3M Clear Protector cautionary tale


GT35065

GT35065

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Mar 15, 2007
651
Tampa Bay area & White Bear Lake, MN
I know some of you have used this on your cars and it seems to work well against minor chips. What I didn't know is this stuff has about a four year useful life before it must be pulled off and reapplied.

I have a motorhome that has this product in the front. In the fifth year I noticed slight imperfections. This year (6th) it looks like hundreds of cracks all over the product. I consulted the Monaco forum and found out about the usefull life of the product. A shame no one told me this up front. I tried every method of removal including careful use of a heat gun with no success. I found a very reputable body shop in Tampa that deals with this problem on a weekly basis. They use a special steam process that works, but is still very time consuming and costs around $500 just to remove it. In about 50% of cases some paint comes off too, which greatly increases repair costs. As of Friday they were about half done and no paint had come off so far.

They do not recommend reapplying the product, but will if you understand the lifespan of the product. They recommend three to four coats of clear for extra protection instead, and touch up chips as needed. They are known to be masters at matching paint colors. My motorhome has spent most of its life in an enclosed warehouse. We do use it occasionally, but it hasn't been out baking in the sun. Other than this product failing, it looks as new.

Hope this helps someone not go through what I am right now.

Rick
 
Do you think this is only related to 3M product or is something that will happen to all clear films?

Doesn't sound very good for the car if trying to remove it you run the risk of paint coming off.:frown I was thinking putting a clear wrap on the car was going to be good for it. Now not so sure!:confused

Anyone have the same problem with film wraps on their cars?

Magic:driving:
 
I used clear film on my Murcielago and it didn't look too good to be honest. Also I felt frustrated that when waxing and polishing only half the paintwork (the unwrapped part) was getting the benefit.

On the GT I figure if it does get chipped I can get it repainted on the front once every couple of years and it will be cheaper than applying (and removing) clear films.
 
I can't speak to what adhesives the other films use, but wouldn't be surprised if they were something similar. I'm sure its fine if you remember to R&R it every few years, but what a pain.

Seems to me Syco had this stuff on his head lights at one time, and I think he had a heck of a time getting it off. Maybe he will chime in. I'm a proud stock holder of 3M, but there is no way I would put this on my car after I saw what it did on my motorhome.

Oh joy, I just found out a small amount of paint did come off on my motorhome. Didn't sound too major, but I have three colors on the front of the MOHO so wish me luck:frown
 
We do ALOT of clear bra installation. Has alot to do with the material you use. We use Venture, Llumar and xpel. I have removed different ones that are well over 3 years old without any issues. IF the car is spending its entire life out in the hot sun and weather EVERY single day, then maybe (and I did say MAYBE) I wouldnt do it, but otherwise, the clear film when installed and removed correctly is a HUGE life saver when it comes to the front end, etc of your HIGH VALUE car. I am a believer in it 100%. Now, as far as 3m is concerned, it is my least favorite of all the materials used for this application.
 
I am in Southern California and after seeing so many beautiful cars nicked up, I had the 3M film placed on my GT. Unfortunately it discolored in less than 3 years.

I had it all removed and had the majority of the car covered in the Venture film. I am very pleased with it and it looks awesome.

Keep away from sprinklers with any of the films as it can be difficult to remove the water marks after it has dried. Even deionized water can create water marks, although not as difficult to remove.

I would not consider using the 3M as a newer generation in film such as the Venture and the others that Shelby previously mentioned have been developed.
 
'Have mentioned this B4, but will repeat it anyway.

Griot's garage sells a 'film ('comes in rolls) that one can just kinda slap on your car whenever you're going to take a road trip (or whatever) and remove when you're back home. 'Goes on easy (according to Griot) and comes off w/o a hassle. It just doesn't LOOK too "form fitting" while in use!:biggrin

For all the HASSLE all these clear bra type applications seem to end up being for many folks in the end (not to mention the $$$ flushed), rolls of this Griot stuff might be well worth looking into for some of you.

('Above submitted just FYI. I have no personal interest at all in whether Griot sells any of this stuff or not. :wink :cheers)
 
EP I take it that your recommendation, although a good one, is absent of any 1st hand experience. :lol

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product...basic&keyword=+film&sortby=newArrivals&page=1

Seem like a good product to use on those track days, or the mile events. Has to be an improvement on the blue tape look.
 
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I have used 3M on a lot of Vettes, Caddys and Vipers over the years without problem--so far.

As I am sure you know, 3M owns Venture. My installers installs both and like 3m better for durability etc. He does zillions of cars but who knows? Maybe he makes more on 3m.

I can tell you from reading about this issue ad nausium on forums , people are all over the map on this issue.
 
