Getting Clay out of PPF

[chilly]

I’m embarrassed to admit it but at some point I got too close to one of the thick PPF rock panels on my Tacoma while claying

I noticed a faint line of yellow clay today and it’s been there for over a year

I’m thinking a bamboo skewer and a microfiber towel run carefully along the edge

“Tooth Pickery” as Jim White calls it

But is there anything I could pretreat it with to soften the clay that won’t compromise the PPF adhesive?


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[joebruin77]

I’m embarrassed to admit it but at some point I got too close to one of the thick PPF rock panels on my Tacoma while claying

I noticed a faint line of yellow clay today and it’s been there for over a year

I’m thinking a bamboo skewer and a microfiber towel run carefully along the edge

“Tooth Pickery” as Jim White calls it

But is there anything I could pretreat it with to soften the clay that won’t compromise the PPF adhesive?


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What about spraying a ton of clay lubricant on it and then trying to remove it with a fine, soft detailing brush?

[chilly]

What about spraying a ton of clay lubricant on it and then trying to remove it with a fine, soft detailing brush?

I thought of that but thought about how clay lube is designed NOT to let clay break down and how car soap solutions will often break clay down

I will certainly try that as a least aggressive approach and go from there

Thanks

[Rsurfer]

Maybe you can find out what soaps will break down clay and use that as a softening agent? IIRC Power Clean will break down clay.

[chilly]

Maybe you can find out what soaps will break down clay and use that as a softening agent? IIRC Power Clean will break down clay.

I think that’s the safest approach

I have OPC so I’ll try that first

I’ll put bits of clay in with some and just see what happens

I remember a long time ago using something as clay lube that just turned it to a stringy mess

Wish I could remember

I’m NOT trying any kind of solvents or Tarminator or stuff like that around PPF

Thanks Ron


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[2black1s]

The skewer method is your best shot... I do it all the time - clay, polish, wax residues.

[chilly]

The skewer method is your best shot... I do it all the time clay, polish, wax residues.

If you are going to try to dissolve the clay the first solvent I'd try would be mineral spirits.

You don’t think that would get up and under the PPF?


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[2black1s]

You don’t think that would get up and under the PPF?


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I edited my previous post and deleted the mineral spirits method after reading your last post where you said you're not trying any solvents.

That's ok... the skewer method is the best anyways and that would be my first choice.

[vobro]

I’ve used wooden skewers with the rounded off edges and held it parallel to the edge,never pushed into the seam. It may take a few gentle tries but it’ll work. My installer gave me some XPEL PPF Cleaner and I used that. I also ran some tape along the seam in case the skewer snapped, I didn’t want to take a chance of scuffing the film

[chilly]

I appreciate the input

I’m ready to take a careful approach and get more aggressive if necessary

I’ll report back


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