3M Clear Plastic film

[bowtie22]

I am just wondering what any of the forum members think of the 3M clear plastic film, which is applied on the paint in order to protect it from paint chips. I am thinking of doing the front end of the vehicle (particularly the bumper cover, headlights, one third of the hood, side mirrors, rocker panels and the rear gills. Do you guys think it is a good idea or a waste of money? Your input would be appreciated.

[Everest]

I have it on mine.

It's on the front bumper, the hood, the mirrors, the posts, and behind my wheels.

Unless I point it out, no one really sees it. Great for washing off the bugs. Stops rock chips which is really nice.

If you have stripes make sure they detail around them! Don't put the 3M over the stripes! It adds a gloss to the stripes that looks stupid, cheap and just plain wrong.

[bowtie22]

Thanks for your feedback. It appears that your satisfied with the product.
Just wondering how much was the cost for this 3M paint protection? Incidentally, where did you get this done at the GM dealer or a detailing shop?

[iceman5730]

Originally Posted by bowtie22

Thanks for your feedback. It appears that your satisfied with the product.
Just wondering how much was the cost for this 3M paint protection? Incidentally, where did you get this done at the GM dealer or a detailing shop?

I also had mine done. Its great as he said it makes the bug stuff come off very easily and if done right not even visible unless you realy look for it. Out here it eas about $800.00. Make sure you get the film that does not have uv protection on it If it does then the paint under the film will not bleach out at the same rate as the rest of the car.

[bowtie22]

OK, I will bear that in mind that the 3M paint protection film should not have UV protection. I guess it is inevitable that the paint will fade due to sun exposure.

How about a quality car cover to protect the paint from the sun's harmful rays?

[bumblebee rules]

It is worth it, 30km and bug just wash off, no rock chips in the front, I do not have it on the hood just front , mirrors and side bottom and rear bottom, was one of the first out here so it set me back $450.00. He did up his price for the next one LOL. JM2C........ :-)

[B-rad]

It's probably a good idea, but where do you stop? I have stone chips on the top of my fenders and rear quarters. Even on the roof just above the windshield.

Good luck with whatever you decide

[v8]

Does anyone know a good place in the GTA to get this done? I have it on my Honda Ridgeline which is my daily driver but Honda did not do the greatest job (by the 3rd time) it loks good so I would not trust them with the camaro

[dragon22]

I had my front bumper and partial hood and fenders done. If you can afford it, I would strongly recommend doing the whole hood. Especially if you have stripes. Also do the full fenders too. Another area would be "A" pillars and the first 4" or so of the roof. Also get them to do the gill area as well. They seem to attract the rocks. On another note...why does Canada have to have rocks on the roads????

[Anna]

I, also was looking into getting protection from road chips. I was quoted $500 for just the front bumper and I also didn't know the exact areas that would need this protection and about the UV delete.
Thanks to all the posts with this valuable information!

[v8]

I was thinking of getting the whole hood done because I have hood stripes, but I read in another post to avoid the 3M if you have stripes as it makes the strips look shiny and in the sunlight you can't see them as well. I'm on the fence with getting it done to the hood and trunk(both areas with stripes), has anyone actually had 3M put over the stripes?

[Ajax Inferno]

Got it on mine including the GFX. A good investment!

Originally Posted by bowtie22

I am just wondering what any of the forum members think of the 3M clear plastic film, which is applied on the paint in order to protect it from paint chips. I am thinking of doing the front end of the vehicle (particularly the bumper cover, headlights, one third of the hood, side mirrors, rocker panels and the rear gills. Do you guys think it is a good idea or a waste of money? Your input would be appreciated.

[v8]

Thanks

[luckynuts]

I guess the kits have come a long way. I had my ABM done in June of '09 when I got it and ended up having it taken off. They tried three times to get it right and couldn't. A lot of it is in the color of the paint. The ABM showed every flaw where some of the other colors white, silver, gray. they hide it better.