Ugliness has taken over the front of my 540

This 3M paint protector is destroying the looks of my car. I've tried taking it off with a heat gun and all I get is disgusting glue residue which looks even worse. Please, can anyone help me before I spend money.

Once you get the protector off, use mineral spirits to remove the adhesive. It won't harm the paint and will remove the adhesive but not without a little effort. Nice looking car, BTW!

+1 on paint thinner/mineral spirits. Once the hard plastic outer shell is off, it is just adhesive left on top of the clear coat which should buff off with a generous amount of petroleum distillate.

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How do I take it off though, after applying the paint thinner etc. Do I rub it with a cloth or something or just let it sit then wash it off with water.

You will need to use a soft cotton cloth so it won't scuff the paint. You will also have to continually use different sections of the cloth as it will get sticky with adhesive. Wet the cloth with thinner and begin rubbing. Don't try to take on a big area, work slowly, keeping the adhesive moist with thinner and it should loosen up. Once all the adhesive is gone, you'll want to wash the whole area with soapy water to remove any thinner residue. Repeat if all adhesive hasn't been removed. DO NOT use a scraper. It's not worth ruining the paint over. Ask me how I know.

^ sooooo. how do ya know? ^

I've seen it removed slowly with a heat gun on a Mini. The residue was very light and it was nothing some light buffing couldn't help.

I used to have a Pontiac Bonneville that got road tar sprayed all over the front from the car in front of me. I used mineral spirits to soften the tar but got impatient and used what I thought be safe, a plastic putty knife. Once I was done and the car washed, I saw the scratches. Fortunately, I was able to wet sand and buff them out but I could have avoided the additional work by just using the cloth soaked with thinner to remove the tar.

I think I'm possibly doing this wrong. Can someone give me detailed step by step instructions? Does the adhesive have to be hot before I put the mineral spirits on? It's just looking worse and worse everytime I go out and attempt to take it off.

Try some Goof Off or Goo Gone then. Paint thinner should be taking it off. Is your rag wet with it?

Originally Posted by TemporarySanity

You will need to use a soft cotton cloth so it won't scuff the paint. You will also have to continually use different sections of the cloth as it will get sticky with adhesive. Wet the cloth with thinner and begin rubbing. Don't try to take on a big area, work slowly, keeping the adhesive moist with thinner and it should loosen up. Once all the adhesive is gone, you'll want to wash the whole area with soapy water to remove any thinner residue. Repeat if all adhesive hasn't been removed. DO NOT use a scraper. It's not worth ruining the paint over. Ask me how I know.

ouch. at least it came out in the end.
op- I often have to remove adhesives of various kinds from some fairly delicate surfaces at my work. that being said it looks to me like youve softened the adhesive just enough for it to start to collect lint & dirt from your rag or whatever. this is a good sign - the solvent is working. you might need to use alittle more to soften it more. sometimes heating the adhesive AND the solvent helps, although you need to be careful heating a solvent as they are usually flammable. sometimes with really tacky stuff ill soften it up real good and starting at the edge "roll" it off letting the tacky adhesive do the work for me, the bigger the hunk of adhesive gets the more it seems to gather. be patient, and be careful with that paint thinner, sooner later if you use enough itll start to take your paint off. hope this helps
M-

Sometimes you can rub it with your fingers starting at an edge and cause it to roll up. It may leave behind a tiny bit that can easily be cleaned off but the thickest stuff will be gone

Originally Posted by TemporarySanity

Try some Goof Off or Goo Gone then. Paint thinner should be taking it off. Is your rag wet with it?

Goo Gone is milder than Goof Off, Goof Off claims (and does) remove dried paint.
I'd be very careful with the latter.
keeping it moist with mineral spirits ought to do it. If you are impatient bring it to someone who isn't.
Just think how nice the leading edges of your car will be.

True, Goof Off is rather harsh and may soften the paint if used excessively. Stick with mild stuff. Patience! It takes time to remove it but it will be worth it in the end.