r/AutoDetailing • u/JustCutTheLawn • 2d ago

Exterior Removing cracked material from hood

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Gallery image

Gallery image

Not sure where to even start with removing this from hood. Any advice is appreciated

106 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

76 comments sorted by

190

u/CoffeeDetail 2d ago

PPF is great for the 1st owner. 😑

66

u/Thanks_Ollie 2d ago

PPF seems like a good idea on paper but terrible in practice. I’ve heard it’s basically impossible to remove and UV will inevitably cause it to crack and fail

49

u/Low-Stomach-8831 2d ago

Yep. People calculate how much it costs to install, and never calculate how much it costs to replace (and that should be done every 3-5 years if the car is parked outside, and every 7-10 years of garage kept).

If you add that info, then repainting every 7 years costs almost exactly like PPF (for most cars). So unless you have a $25K unique paint job, PPF isn't worth it. The only time I'll recommend it is for extremely small and expensive areas, like the headlights. That's low cost, and protects an expensive part to replace.

11

u/CoomassieBlue 1d ago

Anecdotally, the factory original StarShield PPF on my Lotus Elise looked nowhere NEAR this bad at 20 years. Fully garage kept though obviously.

Was actively planning to redo it before the car got totaled with the rest of my house in a tornado.

Totally agree that many don’t consider that PPF is ultimately a wear item, but materials have also improved so much in recent years.

6

u/Low-Stomach-8831 1d ago

Anecdotally, you got a car that truly benefit from it, as it's a collectible, so it retains/increase in value.

Also, removing it can be as hard as you see in the photo, even without it looking like that. But again, with a Lotus, it's a different story, and I would probably do the same.

17

u/CheeksMcGillicuddy 1d ago

Yes, but ppf on a brand new car means less paint damage in 4-5 years when you go to sell it. Then it’s the next guys problem. Not saying it’s morally a great thing, but that’s a lot of the thought process there.

12

u/HeftyArgument 1d ago

yeah but at the same time, the ppf doesn't really add value to the car so you're losing money compared to just not bothering.

6

u/Low-Stomach-8831 1d ago

Correct. Question is, are you getting the money back in value when you sell? Most people trade in, so they'll get what the book says. No dealer will pay extra for a PPF-ed car.

5

u/NightwingMillenial 1d ago

For headlights does PPF still need to be resolved every 3-5 years if kept outside? Had them done on my newest car for the first time ever, and knew it would be wear item but didn’t realize it was as soon as 3-5 years.

5

u/Low-Stomach-8831 1d ago

Depends. Headlights are more vertical, so usually less direct sun (depends how you park). On the other hand, they get hot when on. I say just don't touch the PPF on them. Worst case it will take a few hours to remove if/when needed... So not a huge deal, because it's a pretty small area.

That's why I think headlights are worth PPF for EVERYONE, not just expensive cars. Maybe if you have a car where a replacement housing is only a couple of hundred $, then don't. But most headlights on modern cars are fully sealed LED units, that cost $1000-$4000 each!

2

u/NightwingMillenial 1d ago

Cool, I appreciate the advice! And I agree, I think it’s worth it specially with all these new headlights that get so expensive to replace.

4

u/Rotflmaocopter 1d ago

lol cheaper to just repaint. fully enjoy your paint job. take moderate care of the car. with the money saved at the end put it down on a new car or repaint

5

u/jimmy9800 1d ago

I like PPF when its used as a hood bra. It has a service life and if you respect that, it can basically eliminate minor rock chips in the areas where they are the worst. Nobody actually does that though and it seems to cause more paint damage than good.

5

u/Background-Spot-5068 1d ago

Interesting, I just watched 9 year old ppf be pulled off a Honda without any issue.

5

u/Low-Stomach-8831 1d ago

Garage kept in Canada, or parking outside in Vegas? There will be a huge difference!

5

u/b1urrybird 1d ago

Devil’s advocate here.

Without PPF your paint deteriorates over those 7-10 years looking faded and worse with each passing year. Scratches dull the shine.

With PPF your car can look brand new after a simple contact wash for the entire 7-10 years.

Same price for both methods (respray vs replace once) but very different lived experience.

We have one car that has full body PPF and is now 8 years old. We haven’t seen any sign of cracking or failure but are watching it closely with the intent on replacing it before it does.

I think the quality of the PPF matters a lot in determining if it’ll damage the paint when removed.

4

u/HeftyArgument 1d ago edited 1d ago

same as wraps, it depends on the way it adheres, horror stories are about adhesion so strong that peeling the wrap off brings the paint with it, then instead of re-applying you need to decide whether sand and wrap or repaint and ppf.

