Clear Bra & Tint Recommendations?
#11
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The amp comment is in regard to the tint. Most shops -- at least the mediocre ones -- use lots of water in the process of tinting. In doing so, they can get the amplifiers wet from water running down the pillars and can fry them. Just make sure you cover the amp with a towel or something else to safeguard it.
#12
I did the partial hood / fenders and don't think covering full hood / fenders is cost effective. Others will say they hate the line yada yada. Yes, I have a couple of chips above the line on my hood (over 30K miles) that I used touch up paint on - IMO not worth covering full hood and fenders for those. I also have a couple on a door - it's a car so you will get some somewhere unless you cover the entire car, which would be cost prohibitive. The vast majority of the chips occur on front bumper and front portion of hood and fenders. IMO those are well worth covering. My last car without it had dozens (maybe 100+) chips and I'd say 90% were in the area that is protected with partial hood / fenders.
#13
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I did the partial hood / fenders and don't think covering full hood / fenders is cost effective. Others will say they hate the line yada yada. Yes, I have a couple of chips above the line on my hood (over 30K miles) that I used touch up paint on - IMO not worth covering full hood and fenders for those. I also have a couple on a door - it's a car so you will get some somewhere unless you cover the entire car, which would be cost prohibitive. The vast majority of the chips occur on front bumper and front portion of hood and fenders. IMO those are well worth covering. My last car without it had dozens (maybe 100+) chips and I'd say 90% were in the area that is protected with partial hood / fenders.
I'm wondering if it might make sense to do the partial + some coverage on the back bumper from the tires kicking up gravel and scratching the hell out of the paint. Thoughts?
#14
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I think it's safe to say the 100+ chip car did not have the film.
I'd just do the partial and save the money. As Rick pointed out, the vast majority of the damage comes to the front bumper and lower part of the hood anyway. The line is barely visible.
I'd just do the partial and save the money. As Rick pointed out, the vast majority of the damage comes to the front bumper and lower part of the hood anyway. The line is barely visible.
#15
Yes, the 100+ chip car had no PPF and that was the last car without it.
I think a luggage strip on the back bumper to protect it when putting stuff in the trunk is an inexpensive addition (installer may even throw it in). I haven't had any issues with tires kicking up anything but my chips come from highway driving not gravel road. Have you had issues with tires kicking up gravel on other cars?
The line is barely visible to me on the partial hood / fenders, but as I said in another post, be sure to keep the PPF clean and sealed on a white car. Otherwise, it will yellow from dirt and is tough to clean once contaminated. Not sure about 3M but I know Xpel's warranty covers yellowing as well (film + labor).
I think a luggage strip on the back bumper to protect it when putting stuff in the trunk is an inexpensive addition (installer may even throw it in). I haven't had any issues with tires kicking up anything but my chips come from highway driving not gravel road. Have you had issues with tires kicking up gravel on other cars?
The line is barely visible to me on the partial hood / fenders, but as I said in another post, be sure to keep the PPF clean and sealed on a white car. Otherwise, it will yellow from dirt and is tough to clean once contaminated. Not sure about 3M but I know Xpel's warranty covers yellowing as well (film + labor).
#16
I just have to say that's a rip off. I also think having an Ibis White car is going to be much much better than a black car as far as chips and scratches are concerned. I honestly don't think it'll be THAT noticeable on your car but then again, it's your dough
#17
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Yes, the 100+ chip car had no PPF and that was the last car without it.
I think a luggage strip on the back bumper to protect it when putting stuff in the trunk is an inexpensive addition (installer may even throw it in). I haven't had any issues with tires kicking up anything but my chips come from highway driving not gravel road. Have you had issues with tires kicking up gravel on other cars?
The line is barely visible to me on the partial hood / fenders, but as I said in another post, be sure to keep the PPF clean and sealed on a white car. Otherwise, it will yellow from dirt and is tough to clean once contaminated. Not sure about 3M but I know Xpel's warranty covers yellowing as well (film + labor).
I think a luggage strip on the back bumper to protect it when putting stuff in the trunk is an inexpensive addition (installer may even throw it in). I haven't had any issues with tires kicking up anything but my chips come from highway driving not gravel road. Have you had issues with tires kicking up gravel on other cars?
The line is barely visible to me on the partial hood / fenders, but as I said in another post, be sure to keep the PPF clean and sealed on a white car. Otherwise, it will yellow from dirt and is tough to clean once contaminated. Not sure about 3M but I know Xpel's warranty covers yellowing as well (film + labor).
On my current cars, I do have paint chips on the back bumpers and those are Jeeps (so they ride much higher). I imagine a vehicle lower to the ground would be chipped even worse.
#18
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On my Ibis S4, I did custom full hood, fenders & front end 4 years ago for $1200 with VentureShield PPF. The newer materials are probably better. Xpel is good also. One some brands of PPF come in large enough rolls. The full hood takes two people. Ventureshield was bought by 3M and is a different product from 3M PPF.
I had a big gravel chunk into the PPF about 1 year ago. I thought the paint was shot, but had the hood PPF redone for $450 with Suntek film. It looks like new, the PPF protected it.
I will do again on the the next car, PPF is great. Be careful about waxing it, only certain waxes are safe. Xpel has a conditioner to use to protect the PPF.
Also check out the Tintdude forum for the inside scoop from installers.
I had a big gravel chunk into the PPF about 1 year ago. I thought the paint was shot, but had the hood PPF redone for $450 with Suntek film. It looks like new, the PPF protected it.
I will do again on the the next car, PPF is great. Be careful about waxing it, only certain waxes are safe. Xpel has a conditioner to use to protect the PPF.
Also check out the Tintdude forum for the inside scoop from installers.
Last edited by m444; 06-10-2014 at 07:55 PM.
#19
Talk to installer about rear bumper. I think it is far less common than front bumper. Understand your concern just not sure of cost or cost:benefit.
#20
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Also, clearance doesn't matter all that much...between your Jeep and Audi I have to imagine the Jeep would be more prone to kicking up rocks with the tread on the tires. All road tires love them some gravel...
Correct, barely visible to my eye and I have done 4 cars with partial hood / fenders. Others will jump up and down and swear they can't live with it and need to cover the entire hood and fenders. Just not worth it to me to spend nearly double for full hood / fenders.
Talk to installer about rear bumper. I think it is far less common than front bumper. Understand your concern just not sure of cost or cost:benefit.
Talk to installer about rear bumper. I think it is far less common than front bumper. Understand your concern just not sure of cost or cost:benefit.