concerned about paint chips

[Pipelion]

Bony,

Or someone, how much for the bra?

Thanks,

Allan

 

[fjpikul]

With matching side view mirror covers, about 1K. You should read the previous post by LEMANSZ about his concerns.

 

[Pipelion]

Thanks Fj,

Allan

PS I like the idea of the 3M stuff on the rockers and rear above tires.

 

[tiger 6]

What areas other than the rocker panels did you do? Who was the 3M installer in Baltimore and what did they charge? I'm in NoVa as you know and every dark Lexus, Jag, Porsche, etc. I've seen around here looks atrocious, all leading edges, lots of thick plastic, etc. I'm not one to re-spray my cars but the 3M work I've seen to date in the D.C. area sucks. :frown

The installer in Baltimore was Rob Freeman,owner of 3 M ProForm.His phone number is 410-746-0020.Rob did the work himself with some help from 2 guys who work with him. He had no templates to use-just measuring,fitting,adjusting etc. He covered the front hood to a point~ 6" below the fan intakes,inside part of the scoops going to the fans, hte entire rocker panels after removing the factory film[which was much thicker],the edges of the frame around the radiator opening, ~8" inches above the windshield on the top of the car,the leading edges of the side scoops,the edges of the wheel wells,and the lower portions of the side panels behind the rear wheels.
This is the 2nd GT Rob has done. The cost was $2400. I think the work was well done and value for money. It took around 6 hours to finish.

 

[B O N Y]

I was with a chum last weekend who bought a 2 year old 575 from a Ferrari dealer (he's always wanted a 575 to go with his rapidly building collection). 16,000 miles and it had Armorfend on all leading edges and halfway up the hood/bonnet. I had a very close look at it, firstly it needed replacing/removing (a specialist job) as bits were peeling and some was sun damaged/faded/opaque, some big stone chips had gone through the Armorfend and the regularly waxed bare paintwork was a slightly different color to the paintwork under the armorfend.

Many dealers over here will put Armorfend (or similar clear protective films) on new 'test' cars and then remove it when the car is to be sold - which tells you something.

I know there will be some fans of armorfend here - but my own experience of these protective films is that they're not actually saving you any money and are an irritant if you keep your car clean and waxed. I had a Murcielago in pearlescent yellow and paid $1,000 or so (from memory) to have the Armorfend - it did it's job but looked bad as I'd always see the leading edges of it, I always had to run my fingernail along the edges to keep the wax out etc etc. Also the plastic doesn't have the same shine as bare paint.........

I think a visit to the paintshop every couple of years will cost about the same.

Could not agree with you more. On white cars they film develops a noticeable tint. This year at SEMA I spoke to many companies that offered the film. Many firms now offer their installers computer cut patterns so that
a perfect fit can be obtained. The installations cost between $600 to $1000.
The issue is that you can see the film, and then if you use the thinner films they pit just like the paint they protect. I am not a fan of bras, but they do protect the paint and I that is why we are having this debate on how to protect our cars.

 

[fjpikul]

As I stated in previous threads, you still have to clean those pesky 120 mph bugs off the film. The bra comes right off and everything should be clean. Plus, my feeling is, the bra offers a little padding against larger alley biscuits.

 

[KJD]

The installer in Baltimore was Rob Freeman,owner of 3 M ProForm.His phone number is 410-746-0020.Rob did the work himself with some help from 2 guys who work with him. He had no templates to use-just measuring,fitting,adjusting etc. He covered the front hood to a point~ 6" below the fan intakes,inside part of the scoops going to the fans, hte entire rocker panels after removing the factory film[which was much thicker],the edges of the frame around the radiator opening, ~8" inches above the windshield on the top of the car,the leading edges of the side scoops,the edges of the wheel wells,and the lower portions of the side panels behind the rear wheels.
This is the 2nd GT Rob has done. The cost was $2400. I think the work was well done and value for money. It took around 6 hours to finish.

Gracias!!!! :biggrin

 

[nota4re]

Regarding the link to the pattern (thanks centerpunch), has anyone here purchased and installed their own?? I know that when you get the install done from no pattern, there's a fair degree of skill to slide a razor blade very near the paint. I wouldn't want to do that. But, by the looks of what's on this web page (including the difficulty ratings), it doesn't appear as though it would be that difficult to do on your own.

 

[SuperB]

You can purchase the exact same kit for less at other websites that are affiliates for xpel.

I recommend not ordering a kit, I ordered a kit and was not happy with the quality of the kit. if you hire someone else to do it and your not happy, make them redo it. :wink