Most liked posts in thread: 3M Paint Defender Spray Film

I'm skeptical.... if your fingernail running along the edge is sufficient to "break the seal"... then how impervious to rocks and such is it, really?

Yeah, I can definitely see the value in providing a peel off barrier against bugs and tar before a long road trip (like on the way to the Dragon)...

 

I have a can of clear plasti-dip. It is pretty cool.

 

That looks awesome, now I just need to get some before I leave for the Dragon Sunday night.

Damn not available for 2 -3 weeks. :mad2:

 

Yup too new to even buy yet.:nonod:

 

Hummmm I could just tape everything off and use Plasti dip spay. :idea:

 

I'll be trying that soon as I get my paint fixed.

 

Clear plastidipish kinda stuff. Interesting product.

 

Like this stuff.....
http://www.detailersdomain.com/Wolfs-Chemicals-WB-1N--The-Mask_p_663.html

 

I bought 3 cans of clear Plasti-dip in spray cans at the Ace Hardware store while on one of the runs at MOTD 2011; awesome stuff!

Hopefully I can find the cans before I leave Wednesday morning for MOTD...

 

interesting, but, if it dissolves with water, why would I want to apply it and head to the Dragon this week...given the torrential rains? Won't that wash it all off?

 

I've ordered two cans for testing. They already shipped and will be arriving on Wednesday. Definitely looks promising. I'd like to see how it changes the look of my finished details. The video with the gravelometer is interesting. It almost seems that while it protects from rock chips, the film will still be visibly damaged. If that's the case, then this might be something I'd want to do every few months to keep it looking new which would still be significantly cheaper than doing paint protection film.

 

I have some of the temporary type stuff. It helps for bugs and tar but won't do anything to protect from stones.

 

interesting stuff there

 

Anybody try this yet?

 

Any updates??
Really curious about this but can't try it myself right now.

 

I ordered this on Amazon when it came out. That was in April. It had a 4-8 week shipping delay on it. I received mine this week but haven't had time to try it yet as I am working on turbo boost problems at the moment.

I plan on posting up once I give it a go.

 

Motor Trend has an article when one of the authors used this on his Sunbeam Alpine.

Full Article: DIY Clear Bra from 3M

 

Before buying the Xpel package from the dealer for my JCW R56, I read every review I could find for the 3M product. Some included pictures, and several complained about the material blobbing as it was being applied, ruining the finished job. (Snot is the word that comes to mind.) There were also many complaints about the orange-peel finish (what do you expect?), and many of the reviewers said they were going to peel off the original application and try again. The average product rating was 2 out of 5 stars.

The secrets to a good job seem to include application at the correct temperature, using a spray-can holder/trigger and carefully following the manufacturer's directions (instead of thinking you've been spraying stuff for years, so you obviously have a better technique than the manufacturer). Also, you'll use more of the 3M product than you think - possibly 3 or 4 cans, if you do the whole front end (bumper, front sections of hood and fenders - plus mirrors). Plus, you'll have a lot of time tied up in taping and masking your car.

I'm not a big fan of spending a lot of money to keep my car in great shape for the next owner, but the winter salt and sand flying off cars going in the opposite direction makes a protection package worth it to me. After 3 years, my GTI didn't have a single chip or mark where the Xpel was applied, and I know I recoved the full installation cost when I sold the car. YMMV.