Odd marks in clear bra

SeattleLion · 07-12-2011, 03:19 PM

When I washed my car this past weekend, while drying (with a clean microfiber towel), marks appeared on my clear bra (see photo). The marks have no "feel", they are smooth. They wouldn't come out with any cleaner and polishing had no effect. I wonder if this is some issue with the adhesion to my bumper (where most are -- there is another one near by on the hood).

Any ideas on what this is and how to correct it?

jpritche · 07-12-2011, 05:19 PM

I have the same exact problem, it seems to happen when I "scrub" the area to get bugs,etc off of it. If anyone has a way to remove them it would be awesome. People have been telling me I have had a scratch there for months and its getting a tad bit annoying.

pro-tect mbl · 07-13-2011, 05:49 AM

Those are scuffs in the clear bra. It looks like something abrasive either scuffed the film or got on your rag while wiping it down. There are a couple of solutions to fix the problem but I need to know what film you have on your car before advising you. Different films react differently so I dont want to tell you bad info and ruin your film.

fuzzywuzzy · 07-13-2011, 06:42 AM

To stop that from happening in the future, use a good paint sealant like wolfgang paint sealant 3.0 every 3-6 months (bugs will just wipe right off easily without force if you do). If you even want more protection layer it, but remember it takes 12 hours to cure so it would need to be kept covered in-between layers.

kenchan · 07-13-2011, 11:04 AM

yah clearbras are known to do this. even rubbing your finger will cause it.

as noted above use a high quality super slick sealant + QD with high lubricity (ex: not the cheezo meguair's maroon colored bottle QD) so that your towel does not drag.

wheee! · 07-13-2011, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pro-tect mbl

Those are scuffs in the clear bra. It looks like something abrasive either scuffed the film or got on your rag while wiping it down. There are a couple of solutions to fix the problem but I need to know what film you have on your car before advising you. Different films react differently so I dont want to tell you bad info and ruin your film.

Not to thread-jack, but I have 3M film on my car and have the same issues.... what do you recommend to remove them?

kenchan · 07-13-2011, 01:12 PM

plastic-x using softer pad. but you'd have better luck hiding it probably using glaze.

pro-tect mbl · 07-13-2011, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheee!

Not to thread-jack, but I have 3M film on my car and have the same issues.... what do you recommend to remove them?

I do not install 3M personally (only VentureShield and Avery Nano) but I have been told isoproyl aLchohol is the best method for removing scuffs in 3M film. I would try a little at first and see how it does. This has been a pretty common solution for 3M film due to their topcoat... but for VentureShield Ultra it will actually ruin it. Hope that helps...

wheee! · 07-13-2011, 01:39 PM

nope. tried the isopropyl.... didn't do a thing.

kenchan · 07-13-2011, 02:23 PM

rubbing alcohol is used in the installation mixture with water to accelerate the drying process. it does NOTHING for swirls.

SeattleLion · 07-13-2011, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pro-tect mbl

Those are scuffs in the clear bra. It looks like something abrasive either scuffed the film or got on your rag while wiping it down. There are a couple of solutions to fix the problem but I need to know what film you have on your car before advising you. Different films react differently so I dont want to tell you bad info and ruin your film.

It's Venture film. I don't think I scuffed it, but it is certainly one possibility. I was using a freshly-laundered microfiber towel at the time. What do you suggest I try?

pro-tect mbl · 07-13-2011, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

rubbing alcohol is used in the installation mixture with water to accelerate the drying process. it does NOTHING for swirls.

Yes I know this as I am an installer... and been doing this for 9 years. It is well known that IA works well for 3M clear bras... not any others. I do not install 3M though for numerous reasons so I can only go by what I have heard work for othr consumers and from other installers.

pro-tect mbl · 07-13-2011, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeattleLion

It's Venture film. I don't think I scuffed it, but it is certainly one possibility. I was using a freshly-laundered microfiber towel at the time. What do you suggest I try?

