To all who have protective film,

I'm thinking of a full front wrap to my turbo with Premier. Since turbo is my DD and I never did this before, I have a few reservation and question for all,

- How much more trouble it is to maintain the film, Premier recommend to wash, seal and wax with every wash. In the past I’ll take the car for a full detail every 6 months and simple wash weekly myself, would film be troublesome to take care?

- My car is GT Silver and park outside under California sun at work the whole day. How long would the film last and turn yellow under the sun? Would my paint look different in a few years in area under the film?

- Do it really protects from rock chips and bird dropping? I hear it is harder to get rid of bird drops once it dry because you can’t buff it out like the clear coat?

Much appreciate your help and thoughts!

 

Funny, I am sitting at Premier right now for my 1month inspection for my front end wrap. I actually have had it for about 2 months now. So far I have been happy, but only time will tell about the questions you have. You will get every opinion here from it's the greatest thing since sliced bread to don't even think about it. Mine looks great, but it does require some maintenance. I clean and seal every 2-3 weeks. Premier sells products for it, and they work extremely well. Sealer goes on very easy and pretty fast, but it still takes time. Check out my post here where I included a few pictures. http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforum...ar-3m-bra.html

George

 

I had some film applied by speed film. I'm very happy with it.. I apply turtle wax ice weekly (after washes). This was recommended to avoid yellowing. It's important to clean any bugs / bird crap off quickly as it may leave some scaring in the film

 

The Rennlist forum is a good discussion and there are many pros and cons. Will you see it? Yes. Will it turn yellow? Yes. Does it last forever? No. Does it scratch? Yes (so does paint) May I have to replace it after a year or two? Yes. Do you have to maintain it and not stick a pressure washer 1/2" away? Yes. Does it protect from rock chips? Yes (and that is what is most important to me.) Do I want to use a touch-up pen? No. Will my vehicle have better resale with a flawless front end? Yes. Will I keep my car for more than a year or two? Maybe. Will I trade it or sell it? Who knows...

I have always done the front portion of my vehicles, i.e. half the hood/front fenders and the whole front because that is where you see the most damage and want to prevent it from happening. For 500-600, I think its money well spent. If it turns yellow (and it will) in a few years and I still have the car, Ill have it done again. The first time you get a nice rock chip on your 100k vehicle you will wish you had done it and not worried about anything else.

This product has been standard on cars for many years in areas that are subject to abuse and most people dont even know it. Its not a gimmick, it works.

 

Thanks j080808, I won't even think twice if it is 500-600 for the wrap. Try 500 x5 for the price Preimer is charging.

 

Mine was around 1100 for the half hood, mirrors, door edges, rear bumper, door handles. It was 1600 for the full hood. I didn't think it was necessary for the full hood/fenders. With my color (dark blue) the half hood was barely noticeable.

 

In short you wash and wax it like your entire car. No extra work or worry.

 

Wow, California is expensive...I know you get what you pay for and expertise isnt cheap but 2500 for a full wrap or 1100 for half coverage seems like a lot. California has its own business climate and that will dictate what you pay in part.

I just looked, for me, half hood/fenders and all of the front was 575.00 for me, they throw in the east stuff like mirrors, door edges, headlights and front scuff area to make me feel better. Its all pre-cut and most of the flat surfaces go very fast, its a angles that are tough. Faced with your quote, I may be inclined to just do what I had done.

My guy works out of a 2-bay service station by appointment only and every time I drive by there is an exotic or two inside or waiting. The place is spotless, he only does clear-bra and nothing else. He has cutters in his shop and in a Sprinter van to do it onsite. His work is excellent and his overhead is low, he is a one man show and likes it that way.

Best of luck with whatever you choose!

 

It sounds like you might be comparing apples to oranges. A full wrap with colored material is that price even here. Your description of "pre cut" sounds like you're talking about clear protective 3M material - not a "wrap". Pardon me if I'm reading your post incorrectly.

 

Premier is a very very good company, the price they charge is for a custom full wrap (not pre-cut film).

I'm worry with everyday sun and bird dropings (there are a lot of trees around the parking lot where I work), I would not want to remove the film in 6-9 months...

They did tell me to seal and wax on every wash (recommended), it seems to be a lot of work every week washing.

 

For me the effort is not enough reason not to do it. You have to decide that for yourself. If you do the custom wrap it will look great, they do exceptional work. 2500 is not an courageous amount to protect a 125k car.

 

It was my understanding we were talking about clear 3M film here. The product applied on my S is pre-cut oversized and the edge on my hood for example is wrapped around the edge. If the OP is talking about a colored film or a different product then yes, we are talking about different things.

Full hood and fenders with the edges wrapped around the edges here was more like 1000.00 and that too was a pre-cut product (ultimately trimmed to fit) during install.

Maybe I'm not seeing the benefits of a custom wrap as opposed to a precut film since a fender on a 2012 is the same for every 2012.

 

I also paid around 2.2K for a full customized film, full frontal (not a pre-cut) with Metropolitan Detail in Bellevue, considered the best place for such work in the Seattle area.

 

Not sure why you're getting charged $2500, but I also did mine at Premier and it came to $1550. That included the full hood (totally recommend this btw) and the pre-cut full front fenders up to about the lights plus the side mirrors. I also added the lights for an additional $145 which is included in the $1550. If you did a full wrap up until the windshield, I think that was $2700.

As far as maintenance, you should ask Premier again. I asked them about wax and they said to never put wax on the film. Yes, they briefly mentioned some products they have and I'll have to ask them about it again as he didn't elaborate, but he basically said that washing and using stuff like detailing spray was ok. He also said to make sure you tape over the seams if you're gonna wax your car or you will get buildup along the seams. Premier also doesn't use the 3M stuff as they use a higher quality film that I can't remember the name of now. They say it works better and looks more transparent. That is part of the reason why you're paying more.

 

The 2500 number includes full hood full fenders and bumper. No pre cut used, all custom. All finish lines tucked you see nothing. They make a spray cleaner and sealer which is in place of the wax. Works great.

George