Any one used 3m Clear Protection on Side Sills

[lagalaxy13]

Was getting out of my car the other day and was wondering what I could use to keep from marking up my side sills. I saw somewhere that someone makes a S/S plate. But I'm not really sold on it. I like the red color.
I've used the 3m Clear Protection film in the past on motorcycles for parts that rub the paint. But with me just getting my car and the temps under freezing I'm not real sure how hot the side sills get. Just wondering if I got strips as long as the side sill if they would last because of the heat. Also open to any other ideas.

 

[Brian GTS]

I just researched this myself a few weeks ago. I am going with Ventureshield instead of 3M.

The use of the 3M material is questionable as per my research. A couple of other members mentioned about yellowing from the sill heat/sun exposure of the 3M material. Although, 3M claims they have since corrected the "yellowing" issue. Another member mentioned a slight orange peel look with the 3M material over other brands.

Therefore, IMO, go with Ventureshield. I've heard all good things about that particular brand.

 

[mjorgensen Woodhouse]

I just researched this myself a few weeks ago. I am going with Ventureshield instead of 3M.

The use of the 3M material is questionable as per my research. A couple of other members mentioned about yellowing from the sill heat/sun exposure of the 3M material. Although, 3M claims they have since corrected the "yellowing" issue. Another member mentioned a slight orange peel look with the 3M material over other brands.

Therefore, IMO, go with Ventureshield. I've heard all good things about that particular brand.

+100

The venturesheild is much clearer also so less noticeable.

 

[CCBrian]

Just did our new ACR-looks great.I had it put on our 06 with no problems. Just had some big issues with 3M material on my Comp Coupe.

 

[rcl4668]

Ventureshield here as well on the side sills. No issues with heat or yellowing although if you really scratch it with your heel or shoe it will make a scuff mark in the Ventureshield. Better than doing it on the paint I suppose.

 

[Newport Viper]

+100

The venturesheild is much clearer also so less noticeable.

I have had it on my sill for 30,000 miles 2 years+. Just a very slight yellowing. My car is silver, so it is more noticable then say black.

My friend had his black Aston done in 3m looks like s$%#. lots of orange peel.

 

[CitySnake]

It's the same company now. I have Venture Shield on my '08. I have also been told that the 3M adhesive is more difficult to remove over time, so if you need replacement the possibility of damage to the paint is greater.

 

[lagalaxy13]

Thanks for all the info. Guess Venture Sheild is the way to go. Just need to find a place to get it now.

 

[texas_venom]

I have been installing this stuff for a long time and would never touch 3M. Slight orange peel does not even start to describe it. It is major orange peel and looks terrible once applied to the car. I think ClearMask AR and Venture is the way to go. I know ClearMask.com has a great side sill kit (NoWayForYa, another VCA member, desgined it). It wraps all the way under to the bolt pattern. I had it on my 04 and at 20,000 miles it still looked brand new. And not a chip anywhere to be found. If it can hold up to the heat generated by an 04, I am sure an 08 wouldnt be a problem.

 

[Jeff Monheim]

Wow Venture Sheild must be something! I have used 3M with only one small issue. Some orange peel showed up in certain lighting conditions but the installer said that was not a problem and came back over and wet sanded the 3M and polished it just like paint and it was beautiful from then on. I can not see how anything could get better. Maybe the 3M you had problems with was just insatlled wrong or was from a bad batch, which I guess makes it a second choice, if this does not ever happen with Venture Sheild. Just my .02
I am getting ready to do my 09 with 3M about 50% of the car.

 

[bluesrt]

ventureshield ultra is the rolls royce of clear film at this time,3m is old technology and is not up with venture.

 

[ACR steve]

I have the whole front clip entire hood ,fenders ,side-sills, front bumper,splitters,behind wheels and mirrors done an it looks fine

 

[texas_venom]

Wow Venture Sheild must be something! I have used 3M with only one small issue. Some orange peel showed up in certain lighting conditions but the installer said that was not a problem and came back over and wet sanded the 3M and polished it just like paint and it was beautiful from then on. I can not see how anything could get better. Maybe the 3M you had problems with was just insatlled wrong or was from a bad batch, which I guess makes it a second choice, if this does not ever happen with Venture Sheild. Just my .02
I am getting ready to do my 09 with 3M about 50% of the car.

I do install film for a living and 3M is the worst film as far as ornge peel there is. I will be more than happy to send you some sample pieces for you to look at so that you can see what a good film looks like.

Wet sanding film??? Thats a first... I would never try that on any of the films I use... but then I wouldnt need to.

I will also be more than happy to send you some comparison photos of 3M and ClearMask AR... side by side on a black Viper.

 

[lagalaxy13]

Thanks for all the info so far guys. Where are you guys buying this from? I'm guessing it already cut for the area you are trying to do? When I did it on a bike. I just cut it to the custom areas I needed. I'm going to see if I can edit the tag line, because I just used the "3m" as a general product. Like people say Xerox for copiers.

