Newport Viper
Enthusiast
when you heel mark or scratch clear bra use this to get it out
Meguiar's Direct PlastX Clear Plastic Cleaner & Polish
Meguiar's Direct PlastX Clear Plastic Cleaner & Polish
Any one used 3m Clear Protection on Side Sills
- Thread starter lagalaxy13
- Start date
CarDude
Enthusiast
Funny to see this post...my ACR is getting Clear Bra right this moment. Full front end, side sills, lower rear quarters, and the wing.
Nowayforya
Enthusiast
I would highly recommend ClearMask AR or VentureShield.
I have been installing paint protection film for over 5 years now and have trained several installers during that time. My choice of paint protection film is ClearMask AR. I have it on all of my vehicles including my 08 SRTC. Its good stuff!
I designed the Viper side sill kit for ClearMask. It gives complete protection from just below the emblems on the side sills and wraps underneath to the aluminum plate. It extends back to and around the black portion of the exhaust outlet.
You can see the different kits available for our Vipers at: ClearMask Automotive Paint Protection And Light Protection Film
Paint protection film is a great investment for long term care of your car.
If anyone has any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Thanks,
Hal
I have been installing paint protection film for over 5 years now and have trained several installers during that time. My choice of paint protection film is ClearMask AR. I have it on all of my vehicles including my 08 SRTC. Its good stuff!
I designed the Viper side sill kit for ClearMask. It gives complete protection from just below the emblems on the side sills and wraps underneath to the aluminum plate. It extends back to and around the black portion of the exhaust outlet.
You can see the different kits available for our Vipers at: ClearMask Automotive Paint Protection And Light Protection Film
Paint protection film is a great investment for long term care of your car.
If anyone has any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Thanks,
Hal
ACR steve
Enthusiast
I just had my full nose, headlights incl splitters,full hood ,full front fenders,mirrors ,a pillar,front of roof above widshield, full side sills, rear lower quarters, front of wing all done and love it
ACR steve
Enthusiast
By the way dont do 3m the glue backing has yellowing issues and the film tends to get very brittle.......this was told to me by my buddy who is known as one of the best in the industry
VIPER GTSR 91
Enthusiast
Same here. I just had my 09 Viper done in 3M. Hood, facia, and side sills. Plus I used it on my 99 GTS and my dailey driver. You cant even see it on the white Viper. Perfect job but many companys cannot do the job right. Clear Tech Pro in Houston is awesome.
I couldn't agree more. THE TECH IS THE KEY to a nice job.
I believe I have personally seen just about all the brands mentioned.
I have seen some "invisible" and some very bad (orange peel)jobs done with the same identical product, BUT, different installers.
I have the latest 3M film and love it.
Two tricks I learned after getting 5 Vipers done;
-Place car in the sun or under some mild heat lamps after install. The film will "self level" and smooth out a little bit.
- Don't be afraid to use a mild abrasive polish ( like Zaino) on the film. You can smooth out the surface and make it invisible.
This is a custom 3M going on an Autoform fascia and D-back hood.
VIPER GTSR 91
Enthusiast
EXCELLENT JOB and thats the way all mine look like
with----3M----. Great pictures and post.
with----3M----. Great pictures and post.wallbanger
Enthusiast
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Here is the clearmask on the viper and 430, you can see a few bubbles on the hood of the viper and if you look next to my son's hand u can see some bubbles on the 430....When my car got hit by a runaway tire the clearmask saved my sidesill.. they just replaced the clearmask instead of having to repaint the whole thing....
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texas_venom
Enthusiast
I couldn't agree more. THE TECH IS THE KEY to a nice job.
I believe I have personally seen just about all the brands mentioned.
I have seen some "invisible" and some very bad (orange peel)jobs done with the same identical product, BUT, different installers.
I have the latest 3M film and love it.
Two tricks I learned after getting 5 Vipers done;
-Place car in the sun or under some mild heat lamps after install. The film will "self level" and smooth out a little bit.
- Don't be afraid to use a mild abrasive polish ( like Zaino) on the film. You can smooth out the surface and make it invisible.
This is a custom 3M going on an Autoform fascia and D-back hood.
