Clear protective car wrap

[W1111AM]

Please can I have some help, Project TeaSpn is now 95% finished, complete with new 4.7 BR GT4 engine, twin clutch lightened flywheel, suspension, roll bar, big brakes ,intake and exhaust. Bodywork: N400 Sills, carbon knickers on the back, V12VS Carbon front (grille, bumper and splitter (new wheel arch liners and under tray)), my custom design HRE wheels. Interior still in progress but Zagato interior panels and roof lining fitted, I am so pleased and excited with the results. Honestly where do you stop when you start all this - Q would be proud Yesterday, TeaSpn had a beautiful full detail and think I should invest in a gloss clear wrap (so the paint looks shiny?). I know some of you (Bob Y100) and others have done this. Is it correct that there are some 'wrappers' who have pre-cut clear templates to apply straight on to our AM's?

Also any ideas how much something like this costs?

[V12woollie]

I and many others have used Paintshield Xpel Ultimate self healing film. They are in Peterborough. Film works very well and nigh on invisible.

[krisdelta]

I've got Armourfend, but the paintsheild stuff is literally impossible to see unless you almost put your nose on the car. At least that's my excuse.

[gpb1]

Saw a very impressive demonstration of that self healing film involving a Vanquish bonnet and a wirebrush. Made me wince initially, but after a quick blast with a hairdryer the resultant swirls disappeared completely. And as you say nearly invisible.
I was given a price list which I'll dig out tonight.

[mikey k]

W1111AM said:

I know some of you (Bob Y100) and others have done this. Is it correct that there are some 'wrappers' who have pre-cut clear templates to apply straight on to our AM's?

Also any ideas how much something like this costs?

IIRC the 3M Venture Shield is the only one I could find that had a precut template for the Vantage. It was one of the reasons I went with it, I don't feel comfortable having some one trim vinyl on the car with a scalp It's not as thin as the Xpel but has worked well on my two.
It cost me £900 for a full V12V kit and full bonnet with a 3M warrantied installer.

[V12woollie]

The Vantage has a Paintshield template. After my car was done the V12 Vantage also now has one as I think mine was the first V12V they did. Interesting to see the whole design process from CAD, to template, to film cutting to application. A perfect fit first time and no cutting on the car.

[robgt]

I have Venture Shield applied to Pearl. Being Stratus White chips show up really badly, thing is I do not have any even after 11400 miles! I will admit I had a few where there was no coverage. Chipex kit sorted those which is something else that I would recommend.

[Far Eastender]

I'm going to get Paintshield fitted in July. Their quotes are as follows:

Standard kit: Bumper, part bonnet (wrapped edges), part wings (inner edges wrapped) wing mirrors: £715.00 + vat

Full Front kit: Bumper, full bonnet (wrapped edges), full wings (inner edges wrapped), wing mirrors: £1500.00 + vat

[mikey k]

Far Eastender said:

I'm going to get Paintshield fitted in July. Their quotes are as follows:

Standard kit: Bumper, part bonnet (wrapped edges), part wings (inner edges wrapped) wing mirrors: £715.00 + vat

Full Front kit: Bumper, full bonnet (wrapped edges), full wings (inner edges wrapped), wing mirrors: £1500.00 + vat

I'd HIGHLY recommend you get the lights, rear arches and sills done

[robgt]

mikey k said:

I'd HIGHLY recommend you get the lights, rear arches and sills done

Totally agree with Mike. I would also add the A Pillars , that is the only place that I have had stone chips. Gone now though (Chipex)

[Far Eastender]

Thanks, will do...

[V12woollie]

+3 on the sills and rear arches up to the swage line. Also, the little strip under the hatch or boot lid is useful as that is where fingers and nails are likely to scratch the paint.

[Y100]

Or you could do what I did (in two stages actually) have Paintshield fit Expel Ultimate to all panels, including the headlight lenses. Only 3.5k miles but not a single chip so far.

[W1111AM]

Hi team, great feedback I agree with all that the rear wheel arches (front of rear wheel arch and bumper behind wheel arch), plus A-posts would be a good idea to do. I have been researching today...

3M VentureShield http://www.3mventureshield.co.uk (National Network of appointed Agents for 3M)
I found details for film covering the rear wheel arches: Tony James Designs in Solihull have this diagram on their website:


PaintSheild of Peterborough http://www.paintshield.co.uk,these guys are independent and carving their own good product in the market.

I also found US brand sold here: Suntek http://www.suntekfilms.com

The conversations with people at the company's I contacted, led to this information:
If you have
- a P&J that goes to shows, is gentle driving around and perhaps a "Trophy Car" then the more complete wrap is a viable option/investment as it is very expensive.
- a car which you have for full driving and maybe Track Days then the cost of the "full films" in not too sensible, so go for the areas exposed to stone attack. Here is why:

The Films take hits (going cloudy) from the acid in flies and bugs, it also take dents and marks from stones (peppering). If you have a full bonnet film, to replace (which you will need to do), is much more expensive as labour to remove and cost of new larger film is more expensive. It becomes quite easy to change a small half-film panel as and when you need.

Yellowing: Interesting, this was brought up by Tony James Designs.
AutoGlym and some polishes that have a yellowish colour straight out of the bottle, will stain the clear film (which is slightly porous). Therefore it is important that your film applicator company applies a final premium polish to fill in the pores on the film when they install your film.

There are also certain car paint colours which highlight yellowing/aging films (lighter colours like white or silver (Sorry Rob!)).

As a helper, any polish that is white in colour from the bottle, or is nearly water based is friendly near the films.

[W1111AM]

Y100 said:

Or you could do what I did (in two stages actually) have Paintshield fit Expel Ultimate to all panels, including the headlight lenses. Only 3.5k miles but not a single chip so far.

Hi Bob
I did not come across Expel Ultimate, what is this?

[V8 Animal]

I can't find it on their website which is a bit odd.
It's this stuff
https://www.xpel.com/products/xpel_ultimate_paint_...

[W1111AM]

V8 Animal said:

I can't find it on their website which is a bit odd.
It's this stuff
https://www.xpel.com/products/xpel_ultimate_paint_...

Thanks Paul, more film product to learn about

Bob, Is the product supplied from Paintshield called Xpel, you only had one product applied to your car right?

Edited by W1111AM on Monday 9th June 18:24

[J12MOC]

My car went straight from the dealers PDI to Paintshield in Peterborough where Paddy did the detailing in their workshop. The film was applied immediately. I've no chips so far despite catching people up frequently!

I would definitely go for the full bonnet as even with the thin film the edge of the treated area shows up across the bonnet. On my last Aston I had a big rock land on the bonnet above where the film would end if partially covered. Luckily I had the full job so no damage!

[V8 Animal]

W1111AM said:

Thanks Paul, more film product to learn about

Bob, Is the product supplied from Paintshield called Xpel, you only had one product applied to your car right?

Edited by W1111AM on Monday 9th June 18:24

It's what I've had fitted by them so it's odd that's it's no where to be seen on their site.
A call is required I think.
Btw brilliant product I have no regrets apart from not having all the front done rather than the bra effect.
Next car full frontal lol

[KevinBird]

Call Nick Phelps;

http://cgperformance.co.uk

He did my V12V, perfect!