Crap under those plastic protectors and how to remove them

Photo is on my 2021 Tacoma. It looks like something is growing under the plastic protector films. The dealer is refusing to remove them because the bumper-to-bumper is expired.

Thoughts on how to get the films off? This one is on a plastic wheel well but others are directly on painted metal.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

Those are vinyl paint protection film. The discoloration is probably due to rock chips that have punctured tiny holes into it and dirt/water gets in.

If they are still pliable, you can lift a corner and then slowly remove it. Maybe use a heat gun to soften it up. Clean up with rubbing alcohol or goo gone.

If they are sun baked and brittle, you need to use plastic razors to scrape it away; goo gone will help to soften up the residue somewhat.

Once you have them off, clean everything up and consider buying some regular sheets of vinyl paint film from Amazon/ebay and put something back on there. If you do not, you will quickly learn why those are on there in the first place.

 

If you have a solid PPF/tint shop near you, they would probably remove it properly for very cheap