doctorbob
Enthusiast
I know there has been some threads on the 3M materials to protect the nose and hood of your car. I would like some suggestions please on projected cost, if it is a good idea, and what areas to cover and to what extent. Thanks.
How to best 3M my car
- Thread starter doctorbob
- Start date
Frank 03SRT
Enthusiast
First, if you never done it before, have a professional do it. If your car is black, DEFINITELY have someone else do it (IMO). Any slight bubble will be seen VERY clearly, whereas with silver, it is much harder to see.
I did my silver one myself. Did the complete front fascia, 2' back on the hood, 2' back on the front fenders, the whole sidesills including where your heels click them, the inside fender lips, and the back bumper where rocks can fly up and hit. Basically covered everything that can be hit by rocks from the tires or someone in front.
Cost me $300 for material. I would assume it would cost that much in labor to have it installed, maybe a little more. Took me 1.5 days to do it myself, but I am slow.
I think it is a VERY good idea. It will be very hard to get a rock chip now.
I did my silver one myself. Did the complete front fascia, 2' back on the hood, 2' back on the front fenders, the whole sidesills including where your heels click them, the inside fender lips, and the back bumper where rocks can fly up and hit. Basically covered everything that can be hit by rocks from the tires or someone in front.
Cost me $300 for material. I would assume it would cost that much in labor to have it installed, maybe a little more. Took me 1.5 days to do it myself, but I am slow.
I think it is a VERY good idea. It will be very hard to get a rock chip now.
Russ M
Enthusiast
I did my RT with the 3m stuff, had professionals do it and do not regret it one bit. It is a lot of work, I watched them do it and if it was me it would have been done wrong.
The whole job cost me $560.00 which included headlight and fog light protection. Is more than worth the expense especially for those who DRIVE their cars. And it is a must for anyone involved in track or canyon runs.
The whole job cost me $560.00 which included headlight and fog light protection. Is more than worth the expense especially for those who DRIVE their cars. And it is a must for anyone involved in track or canyon runs.
SoCal Rebell
Enthusiast
I've heard any thing from $400 to $600 professionaly done
Geoff Green
Enthusiast
I can see why someone would want to do this, but I never would. I just wonder if it has something to do with the way you were brought up. If your parents put plastic on there couches are you more likely to cover your car? Or if your parents didn't take care of anything do you then want to go to the other extreme? I see it as not looking as good as the paint and if removed the paint under will look different after a while anyway.
Frank 03SRT
Enthusiast
Geoff, they advertise that it doesn't change the color of the paint over time. I wouldn't be able to verify this claim.
And, you better find other reasons than parents for why I put it on. We never had enough money to buy the plastic couch material (thank God), nor were they sloppy. Maybe it's because I'm an anal engineer! Whatever, they make the stuff --- somebody's gotta use it.
And, you better find other reasons than parents for why I put it on. We never had enough money to buy the plastic couch material (thank God), nor were they sloppy. Maybe it's because I'm an anal engineer! Whatever, they make the stuff --- somebody's gotta use it.
ElDiablo Viper
Enthusiast
If you get 3M and remove it later it will still look good because 3M lets the UV trough. I have so many chips now that I'm going to do 3M just like I had it on my Vette. And NO I did not have plastic on my seats. Just look at the pics of the car with 3M bra on it.
http://community.webshots.com/album/30895151TDwsdYLVps
http://community.webshots.com/album/30895151TDwsdYLVps
Bob,
You missed the demo of the 3-M film last October. Fred & Karen won a free installed kit.
3M film - do the nose, side mirrors, but not the side sills
fog lights and headlights are another, thicker material and give good protection.
Check with
Ryan Tounsley,
UltraShield of Scottsdale
602-694-6979
[email protected]
www.ultra-shield-phoenix.com
He has done several installs on AZ Vipers, including Vince's cars, I think.
You missed the demo of the 3-M film last October. Fred & Karen won a free installed kit.
3M film - do the nose, side mirrors, but not the side sills
fog lights and headlights are another, thicker material and give good protection.
Check with
Ryan Tounsley,
UltraShield of Scottsdale
602-694-6979
[email protected]
www.ultra-shield-phoenix.com
He has done several installs on AZ Vipers, including Vince's cars, I think.
