Windshield Protection

[voi9]

Just had the 3M Clearbra installed on the front of the new 06' VOI9 to prevent rock chips in the paint. Also ordered pieces that were installed on the headlights,foglights, behind the front wheels, on the sill plates, and behind the rear wheels. Can't even notice unless you are really close and know where to look. No orange peel effect either.
Anyway, the owner/installer told me that he can order a special 4mil. thick material that goes on the windshield to prevent rock chips. I called the Co. to inquire about clarity of the material and they say that you can't notice it at all. Spoke to one of the workers who told me that the Co. installed the windshield piece on his van and didn't tell him for about a week. He did not know it was on. Supposedly Nascar uses this material on their cars. I'm going to have it installed and will post with some pics of the whole car when all is complete.
I figured to go ahead and have all this done because I plan on driving the Viper as often as the weather allows and I want to prevent as many rock chips as possible before I would need a new windshield and paint job.

 

[06blackviper]

will it yellow with time or dis-color?

 

[voi9]

will it yellow with time or dis-color?

I asked the same question and the installer said that it won't yellow and that it is gauranteed for 5 years. I guess I'll just have to wait and see but I know that there will be a definite decrease in rock chips on my paint. I used Cleartastic on my previous C5 and that material did yellow after only two years. It also did not adhere to the car as good as the 3M and/or X-Pel. I know they don't make Cleartastic for the Vipers and if they did, I wouldn't get it.

 

[Dave Moore]

That is great!
My windshield got hammered not only at the track but on the highway as well...gotta love dumptrucks spewing crap at highway speeds.
I had the clear bra put on the car and the installer mentioned the windshield application but said he couldn't install it because of his insurance co. Just like the clear bra it shouldn't discolor and should last a good long time, at which point peel it off and start over.
How much is the install on the windshield?
Dave

 

[06blackviper]

i have been in the used car industry for over 20 years. i have seen products come and go. clear bra no matter what they tell you looks like crap after a few years. if not from discoloring from overall wear. my biggest fear would be trying to remove it in 4 years when it had time to bond and harden with the surface below. it could be so so labor intensive that you may end up needing to repaint the surface below anyways from the product itself. most likely the co. that installed it will be gone when you most need them and stuck holding the bag. why not save you money and if it gets that bad in 5 years re shoot the nose.

i always love it when somebody puts seat covers on a brand new car , five years later they trade it in and we get it looking brand new and the people never got to enjoy what they bought. i'm glad they took care of it for me!

 

[Smog Dog]

My dealer, Roanoke Motors, also not big fans of clear bra or the other protective coatings. They have commented on the time it takes to get it off to repair damage underneath.

 

[Frank 03SRT]

So true about the removal problems after several years. What happens is the glue separates from the plastic and stays on the paint, and is extremely hard (close to impossible) to remove, even using 3M adhesive remover. It took me hours to remove a couple square feet of glue, and I been through this several times, using a hair dryer to heat it first, etc. Think I would learn.

 

[Ken Lally]

For your windshield protection consider this product:

http://www.diamonfusion.com/en/products/autoglass.html

2nd week after I bought my SRT8, a nasty rock busted my windshield, and I decided with the new windshield to take action to "harden" it. 7k miles later, no pits, scratches, whatever, nothing. Will do for the Vipe just have not had the time...

Application was $300 something and done in my driveway, and it tints the glass a bit.

 

[Paul Hawker]

Think a whole new windshield can be installed for a couple hundred bucks.

Might consider just having a new one installed every couple years.

 

[MikeR]

Think a whole new windshield can be installed for a couple hundred bucks.

Might consider just having a new one installed every couple years.

Maybe if you use aftermarket glass. Here in California windshield from the local dealer costs about $800 plus install. Might be cheaper at your dealer,but I wouldnt use aftermarket glass. Used it once and was never happy. Had a truck and the aftermarket windshiled always looked foggy.

 

[PatentLaw]

In NJ, you would be lucky to get it for 800. As Dave said above, there is a ton of junk on our roads. Anything that is completely removable, such as a windshield, would be an advantage. Sort of like taking off tinting off of windows. Not hard to return to normal.

 

[Newport Viper]

So true about the removal problems after several years. What happens is the glue separates from the plastic and stays on the paint, and is extremely hard (close to impossible) to remove, even using 3M adhesive remover. It took me hours to remove a couple square feet of glue, and I been through this several times, using a hair dryer to heat it first, etc. Think I would learn.

Use brake parts cleaner comes right off, no paint problem.

 

[Newport Viper]

Maybe if you use aftermarket glass. Here in California windshield from the local dealer costs about $800 plus install. Might be cheaper at your dealer,but I wouldnt use aftermarket glass. Used it once and was never happy. Had a truck and the aftermarket windshiled always looked foggy.

Safelite glass

$448.95 installed

https://www.safelite.com/sslPages/service.jsp?CLICKED=QUOTE

 

[mad0953]

Out here in Orygun you have to have a good blood and guts remover when you venture out on our highways. I still remember that rabbit's head, just the head, stuck in the grill of my 73 Gremlin X.

 

[Frank 03SRT]

Use brake parts cleaner comes right off, no paint problem.

The can of brake parts cleaner I have (Advance Auto) says DO NOT get spray on painted surfaces. Who's cleaner are you referring to?

 

[TSR6]

brake parts cleaner will strip paint...and pretty much anything non-metal no problem!

 

[Newport Viper]

The can of brake parts cleaner I have (Advance Auto) says DO NOT get spray on painted surfaces. Who's cleaner are you referring to?

Can't remember. Sorry. It had no effect on the paint...tried test spot first.