3m-ing my 355

Take it from me that both Hudsons and my self have 3M film. It was computer cut and had the 3m print in red on the rear of the material. And i stood there while the hair dryer was used. maybe your guy just was not expereanced enough to fit it this way or maybe not the expert that he wants you to think he is. Or maybe he just chooses not to stick the edges down in this way. There are a few options right there.
Anyways here is the link to the company we use. http://www.xpeleu.com/

 

Maybe he is so good he doesn't need one!!! Mine looks perfect--no bubbles and he didn't use one. The entire bumper is one piece also. No cuts whatsoever. He told me alot off guys will cut the bumper piece in half vertically and fit together, it still looks fine, but then there is a seam..
http://www.pftfilms.com/

 

Usage of heat gun is actually not necessary for paint protection film installation. However, everyone's installation style is different. What's most important is the end-result. If you're happy with it, then that's all that matters.

 

I love that pic on your website where you put the 3M film on a jet!

 

I was told by a reputable shop that they have chosen to stay away from the 3M brand all together. The owner explained to me that 3M does not use a UV protectant in their glue and this is what causes the film to yellow over time. Anyone else heard the same?

 

That's why it looks better on a yellow car! I saw this stuff demoed at SEMA and it is a great product - goes on easy and comes off pretty ez too, ... for the skilled, I might add.

I never put it on my 348, but should have. I spent over $3K on front end resprays over the years. You have to weight the cost of installation with repainting the front end over the life of your ownership. I would definitely not put this on a car for concoursing since you'd be dinged, but for a driver, it's a necessity.

Do one rural trip with the Ferrari Club and have your front end peppered by the car ahead and you will be a convert! Don't forget your mirror housings!

 

Dont forget Llumar film is meant to be better again than the 3m.

http://www.llumar.com/na-eng/Automotive/auto.html

 

I was told the opposite by my guy. He also said 3M is the only film with some sort of clearcoat finish. 3M guarantees it for 5 years not to fade, yellow or peel up. He gave me a warranty card with it.

 

Llumar's film is not doing so well as it tends to dull out in a rather short period of time if the film's not maintained well. As for 3M's film, it is not the only film on the market with a coating - Avery and Venture both have a coating on the surface.

 

Chas stick to what you know shucks you do half a guys car and he is an expert. LOL

The hair dryer is only used to evapourate out any excess solution and ensure edges are locked down. It saves waiting around for an hour to see if any pop up or using an airline (another way of doing it)

As for dulling the paint, I have to differ on this, it does have (very slight) orange peel. Which is what is being described here rather than loss of gloss. I have masses of pics that illustrate this very well if you want some posted.

The 355 bonnet although in 3 pieces is broken down the character lines and those that have had them done describe it as being virtually imperceptible. (their words). Until film manufacturers develop a 60" film there is no other way to do this.


Cheers

Tom

 

In Four years and after thousands of cars here in Europe I have not had ONE single car come back with a yellowing complaint (We warranty against that as well as other things) on 3M Scotchcal, Scotchguard, or SGH (and yes we have it on white cars).

I have seen and so Have Hud and Hazy IIRC correctly what happens to NON clearcoated film in Europe (venture clearcoat is only available in the US and is as yet unproven) as we have some taken from a 360 on our wall in the shop. We have seen Llumar (non clearcoated) Go dark grey from ingress of dirt into the pores.

I have seen 3M Aerospace go Yellow really quick, but then it was never designed for cars and I fail to understand why anyone would put that on a car??


Cheers

 

Sorry this is so BS, the film comes in 120Ft rolls and why would anyone take one roll off the plotter and waste time lining up another roll of some other Mystery material to then cut those parts in some cheaper garbage, that will probably come back with a complaint??

Think about it you would be spending all day heaving rolls off plotters rather than installing?? Mind you I probably know squat with PPF operations in 13 countries LOL

Just not economically viable, (unless they only do one car a month) LOL

Also I think there is some confusion between a heatgun and hairdryer, unless you guys in the US use a heatgun to dry your hair, might explain some us chat show hosts hair styles Darned sure I would not want to give that a go LOL.

 

If you look at the second shot in Huds post this has the 355 full hood kit on can anyone spot the line??? thought not
They run up the valley and the other parts are seamed (butt joined to them)

You guys in the US can find the kit in the catalogue at www.xpel.com The boys from San antonio

Cheers

 

So do you do the entire front bumper with one piece??
for a 355??

 

Yep

Any XPEL dealer in the US can do this for you its on their catalogue Its the same bumper we Put on the two 355's in the pics on this thread in the UK

The design was revised about 3 Months ago to bring it up to current technological standards

Cheers

Tom

 

Not quite, the other guys didn't seem to get the difference with a Hairdryer and Heat Gun

LOL

Yes Chaa is correct I do own the company, but I tend to just lurk in here (since04) and not get involved, but as there have been a lot of posts about PPF recently I felt I should weigh in with some "facts"


Will go back in my box now


Cheers

Tom

 

yea sod of ya northern puff