Paint protection

[dg_moore]

Does anybody have any experience with, or advice regarding, protective paint films (3M, VentureShield, etc.)?

I had a dark (aubergine/purple) Azera for 4 years, but it wasn't more than a few months before the front end was pocked with gravel dings. If I can protect my black Genesis I'd like to do so, but I don't want a strap-on bra.

 

[scottdk]

Does anybody have any experience with, or advice regarding, protective paint films (3M, VentureShield, etc.)?

I had a dark (aubergine/purple) Azera for 4 years, but it wasn't more than a few months before the front end was pocked with gravel dings. If I can protect my black Genesis I'd like to do so, but I don't want a strap-on bra.

I know that there was another thread about this, but I have some experience with paint protection kits. I've installed one on my last car (Elantra).

I can get the kit pretty cheap from my film supplier. It's a pain in the rear to install since its tough to stretch in compound curves on the vehicle, but professional installation would save you hassle, but is more money then I think it's worth.

Let us know what you decide to do

 

[Paulroger]

Does anybody have any experience with, or advice regarding, protective paint films (3M, VentureShield, etc.)?

I had a dark (aubergine/purple) Azera for 4 years, but it wasn't more than a few months before the front end was pocked with gravel dings. If I can protect my black Genesis I'd like to do so, but I don't want a strap-on bra.

I had a black Caddy STS before my silver Genny. I had the same problem with the Caddy with stone chips etc. and had to have the front bumper repainted three times at about $300 a pop. This time around I got the invisible bra on the front bumper and figure the cost is about equal to one bumper paint job.
I also had issues with the headlights on the Caddy and got the Genny headlights covered with the 3M film (as well as door edges and rear bumper top for luggage scratches).
By the way, love that silver! It just does not show any dirt. I would get the black Caddy clean in the morning, and by the end of the day it would need rewashing again due to dust alone. Looked great when clean but I couldn't keep it that way.

 

[dg_moore]

I know that there was another thread about this, but I have some experience with paint protection kits.

Thanks, Scott. Do you know anything about how these films hold up over time? Do the edges remain flat, or do they start to peel up? Is the edge clearly visible when the car is clean and shiny? I imagine a custom installation of high quality film is pretty pricy, so I'd like to know what I'm getting into.

 

[scottdk]

Thanks, Scott. Do you know anything about how these films hold up over time? Do the edges remain flat, or do they start to peel up? Is the edge clearly visible when the car is clean and shiny? I imagine a custom installation of high quality film is pretty pricy, so I'd like to know what I'm getting into.

Well, from what I have seen in person, and information from my film supplier, they hold up well I would say. The only film application that I have seen peel, is one that the vehicle owner did on their own with no prior experience. Professionally done, it would look fine and isn't too noticable on the car, not enough to bother most people I would think.

A professional installer uses "wet heat" on the front edge of the hood to wrap the film a little bit under the hood for complete protection. A professional steamer is used to stretch the film to the degree neccasary to round the edge, which a heat gun will damage the film due to the extreme stretching and dry heat.

 

[dg_moore]

Scott- thanks for the info. I have asked a local dealer (Auto-Armor in Columbia, MD - they use 3M film and cut everything in-house) for an estimate. I'm going to visit them next week and have look at their work.

 

[MADDMOE]

STOPPPPP before you ask the dealer or any installer check out, www.invisiblemask.com, i order mines & did my genesis & 2 others plus a range rover supercharger & have other cars lined up for me to do , but i work on cars on the weekends, you will save yourself money buying the kit that you want & finding someone to do it for you that knows what they are doing, good luck

 

[dg_moore]

STOPPPPP before you ask the dealer or any installer check out, www.invisiblemask.com, i order mines & did my genesis & 2 others plus a range rover supercharger & have other cars lined up for me to do , but i work on cars on the weekends, you will save yourself money buying the kit that you want & finding someone to do it for you that knows what they are doing, good luck

I have a quote of $645 from auto-armor of Columbia, MD, for a leading edge application using 3M film which includes partial hood and fenders, entire front bumper wheel-well to wheel-well, mirror backs and lamps. They state: "We service pretty much every luxury and exotic dealership in the MD/DC/NoVA area (Ferrari/Maserati/Lamborghini of Washington, Rolls Royce/Bentley of Bethesda, etc.) and about half of the mainstream European brand dealerships (Porsche, Mercedes, BMW, Audi) . Every week we are doing full front clip wraps on new $250k+ cars and they have to be perfect every time."

They do the work in their own shop, or at dealer locations, and cut their own patterns.

I have an appt to visit them tomorrow or Weds and see for myself (they will be working on a Rolls Royce Phantom and a Porsche C4S - not bad company for a car from Korea, I think). I have watched a couple of Youtube clips demonstrating film application, and having worked extensively with solar film in the past I know the skill that is required to do it right, especially on the compound curves of a car. Seems to me that $645 is not a bad price for what I imagine would be a first rate job. How much repainting can you get done for $645?

 

[HeavyG]

Please keep me posted on how this works out. I live in Columbia, so it would be pretty easy to get there.

 

[dg_moore]

Here's a link to a post to another forum about Auto-Armour in Columbia, MD:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=324938

This post includes pictures of the application process on a BMW

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[Disaster]

Here's a link to a post to another forum about Auto-Armour in Columbia, MD:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=324938

This post includes pictures of the application process on a BMW

...and only $1,100 dollars for a full front install!!!! Yowsa!!!

It does really protect the paint, but in my experience, the films do take damage and start looking like they should be replaced after a few years. Things imbed into the film surface. I wouldn't want to spend $1,100 every few years.

On the other hand, I might consider a couple hundred dollars...but I'm not confident I personally would have the patience to do a good install job.

 

[dg_moore]

...and only $1,100 dollars for a full front install!!!! Yowsa!!!

It does really protect the paint, but in my experience, the films do take damage and start looking like they should be replaced after a few years. Things imbed into the film surface. I wouldn't want to spend $1,100 every few years.

On the other hand, I might consider a couple hundred dollars...but I'm not confident I personally would have the patience to do a good install job.

I dunno - it's not cheap, but body repair and repainting isn't cheap, either. I'm thinking about the $645 version, but am actually undecided about the whole operation.

 

[scottdk]

It does really protect the paint, but in my experience, the films do take damage and start looking like they should be replaced after a few years.

Bingo As much as a fan of paint protection as I am, I am rolling my eyes at how much the price has gone up in the last ten years for it.

 

[motorsportsauthority]

I use Lamin-x Ventureshield (I tint also) which has recently been bought out by 3M. Decently easy to work with, but still a huge pain in the butt to do. So much, I don't offer it as a service. Most people in my area are offering it around $600-700 for the full kit installed.

 

[Disaster]

Decently easy to work with, but still a huge pain in the butt to do. So much, I don't offer it as a service.

I thought is was a little BS when they say it is easy to install and professional installation isn't necessary. Most people can't install window tint. I hesitate to see what kind of job they'd do putting clear film on curved body panels when a professional installer such as yourself doesn't like to do it.

P.S. In their example install video they show a piece being installed to protect the top of the bumper by the hatch....the easiest piece to install of anything they offer.

 

[Disaster]

Update: Cleaned the car today. Found two gouges in the front bumper. I'm now wondering if at least a piece on the bumper might not be a bad idea.