Getting clear paint film put on Penny.. how far to go? [Archive]

Steve1968LS2

11-08-2007, 07:03 PM

Getting Penny ready for the street and the track. With my tires I would just tear the crap out of my paint so I'm getting the clear film installed next week.

The question is how much should I do. In the picture below I will definetly be doing the areas shaded in dark maroon. Should I also do the area in blue? The only downside is a very slight line (edge of the film) down the side of the car but you can't see it from 5 feet away.

Too much?

http://picsorban.com/upload/paintprotect.jpg

Was talking with the guy doing it today and they did a high end Porsche. They wrapped 95% of the car (cost $4,000).

Anyways I will figure a way to protect the leading edge of the hood at the track, I reall don't want to do half the hood and to do the whole hood would cost a bundle.

Thoughts?

This is the place doing it. They come HIGHLY reccomended by both Xpel and 3M.

www.ultimateshield.com

Bill Howell

11-08-2007, 07:19 PM

With the luck you have had with that car so far, you might consider dipping it in the solution......:lol:

I would do all the shaded area, better to have a thin line than a paint chip later.:thumbsup:

class67

11-08-2007, 07:21 PM

Tough call, I would probably just do the maroon area's if it were me! That's just my opinion though.:_paranoid

Steve1968LS2

11-08-2007, 07:25 PM

I guess I'm curious if the blue area pics up rock damage on the road or track. I figure some first gen guy out there must know.

I've been building so long I can't remember.. lol

Oh, and I'm going to shoot the install as a story.. will include various ways to protect your paint (sprays, films, self applied films, blue tape, etc)

skatinjay27

11-08-2007, 07:26 PM

yea i think the blue area wont be necessary. but the rest seems perfect esp the front!!!

class67

11-08-2007, 07:33 PM

under normal driving conditions on the street, freeway and a few agressive corners (I have not been on a track), the only place that I have noticed any remnance (not really chips) is directly behind the wheels.

Stuart Adams

11-08-2007, 07:46 PM

I would do from marker area to marker area front and rear. Bottom half like you have it now, just extend it. Be uniform then. I saw some of those cars at SEMA, you can barely tell its on.

I think SW uses it alot, check with him. Bad ass car.

Just make sure your brake lights work!!

notorious1970

11-08-2007, 08:09 PM

Come on you don't need that..don't they lay the paint on thick!

On a serious note. I have this done to my Evo and its the best $$ i spent on the car. On your car you'll barely see it because of the color. I would do complete bumper and front end. Go a little up on the hood maybe to where the hood raises. As far as going that high on the door..i think thats overkill. Just do the full rockers and the front of the rocker where its close to the tire. Also do a little of the front fenders near the headlights and the side markers. With that you should be solid. I told my dad to get this done to notorious when its out of Troys shop...we'll see.
-derek

XcYZ

11-08-2007, 08:12 PM

ArisESQ

11-08-2007, 08:26 PM

I've spoken with some people who race porsche GT3, and they said that the area between the bottom half of the door and the rear wheel get covered in rock chips at track events. I think porsche have a substantial amount more "bulge" in their rear fenders, which may make them prone to that, but I guess it doesn't hurt being safe.

Streetking

11-08-2007, 08:55 PM

Steve, you know my feelings, the better you wrap it, the safer you will be..:D

SW

mazspeed

11-08-2007, 09:57 PM

Hey Steve. Ill photoshop your car tonight on what you should do. This is coming from the guy who does this for a living. He went to the same high school as I and we had a long talk about doing my car and what areas to do. Ill have it for you shortly.

monza

11-08-2007, 10:04 PM

I did the areas of the maroon and a bit more, about five inches onto the hood, around the headlight, left and right of the lower front apron (is that the right part name? maybe lower valance? not sure)

The guys who did my car do a lot of exotic and classic track cars, I talked to them regarding your post and the larger door film they thought it would not be necessary, better to do the hood instead. They are convinced the front part of the hood scoops on our cars are going to see damage....

