On the front edge of the Targa roof panel there is a clear protective tape that runs along the bottom of the front edge. The tape wraps up to about the mid point of the front edge so its normally not visible when the roof panel is in place. I assume that the tape is there to protect the paint on the lower edge of the roof panel from scuffing as a result of contact with the gasket or to act as a slip surface to stop squeaking at that interface. The film does not wrap up high enough to prevent chips to the front edge of the panel (I have a couple of chips as proof).
The problem with my panel is that the tape adhesive has started to fail all along the top edge with the result that what was previously invisible is now visible because the clear tape tends to turn white at the edge as the failed adhesive accumulates dust and other stuff. I was working on the roof panel yesterday and had purchased some 3 M door edge paint protection film with a plan to use it as a replacement for the failing tape on the panel (the Acura product 85121-SL0-T01 lists for over $100 Cdn). The problem is that the un failed portion of the tape adhesive is tenacious and as I picked at the tape with my fingernails it just tore off in tiny pieces. At the rate I was going I estimate it would take a minimum of 4 - 6 hours of frustration before I got the tape off. I tried applying some acetone to soften the adhesive; but, it had no obvious effect. Has anybody removed this protective film and can advise on the best method for safe removal? Also, any observations about my plan to use 3M PPF as a replacement?
On a related matter, the liner of the roof panel has suffered some scuffs that I would like to fix up. I believe the inside panel color is Real Black NH188L; however, I have not been able to find any touch up paints in Real Black. I get zero hits when I search using the NH188L paint code. Can anybody advise on a source?
The problem with my panel is that the tape adhesive has started to fail all along the top edge with the result that what was previously invisible is now visible because the clear tape tends to turn white at the edge as the failed adhesive accumulates dust and other stuff. I was working on the roof panel yesterday and had purchased some 3 M door edge paint protection film with a plan to use it as a replacement for the failing tape on the panel (the Acura product 85121-SL0-T01 lists for over $100 Cdn). The problem is that the un failed portion of the tape adhesive is tenacious and as I picked at the tape with my fingernails it just tore off in tiny pieces. At the rate I was going I estimate it would take a minimum of 4 - 6 hours of frustration before I got the tape off. I tried applying some acetone to soften the adhesive; but, it had no obvious effect. Has anybody removed this protective film and can advise on the best method for safe removal? Also, any observations about my plan to use 3M PPF as a replacement?
On a related matter, the liner of the roof panel has suffered some scuffs that I would like to fix up. I believe the inside panel color is Real Black NH188L; however, I have not been able to find any touch up paints in Real Black. I get zero hits when I search using the NH188L paint code. Can anybody advise on a source?