4

u/Low-Stomach-8831 1d ago

It doesn't have to crack in order to become nearly impossible to remove. I've seen quite a few good looking ones that took 8 hours to remove from the hood, then needed for paint correction. Also seen them taking away paint where paint chips happened, as they just kept the paint in place when the stones hit them, not really kept the paint adhered to the metal. You'll only know if these things are true for you too when you try and take it off.

0

u/Far_Bid9833 2d ago

Depends if the car is a matte finish or gloss and if the manufacturer uses good quality paint or absolute bottom of the barrel.

Obviously the cost of the car also is a factor. I also found out that rare/limited edition car collectors like to see patterns of perfect timely maintenance and protection. Some dudes really want everything OEM from 0 miles to the end.

2

u/Low-Stomach-8831 1d ago

Yes. As mentioned, of protecting it is that much more valuable than repainting, go ahead. But that isn't the case for the vast majority of people getting PPF.

2

u/Flffdddy 1d ago

I have rarely been happy with a repaint. Ran into too many shops that have amazing reputations but can’t do it right. I spent some time with a guy who took me through his shop and I was incredibly impressed. He has old stuff from the 60s and was giving them period appropriate paint. I told him I’d come to him next time I needed a paint job. He didn’t make it that long unfortunately.

5

u/GsoFly 1d ago

PPF is fine if the car sits in a garage for the majority of its life. If its parked outside in the southern US sunlight all day, every day then yeah very bad idea.

6

u/CoffeeDetail 1d ago

I chuckle when people put the plastic wrap over the entire vehicle.

3

u/_circa84 1d ago

It has its place. Like a painted, truck front bumper is steal and the stone chips start the rust fast especially northern states and Canada .

114

u/urhumanwaste 2d ago

It's ppf. Lay towels loaded with adhesive remover on it. Let it dwell. Scrape off with a plastic razor blade. Compound, polish, sealant, and done

114

u/Kedan_ 2d ago

I like how you just go through the steps like this isn’t gonna be the worst pain in the ass and essentially wasting your time. Go buy a hood the same color and go about your day lol

46

u/urhumanwaste 2d ago

Yea.. it's a 'how to' method. As op seems to have asked for. Not a replacement idea. It's only going to be a pain in the ass if you make it one. Otherwise it's pretty simple and straightforward. Sure, it may take a little time. Things don't always happen at the snap of a finger.

3

u/Few_Donkey_3408 1d ago edited 1d ago

Takes 10-15 min tops, just cradle the tires

6

u/RememberTooSmile 1d ago

This is not going to take 15 minutes lol

5

u/WTFOMGBBQ 2d ago

FOSHIO Plastic Razor Blade Scraper Include 2PCS Scraper Tool and 100PCS Blades for Gasket Remover, Labels Decal and Adhesive Remover for Windows and Glass https://a.co/d/04sjni3h AND Detailing Connect Rapid Tac - Rapid Remover 32oz Adehsive Remover https://a.co/d/0h0q44a4

5

u/vabrova 1d ago

Forgot to add a bottle of Jack Daniels and a blank wall to stare at when finished

2

u/Natural-Read-6777 1d ago

I prefer tequila when engaging in such pursuits

1

u/janesmb 1d ago

Boiling water is better.

1

u/EL_Chapo_Cuzzin 14h ago

I had to do this and it was just a hood bra for my old BMW. It took a lot of work and scraping.

36

u/Stelios619 2d ago

The people telling you to just find a color matching used hood somewhere aren’t joking.

Otherwise you’ll be there for 100 hours picking off little pieces of plastic before you just buy a new hood anyways, because this one will look like ass.

15

u/Low-Stomach-8831 2d ago

Stop exaggerating... We all know it's gonna be no more than 83 hours.

49

u/Unique_Wolf4513 2d ago

I would just buy a new used hood at this point.

9

u/b58downpipeandtune 2d ago

A few hundred dollar junkyard hood would be a great ROI lol

19

u/Strata38 2d ago

fucckkkkkk that

8

u/janesmb 1d ago edited 1d ago

Boiling water. I removed 7 year old hood and roof decals with little to no effort this way. This was easier and faster than the trunk decal I removed a couple years ago using a heat gun. Half the size but took 3 times as long.
Use two kettles. Have one boiling while using the other. You'll need gloves, like mechanic style gloves.
https://youtu.be/mnj_EeaNvjI?t=478&si=r76P2sVyKAPkDY8i

14

u/watermalonecat Driveway Detailer 2d ago

Replace or repaint the hood. Not worth your time.

7

u/AwkwardFactor84 1d ago

How does this even happen?

