3M Protective Film

JeffCarol wrote:
If you were to go to an automotive paint supply house (like body shops get supplies from) you will find there is a spray product used to remove it. A good friend does bodywork for a living and he uses it, can't remember the name thougH.

Good Luck

My only concern would be how it affects the finish. Tiffin warns about using any strong chemicals such as acetone on decals. Most of the surface is painted but there are decal stripes.

If you were to go to an automotive paint supply house (like body shops get supplies from) you will find there is a spray product used to remove it. A good friend does bodywork for a living and he uses it, can't remember the name thougH.

Good Luck

Update.
I began simply peeling the film from a bottom corner of the generator slideout. I found that, if I go very slowly and constantly the film pulls away, leaving a clean, shiny surface. If I pull too hard it either leaves glue or tears the film. Of course, the glue could be later removed easily. I think a slight amount of heat may even speed it up a little. Need to experiment, Don't need to burn the paint.

I think I may pay my 18 year old grandson to work on this. I could pay him $20/hr and save lots of $$ compared with the $1500 that Tiffin would charge.

This is what you need to replace the 3M.
Made out of Acrylic by Summit Products. Custom made and I have had real good luck keeping it looking new for twelve years.

Mine looks really bad, too. I have peeled a few pieces off but entire job looks to be painful and time consuming!

Like others, our 3M film looked terrible, cracked and moldy. Removal was the only option and my wife and I spent a lot of time with a steamer and plastic razor blades in the process. Having said that, the film had done its job. Removing the film left a couple of rock chips that had been held in place by the film. Other than that the front looked very good for being 10 years old. Fast forward one year and 1500 miles, I just got through touching up about 10 rock chips! I thought about getting it repainted but think I'll wait awhile and see how bad it gets. A bra, even though not the most appealing, might be an option. I'd be curious to see how others have faired minus the film.

gemert wrote:
There are dozens of posts on the forums covering this issue. I've seen where a lot of people either removed the film or had it removed. The common thread is it takes a long time and a lot of sweat. I've seen 1K to 1200 to remove by 3M. Good luck mine is the same and a bra was cheaper, it hides it.

I called Tiffin and they said it was about a two day job at $95/hr. I'm thinking I may price the bra. At least the film may prevent damage to the paint caused by the bra.

we removed ours but never again!! Took 2 people 2 days working non stop. Used heat gun and plastic scraper. Careful with amount of heat. You just want to soften the outer plastic so you can scrape it off. Once you get all the outer plastic off, we used Goo Gone to remove the adhesive. Sore fingers, arms, back. We were quoted $1000 to remove it and with no guarantee that they wouldn't have to repaint the front after removal. We got most off except about 18" strip across the bottom and took it to a body shop to finish. We had to have the front repainted anyway. Mike's Custom Painting in Bremen Indiana did the last part of removal and repainted. Very pleased with his work. Well worth what he charged!!

Just like Teacher's Pet, the 3M Film on my Endeavor started showing mold, bubbles, and severe cracking at 7 years old. I was quoted $2500 to $3000 dollars to remove the 3M Film and repaint the front of the coach because I did not want the film back on my unit. I decide to try the heat gun and plastic scraper, didn't work. Then I tried the steamer and plastic scraper, didn't work. After talking with a paint and body repair guy, he suggested using a 3M Adhesive Eraser Wheel, Part No. 3612 from Advance Auto Parts. Cost around $45 dollars. He said to apply light pressure and let the wheel do all the work. It took me about ~40 hours worth of work but I did not damage the paint or clear coat. And the front of my Endeavor looks like it just rolled out of the paint booth.

Fitz

I have Diamond Shield and when it was replaced they used a steam gun, not a heat gun. Started from an edge and as heated pulled it horizontal to the surface which would lift the 3M material. Takes patience and in some places the clear coat was lifted requiring re coating, before the new material could be installed.

Mine was covered under warranty.