3M film for C7
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,683
Likes: 84
3M film for C7
There are a bunch of detailing shops in my city and it seems most or all of them only use 3M as the protective film that they install.
Is this something you guys would recommend? Or are there other films that should be used instead?
Also does anyone put protective film on their black z51 wheels? Would this be practical?
Is this something you guys would recommend? Or are there other films that should be used instead?
Also does anyone put protective film on their black z51 wheels? Would this be practical?
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: DFW Area TX
From other threads, the consensus in that the 3M films are not very good. Xpel Ultimate is probably the best. It is self-healing and has a full 10 year warranty, including labor.
Use the Xpel Dealer Locator to find a installer near you.
Use the Xpel Dealer Locator to find a installer near you.
Last edited by Zymurgy; Mar 15, 2014 at 06:03 PM. Reason: Added dealer locator
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2013
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This is interesting... from the research I have done, 3M was considered one of the very best films you could get. That's part of the issue of internet research... it is SO hard to know what is accurate and what isn't. Given the number of people going the Xpel route, I bet it is a great product.
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 38,646
Likes: 17,605
From: DFW Area TX
This is interesting... from the research I have done, 3M was considered one of the very best films you could get. That's part of the issue of internet research... it is SO hard to know what is accurate and what isn't. Given the number of people going the Xpel route, I bet it is a great product.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 148
Likes: 1
From: Orange County CA
This is interesting... from the research I have done, 3M was considered one of the very best films you could get. That's part of the issue of internet research... it is SO hard to know what is accurate and what isn't. Given the number of people going the Xpel route, I bet it is a great product.
One of the reasons I highly value this forum is that the opinions of people here, for me, carry a lot of weight. Moreso than other sources given this is a passionate Corvette crowd (some of whom even own a C7
).I've never used a clear bra product, but based on the overwhelming feedback here on the pros of Xpel and cons of 3M I know what I am going to install.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2013
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I successfully installed 3M Ventureshield myself and it is fine. The original 3M film has issues but is was also one of the original industry offerings I believe. The VentureShield line is much better and it has good optics. The newer Suntek and xPel products are better in my opinion. However, for me the Ventureshield was half the price and it will outlast my ownership of the car. Worst case, I can replace it every few years if needed.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
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I successfully installed 3M Ventureshield myself and it is fine. The original 3M film has issues but is was also one of the original industry offerings I believe. The VentureShield line is much better and it has good optics. The newer Suntek and xPel products are better in my opinion. However, for me the Ventureshield was half the price and it will outlast my ownership of the car. Worst case, I can replace it every few years if needed.
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I have the 3M clear bra on my '03 coupe and it does a good job of keeping the car protected and still looks good after 10 years of being on the car. Have not seen any cars with the Xpel installed, but here on the forum those that have it seem to like it a lot.
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 455
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From: Peoria AZ
I'm having my car tinted and clearbra'd in two weeks. I had a choice of Clearshield by Solargard ($600) or Expel Ultra ($700). Clearshield has a 5 yr warranty and Expel has a 10 yr. This includes front bumper, partial hood, fenders and mirrors. I've had most of my cars clearbra'd since the early 2000's and my have the products changed. My first was a 2001 Lexas RX which started to yellow after 2-3 years...it was 3M. The balance of cars used many different products all of which outlasted their stay with me. Don't overpay for this product, just make sure you find a professional installer. And 2014 Corvettes are an easy install. Remember, any blemishes will clean up with alcohol, just like Expel Ultra.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 186
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The hood and fender was fairly easy to install. The bumper (regardless of film used) requires some stretching and patience.
It's already saved my paint. A commercial landscaping truck dropped some thick branches while I was traveling behind it at almost 70mph. The branches (actually chunks of wood) struck the front of my bumper and left a rather long mark up the bra. It has paid for itself already in saving the paint.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 3
From: DFW Texas
Xpel Ultimate and Suntek are the two best films out currently. People seem to think 3M is a good product because of the company name. BUT the film hasn't been updated in nearly 10 years. It has a tremendous amount of orange peel in it, the adhesive is very strong and is difficult to get off the vehicle, and I have seen numerous cars where the film was left on to the point it cracked making it impossible to remove from the vehicle. Xpel Ultimate and Suntek are the only two self healing films out; so light scratches and bug etchings will heal when heat is applied ( as simple as parking the car in the sun). 3M bought out Ventureshield a few years ago... and I installed that film for nearly 8 years. The problem, with the film is it doesn't have a true top coat; so it scratches and scuffs very easily. Bugs will also damage it quickly if they are left on for too long... and it is not self healing.
Mike Clearshield is a very poor product and I would HIGHLY recommend staying away from it.
Mike Clearshield is a very poor product and I would HIGHLY recommend staying away from it.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 310
Likes: 55
From: Brentwood CA
3M Shield
I had the 3M product professionally installed on my new VY or Millenium Yellow (don't remember which) 2005 C6. I then proceed to put 70,000 plus miles on it with cross country trips that resulted in 3 replaced windshields due to sand blasting and nicks. Not an ounce of problem from the 3M shield or one nick in the protected paint. I then sold the car, in 2010, to my neighbor who still has it with an additional 20,000 miles put on it. I looked at it yesterday. Still beautiful. No discoloration or lifting or clouding that I can detect.
Yes the professional installers will tell you that the newer films are better. Not for protection but for appearance after install IMO. Less texture.
Money well spent to have any of them professionally installed.
Yes the professional installers will tell you that the newer films are better. Not for protection but for appearance after install IMO. Less texture.
Money well spent to have any of them professionally installed.
Xpel Ultimate and Suntek are the two best films out currently. People seem to think 3M is a good product because of the company name. BUT the film hasn't been updated in nearly 10 years. It has a tremendous amount of orange peel in it, the adhesive is very strong and is difficult to get off the vehicle, and I have seen numerous cars where the film was left on to the point it cracked making it impossible to remove from the vehicle. Xpel Ultimate and Suntek are the only two self healing films out; so light scratches and bug etchings will heal when heat is applied ( as simple as parking the car in the sun). 3M bought out Ventureshield a few years ago... and I installed that film for nearly 8 years. The problem, with the film is it doesn't have a true top coat; so it scratches and scuffs very easily. Bugs will also damage it quickly if they are left on for too long... and it is not self healing.
Mike Clearshield is a very poor product and I would HIGHLY recommend staying away from it.
Mike Clearshield is a very poor product and I would HIGHLY recommend staying away from it.