I was talking to someone today about the new tape or laminate that 3M has. He told me that a lot of people are using it in areas like the fender wells to protect the gfx and such. Anyone have any experience with this? Where do you have it on your car? How does it look? And most importantly how much does it cost and where can you get it?

Thanks

 

It works great, but so does a car bra. I'd get it if you don't mind your car looking like crap.

First, it needs to be made to fit your car, and put on by a professional. A lot of high end cars are using it, but what you don't see is that the tape is often changed to keep dirt and grime off the edges. That's expensive, and like I said, the pieces need to be cut to fit your car.

It's a good in theory, but it's a car, deal with the chips and dings. Yeah it sucks, but you can't protect it all the time, everywhere.

Just my 2 cents

 

I didn't want to cover the whole car with it or anything like that. I just was thinking of putting it on the small end of the ground effects pieces to keep them from getting chipped up by stones in the road.

 

Hey Paul-

I think what he's trying to say is, the edges of the clear film will get grime and dirt on it. Therefore you notice where the film ends.
To get around this you need to have new film re-applied.
To me, I think the clear film idea sounds great. But I wonder what the exact cost is? Is it for the do-it-yourself guy???

-ROC

 

Yeah after re-reading it I get his point. I wonder if you could use a light layer of clear silicone around the edges to seal dirt out? Would this pull up the clear coat if you had to peel it off?

 

I think you could use silicone, but you'd have to apply it flawlessly to keep it lookin' good.

As far as the do it yourself issue, I'd have to say no. I apply graphics all day, and like tint, i can say it's easy to do "so-so", but very hard to do perfect, and requires a lot of practice. On top of that, The pieces of tapr are custom cut to fit higher end cars. I suppose it could be done, but it would be tough.

 

They make a clear coating, similar to truck bed liner or something or the sort that you can spray in areas like that, that you don't want chipped up. Might want to look into something like that.