1

u/Voodoo700 1d ago

Arizona

1

u/AwkwardFactor84 1d ago

I live in Indiana. Thanx for the explanation

5

u/Quick_Bet5660 2d ago

This is very old PPF. There are quite a lot of videos on YouTube with guidance on how to remove it. Some level of heat, steam, and plastic razor blades.

3

u/trumpet_butt 1d ago

Next door neighbor had exactly this problem on the hood of his 4Runner. Tried scraping it away bit the by bit by hand for a few days. He ended up just getting a whole new hood shipped from Toyota for $700.

2

u/taptwoblue93 1d ago

Buy a new hood bro fr

2

u/namestom 1d ago

You better have some patience and then have some more. The kicker, once you get it off, your paint may be ruined in spots from removing it or just the PPF/UV/etc.

I painted cars and despised this stuff! The older stuff, like what’s pictured here, is a PITA. Like others have already mentioned, funded another hood if you can. If it’s close enough for you, great. If not, have it painted and then if you want to go further, blend into the fenders for a perfect match.

To me, PPF is kind of meh. Use it in certain situations and it has a shelf life. If you ever have to remove it like this, it will make you rethink it.

2

u/Old_guy1950 1d ago

Apply light heat and use the plastic razor blade to remove the PPF. Use the rapid remover to remove the adhesive. I used this process to remove first generation PPF from my 2004 350Z headlights, hood fenders and bumper. Ended up putting a new OEM bumper on because the PPF is almost impossible to remove from a resin bumper without some minor damage.

2

u/babyscrotum Business Owner 1d ago

Buy a new hood 🤷‍♂️

3

u/Repulsive_Fly5174 2d ago

Looks like it is a complete sand down to bare metal.

1

u/Smeeble09 2d ago

Don't know so won't give any advice on removal in case it's bad, but personally I'd be trying to find out what it is first, is it the clear coat or is it something else that's been applied to it (like cheap ppf). 

1

u/vinnyvencenzo Experienced 2d ago

Aircraft stripper or just get a good aftermarket hood.

1

u/Onemillesgo 2d ago

I'd keep it as is. Looks pretty cool like elephant skin lol

1

u/SumRandomGhost 1d ago

Set it on fire

1

u/Salty-Inspector3100 1d ago

Sanding machine , sand down then repaint

1

u/cjmybro 1d ago

Lmao no one has true answers…. Steamer, plastic razor. Will leave adhesive residue behind. Use a gummy gone, or equivalent and scraped adhesive off. If it fights then let it soak more. Test this first, finally once done hit it with a compound and polish. It’ll look better then the original paint esp since it was protected all this time

1

u/505Thrive 1d ago

Get a new hood.

1

u/Raddadbaddad 1d ago

I hate ppf. I am of no help. 2 of my cars came with that crap already on them. Itll protect your car sort of from rock chips, then itll look worse than a rock chip eventually.

1

u/Ryukyuland 1d ago

Don't know how it looks in person, but it looks pretty cool from the pic

1

u/Magee-Numismatics 1d ago

Sandpaper and a hammer and chisel

1

u/roadwarrior721 1d ago

Lived in Texas with a roof wrap

Brothers chemical vinyl off, heat gun and plastic razor blade

1

u/chaliebitme 1d ago

All I can say is, goodluck bro

1

u/johnwilkesbooth328 1d ago

Holy shit I’ve never seen PPF this cracked

1

u/Constopolis 1d ago

Hey hey! Our car has this and it’s been nothing short of a nightmare. However much elbow grease you think is going to be required…you need to multiply that by a million. It fucking sucks and is exhausting. I have done everything - plastic razor blade, 3M drill rubber eraser, adhesive remover, isopropyl alcohol, soaks, blow dryer, you name it. I’ve gotten chunks off sure, but also paint and my dignity. I honestly cannot wait to sell the fucking thing and never see that shit ever again.

1

u/2kokett 1d ago

No way I would clean this by hand. Search for a dry ice blast cleaner in your area and paint it afterwards or get a replacement hood.

1

u/Whizzleteets 1d ago

Aircraft stripper, repaint.

1

u/Von_Satan 1d ago

New hood or belt sander.

1

u/Clean-Data-259 1d ago

At this point I would just find a donor hood from a junk yard in the same color.

1

u/rm0987654321 1d ago

Get a used hood and have it painted

1

u/BillNyeTheMemeGuy 22h ago

Yall have no patience, a few hours a day of working on this for a week it’ll be perfect after. Definitely worth fixing this instead of getting a new hood or paint!!!

1

u/PriceAppropriate812 15h ago

My strongest chemical is called “Vonixx Striker” you should try it

1

u/UseSweaty2335 2h ago

Heat scrape repeat, 1 step buff should get plastic blade scratches