Lets be clear here. This is 3M. You can use an abrasive polish on this film. But do not use any abrasives on other films unless your installer recommends it. I install VentureShield and ClearMask and there is no reason to use any abrasives on either... and I DO NOT recommend anyone use an abrasive on Venture or Clearmask. All films are not the same and should not be treated the same. Listen to your installer and you cant go wrong. Go against his advice and you could void your warranty if you mess the film up.
Newport Viper
Enthusiast
I have been using this for years on my ventureshield, for general maintence, with no problems and great results....
Plexus
Plexus
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lagalaxy13
Viper Owner
Price doesn't look to be cheap, but I guess better then repainting.
Thanks, I did not know that the 3M film is the only film tough and durable enough to withstand an abrasive polish...
texas_venom
Enthusiast
Thanks, I did not know that the 3M film is the only film tough and durable enough to withstand an abrasive polish...
Well not actually. Its the only film that needs to be buffed to get the orange peel out of it.
Well not actually. Its the only film that needs to be buffed to get the orange peel out of it.
Like new paint, or any paint for that matter, got to be buffed to make it shine..
. Regardless of orange peel (that can be buffed... and from my own personal experience, the fault of installer..IMHO.
) the 3M film is the only film that "You can use an abrasive polish on this film"..Thanks again for the info...
wallbanger
Enthusiast
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FUnny this should come up.. when my snake got hit by the run away tire my bumper/hood clearmask was going to be replaced so i did some experimenting.. i used meguairs m105 which is a high cut polish in combo with a random orbital on the old clearmask...it caused no damage and maybe improved the appearance a little....
NOW i have changed my routine.. i apply z2 to the clearmask and also wolfgang fuzion wax... cleaning is with copious amounts of fk1 ultra slick poly quick detailer
NOW i have changed my routine.. i apply z2 to the clearmask and also wolfgang fuzion wax... cleaning is with copious amounts of fk1 ultra slick poly quick detailer
I have told people about buffing the film. Some of them tried buffing and liked it. Like you, they treat it regularly now.
IMO... The key is to use a very clean, soft, foam pad.. A mild abrasive (Z2 for instance) and an orbital.
Works Great....
texas_venom
Enthusiast
I am sure it does work well. But my point earlier is to ask your installer first. If you take a buffer to the film and mess it up, I am positive you will not get it replaced because the installer didnt clear it. I for one never tell my clients to use a buffer on their film. But in all honesty there is no reason to. The film is clear and free of orange peel. And if you maintain it with the products I supply it will not need to be buffed.
texas_venom
Enthusiast
Point taken...
By the way, I would love to see some more pictures of your car. Mind posting any up here for everyone to enjoy?
FLX109
Enthusiast
I just ordered ventureshield for a SRT10 coupe and I got the rockers, splash, sills, door
cups for $175.00 including shipping, hope thats a good deal.
cups for $175.00 including shipping, hope thats a good deal.
lagalaxy13
Viper Owner
Are you installing it yourself? I just got a quote for my car and not sure if I want to fork out a $1000 for the parts & labor. But again I want it too look right too if i do it.
FLX109
Enthusiast
If I could make a suggestion,
If you are as picky as me, do some research in your area and have a "professional" do it. Nothing personal, but like most things like this, there are tricks and lessons learned from experience. When I mentioned earlier about the key being the installer, experience is the reason.
The money saved won't be important when you walk up to your car and the film looks like ....
FWIW...
Hayabusa
Enthusiast
I'm having my '08, that went into hibernation with less than 300 miles on her, done in 2 weeks when "texas venon" goes on the road and travels through my area (northeast). I've had a few conversations with Thom and he's knowledgable & a cool guy. He and his dad are both runnin' Vipers.
How great is it to not only have it done by a pro but to have it done at your home! I absolutely do not have the skill to do it myself. Even if I thought I did I want to make sure it's done right so it looks great and there are no issues down the road.
Thom needs to order materials ASAP so anyone thinking about it should contact him immediately. He responded to my pm right away and his contact info is on his website.
Home This is the link to Thom's site, HTP AutoWorks
Best, Rob
How great is it to not only have it done by a pro but to have it done at your home! I absolutely do not have the skill to do it myself. Even if I thought I did I want to make sure it's done right so it looks great and there are no issues down the road.
Thom needs to order materials ASAP so anyone thinking about it should contact him immediately. He responded to my pm right away and his contact info is on his website.
Home This is the link to Thom's site, HTP AutoWorks
Best, Rob
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