Vinyl Paint Protector

[tumbleweed]

I do not think I have the skill to do this myself so I intend to have a professional installation for bumper, hood, fenders, mirrors, and headlights. In my area the 3M Scotchgard product is not available although I could get it installed 100 miles from here, price unknown.

I can get Clearshield by Bekaert or Ventureshield. Both are sold by reputable local shops that I trust to do a good job. The Clearshield is $600 installed: the Ventureshield is $750.

Any thoughts on which would be better, having a good product is more important than the price. Both shops said they would try to get the car in as soon as I get it.

[green curry expert]

Just got my car today and the "invisible bra" looks amazing. He actually put the film on the hood as well as the sides of the car near the headlights. It looks invisible. You have to look very closely or touch the car to find the edges. Hopefully it holds up well in the long run.

I'll try to put up some pics soon.

[Edward Walsh]

Originally Posted by green curry expert

Just got my car today and the "invisible bra" looks amazing. He actually put the film on the hood as well as the sides of the car near the headlights. It looks invisible. You have to look very closely or touch the car to find the edges. Hopefully it holds up well in the long run.

I'll try to put up some pics soon.

Hi:

Was away for a few days and just noticed your post. Look forward to the pictures. By the way, who did your car, brand name of film used, etc. would be greatly appreciated. I am still looking at getting this done. Did have a person from a dealer (non-Toyota) not recommend it - she bought a car with it on and when she took it off all the paint on the hood came with it. Seemed strange to me that that happened. Especially with so many people getting this done.

Anyway, await your pics.

Thanks,

Edward
Marystown, Newfoundland
Canada

[topkick]

I had the 3m PPF put on my 2007 Prius and liked it very much it did stop the rock chips where the film was. I had 3 or 4 rock chips before I had it applied and with the black paint and the white base paint I was really unhappy with the rock chips. After I had the PPF put on I didn't get any more.

On the 29th I am going to have it added to my 2010, I hope I don't get any between now and when it is installed. The 2010 is silver and I would like it protected before I take a trip.

I bought the 3M film on ebay, was going to try to put it on my self but changed my mind and decided to have it put on by a 3M installer instead.

[green curry expert]

Looks like the film shows up very well in my garage lights. If you look at the second shot, you can see the edge (and it goes all the way down the side of the headlights). In the first shot, if you look very carefully, you will see the edge of the film about 2/3 way up the hood.

I'll see if I can find out the brand of the film from my dealer, I'm guessing they will keep the contractor secret...

[RickFlashman]

Originally Posted by RickFlashman

I've decided to go with a professional to install the Xpel Full Bumper, Full Hood, Fenders and Mirror Kit. Using a local installer (PhantomShield Advanced Automobile Paint Protection) to install it. The total is going to be $970. Believe it or not, that's the lowest quote after contacting 6 different professional installers. Appointment is for Saturday morning at their location across from the Winter Park Village in Winter Park. Anyone curious to see how it comes out, let me know and plan on coming over when done at noon.

I got my car done and the results are fantastic. You can't see where the clear material is unless you really look close. To clarify, it's an Xpel "pattern" done with Llumar Paint Protection Film, a mix and match by a very experienced installer, using what he feels are the best patterns with the best film. The first picture shows you the clean-room setup they have for installing the pattern:



This second picture shows the film installed, no you can't see the material, that's the best part. Since I got the FULL COVERAGE on both the hood and front side panels, there are no seams cutting through the middle of the paint. The bumper is 3 pieces, so you can find small seams up close, but you have to look really close.

Overall, I am very very impressed and very satisfied with the results. The installer, Steve Hancock, was a complete professional and even washed my car for me as part of the installation. If you go there, be sure to mention that Flashman sent you.

RadioZero stopped by to check it out, since he installed the eBay 3M material himself, he's probably a good source to understand the differences between a manual installation and a professional installation like this one.

[RadioZero]

thanks again Rick for letting me check out the install. what i noticed was that Rick had full protection of the hood, bumper and front quarter panels. the install looked great and the seams were barely noticable. you had to be staring at it to see the seams. the other thing i noticed was the film had a nice iridescent quality to it. the shop was extremely clean which makes for a good install and the guys working there allowed us access to the shop to see the final steps.

great stuff.

[clearbraj]

Looks like a great job on teh Red Pruis. Xpel patterns are the best patterns on the market along with Proform. The llamar patterns are not quite up to the same quality as the ones mentioned.

As for the LLumar film - Please insure you use a liquid polymer type sealant. Since the Llumar product as I recall has no clear coat or top coat for that matter, it's ability to resist staining over time is limited especially during the Florida luv bug season and also the yellow pollen (other contaminents) gets into the pores of the urethane and stains the film. You will need additional maintenance and care with this film over clear and top coated films. I am sure the installer shared this information with you. The Llumar warranty card does not have detailed information on Care and Maintenance. New products and maintenance issues are learned and that provided to the installers. Just me two cents.

Hope this helps.
Joe Altman
Automotive Candystore - Motoring Lifestyle & Tailgating Store
Certified Clear Bra (Paint Protection)& Headlight/Taillight Protection Installation Facility
www.automotivecandystore.com
www.clearshieldprotection.com
3M Certified Headlight Lens Restoration Facility
Stuart, Florida

[TKY]

Originally Posted by drspielman

I am very interested in the 3M protection. I live in South Florida and wanted some direction of where to go for an application and what prices to expect.

So Drspielman, Have you put Clear Bra, or an equivalent, on your car? did you have it applied to the front bumper? I'm thinking of having Clear Bra installed on the plastic front bumper. I'm wondering if it is worth it.

[TKY]

Originally Posted by green curry expert

I negotiated this to be installed by my dealer (Don Valley North Toyota in Toronto) as part of the price of my car. They do contract it to a third party. I would call around to see if any dealers/third party installers will install it.

This is the first time I have an "invisible bra" installed on my car. I'll post my comments on the forum once I pick up my car.

Green Curry Expert, I asked someone else this question. Have you put Clear Bra, or an equivalent, on your car? Did you have it applied to the front bumper? I'm thinking of having Clear Bra installed on the plastic front bumper. My dealer applied Clear Bra to the hood and said it was not effective to apply it to the bumper. I'm wondering if it is worth it. --TK