I just thinking about installing a clear protective film in the front of the car, but I have a question of how that affects the looks. Does it change how the color is displayed?

How about after washing the car? You know there always will be those damn washing swirls, well how about the front with clear film. If the film has been installed as new, the front is with out any swirls and elsewhere there will be those...

Any ideas???

 

First, I strongly support getting a clear bra. I would go crazy after time if my bumper slowly accumulated chip after chip after scratch...

Second, I would recommend getting the hood and front fenders completely covered, not just half way... especially if you have a darker car... otherwise you will see a slight line of demarcation where the bra stops... if you get it covered to the seams of the panels, it is almost hidden.

Lastly, take care of the bra - it will make it last longer... certain brands tend to yellow over time - a problem if you have a light colored car. If you care for it, ie dry it properly after washing, it won't collect water spots. Swirls are not common...the film tends to be rubber - like...however, it will collect water spots over time if you are not careful.

 

Thanks! any particular brand you would recommend?

How about panels with film compared with panels without? Any color difference before or after swirls?

 

don't be as hung up on the brand of film, but on who is installing it. That is far more important.

I've seen the same brand of film look horrendous on one car and look amazing on another one - different installers.

I have 3M and did only half the hood. at certain angles/light you can see it (if your looking for it). My instsaller is one of the best in the biz and have had many comments on it at various car shows.

 

Just out of curiosity - how long is everyone finding these clear bra's are lasting? Mine is shy of two years, and it looks kind of beat up...

 

My venturesheild has yellowed

Iam installing new 3M Xpel in a couple of weeks

Doing full hood , fenders , sides , inlets

There is a good cleaner from stoner.com or you can use Plexus

Gee-Bee

 

My concern is that when you wash the car there will be those swirls (more easily seen on dark paints) but on the film you naturally don't get the swirls. Will the paint under film look after while different to the paint not covered by the film because of the swirls???

btw, are there any matte carbon films or tapes that could be used as well at some parts of the car?

 

Yes it will look different...right after installation, you can tell what is wrapped, and what is not - especially on a dark car.

After multiple washes, the material on my XPel is fine - except for a few water spots. You don't get swirls.

What does it look like after removal? After a good detail, you can't tell the difference.

For faux carbon fiber - check out

http://www.skinzwraps.com/

 

GB - Just a warning...XPel does yellow - I have it on my car...and even though it is black, when I pulled a piece off you could tell.

 

Not sure where you heard this, but 3M is not Expel. They are two completely different companies... and neither film is new. Expel is about to go under (if they havent already) and 3M doesnt have a new film out. I would highly recommend going with VentureShield. 3M is the worst film I have ever installed and will never touch the stuff again.

 

Iam having 3M installed , but there film is not wide enough to do a complete hood, The 3M has a protective top coat and the Ventureshield doesnt .

I do like the expel patterns, not using there material..
Gee-bee

 

VentureShield does make a film with a top-coat. The 3M top coat is for protecting the film during transport. The top coat is made out of acrylic. Well acrylic does not stretch and during the film installation the acrylic top coat will crack. Over time those cracks will become larger and will be very evident. I have seen cars come in after 6 months and the cracks are very noticable. Thats why I do not install 3M. They may replace the film but the will not cover my install expenses... which are considerable. Plus 3M has the most orange peel of any film out there.

VS and ClearMask are the two best films on the market. VS and Avery Denison both come wide enough to do full panel wraps... and really can be cut using Xpel, ProForm, or any other patterns out there. I have used VS and been very happy with the results.

Good luck with the 3M and keep us posted on how it comes out and holds up.

 

if I give Venturesheild a call will they cover me on my yellowing problem?

Gee-Bee

 

http://www.ventureshield.com/products.asp

Yes they have a lifetime warranty on their films. The link above will give you some more info on their product. I am sure you will be very happy if that is the route you decide to go. Even though I am an installer, I am not here to promote one film over another. In fact VentureShield is not my primary film... ClearMask is. Unfortunately ClearMask does not come wide enough to do full panel wraps, so I have to look for other films that meet the customers needs. And of all the other films I have installed, I truly believe VentureShield is the way to go. I even have it on my vehicle.

Just trying to help. I hate seeing people have bad experiences with paint protection films and installers because it will effect the whole industry. So I try to promote the best films and the best installers I know. If you ever have any questions, feel free to pm me. I will be more than happy to help.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving,

Thom

 

I had ventureshield on my M5 and although it is way better than the 3M it was prone to chipping. On the day i installed i got a chip on the film right on the front bumper.

You have to be careful when driving in bad roads with rocks as the film will chip like the paint.

I did see an avery film installed on a white turbo in my area and i thought there was a lot of film marks on the surface that would bother me.

Either way installer is the most important factor and i would def recommend it over leaving it bare.

Hope this helps.