I've seen lots of high end stuff getting almost full wraps, don't know what to think of it?

Hope it helps.

mazspeed

11-08-2007, 10:15 PM

This is not my best work, but here is what we are going to do. http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/564/linerjm3.jpg

The only thing I might do is half the door as well to match the front and rear. You HAVE to do the front valance panel. Mine already has a few chips that Gearhead is going to fix, then it goes to wrap as well. If you have it done, make sure they wrap into the wheel wells good, get into that area. The only problem with wrapping half the hood is that you will see that line. As good as they are, you still will see it with little effort. The areas that I did are what Ill be doing as well.

deuce_454

11-09-2007, 01:01 AM

There is another option.. although im not sure there is a company near you that does it.... most of the taxis over here are completely covered in film, in the design of whoever paid to cover it... so you could cover your car in complete race car grafix, with sponsor names and just go crazy... im sure willwood would love to have your car in willwood colors, my money is that they would love it enough to pay for the whole deal... meanwhile your paint stays perfect underneath..

ill try and shoot a picture today to illustrate

CraigMorrison

11-09-2007, 05:45 AM

Be a real man and Line-x the sides! The off road guys do this, so c'mon Steve start a new PT trend.

We shoud've done the clear wrap thing before Art handed the keys over to PHR staffers. Is this stuff flame proof?

CraigMorrison

11-09-2007, 05:46 AM

Steve, you know my feelings, the better you wrap it, the safer you will be..:D

SW

SW- is this your safe sex message?

Neil B

11-09-2007, 05:53 AM

IMO, I would do the leading edge of the hood, lower front valence, behind the front wheels, and maybe the rockers. Another option is to cut magnetic vinyl to size and place it behind the front and rear wheels (during track events only). I have done this on track cars and it stays in place.

Steve1968LS2

11-09-2007, 06:56 AM

Be a real man and Line-x the sides! The off road guys do this, so c'mon Steve start a new PT trend.

I'm a bit fuzzy on what you mean.. could you do it on the Vette so I can see what you're talking about??? :D

We shoud've done the clear wrap thing before Art handed the keys over to PHR staffers. Is this stuff flame proof?

Why do you think I'M putting it on???

MODO Innovations

11-09-2007, 07:10 AM

I would put it behind all four tires and the front of the car for sure.

eastcoast

11-09-2007, 07:33 AM

Steve

Why not just follow the line just above the bottom of the door? Maybe bring the coating a 1/2" inch above the crease. It's on this edge that I have a couple good rock chips!!

Robb

RedRyder

11-09-2007, 08:03 AM

I think the Maroon areas should be great, but I would add the rockers and the front valance corners below the body seam so that the edge is hidden in the seam and you still get the protection low down. The leading edge of the hood may get rock chips, but to me I see that being tough for it to get chipped. Mind you I've never been in a track situation.

Beegs

11-09-2007, 05:11 PM

Maybe if you wrap the tires you won't get any chips.

:lol:

buickfunnycar.com

11-09-2007, 06:42 PM

Steve,

The areas you are doing are perfect.Most of the cars I see run in Vintage T/A and open-track events do those same exact areas...there is no reason to do more.
I have not personally heard anybody complain about yellowing or cloudyness...

Strangler

11-10-2007, 06:37 AM

Wasn't this one going to be a driver..........?

:_paranoid

Steve1968LS2

11-10-2007, 06:44 AM

Wasn't this one going to be a driver..........?

:_paranoid

If it wasn't going to be driven then why would I even need the film??? :rolleyes:

Think about it...

Bowtieracing

11-10-2007, 11:27 AM

Steve,just drive it.Leave the film for a trailer qeens. I recall you said this was driver....:unibrow:

Steve1968LS2

11-10-2007, 11:35 AM

Steve,just drive it.Leave the film for a trailer qeens. I recall you said this was driver....:unibrow:

This logic makes zero sense... Why would a "trailer queen" need do anything to protect it's paint from rock chips?

See where I'm going with this?

