stone chips prevention?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 35,617
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Tech Contributor
Cruise-In 11 Veteran
NCM Ambassador
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'10
Take a look at these, I don't have them yet but plan on getting them. If you have the patience to put them on right, they are nearly invisible.
www.cleartastic.com
If you decide you want to go this route, there are a couple of posts in the parts for sale section you'll want to check out here:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=930516
and here:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=929427
Paul
www.cleartastic.com
If you decide you want to go this route, there are a couple of posts in the parts for sale section you'll want to check out here:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=930516
and here:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=929427
Paul
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 482
Likes: 2
From: Mt. Juliet TN
Here you can get some information on stone guard.....
http://www.stoneguard.com/sgcontent/default.asp
I have it on my car.
http://www.stoneguard.com/sgcontent/default.asp
I have it on my car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,059
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From: AKA Harvey Mushman-I know just enough to be dangerous "Those who sacrifice liberty for safety deserve neither"- B. Franklin
Senior Member
Cruise-In V Veteran
I used to have the Cleartastic. It did a good job. I later went with the 3M stuff and now think it is the only way to go.
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Advanced
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Edgewood WA
As I understand it, the good stuff that 3M makes is controlled through dealers. The dealers have rolls of the material, and when you purchase a package the dealer downloads a single cut from 3M or whoever controls the patterns, and feeds the info to a cutter/plotters which cuts the custom pattern (one at a time). at least that is how it was explained to me by a dealer. It is really good stuff and even lays on well over the Z16 stripes. 
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 482
Likes: 2
From: Mt. Juliet TN
There are a few down falls with the 3M as there is with any product. I have a black car so I can see those down falls where others may not. The material over time does get swirl marks just like the vert's paint. I had some problems finding someone to install mine. I had to have a guy come down out of Ohio. Then a bad storm kicked up while he was installing it and a little bit of debris go under it here and there. (this was before I had a garage) There is one spot on the nose near the badge that the guy had problems getting the product stretched over the badge. I think he stretched it a little too much and it created a orange peel look. I can live with one spot of a little orange peel over BAD stone chips. Since I purchased mine the design near the badge has been improved so not as much stretching is needed. I'm still glad I got the product.
Good luck!!
Good luck!!
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Edgewood WA
Originally Posted by EbonyFantasy
There are a few down falls with the 3M as there is with any product. I have a black car so I can see those down falls where others may not. The material over time does get swirl marks just like the vert's paint. I had some problems finding someone to install mine. I had to have a guy come down out of Ohio. Then a bad storm kicked up while he was installing it and a little bit of debris go under it here and there. (this was before I had a garage) There is one spot on the nose near the badge that the guy had problems getting the product stretched over the badge. I think he stretched it a little too much and it created a orange peel look. I can live with one spot of a little orange peel over BAD stone chips. Since I purchased mine the design near the badge has been improved so not as much stretching is needed. I'm still glad I got the product.
Good luck!!
Good luck!!
The dealer that did mine talked about the problems with debris or even lint that can get under the film. Says that it can take lots of time to relift the film and get the debris out. Finding a dealer that cares and will take the time is vital. After watching part of the process, I can't imagine doing it myself and expecting perfection. 
I have seen a couple of cars that have had the film on for a couple of years with lots of miles and it is amazing how well the film works.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 339
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From: Ohio
3M invisible bra is the way to go, great product, great protection! For best results, make sure you have it installed by a professional installer. I saw the guy putting the film on my car, he was able to install it without relifting the film and the installation is flawless.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,059
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From: AKA Harvey Mushman-I know just enough to be dangerous "Those who sacrifice liberty for safety deserve neither"- B. Franklin
Senior Member
Cruise-In V Veteran
Originally Posted by 1subject70sheets
3M invisible bra is the way to go, great product, great protection! For best results, make sure you have it installed by a professional installer. I saw the guy putting the film on my car, he was able to install it without relifting the film and the installation is flawless.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,059
Likes: 12
From: AKA Harvey Mushman-I know just enough to be dangerous "Those who sacrifice liberty for safety deserve neither"- B. Franklin
Senior Member
Cruise-In V Veteran
Originally Posted by URNDWAY
For the 3M stuff, what do you ask for when you go to the parts counter besides "the 3M stuff" 
I'd like to go buy and pick some up.
I'd like to go buy and pick some up.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,038
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From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by URNDWAY
For the 3M stuff, what do you ask for when you go to the parts counter besides "the 3M stuff" I'd like to go buy and pick some up.
I'd like to go buy and pick some up.of. The shop I had my windows tinted offers the paint film. I have it on
the front end, behind each wheel and rocker panels. The only draw back
is if you have a darker colored car and get wax at the seam, the seam
shows. Heres pics of mine;
http://www.realrange.com/images/film1.jpg
http://www.realrange.com/images/film2.jpg
http://www.realrange.com/images/film3.jpg
http://www.realrange.com/images/film4.jpg
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From: Washington DC
Originally Posted by ericwf1
Its "3m's Paint Protection film". But it doesn't come pre-cut that I'm aware
of. The shop I had my windows tinted offers the paint film. I have it on
the front end, behind each wheel and rocker panels. The only draw back
is if you have a darker colored car and get wax at the seam, the seam
shows. Heres pics of mine;
http://www.realrange.com/images/film1.jpg
http://www.realrange.com/images/film2.jpg
http://www.realrange.com/images/film3.jpg
http://www.realrange.com/images/film4.jpg
of. The shop I had my windows tinted offers the paint film. I have it on
the front end, behind each wheel and rocker panels. The only draw back
is if you have a darker colored car and get wax at the seam, the seam
shows. Heres pics of mine;
http://www.realrange.com/images/film1.jpg
http://www.realrange.com/images/film2.jpg
http://www.realrange.com/images/film3.jpg
http://www.realrange.com/images/film4.jpg
My 00 coupe is black and the seams would probably show up in an instant. However I think seams are better than chips so I may go ahead and risk it.
Thanks for the pics
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 482
Likes: 2
From: Mt. Juliet TN
Originally Posted by URNDWAY
Your right.
My 00 coupe is black and the seams would probably show up in an instant. However I think seams are better than chips so I may go ahead and risk it.
Thanks for the pics
My 00 coupe is black and the seams would probably show up in an instant. However I think seams are better than chips so I may go ahead and risk it.
Thanks for the pics
Your seams will show a little but not real bad. You just have to "learn" how to wax the car with the 3M on it. Apply and remove the wax rubbing it away from the seems. I have gotten good at it now.