Russ M
Enthusiast
Geoff,
You could not be further from the truth, I never cared much for protecting my couches or bumpers for that matter.
But after repainting my front end the first time it was all chipped up from only 3 canyon runs I did the 3m stuff. It is not noticeable on the car unless you look up close. The guys that installed it showed me a car they did almost 7 years ago and it looked like they had just installed it.
Any ways if you don't like it, fine with me its your car.
You could not be further from the truth, I never cared much for protecting my couches or bumpers for that matter.
But after repainting my front end the first time it was all chipped up from only 3 canyon runs I did the 3m stuff. It is not noticeable on the car unless you look up close. The guys that installed it showed me a car they did almost 7 years ago and it looked like they had just installed it.
Any ways if you don't like it, fine with me its your car.
OP
OP
doctorbob
Enthusiast
Marv,
I have been in contact with Ryan. I am just trying to figure out the extent and experiences of our fellow viper owners. You know I drive my cars and I am looking at an option other than a bra(yuck). Also I do not put plastic on my couches either!
I have been in contact with Ryan. I am just trying to figure out the extent and experiences of our fellow viper owners. You know I drive my cars and I am looking at an option other than a bra(yuck). Also I do not put plastic on my couches either!
I agree that using this may have something to do with how you were brought up -- some have the wisdom and foresight to connect with what is real and others connect with the imagination station.
What's real: <ul type="square"> [*]The 3-M film was developed as a mil spec application to protect the chopper blades in Desert Storm
[*]it protects the paint and is UV transparent [*]I've seen track cars look like a sandblasted front end after a weekend while cars with this film look fine [*]used by high end car owners with Ferrari, Lambo, BMW, Porsche [*]NOT used by chevette owners .... hmmmmm. what's the deductive reasoning there? [/list]
I'd say the plastic couch is a personal connection that therapy may help with ' cuz it's no where near reality
What's real: <ul type="square"> [*]The 3-M film was developed as a mil spec application to protect the chopper blades in Desert Storm
[*]it protects the paint and is UV transparent [*]I've seen track cars look like a sandblasted front end after a weekend while cars with this film look fine [*]used by high end car owners with Ferrari, Lambo, BMW, Porsche [*]NOT used by chevette owners .... hmmmmm. what's the deductive reasoning there? [/list] I'd say the plastic couch is a personal connection that therapy may help with ' cuz it's no where near reality
OP
OP
doctorbob
Enthusiast
Marv,
Would you do the hood too, or just the nose and mirrors?
Would you do the hood too, or just the nose and mirrors?
luv2race2
Viper Owner
Can I 3m the whole car? Then it would always look like new!!
MichaelP
Enthusiast
OMG Geoff stop with this kind of post. You have all these guys feeling like they have to defend themselves. Now stop it you bad person you.
SoCal Rebell
Enthusiast
I can see from your reply you've NEVER had your Viper on a race track or seen this 3M film on a car. I wish to god I would of done this process, my black Viper is riddled with rock chips from running behind (and passing) cars running race rubber. My racing buddy SSpeed Racer had this done to his car, he races as much as me and doesn't have a single chip AND you can't tell it's there without looking for it.
Ronald L. Cypher
Viper Owner
How do you a person/dealer for this product?
Geoff Green
Enthusiast
I can say that I truely love all of your responses. You guys are great! I have definately learned more about the 3M product than I ever knew. I may just put it on someday and my parents never had any plastic on there couches.
gtsviper
Enthusiast
Can I use the 3M on my couch? Should I have a professional install it or can I do it myself?
slaughterj
Enthusiast
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Can I use the 3M on my body? Sounds cheaper than a facelift in 30 years! :LOL:
kenvw
Viper Owner
Should you apply Zaino first and then the 3M material or the other way around?
Frank 03SRT
Enthusiast
You should use something like Dawn dishwashing liquid/water and remove all wax, Zaino, etc., before trying to apply the 3M. Then, reading the 3M instructions, use baby shampoo and water to position and then secure the 3M. They have extensive instructions on their web site.
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