It will be a LONG time before I can afford to have the car repainted so I want to keep it nice for as long as possible. Do you guys with "drivers" wax your cars? Why? Because you are protecting the investment you have in your car's paint, right?

Just because I want to drive it doesn't mean that I don't give a crap about how it looks or about keeping it looking as good as possible. To me spending $300 to protect a $15,000 paint job (assuming) is a logical thing to do.

So again, why does doing a protective film imply a car ISN'T a driver?

projectile

11-10-2007, 01:12 PM

Steve1968LS2

11-10-2007, 01:27 PM

Steve, I would wrap the areas in blue if you want to protect them. I drive mine alot and have been to one track event and the doors have a ton of rock chips! My tires seem to pick up alot of rocks. When the car starts to look bad I will repaint it.

Thanks, that's the kind of info I was looking for.

Could you email me info on your car along with a few low res shots of the interior, exterior and engine??

I'm always scouting for cars for different magazines. Love the color on yours!

[email protected]

Thanks again!

tyoneal

11-10-2007, 11:23 PM

Steve:

In addition to the parts you have shown, I would seriously consider ALL leading edges of the front end. Every part that helps enclose the grill and headlights, should be skinned.

A buddy of mine who has a beautiful custom paint job had this material put on his car. He drives the snot out of it and has made the "Long" Power Tour the last two years and his paint looks perfect.

I wish you the same luck he has had. I will do my car as well as soon as I get it painted. (Very Cheap Insurance against chips)

Take CAre,

Ty O'Neal

Vegas69

11-10-2007, 11:34 PM

With the color matching available today is it worth it to go to the extreme. I understand the rear quarters and front fenders but I don't think a car of this caliber will see the chips of an everyday driver.

JV69z/28

11-11-2007, 04:07 AM

This stuff is great and without a doubt I would use it. I also think you need to do all the leading edges where it's feasable (there is no such thing as over protected). While I'm sure this will stop any "sand blasting" effect what happens when you remove it in those few areas where there would have been a rock chip? If the paint surface fractures ever so slightly at the impact area is the paint coming off with the shield in that small spot? :question:

onevoice

11-11-2007, 07:51 PM

Mudflaps!!

just kidding

I used to do a lot of autocrossing in my camaro a long time ago. You will get stuff thrown up, but I dont remember significant chips except right behind the tires. I have more chips on the front valance just from normal driving. If you're going to do it, I would cover everything from the midline down.

victionone

11-13-2007, 05:44 AM

SW- is this your safe sex message?

:lol:

Steve1968LS2

11-20-2007, 03:19 PM

I got it all done over the weekend.

I must say, from a few feet away you can't tell it's there and even up close it's not noticable if you don't know to look for it.

I ended up doing all the areas (red and blue) on the picture and now I really only have to worry about the front of the hood and the front of the fenders. I will spray on some protector at track day for these areas.

I will try to post a picture but I don't think it will show much. lol

The guy, Shaun, used a product called Venture film. It had far less grain compared to the 3M stuff and was very optically clear.

They also reccomended using that turtle wax ICE stuff to maintain the look of the film. Luckily that company gave me a case of it a few months ago. :woot:

projectile

11-20-2007, 09:26 PM

Sweet! Keep us posted on how effective the film is.

Steve1968LS2

11-21-2007, 07:45 AM

Here it is going on...

http://picsorban.com/upload/lowfilm1.jpg

Garage Dog 65

11-21-2007, 07:55 AM

Can you post the product name ? I looked for Venture and couldn't find it. I want to put some on my Passat on the bumper cover behind the trunk edge - it's easily scratched by bags and luggage.

Have you gotten to take Penny out for a spin yet ? (because I haven't seen the mandatory smokin tire burnout video yet mister ...)

7TSS

11-21-2007, 09:50 AM

Steve1968LS2

11-21-2007, 10:25 AM

I think he's using this: http://www.ventureshield.com/

Yep... it was the most optically clear. XPEL has a new one that's supposed to be even clearer, but I heard they are working on the glue still.

