3M rock chip protection

[bman]

I would like to hear from those who have had clear rock chip coating placed on new vehicles and in particular anyone that may have had this done on a car that is silver grey. My 330i will be arriving shortly and I am considering having this added. The product is 3M Scotchcal Paint Protection Film.

I do a great many highway miles and seem to collect rock chips in my paint.

Does the coating detract from the look of the car?
How well does it hold up over time?
Does it really prevent rock chips?
Is it worth the expense?
What parts would you have it on: hood, bumper, fender, mirror.?
The cost are: Hood/Fender & Mirror: $395.00 Canadian and Bumper $350.00 Canadian.

Thanks

 

[EmenGeeRoxx]

Does the coating detract from the look of the car?
- In my opinion it does. You can really tell the division between the car and the protector.

How well does it hold up over time?
- Not sure, you should go to e46Toronto.com and ask BigRain and a few others. They travel back and forth from NY-Toronto often so they should have feedback. I have heard things about discoloration but don't know if that's true.

Does it really prevent rock chips?
-They say so, but I have seen the protector get damaged from stone chips. It looks like when you peel after getting a sunburn.

Is it worth the expense?
-Not in my opinion.

What parts would you have it on: hood, bumper, fender, mirror.?
-Yes, all of the above.

The cost are: Hood/Fender & Mirror: $395.00 Canadian and
Bumper $350.00 Canadian.
-You should just check 3M Trimline in Oshawa and talk to Brian, I think they do it cheaper.

 

[csejl]

I heard 3M rock chip protection turns yellow after 3-4 years. I forget the brand name but my friend just got his (350z) done and he paid $760 for something that's a level higher than 3M.

I personally don't think it's worth it. You might wanna check out http://www.autovisuals.com.

 

[bman]

As luck would have it when I went to the dealer today they had just finished installing 3M on a grey 330i. The results seem good. You can hardly tell that it is on the bumper. If you look closely you can see the seem on the hood. The pieces are precut and then installed, this leaves a seem around each panel. I have heard from reading other forums that it is possible to have the 3M sheet custom cut so that it will wrap around the edges of each piece thereby limiting the number of visible seems.

Now for the real test of this forum. Does anyone know of an installer in Edmonton that can custom cut.

 

[se-ex]

custom clear bra installer??

We do but i don't think i'm in your neck of the wood You can check my website and go to the various forums(on the Clear Bra page) and find an installer in your area.ClearBraSpecialist