3M clear paint protector

[scargo70]

Does anyone have experience with the 3M clear paint protector.
I am considering placing this on my car instead of a bra.
Any insight appreciated.

[jashford]

I put it on my track car and would not do it again. The cost doesn't justify the benefit. It provides minimum protection, doesn't look that great, and I can have a piece repainted for close to the same price. Other than that its a great product.

John

[scargo70]

Jash,
thanks
do u think a bra is a better way to go?

[bobmagyar]

If you live in a rural area where you are taking larger rocks from gravel that has been tracked on to the highways then a Bra is much better.
However for urban areas were you are getting sprayed with small bits the film works quite well.

If money is not a concern you could consider both. Film for urban running around and a bra for when you are dashing through the country side.

[sithot]

Schutz the whole front end and be done with it forever. Not the prettiest but is would be effective.
2nd choice would be a spray on bedliner material.

Tom

[RickS]

After my re-paint I had the 3M product applied to the front end of the car. It covers the front splitter, wraps under each headlight and (most importantly) has an extended piece (optional) on the hood. Since the car is not tracked, it doesn't get the beating that John's car takes. So far my results have been very good, and it is virtually invisible, except of the cut-off lines - and that is on a GP White car.

[Ray H.]

There are a number of variations of the 3M product. Clarity of the film is important, the clearer the better.

I had a bad experience with Starshield in Irwindale, CA. From my experience, stay away from them.

An experienced installer is important.

[Zedone]

I have it on an arena red 993 C4S (Stongard version) and a GT silver 996 (Armourfend version). Practically invisible at the seams and provides great stone chip protection. The old 911 will get the same next month as its paint is flawless now and i hope to keep it that way. Armourfend by the way rolls over the edges of the hood lines. Expel's version comes to just shy of the edges. They are all the same 3M product material only the precut shapes and coverage differ. The technical expertise of the installer is everything with this stuff.

[RickS]

I also have the Stongard product. Daniel Stern, of lighting fame, said a far superior product is called XPEL http://www.xpel.com/

No personal experience but Daniel claimed it was the highest grade of the 3M product. You might want to check them out.

Just bought headlight protection from them for the Audi and the stuff could almost take a bullet.