Protective Paint Film..

[Ject]

I almost bought one time for my Truck some 3M Scotchguard Paint Film Protection type of stuff (clearmask.. whatever) because out here in Kansas, it is more then likely you'll end up behind a semi and it'll toss some rocks around. Or the wind blasting at 40 mph will sandblast your car.

Well when i get my Camaro I want to protect the paint as much as possible.

Anyone ever use this type of stuff? Is it good? is there better stuff out there?

[Rodrunner]

I haven't used any of those, but believe me no paint protectant will stop stone chips from happening. They may afford minimal protection from the wear of sandblasting, but is the soil really all that sandy in Kansas?
Today's clearcoats are very tough and durable. The paint really needs no additional protection, but most people feel better knowing there's wax on top of it and some may actually improve the shine somewhat.

[Hylton]

I have a couple of buddies who have it on their precious BMW's and Porsche's. We all have black cars and after I looked at their cars with the 3m film, we all looked at the front of my SS and boy - did the front of my car ever look like crap with all the paint chips. I looked their cars over closely and the key is to find someone who uses computer aided cuting which makes the film look like it was specifically designed for the car. Some guys eyeball it and it does not look as good. It is something I will definitely be considering.

[Ject]

Originally Posted by Hylton

I have a couple of buddies who have it on their precious BMW's and Porsche's. We all have black cars and after I looked at their cars with the 3m film, we all looked at the front of my SS and boy - did the front of my car ever look like crap with all the paint chips. I looked their cars over closely and the key is to find someone who uses computer aided cuting which makes the film look like it was specifically designed for the car. Some guys eyeball it and it does not look as good. It is something I will definitely be considering.

Yeah theres some places here that will pre cut it by computer specifically for your car and you can option to install or do it yourself.

Its something I have been looking into for a while but didn't know how well it works and how it looks.

[NVMY68SS]

Originally Posted by Rodrunner

I haven't used any of those, but believe me no paint protectant will stop stone chips from happening. They may afford minimal protection from the wear of sandblasting, but is the soil really all that sandy in Kansas?
Today's clearcoats are very tough and durable. The paint really needs no additional protection, but most people feel better knowing there's wax on top of it and some may actually improve the shine somewhat.

I disagree with a few things here.........

This protective film will protect the paint from chips....I have friends that have it on their Z06s and it works. Some unprotected cars wish they had sprung for it..it's definitely worth a shot. I've seen too many daily drivers that suffer from road rash on the front end. It's another layer and it should protect you.

Yes, clearcoats are tough, but they still need regular applications of wax, polish, whatever you choose. Paint and clearcoats dry out over time. The right product will replenish the oils in the finish and provide additional shine as well as protection from the elements. Let a bird crap on unprotected clear coat vs regularly protected and see which one gets etched first. ANY level of protection is better than nothing. I have a 4 year old clearcoat finish on my 68 and it never gets anything but weekend use. It hasn't been washed in 3 years unless it's gotten caught in a freak shower. After each fresh application of Zymol you can actually see the paint get darker. Plus, it's a lot easier to detail after that.

[Rodrunner]

Well, I must apologize for my ignorant post, Ject. I thought you were talking about a wipe-on, wipe-off polymer type protectant, but obviously this film goes way beyond that. If anyone would like to explain more about it, I'd like to know.

EDIT: The extra layer of protection wax gives the clearcoat does make sense, NVMY68SS. Thanks!

[fastdoc436]

I have the protective film on my Cooper S and it works great!! It does protect from small rock chips...larger rocks will still damage the finish (and the metal). My complaint is that, over time, you can see fine road dirt collect under the edges near the cutouts for the headlamps and fog lights--but the car is a Pepperwhite color. You can have the film removed and re-installed if this would bother you...but it definitely protects the paint from minor road debris/droppings/etc.

[fixxer56]

fastdoc, where might we find it on the net?

[fastdoc436]

fixxer56, I don't know where to find it on the internet...it was dealer installed at BMW dealer in Indpls. I'll have to check around and see if it's available on the internet--perhaps a speed shop or something like AutoAnything sites. Sorry.

[themossman]

I had it on my M3...thought highly of it until I hit the edge of it with the clay bar....the line was forever visible after that.


Additionally...the dealer the pull too far up on a parking 'block' and scratched the underside...necessitating the removal of the the entire lower portion...so I just removed the whole thing. That was perhaps the worlds largest pain in the ass....it DOES NOT come off easy....and the removal risks scratching the paint.


I won't ever put one on another car...

[Ject]

Originally Posted by themossman

I had it on my M3...thought highly of it until I hit the edge of it with the clay bar....the line was forever visible after that.


Additionally...the dealer the pull too far up on a parking 'block' and scratched the underside...necessitating the removal of the the entire lower portion...so I just removed the whole thing. That was perhaps the worlds largest pain in the ass....it DOES NOT come off easy....and the removal risks scratching the paint.


I won't even put one on another car...

I was wondering how hard the removal process was/is...

[franknbeans]

www.rockblocker.com

[Supermans]

SO this covers the whole car??

[ucla1ove3]

wetsanding is an option after a little while

[Tal]

Originally Posted by Supermans

SO this covers the whole car??

Depends on the exact kit, you should look at the how-to guide to really see a typical install, the pictures really are worth a thousand words in this case.

http://rockblocker.com/paint-howto.htm

[Adam]

That site doesn't work for me at all.

[Tal]

Something is going on, they've disabled most of the website and are looking to sell the company. www.rockblocker.com shows this:

RockBlocker is for sale. Serious inquires only

sales@rockblocker.com

[franknbeans]

well, that's news to me. . . what other compains are out there?

[Croathlete]

Isn't 3M the most popular company for these types of things?

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3..._the/Consumer/

[wjones14]

I think this might be the most popular product:

http://www.xpel.com/

[LnLSS]

Originally Posted by Ject

I was wondering how hard the removal process was/is...

Yes I was wondering about this also as soon I will need to remove this from my Monte when I trade for the Camaro.

I was actually going to call my installer today and find out the proper method of how to remove.

I will try to keep you all updated.

[Txturbo]

I disagree on the clearcoat needing regular waxing. I bought a new S10 in 1996. The only time it was hand waxed is when the make ready guys did it the day before I picked it up. It has been outside in South Texas its whole life and the only other wax it has ever gotten was at the car wash occasionally when I would spray on some of that. I have it for sale right now and everyone asks if its been repainted. It still looks new. I didn't want my new truck to end up like a lot of the others you see with no clear coat left on them from all the rubbing from waxing, so I decided to just leave it alone and see how it held up. I now believe that the less you rub on the factory clear coat, the better off you are since its so thin.

[franknbeans]

I contacted the local 3M company where I live and the price i was quoted . . . estimated off of the Challenger price was $450.

Not bad at all.

[LnLSS]

All my installer said was just to peal it off at a 90 degree angle and to use a little heat from a hair dryer and he did stress little.

I also asked the dealer that is selling me my Camaro about this and he did say they would do this at the dealership if I wanted. Once it gets a bit closer to delivery I will see what kind of crazy price they would charge me for this.

My Monte did cost me with tax right around $500 to have installed at a certified 3M installer.

[franknbeans]

I think I'll leave it to the certified 3m installers. . . they said they would drive to my house and stick it on in the garage. . .

sounds like a deal