Stubborn adhesive removal

OniCamaro · 06-17-2021, 01:31 PM

I took out a paint protection film from a section on my rear bumper, the part that is slanted upwards. This had an emblem on it and it seems like the person who installed the PPF, stuck the emblem on them with some permanent adhesive. After taking off the PPF, I'm left with a very uneven surface of adhesive remnants(see tiny black dots all over) that I was not able to get off with goo gone and applying light-medium pressure with microfiber towel. Also the part that had emblems, have extra adhesive remants, which makes me think it somehow seeped in through the ppf and is going to be even harder to remove. Any advise to get rid of all this? I'm a detailing noob and kindof clueless how to deal with this without damaging paint.

RamAir02 · 06-17-2021, 02:00 PM

I would try a clay bar!

MANNAXMAN · 06-17-2021, 03:35 PM

x2 on the clay bar.

Spaceme1117 · 06-17-2021, 04:03 PM

3M General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner. You can usually find it at Oreilly's or Autozone usually in the touch up paint section.

Won't hurt the clear coat or paint.

OniCamaro · 06-17-2021, 05:01 PM

Thanks guys. I realized the car is due for a clay bar treatment anyway so I'll get that done..

KirkH · 06-17-2021, 11:14 PM

In my business, I use Turtle Wax Label and Sticker Remover and a plastic razor blade. Also, there are different strength Goo Gone products. I use the Auto Goo Gone and the Surface Prep Goo Gone. Sometimes I alternate between all 3 for tough adhesives.

peteric · 06-21-2021, 02:59 AM

WD40 works great also. Just wash your car afterwards.

sklippi2018 · 12-17-2024, 08:25 PM

I have somewhat the same issue. Darndest residue hard as heck to get off. Heat gun couldn't do it and neither goo gone even though I let it soak. Research shows WD40 and 3M Adhesive Remover are best and don't hurt paint. Also, DIY Bug Remover. I'll try the WD and 3M to see what happens.

Disregard the hole; previous owner put SS emblem on to hide it. Separate project so may just use touch-up paint to camouflage it for now because it'll run $2,400 to "really" fix it.

NashZL1 · 12-18-2024, 06:55 AM

3M Adhesive Remover or SEM Solve. Work great.

ctrlz · 12-19-2024, 05:00 PM

I think you have good recommendations regarding the adhesive residue.
As for the hole, try a hot glue gun for a temporary plug. Glue sticks are polypropylene and you should be able to shave it flush when cool or maybe nudge it while still warm. It should form a distorted shape on the back side which holds it in place. PP will take paint.

sklippi2018 · 12-22-2024, 10:57 PM

At this point I do not know what this is. I've taken y'alls advice and watched videos. I've tried: heating it, goo-gone, wd-40, 3m adhesive remover, and bug and tar remover and not one fleck of residue has come off. I've even used the plastic scraper while using each.

I did order a rubber wheel and it comes tomorrow. I'll give that a whirl. My hesitancy is that if none of the residue would come off it is really adhered to the paint and if I use the rubber wheel it may take paint off as well. We'll cross that bridge when we get to it ... I'll definitely be careful.

sklippi2018 · 12-31-2024, 06:26 PM

Well I used the rubber wheel and nothing happened.

Applied minimal pressure and not even a fleck of the adhesive came off. My detailer seems to think it is some kind of industrial super glue.

To repair the hole and repaint would run $1,400+ so at this point I'm gonna clean it up, use touch-up paint to "hide" the hole, and get the right sized emblem to cover it up.

Val Walkinshaw · 03-12-2025, 03:23 AM

Hobbyist and professional detailer/paint correction specialist checking in:

3M adhesive remover (this shit is amazing)
https://a.co/d/cPXGroN

Stoners tar and sap remover (also fantastic adhesive remover) Well respected in the industry.
https://a.co/d/gGOYspV

Mineral spirits
(tractor supply, home Depot, Lowe's)

Do remember than any of these if left on for long periods (10 minutes or more/hours is NOT a fun time) or not washed off with a non ph neutral soap (dawn, alcohol or an APC (all purpose cleaner) is not recommended.

Plastic razor blade is also helpful.