My only experience has been with the 3M product. Shelby ought to know what works. I did just find out I have to repaint the front of the coach for about $2000 which includes the removal of the film. Again, while this has spent more time than our cars in the sun, it is mostly stored indoors.
 
BlackICE said:
EP I take it that your recommendation, although a good one, is absent of any 1st hand experience. :lol
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Like I stated, Oh Enlightened One - I HAVE NO INTEREST IN THE STUFF AT ALL! :rofl
 
Empty Pockets said:
Like I stated, Oh Enlightened One - I HAVE NO INTEREST IN THE STUFF AT ALL! :rofl
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ended up taking it (clear bra) off an '03 Cobra. Tried everything! Goop, heat etc... Was a blk car and when I removed the film you could see the paint "faded" on the non cleared hood and what a difference..... Couldn't buff that out.....

I hear ya Shelby but nothing beats a fresh coat of paint!
 
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I just recieved the stuff from Griots. Looks like a interesting solution but it is strictly for short term use. Instructions say do not leave on for more than 7 days.

So it really is not going to work if you have to take alot of time to apply and remove all the time.



Will see though. My big big black Excursion is a bug mashing machine.
 
I suspect most folks that use these films dont plan to keep the car very long. I can only wonder what this stuff would look like after 10 or 15 years! I plan to have my GT for a good long time....without the film - I'll take my chances and use touch up paint as necessary.
 
PILOTJPW1 said:
I just recieved the stuff from Griots. Looks like a interesting solution but it is strictly for short term use. Instructions say do not leave on for more than 7 days.
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Exactly. It's not intended TO be left on "long term". It's just suppose to be used to protect the car for something like a road trip (or track day, or?) & be removed when it's over.

H'mmmmmmmmm...I wonder if it's clear enough to be slapped on one's windshield for said short term use???
 
KMCBOSS said:
I suspect most folks that use these films dont plan to keep the car very long. I can only wonder what this stuff would look like after 10 or 15 years! I plan to have my GT for a good long time....without the film - I'll take my chances and use touch up paint as necessary.
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Its not intended to last 10 years, just as your tires, etc wont last ten years. It is a product that should be replaced about every 3 to 4 years, but is not really a big deal if its installed correctly and a good product is used to begin with. It saves the cars front ALOT of road damage.
 
clear bra testimonial

I have every car I own, or have owned, with a clear bra installed. 40% of my GT is covered. I have it replaced when it gets beat up. Twice I've had rubber tire pieces on the freeway kicked up & hit the GT. It damaged the clear bra but I had it removed & a new piece of clear bra installed. No damage to the paint. I would never drive a car without it.

Ed

PS If you use the right stuff it is easily removed with no paint damage. I have Shadowman do the clear bra for me. Whatever he uses is what I recommend.
 
Temp

I used the temporary clear bra for the 6 hour night drive to Rally IV in Austin.
It worked as advertised. When we arrived I peeled it off and the gal was as clean as when we left home.

Darin
:cheers
 
I currently have the 3M product on my white GT and because it has yellowed a little and is a few years old I am having it removed and replaced next Thursday , I will let you guys know how it goes

I dont like the idea of driving without it as there is a lot of crap on the roads and everytime I come home from a drive the film usually has crap on it and it just wipes off , I would hate to be trying to touch up a scratch or chip on such a beautiful car
 
This is an interesting thread

Now what happened and why the product as used cracked and caused extreme issues to removed to this I can only speculate however I can say;

The product designed for automotive application such as that by Venture Shield is designed to be applied and remain in place for several years; the key word is several and not the life of the gal.

If properly applied over a cured painted surface it should cause no issues and when it comes time to be removed and or remove and reapply it the “only” way to do so IMO is with steam. When steamed it comes off with “no” issues.

I have used clear bra for many years with no adverse affects and the peace of mind that it affords me is substantial. I have the majority of the surfaces on my gals wrapped and in some cases have had complete body wraps; the later primarily for static displays where hands all over the gal is eminent or adverse conditions such as coastal areas where the risk of bird droppings is high; it only takes a short time for bird dropping to permanently etch the clear coat.

Now having shared this there is no doubt that how it is applied makes the difference as to whether is is moderately visible versus that which I see all too often which is horrendous.

In today’s marketplace for exotic/extreme gals folks will often ask in advance of a purchase consideration if the gal has been wrapped and if not move onto another. Certainly their nose can be repainted as the natural process of enjoying and exercising them to remove the patina however most prefer a gal to which this has not happened.

Lastly; there are wonderful products out there today that will allow one to tend to the surface condition and shine of clear bra as it IMO “needs” to be tended to different when compared to a painted surface.

Takes care

Shadowman
 
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