I just bought a 2007 350Z and there's an unsightly flaw that I want to correct. The item is a piece of thick clear protective tape, that is stuck to the decklid where the bottom rear of the convertible top contacts the lid deck. I'm sure it's purpose is to prevent the top from rubbing off the paint due to slight movements and rubbing about. However my tape is all shriveled up and it looks like it's either aged from sunlight or gotten dirt and grime up into those raised wrinkles. I want to remove that sad looking tape and put down a new part. I'm sure somebody else has to have tackled such a project. I am looking for any tips or clues as to what works best to make it happen without ruining the paint underneath. I plan on using a hair dryer or maybe even a heat gun, and plastic body pry bars, but I suspect there might be some solvent that might soften the tape up and not harm the paint. Would it be WD-40?, Goo Gone?, Rubbing alcohol? or Acetone applied very carefully to just the top of the tap with a rag? (I know acetone will remove paint, so that's not my first choice) I just don't know if there's a recommended procedure and I don't know who to ask.

 

I'm not an expert, but I would use a hair dryer on low/med setting. Wood might be a good choice to get under the tape bc it's very soft. Lots and lots of patience, the tape and glue has been on for years.

If that doesn't work you can step up the heat. Alcohol and acetone aren't good solvents, they evaporate too quickly to be effective. Mineral spirits will be safe for the paint, then GooBeGone for excess adhesive.

Let us know how it goes, gl.

 

Ah, I had not thought about mineral spirits. While it's still cold here in Michigan, I'm seriously thinking about trying putting a small amount of each of several of those choices on the tape and letting them sit for a while and seeing which one does the best at affecting the tape. I agree it's not going to be easy or fast due to the age and how dry it looks. I just hope I am not tackling a problem that I can only make things WORSE...

 

Also, you could call a local auto body shop and ask what they would use. 02.

 

 

Just be sure you use Goo-Gone and NOT Goof-Off. Goof-Off will strip paint. Goo-Gone will get rid of adhesive. As recommended above, just use a hair dryer and a plastic scraper to pull off the old tape and use a microfiber towel with some Goo-Gone to get rid of the adhesive residue. After that, hit the paint with some polish/sealer and then go ahead and apply the new 3M protective tape (don't go cheap on the new tape.)

EDIT:
Man, what's with all the redundant, multiple threads you've been posting all over the place?

https://my350z.com/forum/exterior-and-interior/618884-got-a-bad-protective-strip-need-help.html