Should I just peel off my OEM clear bra?

[FastLap]

My car came with two "port installed" options that I wouldn't have ordered but I took them anyways just to get the car. They are the front clear bra style paint protection film and the rear bumper applique film.

I'm not a big fan of either of these things, mainly because I can see the lines on the edges, and also because I figure at some point the paint will be worn and it will be more obvious which parts of covered by the film (whether I leave it on or remove it at a later date) because of the uneven wear.

The front film is just on the fenders and a portion of the hood (doesn't even protect the front bumper). The rear film is the standard rear bumper applique with the SCION silver text on it.

Are there any issues that I should be aware of if I decide to remove the film? Any special method to taking it off? I don't want to end up in a situation where I go to peel it off and it starts taking some of the paint with it or something crazy like that.

[Neziah]

I'd leave it on until you are ready to put a full Clear Bra on. Mine already has a couple gouges in it that would be been big ass chips if it wasn't for the bra.

[FastLap]

Thanks for the info. My thing though is that I don't see the benefit in the full clear bra. I guess it's primary purpose is to just prevent chips? To me it seems like the clear bra just adds those lines on the hood and ends up causing uneven wear. Maybe I'm missing something. Seems like if the front bumper gets really bad I could just have it completely repainted for less than the cost of some of the full clear bra kits.

[rcm47]

I'm kind of worried about uneven wear too. But it has helped protect it. I don't know what to do. Im thinking if I do remove it I'll just get my entire car wrapped in maybe matte white.

[wbradley]

If you don't feel comfortable using heat, here is a trick I use on pinball machines to remove mylar film:

Use a can of computer duster compressed air (from Staples, etc). Spray the edge of the film while holding the can upside down, this will turn it into an inexpensive "freeze spray". When the film is frozen the adhesive should become brittle and you should be able to freeze/pull away a bit of film at a time. Use Goo Gone or equivalent (NOT GOOF OFF!!!) and a bit of cooking flour to roll off the remaining adhesive from the paint.

I dont guarantee it will work, but Mylar looks to use similar type strength clear gum adhesive and it's easy to try if you have a can of duster.