3M film - paint protection

[SolarAB]

My regular commute in the winter is like a shotgun blast to the front of a vehicle by the end of the season. I started doing a wrap on new vehicles with great results. If you do a fair amount of winter driving, it's worth the investment.

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[Illinibird]

If I didn't have a Grabber Blue on order, I would very highly consider a full vinyl wrap in a unique color. That video mentions that it doesn't offer any protection, which I'm sure it's not as much protection as a clear protective "healing" wrap, but it should still offer some minimal amount of protection against smaller rock chips.

My wife would kill me if I masked her Infinite Blue Metallic with some shade of 3M vinyl! I'm definitely asking for the same product I had before.

 

[Hgray]

It was a shame how some people paid high dollars for a film that turned yellow over time... Especially on white and silver cars

If you buy quality film, it does not yellow. I have had the protective film on 3 different vehicles for 4-5 years each and live in Phoenix. There has been no yellowing at all. If you want I can find out which brand it is.

 

[Gimme_my_MME]

If you buy quality film, it does not yellow. I have had the protective film on 3 different vehicles for 4-5 years each and live in Phoenix. There has been no yellowing at all. If you want I can find out which brand it is.

Yes please

 

[Illinibird]

Yes please

Mine was 3M. On my Acura since 2015 and 88,000 miles looks like it was just installed. Lots of automated car washes. Same for 2016 Fusion at 60,000 miles.

 

[Hgray]

Yes please

I believe this is the product. I will confirm with my installer next week when he is open.

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/?N=5002385+3292322927&rt=rud

 

[Illinibird]

I believe this is the product. I will confirm with my installer next week when he is open.

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/?N=5002385+3292322927&rt=rud

That's what was used on my cars.

 

[ChasingCoral]

If I didn't have a Grabber Blue on order, I would very highly consider a full vinyl wrap in a unique color. That video mentions that it doesn't offer any protection, which I'm sure it's not as much protection as a clear protective "healing" wrap, but it should still offer some minimal amount of protection against smaller rock chips.

I've posted some pictures of the plastic parts on our Leaf. Despite having some sort of protective film, there are rock cuts in all the plastic body parts, front and rear bumper panels, especially. That's why I'm going with Xpel.

 

[Illinibird]

I've posted some pictures of the plastic parts on our Leaf. Despite having some sort of protective film, there are rock cuts in all the plastic body parts, front and rear bumper panels, especially. That's why I'm going with Xpel.

I’m having a front end “bra” done on my MME. I also have them cover the front face of the side mirrors. Has worked well for my last 2 cars (2015 at 80,000 and 2016 at 60,000). These cars have had mostly automated spinning brush car washes, the film has not yellowed and you can’t tell it’s there. There are a few scratches in film and I cannot believe this wouldn’t happen to any PPF including Xpel! I realize if I want the best protection a full wrap is indicated but I’m not willing to spend the extra money. I’ve never used Xpel but I couldn’t ask for a better PPF than I have with 3M and I’m staying with it! ?

 

[DaveRuns]

I believe this is the product. I will confirm with my installer next week when he is open.

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/?N=5002385+3292322927&rt=rud

How much do you think it would cost to apply this to the MME? Do they apply it to the whole vehicle, or just the front area? Sorry, I'm an idiot on this kind of stuff. I've never applied any protection to cars before, but I've also never spent this much money on a vehicle either. I'd like to do my best to protect the investment.

 

[ChasingCoral]

How much do you think it would cost to apply this to the MME? Do they apply it to the whole vehicle, or just the front area? Sorry, I'm an idiot on this kind of stuff. I've never applied any protection to cars before, but I've also never spent this much money on a vehicle either. I'd like to do my best to protect the investment.

There was a bit of information here from @XPEL https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...lm-ppf-such-as-xpel-for-mach-e.669/post-39362
but more details in a post to the "Club":

You're on the right track considering PPF and Ceramic Coating. If you're thinking about doing both, it's important to note that PPF should always go on first. Never put PPF on top of ceramic coating. PPF is the best solution for rock chip and scratch protection. Ceramic coatings are the best solution for enhanced appearance and ease of maintenance. If you want both then do both, but if so, always do PPF first then ceramic coating.

As far as pricing goes, it will vary based on the installer due to labor rates, overhead, etc but here are some general prices to expect.

PPF - Paint Protection Film AKA Clear Bra General Pricing. Protect the high-impact areas of your vehicle.

• Full Front End: full hood, full front fenders, front bumper, headlights, and side mirrors. $1,895 - $2,495
• Full Front + Rocker Panels: package above plus protection along the rocker panels and behind the rear tire. $2,495 - $3,195
• Full Vehicle Protection: full-body protection $5,995 - $9,995 +

Ceramic Coating General Pricing. This will vary greatly based on the condition of the paint and the amount of paint correction that will be needed. It will also vary based on how much of the vehicle is protected with PPF as you don't have to paint correct PPF.
- $1,500 - $3,000

We hope this info helps. Let us know if you have any questions or have anything we can help with.

Which panels you protect is up to you. I plan to hit all the plastic panels in the front plus the painted wheel lips and rear bumper panel based on cuts I have in plastic parts on our Leaf despite the (probably cheap) film protection that came from the factory/dealer.

 

[OttawaGuy]

• Full Front End: full hood, full front fenders, front bumper, headlights, and side mirrors. $1,895 - $2,495

CRAP that's US$ on top of things!!!!

I was quoted $750 CAN for the front of my F150 and the hood... And was planning to do the full front on the MME, guess it will be really just the front fascia, that's way too expensive, no matter how expensive the car is (for my budget at least)

 

[Metv707]

• Full Front End: full hood, full front fenders, front bumper, headlights, and side mirrors. $1,895 - $2,495

CRAP that's US$ on top of things!!!!

I was quoted $750 CAN for the front of my F150 and the hood... And was planning to do the full front on the MME, guess it will be really just the front fascia, that's way too expensive, no matter how expensive the car is (for my budget at least)

Protex here in Quebec had quoted me 750 for:
Full front bumper, partial hood and partial front quarter panels, mirrors.

 

[OttawaGuy]

Protex here in Quebec had quoted me 750 for:
Full front bumper, partial hood and partial front quarter panels, mirrors.

Partial hood, meaning about 3-4" at the front?

 

[ChasingCoral]

Partial hood, meaning about 3-4" at the front?

We had a partial hood on our Prius and I'd rather have the full hood done. The partial results in an obvious line across the hood.

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