Aftermarket Paint Protection

[schaefsn]

I am getting an aftermarket paint protection installed on my Gen III tomorrow. The templates that the film manufacturer has created are amazing. I am getting the front portion of the hood and fenders protected, the lights, the front side of the rear view mirrors and the entire bumper. This may be overkill but I have the opportunity while it is new and I would hate to have a great looking hood down the road and a destroyed bumper.

I have been trying to find someplace to get this done since I picked my car up (3.5 weeks ago) and I finally found one. Unfortunately I was not quick enough and when washing my Prius last weekend noticed a small chip in the bumper.

I will post with my thoughts after I get it back.

Are there any questions I should be asking about the process?

[Bobsprius]

I too plan on getting the 3M product. Within a week or so. I would ask the following:
1)Warranty and what is covered
2) Yellowing?
3) Care afterward, waxing etc.
4) If removed will the paint be unmarred?

Those are all reasonable questions. I wasn't as concerned about the bumper since the repair in that plastic is a little simpler than the hood as an example. But the more sruface protected can only help and not hurt.

Can I ask your cost and brand of product?

[schaefsn]

It is a LLumar product. Not sure of the exact name.

All very good questions and I will make sure that I ask. I agree about the bumper but I think that I will like it better if it is all uniform.

[Pohaku]

I had mine covered with the 3M product after owning it for 4 days and the only fleck was a pin prick on the center of the front bumper. The bumper is so big and covers so much of the front of the car that I'm sure it's going to get whacked. I had the bumper, front of the hood (a bit less than 1/2 of the hood or so), fender fronts, mirror fronts and door edges covered. Cost was $699 (inclusive of 7% sales tax) from a certified 3M installer. They would not do the lights as the Department of Transportation apparently does not allow any film of any kind to be put on headlights, foglights or windshields. Nonetheless, as you know, there are many light cover products and many installers will do lights. Or you can buy the film separately and do it your self:

ClearMask Automotive Paint Protection And Headlight Protection Film - Auto Clear Bra - Scotchgard Protector - Headlight Covers

Pattern cut film for lights can be bought for $42-68 depending on type. I'll probably pick up a set and install it myself.

The other area to consider covering is the rocker panels (or the tops of the panels). As these are relatively flat areas, I intend to purchase some 3M film in bulk and cover them myself. Should be pretty manageable. On the other hand, I'm glad I had a pro do the bumper and the rest of the car. I'm sure it would have taken me far longer than 4 hours and wouldn't look nearly as good.


Took about 4 hours to do. I posted about the installation here: Wondering whether to buy the clear plastic bra?

[djasonw]

Does anyone know if this product discolors over time? In theory this sounds like a great idea, but I wonder how long it really lasts.

[schaefsn]

I just asked all of the questions that were relayed here:

1) The product is actually made by Xpel, not LLumar. The product is warranted for 7 years. You can remove it if you have to replace it.

2) Apparently (and I have read this elsewhere with some people that have done their own applications) this one has a clearcoat layer on the top. That means that you can care for it just like the rest of the car. I use the Griot's system and they told me that I can use the machine polish and paint sealant right over the film and it will look like the rest of the car.

3) He said the all film will yellow over time but there are no extra UV inhibitors in the film so it will age just like the paint. My Gen III is Silver and he said that it will not show like it would on a white car or other color.

4) When they apply it they clay the car first, then polish to have a smooth surface then apply the film.

I just talked to him on the phone for 10 minutes so I am sure I forgot something.

This place is a Griot's shop which is really why I found them in the first place. I went to a Griot's "Tech Session" - really a sales pitch but I learned one or two things (as I posted elsewhere 5% of the presentation were nice to know items, I knew the rest for the most part). They also sell Griot's so if you are in Columbus, Ohio you can pick stuff up there rather than pay shipping. I usually buy their products by the gallon and shipping was awful.

Not sure what they will show but I will post pictures when it is done.

One last thing I asked about the rocker kit they said it was about $100 and they have a template for it.

[Welshdog]

I had the Xpel protection on my Outback Wagon. I would recommend that you not leave it on for 7 years. Mine failed spectacularly one winter when we had an ice storm. The film was right at 7 years old at the time. The film blistered and split. When I tried to peel it off it only came away in little pieces. I decided to leave it, but it just became hideous after a while. I had to use 3M adhesive remover and plastic razor blades to scrape it off. It took me weeks. This was just the hood - I won't even try to take it off the bumper and air dam. This car was not garaged and was outside in the Texas sun and heat for the entire time, so it was worst case scenario I suppose. The upshot is that as the film ages it gets weaker and may not come off easily.

Other issues:

The edges trap dirt at the adhesive line. It was pretty impossible to remove.

The surface does get marred by rocks and bugs etc. After several year it did not look very smooth.

However, it did protect the paint pretty well, once I scraped it off!

[schaefsn]

Thanks. That is good to know. I will leave it on as long as it looks good. If I use it for 5 years or so I think that it will have lived up to its purpose and at that time I will still have great paint and surfaces where the film is removed.

Also, if you installed Xpel 7+ years ago I would hope that the film technology is much farther along.

As a follow up, I picked up my car on Saturday and they did an excellent job. They also did the rocker panels which I think is a great addition and it is the hardest to see. In hindsight it might have been smarter to do the whole hood but as small as the hood is the bikini cut front piece is fine. 24 inches up the hood goes a long way. I can see how this is going to prove to be a good investment. I plan to take car of it just like the rest of the car. I will be Griot's Paint Sealing the car in the next few weeks and will do the paint protected areas as well.

[Welshdog]

Originally Posted by schaefsn

Also, if you installed Xpel 7+ years ago I would hope that the film technology is much farther along.

I agree, I'm sure it is improved.

I think 5 years is a reasonable amount of time. Just keep an eye on it.
You'll enjoy having it. Peace of mind is a good thing.

[Jayhawker]

Have any of you considered the one from Toyota? I see it's offered as an accessory on the website. I think that will be the only add I opt for and I will try and bargain floormats for a perfect survey.