Paint Protection Film ?

[lew_b]

Hello, I became the proud owner of an Indigo Ink Pearl 2004 IS-300 this week. I am investigating ways to protect the front of the car from the usual dings and rock hits that always happen. Friends of mine talked me out of a 'bra' due to the concerns over paint damage and moisture. I was told about a product by 3M and others that is a plastic film that is placed over the area that you wish to protect. They claim that it protects against dings and scratches and kits are available to cover the hood as well as other spots prone to damage like the exterior of the side mirrors.

Anyone have any experience/advice on these products ?

Oh yeah, I'm lovin' my Lexus

[SW03ES]

DEFINATELY a wise investment! Have it done now before the paint gets damaged.

[lew_b]

The search continues ...

Turns out the stuff I think I'm looking for is made by 3M. Here's a consumer link to some information.

I used their dealer finder and found someone reasonably close, problem is that the phone number is a discontinued cell phone <_<

I then called the Lexus dealer, they hadn't heard of the stuff and had no idea who could do such work. <_< <_<

I got an 800 phone number from one of the 3M web pages, time for some more phone calls.

[SW03ES]

Good luck! I'm surprised the Lexus dealer didnt know about it, my Lexus dealer installs it...

[Neo]

Try one of these:

http://www.xpel.com/

http://www.stongard.com

There are a few more but these two comes to mind. They use 3M film but they have already developed templates for many cars and they have an installer network.

I use XPel and love it. For a daily driven car, it really helps the front end in top shape.

In addition to the paint, look into the headlight protection too. It really helps the headlights from getting pitted over time.

Good luck.

[TOGWT]

~One man’s opinion / observations ~

Paint Saving (Clear Plastic Shield):

A clear, protective shield is excellent at protecting painted areas more prone to chips and scratches (door sills, front of the hood, etc). Simply cut the desired size, apply positioning spray to the surface, move the cut shield into place, then squeegee out the Positioning Spray. An instant clear shield that protects your paint, use it on front ends, along door edges, around tire wells, inside doorjambs, along doorsills, painted bumpers or jambs, peel it off at any time and the paint will still look brand new, available in three widths, 4”, 2’, 3/8” x 12 mils thick. (Groit’s PN 77890) Note- do not use on plastic bumpers or repainted surfaces.

~Hope this helps~

Experience unshared; is knowledge wasted…/ Jon

justadumbarchitect * so I question everything *

[mikek753]

Hello all,

I've found paint protection film kit from textint.com that cost less then from other companies.

Any one tried it already?

Which one company to buy from?

thanks.

Mike

[mikek753]

any one has used this one from www.invinca-shield.com ?

is it good or not?

[lew_b]

any one has used this one from www.invinca-shield.com ?

is it good or not?

Thanks for the link. I'll get on it. I'd like to get this done before the first rock finds the front end of my car. I'll post status/results.

[lew_b]

Here's the link to the prices for invinca-shield for the IS-300

I found a guy in my area (from their web page) and he quoted me a price of $600 for the deluxe kit plus rear bumper and mirror pieces installed. He said he would come to my house to do the installation on a weekend once the order comes in. I told him to order the stuff.

More status as this develops

[mikek753]

I've ordered deluxe kit and installed it myself.

Two evernings it took for me.

So, if you have extra money then pay for installation - IMO - save your time.

Now I know how to do it, but I have just one car :P

[lew_b]

I've ordered deluxe kit and installed it myself.

Two evernings it took for me.

So, if you have extra money then pay for installation - IMO - save your time.

Now I know how to do it, but I have just one car :P

Can you share some details on the install ?

Did the pieces need any modifications? How does the stuff get installed ? Mistakes/pitfalls ?

[Neo]

I've ordered deluxe kit and installed it myself.

Two evernings it took for me.

So, if you have extra money then pay for installation - IMO - save your time.

Now I know how to do it, but I have just one car  :P

Can you share some details on the install ?

Did the pieces need any modifications? How does the stuff get installed ? Mistakes/pitfalls ?

If you are comfortable installing tint film, then this is similar. If you buy the precut pieces, then there is no mod needed. If you have custom parts on the car (bumper, lips, ...), then you will need to buy a bulk, rectangular roll and cut out your own piece.

