3M Paint Defender Spray

[lippy]

Before my new ERA left CT last week, I asked the painter to apply 3M clear film to the rear fender front surfaces. He tried but said it is just so difficult to get on a complex surface without white spots/bubbles. He couldn't complete the job to his standards. I understand a lot of people have trouble applying the 3M film. But I saw that 3M seems to have recently released this product: 3M Paint Defender Spray Film with synthetic wax - Sprayable Paint Protection Film, 90000 - 3M Auto. If it works, it's a great idea. Anyone have any experience with this?

[tkb289]

lippy,

I don't have any experience with the spray, but there are people / companies that can apply clear protective tape to front side of the rear fenders. For my FIA I used an independent person that came highly recommended by a buddy and he did an outstanding job. Due to the compound curves it was not easy to install, but if done properly it can come out great.

Regardless of what you use, spray or tape, I would recommend doing this after your car is done and ready for a road test, which will be a while from now. This will give the paint and clear coat even more time to cure.

[wrogers55]

Guys that work with the 3M film daily can do just about any surface shape with it. I had the front of mine done up to the front hood line and down the inside finder line and over all the ins and outs of the front end. He did it with almost no seams and there are no imperfections at all. A couple of years later, you still can't tell the difference in the black paint and clear film, both super nice. And of course I did the rear fender spats....been surprised how those have been peppered with debris and dirt as well as tire sling. Still no damage.

Consider putting it on the length of the upper doors as well, where your arm will rest and just have it rolled over the outside edge a bit. It will look fine (on black anyway) and you will never see a scratch from your watch band or anything else a passenger might do over there.

Good luck!

[DonC]

I've had the 3m film on my car from the beginning 9 years ago. Still doing it's job. A few small rock pings that were severe enough to get through the film but by and large paint still looks pretty good after 50+ thousand miles. Nothing is 100% ding proof but the film performs as advertised.
This product looks like it wouldn't be too bad for casual use but, compared to the film, looks pretty thin. Would take a lot of coats to provide the thickness of the film and I think a do it yourselfer might run into problems getting a super thick coat on that would look good.
I like the concept but just don't have enough information to make an informed call. Looks like it's a pretty new product and may take a while to build a knowledge base to draw on about it.
Unless you can find a local professional who has worked with this stuff I think you'd be better off with the film applied by a pro.
DonC

[lippy]

Originally Posted by tkb289

lippy,

I don't have any experience with the spray, but there are people / companies that can apply clear protective tape to front side of the rear fenders. For my FIA I used an independent person that came highly recommended by a buddy and he did an outstanding job. Due to the compound curves it was not easy to install, but if done properly it can come out great.

Regardless of what you use, spray or tape, I would recommend doing this after your car is done and ready for a road test, which will be a while from now. This will give the paint and clear coat even more time to cure.

TKB, since you are nearby, who did you use? Also, did you just apply the film to the rear fenders, or to the front as well? Thanks.

[Got the Bug]

I had the 3M film installed on my fenders and the front of my car when I originally bought my car.

If I had to do it again, I'd only install it on the fenders and just let the front patina. The problem is that despite the good intentions, you're going to get rock chips where the film doesn't provide coverage and even nicks right on the edge. I had it applied 6 years ago and it hasn't yellowed, but I can see it in the sun with my polarized sun glasses.

[PLDRIVE]

Lippy here is another option. " ArmorCoat" this stuff is very tuff. (i have it on my car and could not be happier)

Mark

[GLS-BDR226]

Originally Posted by PLDRIVE

Lippy here is another option. " ArmorCoat" this stuff is very tuff. (i have it on my car and could not be happier)

Mark

Is this for real? Isn't this for floors?

[tkb289]

Originally Posted by lippy

TKB, since you are nearby, who did you use? Also, did you just apply the film to the rear fenders, or to the front as well? Thanks.

lippy,

Will get you the contact info.

I had the front face of the rear fenders done and decided not to cover the front end of the car. It will get dings and chips as the miles go by, but as Doug mentioned it's part of the patina of ownership.

[csx4017]

There are several brands of clear film available. An experienced shop can tell you the pros and cons of each....I had the following done 18 months ago:

1) Complete nose from the front of hood forward
2) Rocker panel ( full length below bottom of door )
3) Front of rear wheel well

My installer had a CAD program with various auto templates ( Ferrari, Lambo, Porches )
and a Cobra that we tweeked a bit for the area around the lights, oil cooler,etc. He sends it to a numeric control cut machine and then works the application magic. this shop does complete body wraps!!
The job is first rate and protects very well.........No discoloration of any kind. This Cobra is not a hangar queen..........She has been in the sun.
Bottom line, if you can find an installer that applies his products to dealer show room, go fast, vehicles then your in..........Cheers

[emberglo66]

Paint Protection System .... ArmorCoat!!

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I had the ArmorAuto system installed on my SPF years ago. I did have the 3M film on, and was very disappointed with it. It had way to many cuts. I purchased a pre cut 3M kit and had a 3M distributor do the install. It worked Ok, but the edges started to weaken and edge peel, kid of hard to describe. I had it removed and all of the rock chips repaired, as well as the holes that were drilled in the fenders for that worthless mirror. I now use a raydot mirror!!! There are several images in my gallery so you can see how far up the hood area I had ArmorCoatUSA installed. Depending on what your local body shop would charge to do the install the product was only $150 (in 2006) compared to $265 for the 3M film only. I also contacted ArmorCoatUSA several time to talk to them, they contacted my painter to insure he knew how to handle the install. So far so good. I actually like the look. It feels like the film but no cuts and piecing together around curves and valleys.


It has been several years now since I had the product installed. no chips dings or discoloration!! VERY satisfied with the product!!!!

Sorry the product is called ArmorCoat not ArmorAuto!! here is there web page http://armorcoatusa.com/

[GLS-BDR226]

The previous link really got me confused. Did you just touch up the chips or respray the front to repair the chips? My BDR has a number of tiny chips the were repaired using a brush. I wonder how this coating would look being put over that. Thanks, great alternative to the film.

[emberglo66]

I had the chips sanded and sprayed. I did this because I was having the side mirrors removed and needed to have that area repaired. I would think a good paint shop would be able to touch up the chips and sand and polish them to where they would be invisible to the average person.

Give them a call, they are great to deal with!!!