I'm looking for some feedback from someone who has filmed his/her front bumper because this is something that I am currently taking into consideration.

I am curious as to whether the film eventually fades or turns yellow. I'm also curious as to the visability of the film and whether it is even detectable from 6 ft away.

i've also been told that the film (made by 3M /) is only available on 75ft rolls at about $300 per role.

clarification would be much appreciated.

 

go for the expensive stuff like 3M. take it to the professionals. dont cheap out.

 

I don't cut corners. Enough said

 

3M Film is guaranteed not to yellow. And it's NOT something I'd try applying by yourself. I'd make sure it's applied professionally. It's only guaranteed if it's applied by a professional as well.

There's a local guy who does it for the Bimmer forums guys btw...he's been doing it for quite a while and is said to have very competitive prices...

 

I wouldn't even think of doing it myself, but maybe we can find that guy's info and post it for future reference.

 

I'm looking...I haven't found it yet... =-/

 

We were just talking about that at work last week.

There are a few friends of friends that have done it and were extremely happy with the results. There's a story of someone doing the entire car. I can't remember what it was, but if the quality is as good as some say, then why not?

Of course, make sure you (or they) clay [or whatever other prep] the hell out of whatever is going to be done. You don't want ANYTHING sitting by way of a contaminate that will get trapped and eat paint.

 

The whole car is overkill. But I want to do my entire front bumper, hood, front fenders, and the wheel well on all 4 corners, the back of the sideview mirrors, and my sleek headlight kit (the lens cover).

~Ramy

 

20 questions:

How does the film effect the apearance of the paint?
Can you see the film? are there seems involved?
Does the film decrease the shine or luster of the paint's appearance?

 

This seems REALLY interesting. First time I've ever even heard about this type of product. Is it simply used to protect against scratches and other minor abbrasions to the paint? It also seems like it's a reasonable price to pay so why is it that more people aren't doing this? Is it lack of knowledge, like myself, or are there drawbacks? Let me know.

 

Also, is the film replaceable. If not, how scratch resistant is plastic coating?

 

http://www.chipguard.com/products.htm read here about this stuff ... i cant believe you guys have never heard about this stuff .... I have know about it for at least 6 years....

 

I wouldn't be asking if I had never heard of it. I've known of protective film since back in the day, just never looked into it with any detail. Thanks for the link my friend.

 

Rob,

- Go with 3M only. They've been at it for years, and have the best reputation. Which translates to they'll replace it for FREE if it ever yellows (which it's guaranteed not to do), allows a lens/light cover to crack from a rock chip, or allows the paint to chip from rocks etc. Basically, you're paying more for the brand's word and guarantee. Sounds to me like the way to go

- You can't see the film when it's on, or tell that it's on, except around the edge of it, where dirt and what not may accumulate. So it's best to get the entire panel done (entire bumper, entire fender, entire hood) vs. up to a certain length of the hood and fender, so you'd see that dirt line if you don't keep it clean all the time, etc).

- The film is 100% transparent, and doesn't affect the paint's luster or anything like that. In fact, you can wash and wax the film like the rest of your car.

- The film IS removeable w/o damaging your paint. Thus it's replaceable, but the guarantee is that you won't NEED to.

Farhan, most ppl don't do this b/c - to put it bluntly - ppl are cheap when it comes to appearance. IF YOU HAVE THE EYE for it, how many body kits have you seen that look perfect?

- Ppl skimped and bought cheap parts
- Ppl skimped and got cheap half-*** body work
- Ppl skimped and did a half-*** paint job

So on top of that, you want them to pay another grand over what they paid for the bodywork to put a film on? Hehe...won't happen.

That's also why this film is VERY popular in more affluent car circles, such as the Bimmer crowd.

~Ramy

 

What I'd like to see is, for some Entrepreneuring Indivisual to make a kit that's pre cut for '93 & '99 spec bumpers, that way more people here would consider it... but also more would want to do it themselves, which may or may not be a good thing....

There’s already one for RX-8, FC, and most other mazda’s and if only one person had a kit for FD’s I’d think they’d clean up…

-DC

 

I don't think any of it's pre cut, is it? It's all done on the fly, IE custom fit.

 

DC,

1) MANY ppl who have used precut kits said they're NOT the way to go, as they leave free edges and don't wrap around others...

2) The companies won't guarantee the product unless it's installed by a professional authorized installer

3) I thought there was a thread not too long ago about getting a '93 or '99 bumper cutout made via a GB, but it was gonna run around a grand IIRC, and AGAIN, you'd need professional installers...

~Ramy

 

Since Ramy covered most of the technical stuff, I figured I'd offer up some photos since the guys are pretty heavily into the 3M clear bra's on the other board. You can treat it like normal paint, including washing and waxing. It will not yellow over time, and should not produce uneven fade with the paint either.

Below are a few photos with the bra installed.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j3...7/IMG_0255.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j3...7/IMG_0260.jpg

http://x10.xanga.com/49fb47121243145.../b30784014.jpg

 

you can remove it if anything... just take it back to the place you got it installed and theyll remove it for ~ 100 bucks or less... they take the edge and start peeling while spraying lube. the lube is something like alcohol and water mixture.

 

I'd really like to get this installed on my car. Anyone have any idea on how much film I'll be needing to cover the entire front bumper, hood, fenders, and side mirrors? Also, what should I be expecting as far as installation cost? My car is currently in the bodyshop, almost done painting so I don't think any real prep work should be required. If anyone can head me in the right direction as to where a good place to purchase this product would be, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks.

 

i heard autozone carries small ones that you can put behind the wheel well in front of the side skirts to protect it from rock chips so on ....

 

^ I guess I answered all my own questions . I actually called one of my friends to ask him if he was willing to go in on a roll of the 3M clear film and turns out he has a guy who does this for a living. I should be getting a quote tomorrow and if anyone is interested in knowing I can post how much it will be for the front bumper, hood, fenders, and side mirrors. This looks to be working out even better than I originally thought.

Ramy - I can't imagine how people wouldn't put this film on if they paid the money to get a nice, expensive paint job. I for one simply didn't know (as shocking as that is) that a product like this even exists. I DEFINITELY plan on wrapping my car in this film .

 

Everything you need to know about the 3M film, including where the local authorized installer is http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3..._the/Consumer/

~Ramy

PS: Farhan, I didn't do it b/c I didn't think I needed it. But then I quickly *destroyed* my front bumper b/c I drive my car a LOT. I won't be making that mistake again...

PPS: Kayin, would ya mind askin some of the guys on that forum who they recommend for a local installation? (NoVa/MD area)?

 

2nd..

 

I'd be interested in that Quote !