I would recommend after adhesive removal that you wet sand the area to help determine the true extent of damage. 1000, 2000, 5000 grit. The a medium polish, fine polish to follow. If you have missing paint I would recommend also a well respected company that has 20+ years in business. Send them your VIN and paint code. The match will be closer to perfect than any human eye can detect.

Automotive Touchup
https://www.automotivetouchup.com/?g...saAvuBEALw_wcB

Automotive goo gone is weak. I do not recommend it.

06-17-2021, 01:31 PM	#1
OniCamaro Drives: Camaro V6 2017 Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: TX Posts: 73	Stubborn adhesive removal I took out a paint protection film from a section on my rear bumper, the part that is slanted upwards. This had an emblem on it and it seems like the person who installed the PPF, stuck the emblem on them with some permanent adhesive. After taking off the PPF, I'm left with a very uneven surface of adhesive remnants(see tiny black dots all over) that I was not able to get off with goo gone and applying light-medium pressure with microfiber towel. Also the part that had emblems, have extra adhesive remants, which makes me think it somehow seeped in through the ppf and is going to be even harder to remove. Any advise to get rid of all this? I'm a detailing noob and kindof clueless how to deal with this without damaging paint. Attached Images

06-17-2021, 02:00 PM	#2
RamAir02 Shadow Gray '19 ZLE M6 Drives: '19 ZL1 1LE M6 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 1,458 View My Garage	I would try a clay bar! __________________ 2019 ZL1 1LE \| M6 \| SGM \| PDR \| CF Dash \| Nav \| Wheel Locks PPF \| Paint Correction \| ZL1 Addons Rock Guards \| ZL1 Addons Lift Pads \| ZL1 Addons Feather Lite Tow Hook \| JWM Smoked Sidemarkers \| Wildhammer Smoked Rear Reflectors \| JWM License Plate LEDs \| RotoFab CAI \| ADM IC Reservoir v2 \| BC Forged RZ05 \| SPL Toe Arms \| BW Brake Deflectors \| CMS Roll Bar \| Schroth Profi II ASM Harnesses . Sold: '99 Trans Am (bolt-ons & cam) \| '00 WS6 (bolt-ons, heads, cam, 12 bolt) \| '05 CTS-V (bolt-ons, short throw) \| '10 SS/RS M6 (short throw, CAI, coilovers, LTs, catback, JRE tune) \| '01 WS6 YouTube

06-17-2021, 03:35 PM	#3
MANNAXMAN Drives: 2016 Camaro 2SS Convertible Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 580 View My Garage	x2 on the clay bar. __________________ 2016 Camaro 2SS, Convertible, Summit White, A8, NPP, NAV, Daily Driver (Sept. 2016-Present) 1996 Camaro Z28 with T-Tops (Sold 10.22.16) 1986 Camaro IROC-Z with T-Tops (Sold) 1961 Volkswagen Beetle with Sliding Ragtop Sunroof (2009-Present) 1964 Volkswagen Beetle with aftermarket Sliding Ragtop Sunroof (Sold) Follow me on *Instagram* - @gen6_2ss_vert

12-17-2024, 08:25 PM	#8
sklippi2018 Drives: 2021 ZL1 A10 Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Virginia Posts: 415	I have somewhat the same issue. Darndest residue hard as heck to get off. Heat gun couldn't do it and neither goo gone even though I let it soak. Research shows WD40 and 3M Adhesive Remover are best and don't hurt paint. Also, DIY Bug Remover. I'll try the WD and 3M to see what happens. Disregard the hole; previous owner put SS emblem on to hide it. Separate project so may just use touch-up paint to camouflage it for now because it'll run $2,400 to "really" fix it. Attached Images

12-18-2024, 06:55 AM	#9
NashZL1 Drives: 2022 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 259	3M Adhesive Remover or SEM Solve. Work great. __________________ Randy in Nashville 2022 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 A10 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 2020 Genesis G90 Ultimate 2018 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 2019 Mercedes-Benz SL450 2017 Corvette Grand Sport A8 2024 Honda Civic Touring 1971 Datsun 240Z

06-17-2021, 04:03 PM	#4
Spaceme1117 Drives: 2017 Camaro SS, 2011 Corvette GS Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Erlanger, Kentucky 41018 Posts: 856	3M General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner. You can usually find it at Oreilly's or Autozone usually in the touch up paint section. Won't hurt the clear coat or paint.

