jpandes

I've been searching and I can't find the post where someone was going to put together a kit / pre-cut template for the FD. Did this ever happen?

I'm getting my car back with fresh paint and I would like to get this clear rock chip protection on my car. Does anyon know where I can find an FD kit or a good installer in the SF Bay Area?

Thanks,

obviousboy

3m makes something called Rock Gaurd i think...you cut this to your own shape and size

jpandes

Yeah, I know that you can buy roll of this stuff. But I know that this stuff is gonna difficult to install on the FD's curvy front end...

Black97VR4

I would kind of like something you can spray on like an extra thick clearcoat or something. I'm searching around for something right now. I'll update the thread when I'm done.

sub-zero

Get someone who knows what they are doing. It is difficult to install, I have it on the nose, front of hood, and down the sides of the car. The reason it is much better then spray is that it will absorb impact of a rock and still not not damage itself unlike a hard spray, and it can easilly be removed at any time.

3m makes it and it is fairly expensive.

7racer

sub,

where they able to do it in almost one piece considering all the curves on the FD?

how many seam lines can you see?

Black97VR4

Yeah I'm really curious about how this will work. I have the PFS front bumper which has a few more curves than even the OEM bumper.

Mike M

The product is called Roadblock. It is a flexible clear plastic that is difficult to see and will shine up with wax like the car's paint. It is installed by professionals and the price quoted for my FD now undergoing a re paint was $700. I had it on my 2002 yellow metallic Miata and 2 years later, not a single nick/chip. On a yellow or light colored car the seam becomes visable on close inspection but can be cleaned with a q-tip and alcohol. This wont be as much as a problem on my FD which is black.
They wont install on a car that wasn't baked durring repaint. find a good installer. I found one in the DC area only after talking to the installer in New Hampshire who treated my Miata.

alberto_mg

I did this to my old BMW and it worked fantastically. I used the 3M stuff: http://www.levineautoparts.com/3mtape.html

Here are some others: http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=aut...t&cop=mss&tab=

I remember finding a link to authorized installers on the 3M site when I was looking, but I can't seem to find it right now.

alberto_mg

One more thing - any good local detailing shop should know about this stuff and be able to either install it or refer you to someone who can do it.

FDNewbie

iTrader: (10)

Jpandes, I believe this is the thread you're referring to? https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ghlight=yellow

hehe. It's definitely hard to install. I had one of the applicators in VA look at my car, and he said the same...it was gonna cover the whole front bumper (C-west), which was gonna be really hard to do as it was, plus it would come up and extend onto the front of the hood, since w/ my hood vent, the vent is the highest part of the front of the car, making it more likely to be struck by rocks and what not. It IS fairly expensive as well. The guy said they normally run between $800 - $1200 to do. And that's on STOCK front ends...for my car, it was going to be a custom job, and I never heard back from him regarding an estimate. I figured, if it's already up to $800, I can have my front end repainted at least 3 times for that much...

True...one installer in VA told me he wouldn't do it because he didn't think my car was baked during repaint. Isn't that when they put the car in a very hot room w/ huge heaters and literally bake the paint until it cures? Cuz I know that's what Dan from Mr. Spoiler does...and did to my car.

Who was the installer in the DC area you talked to? (cuz im in NoVa).

It's in the thread that I posted a link to above. (For the lazy lol, it's http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/_...1/_s.155/98905 then click on "Find a Professional Applicator")

Dan of Mr. Spoiler, who I - and many others - hold as one of the absolute BEST auto body and detailing shops there is, period...when I asked him about the 3M stuff, while he said it works, he said it's not economically smart, considering you can have the bumper repainted many times over for the kind of price they ask for, plus some of the kits yellow w/ time (3M claims their new application does NOT yellow...we'll see lol) and that along the edges, you get all sorts of dirt and gunk stuck, leaving it looking very nasty, and a bitch to always clean. That was his opinion. But of course, I understand he's got a bit of bias, being an auto body shop himself...

~Ramy

jpandes

I really would like to get this stuff. But not for $800-1000. Gee. That's 25-33% fo what it cost for a single turbo kit.

I was hoping someone has already put together a pre-cut kit for <$200. I'd try to do the install myself, I'm a handy guy

EfiniGirl

This is good knowledge to know. I never even heard about protective covering.

alberto_mg

I think I paid about 300-400 at one of the best detail shops around here for my BMW and that was multi piece. The only thing that sucks about painting is color matching and its freakin expensive also.

Take it for what you will...

FDNewbie

iTrader: (10)

Yea I know what you mean. I remember Revsteve was talking to a guy about a potential group buy if he put together a kit for the stock front nose...but I don't know if anything ever became of it. I'll ask him when I talk to him again tho...

Alberto, you're in NY, right? Prices don't follow then. NY has MUCH CHEAPER labor rates than where I'm at (Northern VA). Here, they'll rape you for any and everything they can. And you're asking to have this done on an RX7 too? You can pretty much expect the price to double...

For $300 - $400, I'd do it w/o thinking twice. It's a no-brainer. As for painting, yes color matching is difficult, but a good body shop should have no prob doin it, and I can get a front bumper repaired and repainted perfect for about $200 - $300...

jpandes

That would be cool. Thanks.

blueskaterboy

this stuff is expensive. maybe i should just get a car bra.

FDNewbie

iTrader: (10)

It IS expensive. That's why I had previously started the other thread...cuz I wanted to know if you could get a custom bra made...cuz that would solve the problem (as for color, there are bras that literally color match to your paint)

revsteve

iTrader: (6)

Interestingly enough, the guy wanted 750 but thought he could drop the price a bit if we got 10 local guys to go in on it. I dont think he recommends installing it yourself, but I can't imagine how difficult it would be - especially for such a handy group.

He never did get back to me, but I can try to re-contact him if everyone is interested. I would expect the price to be northwards of 600 installed.