Pkp1903

Just like the title says...I recently purchased a 2011 LS 460L in Obsidian. It came with Stone Guard on it. I am getting ready to detail the exterior and use compound to remove swirls on the entire car. The stone guard is just terrible and covered with swirls. For the time being, I plan on leaving the Stone Guard on the car.

What can I use to remove the swirls from the Stone Guard?

zmcgovern4

iTrader: (2)

What is stone guard? .... Clear bra?

If so, you can use the same machine and products that you use on paint on the clear bra.

Pkp1903

Stone Guard is a clear bra. Originally I thought the stone guard was tinted to the color of the car, but after looking deeper, it is a clear bra. I just did not want to go at it with my buffer only to find out I should not!

zmcgovern4

iTrader: (2)

Clear bra typically does not require you to be too aggressive when polishing, so start with a finishing polish and see what you get before jumping to a cutting compound.

Pkp1903

I appreciate the help! I've ordered a PC buffer and Blackfire Ice system to get this thing ready for the nice weather that is almost here!

Greg@DI

Keep in mind that the clear films come in different "shapes and sizes". By that I mean there are films of different quality and most have a certain number of layers (adhesive, clear film, uv protection, etc.) that can or cannot be polished. Most films will improve with some light polishing, but some can easily deform from heat or the polish abrasives and never look the same again, possibly worse. Also, a lot of the newer quality films have a sort of clear coating on top of it, so once you polish through that you'll need to make sure it's well protected from the elements going forward or you may end up with yellowing, stains, etc.

In short, yes you can polish it, but with the polishing and improved looks that come from polishing film, there's certainly a possibility of running into issues that can be much worse than the ones you were trying to fix .

Hope that helps!

Ivan @ DI

Pkp1903

That helps A LOT, Greg! I know it was put on by Lexus at the time the car was initially leased 3 years ago. From research Lexus uses the 3M Stone Guard. I will have to do a bit of research to see what others have experienced with polishing of this brand. The goal, as always I assume, is to correct and indefinitely protect!

nateboussa

Do it yourself. I did mine with my wife's hairdryer. Just warm it up carefully and peel slowly, peeling the clear coating back on itself not 90 degrees to the painted surface.
You'll then have to clean any glue residue, which is easy




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