3M Scotchguard Paint Protector
1 - 20 of 24 Posts
Joined
·
909 Posts
The clearbra's are awesome, and I don't think anyone has come up with a reason not to get one.
The kits can do just the bumper, bumper+hood, and can also include mirrors, fenders, headlights, and other vulnerable areas.
The only drawbacks are the edge will tend to accumulate dirt and\or wax, and its a pain to take off if you so decide. (must use a heat gun or the paint will come with it.)
Make sure the company you go with uses a pre-cut template and does not cut sheet film on the car. Some companies will actually just roll it out, and then use an x-acto knife to cut out the bra. It doesn't look any different on the car, but they generally either score or cut the paint as well, which can lead to long term problems, and issues if you ever take the bra off.
Most brands are guaranteed for some period of time against yellowing or cracking. Its far better than repainting the nose of the car in a few years, since the paint will never perfectly match again. (especially a difficult to match color like blu nettuno)
- Mark
The kits can do just the bumper, bumper+hood, and can also include mirrors, fenders, headlights, and other vulnerable areas.
The only drawbacks are the edge will tend to accumulate dirt and\or wax, and its a pain to take off if you so decide. (must use a heat gun or the paint will come with it.)
Make sure the company you go with uses a pre-cut template and does not cut sheet film on the car. Some companies will actually just roll it out, and then use an x-acto knife to cut out the bra. It doesn't look any different on the car, but they generally either score or cut the paint as well, which can lead to long term problems, and issues if you ever take the bra off.
Most brands are guaranteed for some period of time against yellowing or cracking. Its far better than repainting the nose of the car in a few years, since the paint will never perfectly match again. (especially a difficult to match color like blu nettuno)
- Mark
Joined
·
5 Posts
Mine will be installed tomorrow. I will share some photo's of the install tomorrow and offer my opinion of the finished product. It will certainly be nice to drive without the worry of road rash. 
Joined
·
909 Posts
Ventureshield is good too. 3M stands up to the temp changes a bit better (extreme like -20 to + 105 like we get here I mean), and seems to bend over complex curves a bit better - The ventureshield needs more relief cuts to make the same curves as the 3m, presumably because its a bit thicker. Our internal installers use both, depending on the car its going on.
Joined
·
111 Posts
My buddy's website, he is a very good friend and can send you whatever you want..... knows all the new stuff happening as well. Tell him Masher sent you. His name is Rob Freeman. www.proformauto.com/index2.php
Joined
·
528 Posts
The only drawback for me has been the issue of it collecting grit around the edges after a wash.
I'm not really worried about it yellowing
I'm not really worried about it yellowing
My clear shield came from the dealer. Not sure what brand, but it goes half way up the hood, quarter panels, all four wheel wells, rocker panels and rear quarters as well as mirrors and full front end of course.
Started to peel once and the dealer took it to be redone. just the to portion of the bumper and said he had to pay $1500 for the re-do of just that area.
Did not cost me a penny, thank god a bought the car at a lexus dealer! they will kiss your ass till they are broke!
Robb
Started to peel once and the dealer took it to be redone. just the to portion of the bumper and said he had to pay $1500 for the re-do of just that area.
Did not cost me a penny, thank god a bought the car at a lexus dealer! they will kiss your ass till they are broke!
Robb
Joined
·
6 Posts
Thanks for the heads up Masher,
I hope you guys don't mind me chiming in as Masher told me that you guys had some questions. Robb373, my partner runs our shop in Las Vegas and he very possibly did your car. Our Proform kits offer the most complete coverage of any precut design company and are guaranteed to fit. As for the different manufacturers of films, their are many, but basically only two types of film, coated and non clear coated, where you live can be the biggest determining factor, a clear coated film although porous will not allow any dirt sediment into the film, at times a non coated film will. Look at it this way, here in the mid-Atlantic, right now our roads have tons of salt and rain on them, combined they are a filthy mess, when this rests on your car, and the water evaporates, it leaves the dirt, on a non coated film it has the tendency to draw that in and make the film look dull, hence coated film here. In a dryer warmer climate there is no need for a coated film. To clean around the edges of the film, use a q-tip or a soft detailing brush. if you have dried wax, put some more wax on it to re-activate it and then try the soft q tip or rag.
Also keep in mind that 3M and Avery Dennison don't have their own designs, they are just film suppliers, Venture does support their own design house. Also that the finished look of your car is a result of the installer, check his references, and ask the pertinent questions, if he doesn't have access to our kits, let me know and I'll see what I can do to help. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to contact me toll free 866-776-3682
Sincerely,
Rob
Rob Freeman
President / CEO
Proform Protective Films
www.proformauto.com
rob at proformauto.com
I hope you guys don't mind me chiming in as Masher told me that you guys had some questions. Robb373, my partner runs our shop in Las Vegas and he very possibly did your car. Our Proform kits offer the most complete coverage of any precut design company and are guaranteed to fit. As for the different manufacturers of films, their are many, but basically only two types of film, coated and non clear coated, where you live can be the biggest determining factor, a clear coated film although porous will not allow any dirt sediment into the film, at times a non coated film will. Look at it this way, here in the mid-Atlantic, right now our roads have tons of salt and rain on them, combined they are a filthy mess, when this rests on your car, and the water evaporates, it leaves the dirt, on a non coated film it has the tendency to draw that in and make the film look dull, hence coated film here. In a dryer warmer climate there is no need for a coated film. To clean around the edges of the film, use a q-tip or a soft detailing brush. if you have dried wax, put some more wax on it to re-activate it and then try the soft q tip or rag.
