Only Removed by the Dealer Plastic Carpet Protector

[My Detailing Guys]

Anyone ever remove the plastic protection film from the carpet that states "Only Removed by the Dealer"? If the customer ask you to remove the plastic, do you remove it or not? If you do remove it, is there anything special you need to do?

Thanks,
Greg

[HotWhipT/A]

If they ask, chances are they already have the car and the dealer didn't do it or they told them not to do it. I have my local Ferrari dealership call me to do a new car prep for them all the time. Nothing special you need to do. Maybe use fabric protector if they ask/pay for it, but that's it.

[RoadRageDetail]

Stuff should just pull straight off without any problems.

The only reason it should leave the dealer with the plastic intact is if leaving it in the car was asked for at the point of sale. However I've seen cars with 30k miles with the stuff still in, at that point it can be quite a pain to pull up without taking carpet with it, especially here in Texas with 100+ temps 4-5 months out of the year. The glue forms quite a bond with the fabric.

However, I've also seen auction preps with that exact plastic in place, signaling that you can purchase it private party and use it for yourself. I've often thought of finding some so customers with lighter colored carpets have the option of laying down a barrier between it and their dirty shoes.

[ShineTimeDetail]

You can buy it at a lot of places...a lot of dealerships require you to lay it down after detailing it.

[detailwagthedog]

The only reason it should leave the dealer with the plastic intact is if leaving it in the car was asked for at the point of sale. However I've seen cars with 30k miles with the stuff still in, at that point it can be quite a pain to pull up without taking carpet with it, especially here in Texas with 100+ temps 4-5 months out of the year. The glue forms quite a bond with the fabric.

You *definitely* want to pull this up and not let it sit in the car. Most people don't know that this carpet protector stuff is only supposed to be on the carpets for 30-60 days -- different brands have different ratings. ideally, the dealer should be pulling up and replacing it on units that stay on the lot for a long time, but they never do. Most of them ar e30 or 45 day rated, I found this one that is a full 60-day rated: dealer plastic carpet protector (http://www.plasticover.com/protector/automotive-carpet-protection-film-dealer-must-remove.html) . That's the one I use and recommend.