Fingerprints:

• To avoid leaving fingerprints during installation, keep your hands wet or wear gloves.
• If a fingerprint does appear on the adhesive surface, apply a soap solution to the affected area and gently rub until the print disappears.

Removing dirt/contamination from under the film:

• If possible, flip the film so that the adhesive side is up, spray the adhesive layer with soap and water solution and then wipe the contamination from adhesive while wet.
• If it’s not possible to flip the film, spray soap and water solution under the film and try to remove the contamination.
• Be careful not to rub the adhesive layer too vigorously, as it may leave a visible trace, especially on dark cars.
• Do not use alcohol (tack) solution to lift the film when removing contamination, as it can soften the adhesive and make it susceptible to damage.

Removing adhesive lines:

• To reduce the possibility of forming an adhesive line, lift the film without creating a straight edge on the adhesive. Instead, raise the film in a pocket shape while adding plenty of soap and water solution under the film.
• Use your squeegee to first move water towards the potential adhesive line and then squeegee the water from under the film.
• If you must lift the film for a significant amount of time, lift it until you reach a shape change on the hood. The adhesive line will be much less visible in that space.

Removing mars:

• To prevent mars, always keep the top of the film wet with a soap and water solution while smoothing out the film.
• If a mar does occur, wait 20 minutes and then use isopropyl alcohol and a microfiber cloth to remove it.

Water bubbles:

• Remove any water by smoothing out the film away from the areas where an alcohol (tack) solution was used.
• Attempting to remove water from adhered areas may result in bubbles. Bubbles that are 4-5mm in size may disappear on their own, but it’s best to remove all water from under the film.
• Large bubbles will likely turn into air pockets when drying.
• Bubbles can be removed by lifting and smoothing out the film or, if they are too far from the edge, by using a 1cc/1ml syringe.

Wrapping edges:

• When cutting the film for each area of the car, ensure that there is enough film to wrap around the edges to create a strong bond.
• Clean the areas where the film will be wrapped with pure alcohol and lint-free wipes, as these areas may be exposed to oily contamination.
• Adhesion promoters or primers, such as 3M’s Primer 94, can be used in these areas. However, do not use primer on the outside-facing surface as it may change the color over time.

How to prevent edges from lifting up

• To ensure the paint protection film’s edges stay adhered to the car, it’s important to thoroughly clean and prepare the edges before installation.
• Use pure alcohol and lint-free wipes to degrease the edges and make sure they are laying flat on the car’s surface without overhanging.
• For templates that aren’t designed for wrapping, keep the film’s edge at least 2mm away from where the body panel starts curving to the edge.
• Even after installation, wait for 1-2 hours for the film to fully adhere, and double check the edges in both warm and cold/rainy weather before returning the car to the customer.