Also keep in mind that 3M and Avery Dennison don't have their own designs, they are just film suppliers, Venture does support their own design house. Also that the finished look of your car is a result of the installer, check his references, and ask the pertinent questions, if he doesn't have access to our kits, let me know and I'll see what I can do to help. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to contact me toll free 866-776-3682
Sincerely,
Rob
Rob Freeman
President / CEO
Proform Protective Films
www.proformauto.com
rob at proformauto.com
Joined
·
6 Posts
correct, another product that works great on any of the films and black plastics on cars to keep a shine without being greasy is Plexxus.drevil said:
Joined
·
45 Posts
Getting the 3M installed
I went to my dealer to check out what the product looked like installed. I saw it on an F430. The only place that was clearly noticeable was across the hood.
I wasn't thrilled with the line (although its not noticeable from more than 3ft away) and decided just to get the full nose, lights, rocker panels, and mirrors.
My dealer then took me to see a car that had been brought in for service, and i was able to see a couple of small paint chips resulting from road debris. I would have been pissed if it was my car.
Needless to say, im going to deal with the line across the hood and get the lower 3rd protected as well.
~$1500 all in.. better be worth it!
I went to my dealer to check out what the product looked like installed. I saw it on an F430. The only place that was clearly noticeable was across the hood.
I wasn't thrilled with the line (although its not noticeable from more than 3ft away) and decided just to get the full nose, lights, rocker panels, and mirrors.
My dealer then took me to see a car that had been brought in for service, and i was able to see a couple of small paint chips resulting from road debris. I would have been pissed if it was my car.
Needless to say, im going to deal with the line across the hood and get the lower 3rd protected as well.
~$1500 all in.. better be worth it!
Joined
·
33 Posts
mine has the 3M kit. I don't see why it's on the rear bumper- unless for loading and unloading things from the trunk? It's nice protection but I think past the front end it's kind of tacky, like I'm going to take the car on a rally or 24hrs at Lemans!
Joined
·
210 Posts
I have Star shield on all of my cars. I had it installed on my coupe when I bought it last summer. I was not happy, they did not have a precut kit so they had to cut it free hand. When I picked up the car there was dirt and stuff under the film. Plus the edge on the hood looked bad. I had the guy come to my house later ( same guy I had used for a while ) and he trimed down the hood section across the tops of the front fenders and promptly cut through the into the paint! He did pay $500.00 to repaint the hood ( I was able buff the fenders ). But I never replaced the 3m film on the fenders or the newly painted hood. The rule is not to place the film on any thing other than factory paint. The reason is if you remove the film it will take the paint with it! This did happen on my 1965 E-type $12,000 paint job. Yes it was the same guy. And they did pay for the jag too.I do still have the film on my Lotus Elise and 1965 Jag.
Ron
Ron
Attachments
Joined
·
6 Posts
I know a good many of the installers in NY, that is the going rate. Anyone that is charging less is usually cutting corners somewhere, whether it be in installation skill, overhead, or lack of follow through after the sale.petermatt said:$1500????
Joined
·
6 Posts
Ron,Ron Avery said:I have Star shield on all of my cars. I had it installed on my coupe when I bought it last summer. I was not happy, they did not have a precut kit so they had to cut it free hand. When I picked up the car there was dirt and stuff under the film. Plus the edge on the hood looked bad. I had the guy come to my house later ( same guy I had used for a while ) and he trimed down the hood section across the tops of the front fenders and promptly cut through the into the paint! He did pay $500.00 to repaint the hood ( I was able buff the fenders ). But I never replaced the 3m film on the fenders or the newly painted hood. The rule is not to place the film on any thing other than factory paint. The reason is if you remove the film it will take the paint with it! This did happen on my 1965 E-type $12,000 paint job. Yes it was the same guy. And they did pay for the jag too.I do still have the film on my Lotus Elise and 1965 Jag.
Ron
Sorry to hear about the installs going bad, however I'm glad for your sake that they backed up their work with their money after making a mistake. I did a complete 69 E type hand cut, it takes quite a bit of patience, sharp blades (lots) and a delicate touch (even more). He even won 1st in a local show, the judges didnt even notice the film
One of the things to remember is that no product or person is perfect, the film has an intended purpose..to be the least obtrusive paint protection available, and it is. When my buddy Masher told me about this thread,I wanted to give good info, if any of you guys are having a problem or just have questions please dont hesitate to call. I have a pretty good dealer network set up throughout the country and can generally get you in touch with someone with good hands, hopefully they will use a proform kit, but even if not you should still feel safe having them touch your cars...Rob1 - 20 of 24 Posts
