How high do you go with 3M on the hood?

I just got my 355 repainted. It looks awesome, so I want to keep it that way as long as possible and am putting 3M on the nose. I will definitely put it on the bumper, the mirrors, the headlight covers, and the little piece between the bumper and the headlights.

How high do I go on the hood?
1) The entire hood.
2) The hood up to the top of the headlights.
3) Just about a 1/2 inch lip at the front of the hood.
4) None at all on the hood.

I am interested in your opuinions and the reasoning behind them. The whole hood seems like a good idea, but how do you wax it thereafter, and won't it show a lot with a dark blue car?

 

I have a 360 and decided after a few chips on the bumper to repaint and install 3m film on the bumper and headlights. For some reason I don't like the way the film looks on the hood you always see a distinctive line, but in my opinion if you’re going to install on the hood I would do the whole hood.
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I went to the top of the headlights on my 355. You can barely see it but subtle and very clean. At some point you have to draw the line- whats the expression... 'It's a bra not a condom."

 

I would go the entire hood if the installer can handle it. Lawdog has his done this way on his Modena and it looks great. The key is in the material and the install. Go with the highest quality, I have seen the lower grade stuff and it looks terrible.

 

This is just a heads up from my personal experience with a dark blue Maserati Cambicorsa Coupe that had the clear bra; I needed to simply to wash, wax and detail it, however the clear bra on the front most part of the hood had heavy water spots which didn’t come off when I washed it and dried it. So I tried some quick detailing wax and nothing, so we tried buffing it with the rest of the car and nothing. So after a call to a dealer he advised to use a product called ‘Plexus’ which is just a plastic cleaner that I’ve used all the time on aircraft windows but even that didn’t bring it out. We never tried anything abrasive so I have no idea if that would have helped. This is just a heads up be careful around drying water with the bra!! Haha and if anyone could tell me how to get rid of the water spots please enlighten me!

 

I did the entire hood on my F430. Looks better and gives you a peace of mind.

 

Thanks for the responses.

Yes, I've seen the whole hood done, but the 355 hood is very different than the 360 hood with creases and cuts - how would this look? Will it appear too bumpy and be noticeable?

Was contemplating just going to the top of the headlights, but on a blue car, I figured that you'd always see the line.

 

Mine goes about halfway up the hood...

 

Mufflerman - Lawdog sure does. It looked pretty darn awful before we replaced the previous film / install. The key certainly is in the installation. As for the 355s hood, yes it can be done in one piece. Find the right person to do it and it will get done.

 

This is just a heads up be careful around drying water with the bra!! Haha and if anyone could tell me how to get rid of the water spots please enlighten me![/QUOTE]

I dont know what brand film you have, but im guessing it doesnt have a top coat. Have you tried using straight 70% rubbing alcohol?


Christopher

 

David, Im guessing you repainted the hood becuase you hate chips. In my opinion you should do the entire hood and headlight doors. Since you live in New York, I would go with either 3M or Avery top-coat. If done by a good installer, it would be very difficult to see.

Christopher

 

Mine extends about 1/3 of the way up the hood. There is a small line there...but it's not bad in my opinion. A few feet back and you can't see anything, right on top of it you see the line, and everyone just knows that's what 3M rock blocker looks like, no big deal.

 

Agreed! Both my CS and 430 have the entire hood covered. While not perfect look compared to running "naked", it certainly pays off. I just had someone's part of a tire on the road fly up and run most of the length of my hood - thank goodness for the protection, otherwise I would be heading to the paint shop for a repaint. Looks vs. Protection - condom is a great analogy!!!

 

I have no idea what brand it is either but I will give it a shot thanks!!

 

Thanks for the opinions and suggestions. I may do the whole hood, but not yet decided. Will post pics and commentary when I decide what to do

 

Check to see if there is a venture shield installer close by the guy in KC uses this as opposed to the 3M... 3M is weaker and has too much orange peel texture to the film and is more difficult to work with. If you use 3M goes to the
top of the headlight doors on the hood section it will appear "cleaner". If you use venture shield it would look great to do the whole hood in one piece. Also
make sure they roll the edges on all the pieces so you dont have that quarter inch area that is not protected and creates more lines. VENTURE SHIELD

 

I wouldnt advise using Venture on a New York car. Due to our weather conditions, I strongly recommend a film with a clear coat or top coat. Venture up until a few months ago did not make a film with a top coat. As far as their new film, I cant say its to new to say how long it will last.

When it comes to waxing the hood, just put a piece of painter tape along the edge and wax away. When done remove the tape

Christopher