3M paint protection

[dutch6]

Now that I have my new truck (thanks to all of you for your advice) I want to protect the paint. Has anyone tried the 3M poly paint protection system. I guess it is large plastic sheets with adhesive on the back. I just know those DRW fenders and the hood will be targets. I looked up 3M paint protection on the internet and the kits will address the frontal areas but I found nothing for the fenders. And there is the question of installation.

 

[twmcneilly]

I had it installed right after I took delivery. It's not cheap. I did the leading edge of the hood, the headlights and upper fenders, rocker panels and lower doors, the leading edges of the ATS flares, and the door edges. I think the total came to , uh, a lot! A co-worker had it on her SL500 and loved it. When I traded in my 98 Quad-cab I was amazed at how many rock chips I had on all the areas that are now Stonegard protected. It's not perfect and does not shine like well waxed paint, and it does wear, but that's the idea. It wears so the paint doesn't have to. You could renew it periodically or take it off after a few years and have a brand new paint job.

Hard for me to says if it's worth if or not yet, but after two years at least I'm not crying over a zillion rock marks.

I had mine installed by AutoTrim in Tukwila WA. You can get what ever you want covered. You could do the entire hood if you desired. Usually they target the damage prone areas first cuz it ain't cheap to have installed.

Seems to me I recall seeing kits offered on line, but I have tried DIY window tint film but I could never get the professional looking job so I didn't think I'd be any happier with the Stonegard.

 

[DKupec]

tw... where is AutoTrim in Tukwila? I've been thinking about getting the Stoneguard installed to help with the chips, unfortunately I've already got some but I figure that I could help minimize getting any more. I work in Tukwila so it would be a quick trip and lunch to check them out.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

This stuff works great when applied on flat to moderately curved surfaces. We had this applied to the leading areas on our '00 Beetle when new. It's on the entire front bumper, half of the hood, a quarter of the roof and half of the rear fenders. For the most part it's held up pretty good, but it's pealing off in the more curved areas and doesn't look too hot. Also, there are a couple spots where the bumper has been hit by bigger rocks. These spots have bubbled up and pulled away from the paint. Again, doesn't look so hot. All in all, I think it's a good product. I can't imagine what the car would look like without the clear bra.

 

[twmcneilly]

Autotrim in on Interurban, just a bit south of I-405. Across the street from a Cat heavy equipment dealership. They did my window tint as well, and several friends tint and rock chip protection upon my referral. I'm very happy with their service and quality.



Hope you love yer beast as much as I love mine!

 

[Spooled-up]

You can buy these kits of the 3M stuff on eBay. I bought some generic 12" wide stuff and put it on my rockers myself and it came out great. We did a fishing trip up in Maine and had to travel a 14 mile logging road with 1-2" rocks the whole way. I listened to them thump my rockers for about a half hour. I thought there would be dents, but there weren't and no chips either. I was surprised.

I did the area behind the rear wheels on the rockers with some other kind of film I bought at a body shop. It wasn't 3M and there was a big difference in the quality and thickness. Definitely stay with the 3M stuff.

As far as doing it yourself, it wasn't that bad to apply. If I remember right, you spray the paint and the adhesive side of the film with a mix of soap and water (a couple of drops of soap for a 16 oz spray bottle) and apply the film to the truck. You'll be able to slide it around and position it where you want it. Next, take a plastic squeegee and start at the center and get a section started. Take another spray bottle with 50/50 rubbing alcohol and water and spray under the film as you squeegee it out on the truck. If you get a bubble, pull the film back and re-squeegee.

It was worth the effort.

 

[MartyK]

I used the 3m film stuff on the sides of my truck. It works great, I would do it again. I put mine on in 2005 and it still looks good and no paint chips.



Marty