clear bra/paint protector
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,135
Likes: 1
clear bra/paint protector
i went to a accura dealer today,who has a car on the showroom floor that has the clear film paint protector installed. the reason i went there is the installer told me he does there cars and i wanted to see how it looks. well i really like what i saw. you wash and wax the car the same as it wasnt even there. thats right you wax right over the stuff,its actually a clear coat in a film-form,made by 3-m,, the guy who installs them said his son has had it for 2 yrs and doesnt have a paint chip,so im pertty inpressed with the stuff and think im gonna get the whole hood and nose and tops of the fenders coated with the stuff.. it seems like every time i take the vette out i come home with another chip on the hood or the frt bumper and since i am getting the whole frt clip re painted because of the chips i may as well go 1 step further and keep it from happining again!
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 2
From: Allen TX
This is the semi permanent application correct? It can be removed but once its removed it cant be re-applied. I saw alot of these types of protectants on the internet. I am still looking for a removable type application. I am going to try a 'sign making' shop and see if they have static cling vinyl that would work well for what I need it for.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 120,798
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From: Charlotte NC
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If you need more info on the Cleartastic, forum member Steve Treece does the process over here in Charlotte, NC. I'm sure he could answer most of your questions. 
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
New England Events Coordinator
3m
Yes, indeed I too had this problem, everytime I would return from a ride, more paint chips. I have installed the 3M product and it was a great investment. From a short 3 foot distance you cannot tell that it is there. Look at my photos, the one with the license plate (front view), 3M is installed from the front bumper 24 inches up the hood and sides, you cannot tell it's there.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,135
Likes: 1
thats just it i want to do the whole hood and tops of fenders and the entire frt bumper, installer has done c-2's but never c-3's so he wants to see my car,its supposed to cost somewhere around $1,500.00,,,but if you take into consideration the amount of times i have been in the body shop for chip repairs, it will probably pay for itself the 1st year. i went and looked at one car he did a installation on and it went up a few feet on the hood, it looked o.k. but i get rock chips all the way up the hood so 24'' wont cut it. what i like is you still wax and wash the car the same cuz its just a clear coat.in a film form. the guys told me that they held a sheet of this stuff and another guy pushed a pen trying to puncture it and it wouldnt puncture!!
Last edited by carl a; Jan 12, 2005 at 07:39 PM.
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Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 2
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, the World
Carl,
Couldn't you find an Invisible Patterns installer close to home?
I went with the VentureShield because the film is stronger than the 3M and will not yellow. It is also more elastic than the 3M making it easier to install on the curves of the C3. My coverage goes right down the sides and under the front. It finishes next to the air dam. The only line is the one across the tops of the fenders and the hood. 3M's much vaunted clearcoat scratches easily and has the same gloss as Ventureshield. Ventureshield also comes in 36" which is required to cover a C3 without joins.
This pic is set up so the film line is visible
Couldn't you find an Invisible Patterns installer close to home?
I went with the VentureShield because the film is stronger than the 3M and will not yellow. It is also more elastic than the 3M making it easier to install on the curves of the C3. My coverage goes right down the sides and under the front. It finishes next to the air dam. The only line is the one across the tops of the fenders and the hood. 3M's much vaunted clearcoat scratches easily and has the same gloss as Ventureshield. Ventureshield also comes in 36" which is required to cover a C3 without joins.
This pic is set up so the film line is visible
Last edited by RHD '68 L89; Jan 12, 2005 at 07:57 PM.
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 2
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, the World
Carl, It is not the hood, it is the nose that needs to be done in one piece. From the tip of the nose to the tops of the fenders is 36" wide and over 8' long to wrap around and under. Most of the film comes in 12"and 24". Make sure your installer has 36" wide.
24" coverage doesn't cut it for a C3. My first stone chip was up near the 427 badges. You have to cover up to the "flatter" area. My work van is flat fronted so it is all covered.
I have even covered the 68's doorhandles to stop the chrome from scratching. It gives it a new lustre and a more tactile feel.
Again, make sure the installer does not cut the film on the paint or you end up with cuts in your paint, no matter what they say.
$350 is very cheap. It could be just the bulk film for that price (or a very simple install on a flat surface with not much length)
24" coverage doesn't cut it for a C3. My first stone chip was up near the 427 badges. You have to cover up to the "flatter" area. My work van is flat fronted so it is all covered.
I have even covered the 68's doorhandles to stop the chrome from scratching. It gives it a new lustre and a more tactile feel.
Again, make sure the installer does not cut the film on the paint or you end up with cuts in your paint, no matter what they say.
$350 is very cheap. It could be just the bulk film for that price (or a very simple install on a flat surface with not much length)
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,135
Likes: 1
I Get My Car Outta The Body Shop Monday Or Tuesday And Im Gonna Start Shoppin Around For This Product Installed. He Did A Beautiful Job Re-painting My Hood And The Tops Of The Fenders And The Entire Bumper. I Just Cant Handle Getting A Chip After This Paint Work!!!
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 2
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, the World
Carl,
Now that is is repainted you will have to leave it until the paint is cured. You should wait at least 3 weeks for it to finish "outgassing". The solvents need that time to evaporate before the PPF goes on. Preferably longer in colder months.
Phclub,
Probably one of the reasons Ultrashield is no longer in business is the cheap pricing. They didn't make enough from their pricing to cover their costs. How much coverage did you get for the $350?
Now that is is repainted you will have to leave it until the paint is cured. You should wait at least 3 weeks for it to finish "outgassing". The solvents need that time to evaporate before the PPF goes on. Preferably longer in colder months.
Phclub,
Probably one of the reasons Ultrashield is no longer in business is the cheap pricing. They didn't make enough from their pricing to cover their costs. How much coverage did you get for the $350?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,218
Likes: 22
From: Knoxville Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '12
I have it on my 82CE and my 02 Camaro. I swear by this stuff. I'm **** about anything I do to my cars and this stuff is much better looking than an ugly black bra. Cost the CE $350 to do and the Camaro was $480 and the guy came to my house and installed it. I swear by this stuff and recommend it to everyone I can. It's called Stonguard and made by 3M.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,135
Likes: 1
how far did he take it up on the hood? i wanna get the whole hood and tops of fenders covered and frt fender,,,i wish i could find someone to install it that cheap. for that price it probably went uo around 24'' from the headlights up
Last edited by carl a; Jan 15, 2005 at 08:17 AM.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
New England Events Coordinator
UltraShield $350
The coverage was 24 inches from the nose up the hood. I feel just enough to catch most chipmakers. Also went down the sides and around the marker lights (all one piece). He also did the lower rear of each door and the flair in front of the rear tire. I can say I was very pleased with all that he did. This is a fairly new application that many are just hearing about, that may be why pricing is so irratic.