Car wash soap stained PPF

[Sizzle Chest]

Hey all, a client of mine contacted me after he took his Turbo S into a do it yourself car wash. The soap had a blue tint to it and stained his PPF. The entire car is covered with PPF.

I tried some APC, light polish and compound to no avail. Anyone have any ideas? Thank you!

[Deviant Detail]

I know some bug guts can temporarily stain PPF for up to two weeks, so maybe there was something in the carwash chemical that is similar and that the stain will disappear over time. However, I would post at (I hope this link is not prohibited here): Paint Protection Film, Clear Bra Forum - TintDude Forum

[showbbq]

Yikes. Have you tried an IPA cleaner?

[Sizzle Chest]

Thanks Deviant. I will check that out.

showbbq: Yes, IPA didn't touch it.

Thanks everyone. Appreciate the input.

He took it to a local `do it yourself` wash place with the wand and that great brush that foams. I don`t know how long he let it dwell/sit on the surface.

Polishing it did not remove it. I informed him earlier that my fear was that it is permanently stained and that his PPF will need to be removed or replaced.

He is now looking at getting it removed and having me coat the vehicle.


Thanks again for the input!

[FUNX650]

Yikes.

Have you tried an IPA cleaner?

Yikes indeed! Quite the “abnormal”...

•To remove “normal” staining from
PPF, I have used either:
-XPel Flawless Finish PPF Cleaner; or:
-Mothers R3 Racing Rubber Remover


•As mentioned:
-A 91% IPA solution may also extract the
staining—be prudent on its dwell time.

*“Test Spot”...(regardless the
extraction product(s)/method).


Good Luck, to both you and the owner:
-hope the entire PPF wrap doesn’t have
to be removed {$$$$$ down the drain :sad:}
-hope the underlying paint hasn’t also
been stained.



Bob

[Sizzle Chest]

^^^Thanks Bob. Appreciate the input!

[LSNAutoDetailing]

Might be worth calling the installer or PPF company (Expel or Suntek). Hard to say if this would be a warrant item. The only grounds that I can think of is to most folks (not us geeks) a car-wash is not out of the norm for typical car maintenance. Don't know about an insurance claim either.. But both are worth a shot.

Hence another reason to not go to car-washes. The products and detergents they use are so powerful they can cause unsuspecting damage. This is a great post!

[Sizzle Chest]

Paul, he doesn't know (nor do I) the brand of PPF that's on the vehicle. He purchased it with it already installed.

Yes, I'm not sure about insurance or civil liability on this matter either. I can only advise him on the possibilities.

I always knew they used 'harsh' chemicals, but this really goes to show you that they do!

[Jon TDS]

How about a test spot with magic eraser? I just did an M3 where there was a little jean stain on the rear driver's side panel near the wheel. It looks like a strip of ppf and client said the film was factory installed. Tell me what it is! Haha!

Managed to take out the stain where compounding wasn't successful.

Photo shows the jean transfer to it. That's completely gone now.

Sent from my Mi A1 using Tapatalk

[Sizzle Chest]

Thanks Jon, I can give that a shot and see what happens.