I have seen this happen before even with fresh microfiber. This typically happens with the uncoated film... VentureShield... not the Ultra (top coated) film. Heat sometimes will "heal" fine scuffs/scratches in the uncoated film. I have used a heat gun before and had some success but you have to be very careful and know what you are doing. I have also used very fine polishing compounds on the film and worked it lightly. Usually it will polish out after a little effort but do not rush it. It does take some time to get out.

Like others have stated using a good sealant will prevent you from getting any more. Rejex works well and Zaino also works very well once its layered in. I personally use an acrylic sealant I found that is made for aircraft windscreens. Its made by LP Aeroplastics and comes in a white bottle. Its a great product and even has a fine polish in it for removing tire scuffs.

One thing to stay away from is Plexus. There have been numerous tests done that show it accelerates the yellowing process in films. It has butane in it which really dries out the film and actually burns it. So avoid that all together.

paigeone · 07-14-2011, 02:24 AM

the installer that did my bra told me to use old dryer sheets to remove bugs when washing the car, bugs come right off. just dip the sheets in wash water and wipe area.don't know why this works just know it does.

SeattleLion · 07-14-2011, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

plastic-x using softer pad. but you'd have better luck hiding it probably using glaze.

I ordered Plastic X 2.0. I will have it tomorrow. How do you recommend applying it? Amazon had a review suggesting balling up the corner of a microfiber cloth and hand rubbing it. I do have a Porter Cable polisher with a bunch of foam heads.

How do you remove those nasty clear bra scuffs?

Once I get them out, I will seal the clear bra too. I did the car but didn't do the bra figuring the seal wouldn't stick.

07-13-2011, 01:39 PM	#9 (permalink)
wheee! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Mod Capital of Canada Age: 58 Posts: 7,354 Drives: cars. lots of cars. Rep Power: 40182	nope. tried the isopropyl.... didn't do a thing. __________________ H&R / Stillen / Berk / HKS / Swift / Michelin / UpRev / SPC / Amuse Rep / Seibon / Fringe XVO / TWM / more... My Journal

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07-12-2011, 05:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
jpritche A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Cartersville, Ga Age: 33 Posts: 2,570 Drives: '15 RR, '14 IS250 Rep Power: 31	I have the same exact problem, it seems to happen when I "scrub" the area to get bugs,etc off of it. If anyone has a way to remove them it would be awesome. People have been telling me I have had a scratch there for months and its getting a tad bit annoying.

07-13-2011, 05:49 AM	#3 (permalink)
pro-tect mbl Banned Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 24 Drives: 2007 Jeep SRT-8 Rep Power: 0	Those are scuffs in the clear bra. It looks like something abrasive either scuffed the film or got on your rag while wiping it down. There are a couple of solutions to fix the problem but I need to know what film you have on your car before advising you. Different films react differently so I dont want to tell you bad info and ruin your film.

07-13-2011, 06:42 AM	#4 (permalink)
fuzzywuzzy Base Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: In a house Posts: 211 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 16	To stop that from happening in the future, use a good paint sealant like wolfgang paint sealant 3.0 every 3-6 months (bugs will just wipe right off easily without force if you do). If you even want more protection layer it, but remember it takes 12 hours to cure so it would need to be kept covered in-between layers.

07-13-2011, 11:04 AM	#5 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	yah clearbras are known to do this. even rubbing your finger will cause it. as noted above use a high quality super slick sealant + QD with high lubricity (ex: not the cheezo meguair's maroon colored bottle QD) so that your towel does not drag.

07-13-2011, 01:12 PM	#7 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	plastic-x using softer pad. but you'd have better luck hiding it probably using glaze.

07-13-2011, 02:23 PM	#10 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	rubbing alcohol is used in the installation mixture with water to accelerate the drying process. it does NOTHING for swirls.

07-14-2011, 02:24 AM	#14 (permalink)
paigeone Base Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: phila.pa. Posts: 20 Drives: 09 370z s/t 6sp Rep Power: 16	the installer that did my bra told me to use old dryer sheets to remove bugs when washing the car, bugs come right off. just dip the sheets in wash water and wipe area.don't know why this works just know it does.