Diamond Shield question

[donnyB7]

I am considering a used Winnebago. The ad says it needs the 3M Diamond Shield removed from the front of the coach. What does that mean?

[Mile_High]

Executive wrote:

okhmbldr wrote:
Just a quick thought....instead of removing, why not have a sign shop apply a vinyl wrap over the old shield. You could have it printed any design or color to match. And, it would be much cheaper than removal and re-application of the shield material. Like I said, "just a quick thought".

I tried that and here's what they came up with....:B:B....Dennis

hahaha

[Executive45]

okhmbldr wrote:
Just a quick thought....instead of removing, why not have a sign shop apply a vinyl wrap over the old shield. You could have it printed any design or color to match. And, it would be much cheaper than removal and re-application of the shield material. Like I said, "just a quick thought".

I tried that and here's what they came up with....:B:B....Dennis

[okhmbldr]

Just a quick thought....instead of removing, why not have a sign shop apply a vinyl wrap over the old shield. You could have it printed any design or color to match. And, it would be much cheaper than removal and re-application of the shield material. Like I said, "just a quick thought".

[falconman]

I will disagree with the group about having the film reapplied. Our coach was nine years old and the film on the front was cracked and moldy. After many tedious hours my wife and I removed it with only one rock chip remaining on the otherwise undamaged factory paint. Fast forward four years and at least twenty rockchips later I am second guessing my decision not to have it reapplied. We're looking at at least $1000 to get the front repainted which will undoubtably suffer the same fate. With the lifetime guarantees being offered for the newer films I would not dismiss the idea of replacing the film just because it was difficult to remove. It did do a great job.

[Roadpilot]

I ahd ours removed for around $1200 if I recall. I would never put another one back on.

[Executive45]

There are two kinds of shields used on motorhomes. They are a clear membrane material that protects the paint against rock chips etc. Diamond Shield is one and 3M makes the other. From what I've heard Diamond Shield protects better but is a lot harder to remove. There are tons of posts on this forum relative to removal. Lots of hard work and very very tedious. You can do it yourself if you have a lot of patience and a free weekend. As you remove it, it comes off in quarter sized pieces making the job irritating. But, if you like jigsaw puzzles, you might like removing it yourself. As posted above, I had estimates from $900 to $3000 to remove it. If you want it reinstalled, add another $1500. I would leave it off as the front cap is fiberglass and any good Corvette bodyman could fix any obnoxious rock chips for a lot less than $1500....Dennis

[wildtoad]

You do not have to reapply it. If after you take it off the underlying paint looks good, then just wax it and move on. Sometimes when they take the stuff off, some paint may come with it resulting in a new paint job. If it were my decision anlone I would not have had it applied in the first place.

[rv2go]

Probably means it will look like this.


Click For Full-Size Image.

The paint contractor for Winnebago in Forest City, IA removed mine for $150. I chose not to get a new shield applied.

[donnyB7]

So, I assume this is a protective coating that not only needs to be removed, but re-applied?

[BigSkyBob]

It means a long, labor intensive task if you do it yourself or paying someone else about 1000 bucks to remove it.