We all have tasks to tackle, right? Well, perched at the top of my to-do list was the removal of moldy Diamond Shield from my motorhome. Ever since we purchased our RV, I’ve yearned to eliminate the grimy, unsightly Diamond Shield from the front of the vehicle.
Image: Moldy Diamond Shield on RV Example (Courtesy of SuperDad, iRV2 Forums Member)
Initially, Diamond Shield seemed excellent, almost impervious. Its purpose was to safeguard the front end from rocks that are flung at you while on the road. It’s a transparent film that covers the entire front. Most often, when an RV has a Diamond Shield, you wouldn’t even notice it’s there.
However, around 2006, the product experienced some issues. Either moisture seeped beneath the film, or there were problems with the application process. The trapped moisture caused the film to become moldy, resulting in the entire front end of the RV appearing dirty brown with dark mold spots.
I spoke with numerous fellow RV enthusiasts who either faced the same problem or knew someone who did. All of them, burdened with the moldy shield, suggested various products or places to seek help from.
Many Methods to Remove Moldy Diamond Shield
The most daunting aspect that deterred me was the time commitment, as people claimed it required a minimum of 24 hours of scraping.
I even reached out to the Diamond Shield manufacturer, hoping they would sympathize and offer a free solution due to their defective product. Unfortunately, that was not the case. They quoted approximately $1,500 to remove it, excluding potential paint damage. Additionally, they demanded an extra $1,200 to apply another film. I wasn’t too keen on trying that route again.
I looked into products for removing moldy Diamond Shield from an RV. I also contacted various places for estimates. After numerous hours of researching RV groups on Facebook, other RV forums, and consulting with Newmar, the RV manufacturer, I felt lost.
As fate would have it, while staying at a campground, I noticed a gentleman diligently working on his rig just one row ahead of us. He was addressing the same issue I had: moldy Diamond Shield on the front of an RV.
Bruce, the kind stranger, offered to share the wisdom he had acquired while working on his own RV. He hoped to spare others from making the same mistakes and wasting time. And I happened to be the next person in line!
By the time I was ready to depart, Bruce had generously gifted me one of the nylon scraping tools he was using. He also provided the name of the solvent necessary for removing the moldy Diamond Shield and detailed instructions for each step of the process. I returned to my RV brimming with enthusiasm to get started.
Supplies needed to Remove Moldy Diamond Shield from an RV
To successfully eliminate the Diamond Shield from an RV, you will require the following supplies:
- Plastic scraper tools
- 220 grit sandpaper
- Clothes steamer
- Contractors’ Solvent
- Industrial spray bottle
- 2″ Painters Tape
- Chemical resistant rubber gloves
Step 1: Scrape Off the Moldy Diamond Shield
Bruce mentioned that this was the most challenging part for him, but surprisingly, it turned out to be relatively simple for me. He had a 3M product on his vehicle, while I had Diamond Shield. Apparently, Diamond Shield is a thicker film, so it came off in larger pieces, making the process faster for me.
The first step is to remove the film. I used a clothes steamer and the scraper tool. I also had sandpaper on hand to address any dulling of the scraper tool’s edge.
Use the steamer to heat a small section of the Diamond Shield.
Observe as it begins to sweat. Apply ample heat to the glue underneath to facilitate easy removal.
Utilize the scraper tool to peel off the film.
It’s quite similar to peeling a potato. Scrape in straight lines on the section that was steamed. The film will effortlessly detach. There should be no need to apply excessive force while scraping; if you find it difficult, simply steam the area a bit more.
Repeat this process across the front end where the moldy Diamond Shield is situated. Work in sections and exercise patience. It takes time, but the most efficient approach is to create neat, orderly rows.
After removing all the film, your RV will appear significantly better. However, that’s only half of the job—perhaps even less.
Image: Before & After of Moldy Diamond Shield Removal
Step 2: Remove the Diamond Shield Adhesive Glue
The subsequent step involves getting rid of the adhesive residue left by the Diamond Shield, which is also where the prominent mold spots are usually found. These areas also require scraping.
Firstly, open the container of Contractor’s Solvent and pour it into a spray bottle. Before spraying, you need to address your headlights.
Covering the headlights will prevent the solvent from causing any haziness. Bruce’s RV had plastic headlight covers that became hazy due to the solvent, prompting him to replace them.
If it’s not too inconvenient, you can remove the headlights entirely. Alternatively, you can use blue painter’s tape to cover them. The latter method worked quite well, although there were a few spots where the solvent managed to seep under the tape. It’s not a major issue, but I did notice it. Consider yourself warned!
Fill your spray bottle with the solvent and begin spraying from the top of the Diamond Shield residue.
While scraping off the glue, it tends to trickle down the front of your rig. The glue is slightly sticky but also slippery, creating a somewhat slimy residue that can adhere to lower parts of the vehicle you have already cleaned.
To address this, I find it easier to spray the solvent onto the coach in sections. The solvent will drip down the front, and that’s perfectly fine. Allow the solvent a minute or two to work its magic, then spray again. You want the solvent to dissolve the adhesive glue, but it must remain wet for the scraping process.
Give the solvent a minute or two to soak. Ensure the area is adequately wet before proceeding to scrape the glue off with consistent, firm pressure. If you find yourself exerting too much force, it means either there isn’t enough solvent or it hasn’t had sufficient time to work its magic.
Scrape off the Diamond Shield adhesive glue.
Eventually, you’ll discover the perfect balance of soaking time and solvent quantity. From my experience, removing the glue proved to be much more time-consuming and tedious than getting rid of the moldy Diamond Shield film. The glue doesn’t cooperate and seldom comes off in clean strips like the film does.
Exercise tremendous patience. Eventually, the scraping will yield results. When you’re finished, the front end of your motorhome will appear brand new. It took me approximately four days to complete the process:
- I removed the entire film in one day, investing around eight hours in the task.
- The remaining three days were dedicated to glue removal, with roughly four hours of work each day.
No More Moldy Diamond Shield on Your RV
I’m incredibly pleased that I tackled this endeavor. The rig now boasts a fresh appearance, and I love sharing this knowledge with others facing the same predicament. The presence of a moldy Diamond Shield can mar the beauty of an otherwise splendid coach. Best of luck in restoring your own vehicle to its former glory, and as Bruce suggested, pay it forward by sharing this information!
Tips provided by Craig Royal
