Thinking about having this done (using 3M VentureGuard). Bumper, Mirrors, 24" of hood & fenders. I'm thinking of maybe just doing a few inches of hood and no fenders as I've seen a vehicle with just part of the hood done and I think it doesn't look so good.

Experiences/Advice?

 

have you searched "clear bra" on this forum...? all the advice/experience you need, even plenty of pics

 

I don't have pics, but I have 3M VentureShield all over my wagon. Bumper, headlight faces, hood/fender (12"?), door edge guards, rear door sills & Acura plates, & rear bumper lip.

The color of your car is going to greatly affect just how visible the cut lines are and the film itself. The "yellowing" of the material you may read about is from dirt and pollen embedding into the material over time, so it's best to keep it clean and coated with wax. White cars will show any dirt discoloration more than tints/colors. Black seems to show the edges on the hood more than some others because it is so reflective & the line comes across as a white line if the light bounces off it just wrong. Mid-tones are probably the best balance of not showing the film or edges (silver, graphite, blue, & red).

To make the hood line less visible, have your installer make a bikini or rounded cut. Varying the angle of the line limits how the sun will reflect on it and not make the entire cut line across the hood visible. Mine is rounded and angles down the fender at the same angle as the front bumper meets the fender. It flows very nicely, and on blue at least, I never notice it.

 

here's pics of my GLM WAGON/

I went with Suntech

suntek PPF:

18" hood and fenders, headlights, door handle pockets, mirrors, full front bumper w/seam. $480.

i let him seam the front bumper using 18" film. I think he did a good job.

https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...0&postcount=73







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Check out Autogeek.com and the Opticoat. I'm doing research on this option yeah.

 

i dont see how that will stop chips from rocks........maybe im missing something?


wont this CLEAR just chip along with the clear UNDER it?

 

I'm still researching, but I was told this is tough as nails. No scratches, swirls, or chips...

 

think of it as a screen protector for you phone i assume ?

 

So I ended up going with 3M Scotchgard from the dealer so I could drive the car the next day. Below is some tidbits from the research I have found.

3M Scotchgard
Pros
- Good quality plastic film with a thick coat
- From an installer ("it will last longer and not look as beat up in the longer term")

Cons
- It has a orange peel effect which 3M claims some auto manufacturers use to disguise paint blemishes
- Difficult to install, if the installer creases the film it will be tarnished and difficult to buff out the blemish in the film. Be sure to allow the installer to install what he is comfortable with

3M Ventureshield
Pro
- Low Cost film that is very flexible and easier to install that scotchgard to install
- Looks very good upon installation

Con
- Top coat on ventureshield not as good as 3M Scotchgard, therefore over the longterm it will tend to get marked up and damaged more easily

I have also been quoted Stonguard which was substantially cheaper, but could not find any history of the product to do research.

There is also a product called XPEL which does not have the orange peel effect. But I am happy with the 3M Scotchgard product so far, other than my dealership F*kin me and not fixing the paint chips I mentioned before they installed the clear bra.

Here are some pics of my install, still some bubbling is visible - however if I am not happy within a week I will get getting it replaced by the dealership. Just be sure that the installer is reputable and is installing a product he is comfortable installing. Also ask them if they go to dealerships on a regular basis, the good installers will usually be busy with local dealership - maybe you can ask to preview their work if you are interested. I unfortunately did not have the luxury of waiting to compare.

 

I just bought a pre-owned 2010 and is has this clear bra on the front bumber, 1/4 of the hood, and mirrors. You can barely notice it which is fine but I did question how you wax a car with this on there. Do you wax over it? Or do you wax up to it?

 

over it.

 

Best to use Turtle Wax Ice Polish on and around the film. Its clear and won't discolor the film or leave a wax buildup along the edges.

http://www.speedfilm.net/care.html