPF now are full hood and includes the A pillar protections.

 

[Joseph Spiegel]

Kyle,
I did the Xpel first then ceramic coated it. I’ve seen enough videos and as I showed earlier, it adds protection and doesn’t void a warranty. I couldn’t afford the 2-3K ceramics just did a local highly rated detailer to do my ceramic. I think he did a great job but I don’t see every swirls or mark the real picky see. I think it looks awesome and smooth like glass.