It's very hard to tell it's on the car.

Garage Dog 65

11-21-2007, 10:51 AM

Thx guys !! :thumbsup:

SteveMcqueenRules

11-21-2007, 06:56 PM

wouldnt these be cheaper easier and cooler?
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h229/vonmoldy/yosflap-1.jpg

Steve1968LS2

11-21-2007, 07:47 PM

Cheaper yes... cooler?

Not so much... :lol:

Spiffav8

11-21-2007, 08:17 PM

wouldnt these be cheaper easier and cooler?
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h229/vonmoldy/yosflap-1.jpg

LMAO!!! :rofl:

SteveMcqueenRules

11-21-2007, 10:25 PM

ya wouldn't really fit your car. imagine if they looked like they belonged how cool would that be maybe something like this but a camaro. wow this has nothing to do with your topic...
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h229/vonmoldy/banshee1.gif

syborg tt

11-23-2007, 06:57 AM

I've used this film for years on the hood of my projects.

Years ago it cam from 3m which i am certain is still one of the main manufactures.

work great however it did discolor over time.

Steve1968LS2

11-23-2007, 08:31 AM

I've used this film for years on the hood of my projects.

Years ago it cam from 3m which i am certain is still one of the main manufactures.

work great however it did discolor over time.

It used to be that 3M was the only deal and when you bought XPEL you were just buying 3M film. Now there are other players on the market.

The original film sold years ago (what I put on my WRX) was the exact same stuff the military used on its rotor blades. If that material turned yellow over time (exposed to UV light) nobody cared.

Since then the films have been reformulated specifically for cars and the "yellowing" and "dulling" problems have been addressed.

Ventura

08-17-2008, 10:32 AM

It's been a while since Steve had this installed, I was curious on how it was holding up. Any yellowing or peeling and how well is it protecting the paint?

DOOM

08-17-2008, 11:03 AM

There's always talk about this on CorvetteForum, and a couple of guys complained that the material got cloudy with time. I don't think that it's common, but it was the only complaint that I've heard about it.

I know SW has had it done on some of his rides, his input would be good. :thumbsup:

You have to us 3M film! I have done alot of these and 3M is the only film that holds up.I have installed cheaper kits and this is exactly what happens...
Maro

Steve1968LS2

08-17-2008, 11:12 AM

You have to us 3M film! I have done alot of these and 3M is the only film that holds up.I have installed cheaper kits and this is exactly what happens...
Maro

When you speak of the 3M film it's important to know WHICH 3M film you are talking about.

The original XPEL stuff is what would have the yellowing and age problems since it was made for the military and brought over to the auto side almost unchanged.

The newer XPEL stuff is much better but still has a bit of an orange peel effect. They have a new PREMIER line that is very smooth but my guy wasn't in love with the glue yet.

What I used was VENTURE film. It was a competator of 3M but was bought by them. It had good clarity and nice surface in regards to flatness.

Steve1968LS2

08-17-2008, 11:14 AM

It's been a while since Steve had this installed, I was curious on how it was holding up. Any yellowing or peeling and how well is it protecting the paint?

So far so good.. then again my car doesn't sit out in the sun all the time.

I have noticed that while it protects against rocks well it's harder to clean cone-rash off it compared to paint. Much harder.

But it does prevent rock damage, so far it's nice and clear.

DOOM

08-17-2008, 11:23 AM

When you speak of the 3M film it's important to know WHICH 3M film you are talking about.

The original XPEL stuff is what would have the yellowing and age problems since it was made for the military and brought over to the auto side almost unchanged.

The newer XPEL stuff is much better but still has a bit of an orange peel effect. They have a new PREMIER line that is very smooth but my guy wasn't in love with the glue yet.

What I used was VENTURE film. It was a competator of 3M but was bought by them. It had good clarity and nice surface in regards to flatness.

I use both XPEL and the new PREMIER I have had no problems putting on the new PREMIER. Also the old xpel has'nt been around for a while at least here in our area.