from another thread:
dated 8-17-2026
Well, I jinxed myself by boasting about my "fix". I was outside, cleaning my HHR Panel, and two trucks, as well, because they had lotsa sand and dust, but the X, having been unused since fall, had the most. My house is on top of a hill of sand, my backyard and rear driveway are unfettered by grass, so with zero rain for at least 1.5 months, all needed at least a quick shower (the X5's windows were opaque).

When I used "jet" spray setting across the X's roof, the rear edge of the PPF lifted, and tore off. I guess the 3-year estimated lifetime of the PPF had been greatly exceeded over 5 years in Texas sun. The Taylor indoor/outdoor thermometer outside my window (not touching any surface) reads 109F right now at 1730, down from 114F at 1530. I picked up the piece of PPF that tore off, and it's quite brittle.

So, tomorrow a.m., I'm removing the roof rack so I can clean the roof and sunroof glass, in preparation for PPF application #2. You never know when or if a pop-up T-storm will hit (always when you don't need nor expect a drenching rain, though we could certainly use the moisture), so a prompt repair ASAp is required.

Though this week is expected to be well over 100F (as it has been mostly, all aug & july), next week will be worse, according to forecasts. Might as well get it over with!

today, 8-19-2026
Unbolted my roof rack and had my wife help me remove it (no longer can lift it off cleanly, from one side), then washed and scrubbed nearly 5 years of stubborn dirt and peeling clear coat from roof and sunroof glass. What I thought was the edge of the PPF tearing loose wasn't it at all, but a large chunk of clear coat.

I carefully cleaned the PPF with mild soapy water and a microfiber towel (haven't been able to wash it since I built the rack over it, with only about 2" of clearance); when gently rinsing, I saw soap bubbles in the PPF directly over the rubber seal...so there is a need to remove and replace the old PPF (though the micro-crack in the PPF was enlarged/exacerbated by my cleaning, it is now toast, but the rubber seal kept today's water out).

I previously applied the '21 PPF on a pleasant October morning, in the shade (maybe 75F-80F). That's well within the conditional range spec'd by the MFG.
Now, I'm having to modify the soap formulation for hot weather (more soap/distilled water/refrigerated until use), make dual platforms to enable my wife to help this time (she's short, I'm semi-crippled), and start just after sunrise, to finish ASAP. She's got Dr's appt's tomorrow am, and a scheduled brunch with her girlfriends the next am, so it looks like Sat morning (probably 80F at start, finishing within 1.5 hours, before the roof gets to 120F).

__________________
01 BMW X5 E53,3.0i-5L40E, 7/13/01
topas-blau,Leder-grau,"resto-project car"

Here:
14 Lexus ES350,3.5L-U660E
09 HHR Panel,2.2L-4T45E
04 Chevy 2500HD,6.0L-4L80E
98 GMC Sierra 1500,5.7L-4L60E

Gone:
66 Chevelle Malibu 2dr ht.,327>441c.i.-TH350>PGlide/transbrake
08 Cobalt Coupe,2.2L-4T45E
69 & 75 C10s,350c.i.-TH350
86 S10,2.8L-700R4
73 Volvo 142,2.0L-MT4
72 & 73 VW SuperBeetles,1.6l-MT4
64 VW,1.2l-MT4
67 Dodge Monaco 500 2dr ht.,383c.i.-A727
56 Chevy 210 4dr,265c.i.-PGlide