[lew_b]

I've ordered deluxe kit and installed it myself.

Two evernings it took for me.

So, if you have extra money then pay for installation - IMO - save your time.

Now I know how to do it, but I have just one car  :P

Can you share some details on the install ?

Did the pieces need any modifications? How does the stuff get installed ? Mistakes/pitfalls ?

If you are comfortable installing tint film, then this is similar. If you buy the precut pieces, then there is no mod needed. If you have custom parts on the car (bumper, lips, ...), then you will need to buy a bulk, rectangular roll and cut out your own piece.

Yeah, I'd heard that it is like installing film. I called a local body shop that I'd done business with before who said they'd never done it before but would be willing to do the job since they had tons of experience doing decals and film

I think this is a job I'll pay to have done by someone else.

[wil]

Let me first make an introduction. I've been in the window film (tint) industry for 7 yrs and have been installing paint protection film for 5 years now. "Clearbras" have been in the industry for well over 10 yrs now, but only in the past 4 yrs has it picked up in momentum. These kits used to cost in excess of $1000 for the exotics, but now price has dropped significantly due to market saturation.

When searching for ppf, keep in mind that cost will vary. We have various new car dealership accounts and have seen some dealerships charge their customers in excess of $1000 for the film. Dealerships do not carry nor install these films. They have companies that specialize in the business, like us, go out and do the install for them and then mark it up some 100%-150%.

I've also seen in some parts of the country where people pay well over $1200 from a local specialist; however, this is generally in areas where competition is scarce.

Following are some tips for those interested in the film..........hope this helps you guys in making an educated choice!:

1) Where and whom to have the kit installed? Experience is a must when it comes to installation. As someone mentioned earlier, it took two days for the install. A good installer can have it done in about 3-4 hrs. When they tell you they need it overnight, then search on.

2) Pre-cut Kits - This is a must to cut down on installation time unless you have an aftermarket bumper or hood, which in this situation would require customer designing...........costs a lot more and will take an average of 6hrs.

3) Companies that order these kits: We at Mach III actually have the proper software and machinery to cut these kits in-house for immediate service and wholesale distribution. Many locales will order the pre-cut kits from a distributor, which means the customer will have to wait several days before the kit arrives.

4) Which type of film to go for? Here's a list of film manufacturers, their warranties, and my impressions of them:

- 3M 1st gen: tough film that has an "orange peel" waviness effect on it, which is most noticeable on darker colored vehicles - 5 yr warranty

- 3M 2nd gen: only on the mkt for 4 months, just as tough as previous version, but much clearer - 5 yr warranty

- Llumar - released approximately a yr ago and is as clear as the new 3M film. I had adhesion issues w/ their film, and decided to go w/ Venture - Lifetime Warranty

- Clearshield - very similar in texture to 3M's 1st gen film. Film is tough, but only comes in multi-pieces so that an amateur could install the kit. Lines are very noticeable w/ this film and scratches very easily as does the 3M film.

- Venture Tape - I've been using this film for 8 months now and have not had any issues w/ bubbling, yellowing, or cracking even for those living under the immense heat in Southern California. Film costs just a tad more than the ones listed above, but in my personal opinion is much clearer.

If anyone's interested in application of the film and located in the San Francisco / East Bay, feel free to email me. I also have many contacts in California so pm me for great installers in your area.

[TOGWT]

~One man’s opinion / observations ~

Let me pre-qualify this post by saying that this is for info only I have no experience of this product or its application…

http://www.autoskin.com.

~Hope this helps~

Experience unshared; is knowledge wasted…/ Jon

justadumbarchitect * so I question everything *

[Neo]

If anyone's interested in application of the film and located in the San Francisco / East Bay, feel free to email me. I also have many contacts in California so pm me for great installers in your area.

Hey Wil, Did you send me the details on the products and install pricing? This was on ClubLexus but i jsut noticed you here. :)

Again: neo.one@gmail.com

Thanks.

[wil]

Hmmm....that's strange. I thought I sent something out to you a wk ago. Our server's been acting really weird lately. I'll get the info to you right now. Thanks!

[Neo]

Hmmm....that's strange. I thought I sent something out to you a wk ago. Our server's been acting really weird lately. I'll get the info to you right now. Thanks!

Got it this time. Thanks.