Can you remove these? Does it look terrible after removal? What are the options? Remove and replace? They look bad as it is obviously.
I had mine removed and replaced with
PPF
. It looked much better afterwards.
I’m currently in the process of removing the
PPF
on my ‘08
Boxster
, which has been laborious and time consuming due to how long it’s been on the car. Mine looked similar to your photo, yellowed and cracked. After trying several off the shelf products with minimal success I purchased a steamer and between that and 90% isopropyl alcohol and bundles of rags, I am nearing completion. My
Boxster
’s coverage was lower third of the front hood, front bumper, partial fenders, mirrors and the section in your pic. The piece behind the air intake was actually the easiest because it hadn’t been exposed to the overhead sun’s rays for years and years like the hood, fenders and bumper were.
Most likely going to purchase and reinstall a new, similar
PPF
coverage package because of the protection the previous one provided.
My car came with it too, it was added at the dealer. I believe the only reason it has not yellowed and cracked is because the car lives inside, mine is still clear and as new. Frankly, I wish it had never been added. There’s a good chance whoever gets this fine machine after me will be the one that will have to make decisions. I’m a survivor of a bad accident where I was struck by a car. The subsequent physical slide from that event is ruining my body. I just hope to drive my car a couple more years because even though I never want to give it up or wrenching, life has different plans than my own.
My
Cayman
was in a similar state and I used a combination of a steamer (a clothes steamer that I already owned), a plastic razor blade, and Goo Gone. The steamer was a critical tool in getting those old patches of plastic pliable and the adhesive gooey.
The car looked so much better afterwards - I couldn't see any evidence that the stone guards had ever been there. It's not hard to do at all, just wash the area thoroughly first, and then take your time with it. I considered reapplying new stone guards, but decided against it and I have yet to see any significant chips appear in those areas. That was about 18 months ago. That said, the decision to reapply or go with full
PPF
really depends on how you feel about your paint. If a paint chips are going to break your heart, then it's well worth it, imo. Personally, I just consider little chips "patina", but you should go with what feels right for you.
Just be very careful and patient so you don’t take paint with it…
I talked to my
PPF
guy, he feels confident he can remove with a heat gun
When I removed and replaced mine a few years ago, I used a steamer, a plastic scraper, and lots of patience. The film came off in very small pieces and the after glue came off with chemicals. It took me about 1 1/2 hours per side for removal and cleanup. Installation of new took me about 10 minutes per side. A sore back and blistered finger tips was the personal result but car looked brand new. If I ever have to do it again, I'd either get it done professionally or go the heat gun route.
I had mine removed and replaced by a professional he made it slightly larger with the edges at the body lines. It looks great!
Wow, looks great. Cant event see it
Check out this example from AMMONYC on a 944. Video link starts on the stone guards.
I used the electric kettle like this video, heat gun, and automotive goo gone to remove my 987's stone guards. I put factory ones back on but like the idea of getting custom ones with more coverage.
I removed the clear (haha) and went with the black as I feel it went with the stripes. I used a heat gun and it came right off.