06-17-2021, 05:01 PM	#5
OniCamaro Drives: Camaro V6 2017 Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: TX Posts: 73	Thanks guys. I realized the car is due for a clay bar treatment anyway so I'll get that done..

06-17-2021, 11:14 PM	#6
KirkH Drives: 2016 2SS M6 Mosaic Blk Met-SOLD Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: KY Posts: 2,934	In my business, I use Turtle Wax Label and Sticker Remover and a plastic razor blade. Also, there are different strength Goo Gone products. I use the Auto Goo Gone and the Surface Prep Goo Gone. Sometimes I alternate between all 3 for tough adhesives.

06-21-2021, 02:59 AM	#7
peteric Drives: 2016 camaro Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: GA Posts: 133	WD40 works great also. Just wash your car afterwards.

12-19-2024, 05:00 PM	#10
ctrlz Drives: 2017 2SS, 50th pkg, M6, MRC, NPP Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Ocean City, NJ Posts: 3,558	I think you have good recommendations regarding the adhesive residue. As for the hole, try a hot glue gun for a temporary plug. Glue sticks are polypropylene and you should be able to shave it flush when cool or maybe nudge it while still warm. It should form a distorted shape on the back side which holds it in place. PP will take paint.

12-22-2024, 10:57 PM	#11
sklippi2018 Drives: 2021 ZL1 A10 Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Virginia Posts: 415	At this point I do not know what this is. I've taken y'alls advice and watched videos. I've tried: heating it, goo-gone, wd-40, 3m adhesive remover, and bug and tar remover and not one fleck of residue has come off. I've even used the plastic scraper while using each. I did order a rubber wheel and it comes tomorrow. I'll give that a whirl. My hesitancy is that if none of the residue would come off it is really adhered to the paint and if I use the rubber wheel it may take paint off as well. We'll cross that bridge when we get to it ... I'll definitely be careful.

12-31-2024, 06:26 PM	#12
sklippi2018 Drives: 2021 ZL1 A10 Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Virginia Posts: 415	UPDATE- Rubber wheel Well I used the rubber wheel and nothing happened. Applied minimal pressure and not even a fleck of the adhesive came off. My detailer seems to think it is some kind of industrial super glue. To repair the hole and repaint would run $1,400+ so at this point I'm gonna clean it up, use touch-up paint to "hide" the hole, and get the right sized emblem to cover it up. Attached Images Last edited by sklippi2018; 12-31-2024 at 06:28 PM. Reason: Edit

03-12-2025, 03:23 AM	#13
Val Walkinshaw L8ap3x Drives: 2018 2SS 1LE Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: SE MI/ NW OH Posts: 490 View My Garage	Hobbyist and professional detailer/paint correction specialist checking in: 3M adhesive remover (this shit is amazing) https://a.co/d/cPXGroN Stoners tar and sap remover (also fantastic adhesive remover) Well respected in the industry. https://a.co/d/gGOYspV Mineral spirits (tractor supply, home Depot, Lowe's) Do remember than any of these if left on for long periods (10 minutes or more/hours is NOT a fun time) or not washed off with a non ph neutral soap (dawn, alcohol or an APC (all purpose cleaner) is not recommended. Plastic razor blade is also helpful. I would recommend after adhesive removal that you wet sand the area to help determine the true extent of damage. 1000, 2000, 5000 grit. The a medium polish, fine polish to follow. If you have missing paint I would recommend also a well respected company that has 20+ years in business. Send them your VIN and paint code. The match will be closer to perfect than any human eye can detect. Automotive Touchup https://www.automotivetouchup.com/?g...saAvuBEALw_wcB Automotive goo gone is weak. I do not recommend it. __________________ "Manuals win hearts. Automatics win races." 2018 2SS 1LE HBM 6M Last edited by Val Walkinshaw; 03-12-2025 at 03:29 AM. Reason: cause

User Name		Remember Me?
Password