To the original question, indispensible on a black car, less so for lighter colors. I have a full 3M kit installed, and it looks great.

It sounds like most of you like the product. I know I won't drive my cars without and have been using the product for several years. XPEL seems to make the best film and they have a new "premium" film that has zero orange peel texture. As far as "yellowing" is concerned, XPEL makes a sealer (it's like wax) that keeps it from happening. When the film discolors and turns yellow, it isn't anything changing in the film, it's actually impurities embedding in the tiny pores in the film. If you use the XPEL sealer and/or keep a good wax on it, you'll never have a "yellowing" problem. I've never had a yellowing issue on any of my cars nor have any of my friends. PM me if you would like me to point you to a source for the film sealer.

I had the 3M product installed a few weeks ago. Looks great. I don't want the front of this car to look like my 2003 350Z did after 6 years. Wax like normal...I suggest waxing away from the "line" to decrease the amount of build up.

Use a synthetic polish like Zaino to avoid buildup. Buildup is a problem with waxes like carnuba.

I have the 3M film on mine also...just a great idea. Here are some pix.
http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...html#post44038

Where in Ohio?
 

I'd like to get mine done. I live in Akron, where did you get yours done? thanks

Well what if you have it detailed by pro's? I assume you would tell them about the clear bra.

They'd see it but you could tell them...my comment about putting the wax on by applying away from the seam was to keep the wax from builing up along the seam and making it easier to get the wax off. My guy told me you could use a pressure washer to wash it (although I don't know why you would!) and if you wanted to use some sort of polishing machine, no problem.

How is the paint maintenance after the application of the clear bra, I mean, how often you have to wax your car to maintain the same lust of the paint? It will create during the life of the clear bra some bubbles, or normal ware will look more white ( blurry )?
And the same for the 3M??
Thanks in advance guys

3M
 

Do any of you have experience applying the clear bra yourself? Or is that highly inadvisable. I see they sell the kits online from $170.

This is one company's product description:

"THESE KITS PROVIDES UP TO 23 INCHES DEEP HOOD PROTECTION PLUS LARGE,CORRESPONDING FENDER PIECES,MIRROR BACKS AND FULL BUMPER PROTECTION!
PLEASE NOTE,.....THIS IS NOT THE CHEAP,PAPER THIN STUFF BEING REPRESENTED ELSEWHERE AS PAINT PROTECTION FILM.THIS IS GENUINE 3M 8 MIL SCOTCHGARD PAINT PROTECTION FILM WITH PROTECTIVE CLEAR COAT AND 5 YEAR WARRANTY."

Thanks,
Slag

You will need two people to do the Z, and I would not try it on my 370Z if it were the first car I was to do. If you know someone who has done it before and you can see their work, recruit them to help.

I wouldn't use a pressure washer on anything but cement, or, the out side of my house, if I were getting it re-painted.

Wax as normal...whatever normal is...once a month or so if you wash regularly.

:tup:

I use Wax as you Dry (Meguiars) normally once a week, and quick hand wax once a month just to maintain the gloss of the paint.

Men I don't know, but every time I wash my car, It takes me at least 1:45-2 hours, if I am not doing wax....

Paint Protection Film is very difficult to install! You can probably do it yourself, but it will not look nearly as good as a professional install job. When done correctly, it should be virtually invisible with the exception of the line across the hood. Additonally, 3M film is the hardest to install as the adhesive is the most aggessive and very, very easy to blemish during the installation process. 3M film is good, but not the best film in my opinion. XPEL has a 7 year warranty and goes on the car better.

Thanks to both of you for the advice. I got some links to 3m clear bra application videos and techniques... even videos on removal, but I think I will call my buddy back in Florida that does this sort of thing. He said he can put on whatever kit I eventually go with.

r/
Slag

Brian, enlisting the support of your buddy is a good idea. If he knows what he is doing, it should turn out really well...

I watched the guy put Venture Shield on my car. I've done a lot of work on my cars in the past. After watching the install I can say that I will not be adding this project to my DIY list.

I was told from a sales lady at a local body shop which also houses a company called clear solutions they would install everything not including the headlights( xtra $90.) for around $425.00 at any location of my choice. I was thinking about the day i pick it up from the dealer. 2 questions. Is that a fair price and what kind of prep do they have to do? I really don't want any body else washing the car. I know that might sound stupid but i'm kind of anal like that. They also said roughly 4 to 5 hr job, is that the average. They can take as long as the want in my opinion.