 

[SSSSE YA]

I have been installing this stuff for a long time and would never touch 3M. Slight orange peel does not even start to describe it. It is major orange peel and looks terrible once applied to the car. I think ClearMask AR and Venture is the way to go. I know ClearMask.com has a great side sill kit (NoWayForYa, another VCA member, desgined it). It wraps all the way under to the bolt pattern. I had it on my 04 and at 20,000 miles it still looked brand new. And not a chip anywhere to be found. If it can hold up to the heat generated by an 04, I am sure an 08 wouldnt be a problem.

Tom did my Viper and it looks great..

 

[PaViper]

Just about anything but 3M....unless you are putting it on most cars that already have a ton of orange peel in the paint....that is why 3M designed it that way, it looks right at home on 98% of the cars....looks like a$$ on a Viper

 

[ROCKET62]

Funny all the negative comments on 3m and positive on Ventureshield as they are now the same company. Wonder if there is still a difference between the two?

 

[Billy Coons]

I have 3m on the bumper, front fenders, hood, entire side sills, and behind the rear wheels. No issues so far, though the orange peel is noticeable on my black car. I knew this before he installed it. They custom cut the panels to cover 100%, not the pre-cut kits. He doubled up layers right behind each wheel to lower replacement costs if needed. I'm happy with it.

Supposedly has a factory clear coat on it that you can wax and polish like paint also. The installer warranies it for full replacement no cost, any vehicle (and mine is garaged) for 5 yrs against yellowing, peeling, cracking...no questions asked.

He's been in the buiness for many years and prefers it over the venureshield. He used to use it on helicopter blades when he was in the Army as a helo pilot. He's also the only 3M certified guy out of 4 in my area who would do more covering then the pre-cut kit. Food for thought.

 

[texas_venom]

I have 3m on the bumper, front fenders, hood, entire side sills, and behind the rear wheels. No issues so far, though the orange peel is noticeable on my black car. I knew this before he installed it. They custom cut the panels to cover 100%, not the pre-cut kits. He doubled up layers right behind each wheel to lower replacement costs if needed. I'm happy with it.

Supposedly has a factory clear coat on it that you can wax and polish like paint also. The installer warranies it for full replacement no cost, any vehicle (and mine is garaged) for 5 yrs against yellowing, peeling, cracking...no questions asked.

He's been in the buiness for many years and prefers it over the venureshield. He used to use it on helicopter blades when he was in the Army as a helo pilot. He's also the only 3M certified guy out of 4 in my area who would do more covering then the pre-cut kit. Food for thought.

3M aerospace grade film (Aerogard) is what they use on helicopter rotors... not 3M automotive film. There are 3 divisions in 3M each with their own film. There is ScotchGaurd (automotive), there is an industrial grade film, and then there is an aerospace grade film. Unfortunately 3M automotive is the worst film of the three but they have dumped to much into the marketing of the film to change it.

Yes 3m owns VentureShield but the films are still made seperately. Its a much cleaner smoother film than 3M and comes with a lifetime warranty... as opposed to 5 years. I just replaced a bumper piece for a Viper owner and the ClearMask I installed looked 10 times better than the 3M that was on it. In fact the owner came out and had no idea I had already covered the bumper with film. So I am now going back and replacing the rest of the 3M with new film.

 

[Mopar Boy]

Put 3M on my side sills 2 years ago and still cannot tell it is on there.

Robert

 

[lagalaxy13]

So where are you guys getting this stuff?

 

[TAXIMAN1]

I had 3M done on my white VOI9. I am pretty picky, and I thought it turned out great

 

[bluesrt]

u are a brave man!glad it looks good

 

[Mopar Boy]

There is a 3M place in town that does all hih end cars like lambo, ferrari, etc. I went there. I have it on front, side sill all the way to the back on the lower 4 in of car. I also installed some behind the rear tires.

Robert

 

[Newport Viper]

So where are you guys getting this stuff?

VentureShield

 

[lagalaxy13]

VentureShield

I checked there site right after I posted this. But they don't show any patterns for the 03 Viper.

 

[Newport Viper]

I checked there site right after I posted this. But they don't show any patterns for the 03 Viper.

https://www.xpel.com/products/paint...e=1&year=2003&make=11&model=208&submodel=2135

https://www.xpel.com/media-new/pdf/tds_xpf_premium.pdf

I know my installer got his patterns from this company and they are perfect....

 

[bluesrt]

ventureshied makes patterns for the complete front clip-nose hood fenders,also behind the wheels and sidesills,called the race wrap

 

[FLX109]

Ok so who to contact for a kit?

 

[snakeplissken]

I have 3M on my ACR and the side sills. I have been using 3M for years with no problem.