I have seen previous threads mention using clear 3M film to prevent rock chips, etc. I tried doing a search but you can't search on 3M. Can someone please elaborate on this. Where to buy it? Does it work? Reasons for using it? Reasons for not using it? How much does it cost? Where can you get it? Why doesn't everyone use it?

Thanks.

 

Try searching for "paint chips". That should help you out.

 

try Xpel....

 

Xpel Paint Protect

 

Do you guys use it?

 

I thought about getting this. But after reviewing the few chips on my hood, most are above where this bra would cover. A deflector would be better, but a black deflector on a silver car would look ugly, I think.

 

Ever since i took delivery of my car this past weekend i have been thinking about a bra of some type. I know that most people on here have recommended Xpel (www.xpel.com or www.clearbra.com). However, i also found one at www.clearbra.net. Anyone have this one? Also some have said that they wished they got it "custom" made for the hood to be a little higher up on the hood. How much longer and has anyone done this? Anyone with close up pics? How difficult is it to install on a scale of 1 to 5?

 

I got my Pearl 2k in Oct. 02. It has something like this if not this exact same kit installed. It has protected the hood extremely well up to this point. Only 1 visible chip above the "tape" line. I also have the headlight and foglight protectors as well, again so far my lights are in perfect condition. From what I've seen I'd recommend it.

 

Uhhhh no IMHO a deflector would not be better. You are right they are ugly...my clear bra has worked perfect since installation. 0 chips since i had it installed. (only had 1 chip prior) get the entire kit you wont be disappointed.

 

So, is there a consensus on which brand is better. I have looked at Stongard, XPel, and Clearmask or something like that. Also, are you using the whole kit (hood and bumper) or is it ok to just buy the one that goes on the front third of the hood?

 

Well I have had the 3m paint protect on my front bumper since I got the car. It is definitely worth the money! You can tell the difference from my hood with all the paint chips. I had the rock deflector on my car for a while as well. That did more damager than it did good. Mostly is deflected the rocks farther up the hood and also into the windshield so I have tons of paint chips near the middle and upper portion of my hood and rock marks on my windshield.

Bug/rock deflector- NO!

3M paint protect-YES!

The paint protect is difficult to install on the front bumper. But it’s easy for the lights, and the hood. They also sell it in stock sheets if you want to cover other part of your car or more of your hood. I’d recommend getting a bigger strip for the hood, but that’s my opinion. It comes down to if you would rather see it on your car everyday, or have paint chips keep building up. Honestly I forget mine is on my bumper. The paint protect for the lights aren’t really worth the money. I have yet to see any chip marks, but then again if a rock hits it hard enough it can crack.

 

There are multiple parts to the kit. There's a hood piece (doesn't cover all of it), front bumper piece, headlight piece, fog piece, and side mirrors piece.

The installation price varies, but I've been quoted ~$550 for all of those pieces in Boston. This was from the only 2 places which are recommended by xpel.com. The pricing is what drew me away, since for that much money, you can just buy a new bumper/hood in a couple of years when the chipping gets real bad, and then paint them. This will probably cost just as much as the installation of the kit.

Also, if you get in a front end collision, and your front needs to be changed, I don't think you can just transfer the kit--you'd have to get a new kit. Also, the kit will protect against paint chips/dings, but it will not protect from a big enough pebble/rock creating a dent on your front bumper or hood.

Personally, I decided I'll try to use touchup paint and some of the good techniques that people have used on this board to make it look like there was never a chip in that place to begin with.

 

my front end .. got it from www.clearmask.com for $200 and installation run about $100, if you are in big D lets meet, I will show you how it look like.

EU

 

I have this on my hood, headlights, foglights, mirrors and on the edge of my doors. It works great. Not sure if the mirrors are necessary, but came with the rest of the install. Didn't put it on my bumper b/c of cost. A couple of months after it was installed, my bumper got a small hole punched in it in a parking lot. I would have had to replace the bumper protection. It won't protect from collisions. I used xpel 3m clear bra and it cost just under $200 installed. Can't hardly notice it. Wash and wax with the rest of the car. Great stuff!

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by vito1281


There are multiple parts to the kit. There's a hood piece (doesn't cover all of it), front bumper piece, headlight piece, fog piece, and side mirrors piece.

The installation price varies, but I've been quoted ~$550 for all of those pieces in Boston. This was from the only 2 places which are recommended by xpel.com. The pricing is what drew me away, since for that much money, you can just buy a new bumper/hood in a couple of years when the chipping gets real bad, and then paint them. This will probably cost just as much as the installation of the kit.

Also, if you get in a front end collision, and your front needs to be changed, I don't think you can just transfer the kit--you'd have to get a new kit. Also, the kit will protect against paint chips/dings, but it will not protect from a big enough pebble/rock creating a dent on your front bumper or hood.

Personally, I decided I'll try to use touchup paint and some of the good techniques that people have used on this board to make it look like there was never a chip in that place to begin with. [/QUOTE

Yes, but during those two years while your hood and bumper are chipping....you have to look at it day in and day out, then go to the trouble to have your hood and bumper repainted to only begin chipping again. Why not go ahead and put the clear bra on and not have to look at all those paint chips and not have to worry and about getting the front of the max repainted?