I'd rather just spend ~$300 to repaint the front end every couple years.

That wasn't an option i was considering.:rolleyes:

Noted :rolleyes:
I had clear bra on my 350, and dirt eventually worked its way into the edge, making the lines very visible. That's why I say I'd rather repaint.

I understand, this is my first new car purchase and i want to try everything i can to keep it in tip top condition. Maybe they can rhino liner the front end.:ughdance:

I can understand that. I remember how I treated my first new car. I just also remember how pissed off I got at myself for having paid for the clear bra to have ugly brown lines all the way around my front end. My neighbor also has the same issue with his 05 stang. Maybe they improved the quality in the last couple years.

Thanks for your 2 cents frost, happy easter!!!!!

I put a 3M clearbra on my 2003 350z as soon as I got it and the installer had a great suggestion that I have used often over the years. Take a toothbrush and use it to brush off any acculumated wax or dirt from the edge lines. It works like a champ and does not damage anything in the slightest. I intend to install a clearbra on my new 370 within hours of getting it.

A friend of mine bought a Mustang around the time I bought my original 350 and refrained from getting the paint protection film on it for a few months. Within 2 weeks, he had a battery of small rock chips all over the bumper. With most cars going with painted bumpers these days, they are sitting ducks for road debris.

Interesting to note the variations between 3M, VentureShield and Xpel - thanks to everyone for the info! :tup:

What your talking about has nothing to do with the film... its the installer. A good installer will go back and heat seal the edges down after its installed. That will prevent the film from lifting down the road... causing the lines you are talking about. Obviousely you didnt have a good install. Get a good installer and you wont have anything to worry about. :tup:

Check out their work first. Honestly the price is pretty low... which should be a warning sign. It also should not take 4-5 hours for a 370z. I can knock those out in less than 3 hours pretty easily. They shouldnt need to wash it before hand since its coming straight out of the dealership. I would imagine they will just wipe the front end down and make sure its spotless before applying the film. The other thing you need to find out is wat type of film are they using.

If you have any questions regarding the films out there or abou the install, feel free to pm me and I will be more than happy to help you out.

Thom

Thanxs for the info HTP, i do know they are using X-PEL. I do have about a month till the car arrives, so i'm still checking out my options. I'll keep in touch.

I had AeroTech install the VentureShield clear installed on mine. It is perfect (so far). They did the hood, the bumper, the pillar, and the rear quarter panel. Although it cost me $650.00, it was worth the money.

I chose VentureShield over 3M because:

1. The 3M on my Porsche turned yellow after 2 years.
2. Side-by-side, the VentureShield was a winner as it did not have an orange-peel look and feel.

If you go to AeroTech, tell them Windsor gave them a 'superb' rating.

The only thing I would be worried about with Xpel is they may go out of business. They have been struggling lately and may not be around if you run into any warranty issues.

My local dealer is asking for $899 for the entire installation. I'm debating about that versus weekend job with my friend, who did the work himself.

Dang that's pricey.

Yea, they dropped by a couple hundred. I was thinking about getting the XPEL and have it done with a friend, but I rather have the lifetime warranty and not deal with air bubbles and peeling.

Window tinting is pricey as well at $300 at my local dealer. I would get this done elsewhere, but I can't complain about lifetime warranty.

I got mine done (front end/bumper, hood, fenders, mirrors and tinting) for $720 OTD

One way to avoid the lines is to cover the entire hood and fenders. Xpel sells kits in all kinds of variations, and they have a full hood, full fender kit for the 370Z available. Check out all the options here.

Full protection is an option, but very expensive. If you keep your car clean, the line is virtually invisible and hard to notice. Brown lines are a thing of the past with the films used today. Sometimes you can get wax buildup up, but that's easily remedied with a soft towel or Q-Tip.

Xpel Standard or Xpel Premium???? Which should i go with for our Nissan-grade paint. I'm thinking the Standard will most likely match our factory paint surface finish? Anyone have an input?

I honestly would not go with either. Xpel is in pretty bad shape right now... business wise and may not be around in a few years.

Honestly people keep talking about using a film that matches the paints finish. Where did this bad information come from??? What kind of sense does it make to put a film with more orange peel on it than another because it matches tha paints finish? You should use the cleanest smoothest film you can get... period. A perfectly smooth film wil blend with any paints finish... more orange peel with cause the area to look even worse. VentureShield Ultra and ClearMask AR are two of the best out there and have no orange peel. Xpel is ok but if the company is out of business in a year, who is going to warranty it??? :eek: