Paint Protection Film

[yzf1070]

Ladies, Gents

Has anyone ever used one or more of the few available paint work protection systems utilising the 3M transparent film. I wish to weigh up the advantages/disadvantages between a bi-annual paint repair touch up job verses the cost of a 3M film, offerring (so I am informed) a 4-5 year protection.

If anyone has experience, knowledge or opinion, please pass comment.

Cheers
Graham

[lady topaz]

yzf1070 said:

Ladies, Gents Has anyone ever used one or more of the few available paint work protection systems utilising the 3M transparent film. I wish to weigh up the advantages/disadvantages between a bi-annual paint repair touch up job verses the cost of a 3M film, offerring (so I am informed) a 4-5 year protection. If anyone has experience, knowledge or opinion, please pass comment. Cheers Graham

If you are talking about Armorfend,sp, then personally I dont like it. On a lot of colours it looks like someone has taken a Stanley knife to the car. I am sure it works well, but I go for an annual front end paint job. I am not sure of the cost of Armorfend, I guess it depends on how many areas it is applied to.


Di

[powerlord]

I've got it (armourfend). was on it when I bought it.

it's not too visible if kept clean, but very dependent on the colour of your car.

see:

http://tvr.kilncadzow.co.uk

and see if you can spot it.

stu

[yzf1070]

Thanks, Di, Stu,

I was concerned that you may be able to see the film, but like you both suggest it is most likely down to the colour to which it is applied.
On your car Stu I can't see it at all in the photo's (nice looking example by the way).

Di the cars you observed that looked as if there were stanley cuts, was this predominately a metal flake or reflex type finish? I suspect that with base type colours the film application would be visually less obvious. The cost will no doubt reflect the amount of film applied. I further speculate that the cost of a paint repair on a bi annual basis will be of a very similar cost over time.

Thanks again for your responses

Regards

Graham

[lady topaz]

I think you may have a valid point re the colours. It makes sense that the film could detract slightly the reflective properties of Refex, Chamelion etc colours.
Stu's car looks really good. On here I think the two camps are fairly evenly spread, so at the end of the day its best to try and see a car of your colour with it on and see if it suits. On my Mk1 I had a service bonnet and area around the lights re-sprayed in Crystal Topaz for around £400 if my memory serves me. This was about 18 months ago. Again cost will vary with the type of paint used.

Di