When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I just removed mine recently, I let it sit in the sun and removed it at the end of the day. I just worked it off slow, pulled it back over itself at a sharp angle. Some glue stayed behind but I was able to get it off with some goo gone and my fingernail without scratching the paint. Key is not to rush it.
Mine is coming off in small pieces on the fenders and not at all on the hood. I did get the mirrors though. Gonna tackle it this weekend and if it's a no go I'm gonna take it to a body shop
From what I've read, there are issues with paint peeling and chipping on the early 350s. I recently purchased a 2003 with a clear bra that was installed the day it was bought so it's been on for 16 years. I've removed it from the side mirrors (hair dryer, goo gone, plastic scraper, a lot of time) with no harm to the paint. My question is, has anyone removed a clear bra off the front and had it peel the paint off with it? Also, is the peeling problem just on the plastic front bumper cover or were there also issues with the hood? The coating on the hood bothers me more than the front since you can see the line where it ends and there is some spider cracking on the hood. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Hey I’m the OP. For what it’s worth, mine got so bad I had to get a body shop involved. It would absolutely not come off the hood, headlights and bumper without damaging the paint. After getting quoted 3K to get her looking good again (I have the factory pearl white that drove the cost up) I traded the Z in on a 18 Maxima.
I used a heat gun (sparingly to spare the paint) and followed with chemical adhesive remover. Then polished the hood using a medium cut (depends on how old or how bad the overall paint finish is) then fine, finisher, and wax.
Never want to do it again. It's not hard work, just sort of a bother. But the final results are great!
It's essentially the same process as removing window tint. Only diff was I used a steamer for that.
I didn't have problems with paint peel, even on the front bumper but it's possible I'm very careful or very lucky.
Thanks for the responses. It is a pain. It took me 3 hours to just do the side mirrors. I'm willing to take the time, just concerned about it taking paint off since it's been on so long and the early Zs have a history of paint issues.
I'll probably take the coating off the hood but keep the front bumper bra on. I assume that's where most of the paint issues occur.
Thanks. I thought I had read there were issues with the paint peeling on the front of the car. I'll have to search for that again. If I'm mistaken, I will take the clear bra off the front then. Thanks.
Usually, if you have original OEM paint, a clear bra will not take the paint off if you remove the bra slowly aided by a heat gun. If the car has been repainted and did not cure properly before the clear bra was installed, then paint removal could be an issue when the bra is removed,
Thanks. I thought I had read there were issues with the paint peeling on the front of the car. I'll have to search for that again. If I'm mistaken, I will take the clear bra off the front then. Thanks.
The original OEM paint on my '05 was trash. This year the clear coat on my roof started peeling/disintegrating in spots. Almost as if someone has sprayed something on the paint. After a run in with a deer this summer I just got the entire car fixed/repainted for $5k. Now it looks like it did when I first bought it 14 years ago. But we always used to talk about how garbage the paint was in here back in the day, so you're not wrong about that.
Paint looks fine on mine. Original owner babied it. Only 38,000 miles on it when I bought it in September. Not a scratch or chip on it. Just want to make sure I keep it that way and not ruin it by taking clear bra off. From responses I've gotten, it seems taking it off shouldn't cause any paint issues. However, with it off, I'm hearing it will chip very easily. I'm going to go with taking it off the hood and possibly living with the clear bra on the front since that will take most of the rock hits. Most of the spider cracking is on hood anyways.
04-21-2016, 08:56 AM
