Vantage Armourfend

[Laser Sag]

Evening All

Over the coming weeks I am planning to leave one British motoring fraternity (TVR for over 20 years with a Sagaris currently) to join another and have been looking at the Vantage V8. I have decided that I am after a 4.7 with the sportshift box. I have looked at a few cars of different colours to date but at the weekend was looking at a white version, lovely pearlescent finish believe it was Stratus White but don't quote me on that. I noticed that it had what I believe to be armourfend on the lower front of the rear wheel arches.
This was in 2 sections each side and I couldn't help but notice that on one side both of the sections had discoloured whilst on the other only one had. Is this a case as with so many things TVR that they all do that sir ?
Is it something that AM will have fitted originally and can be taken up with them (car is not at a AM dealers)and is 4 years old so am assuming not covered under any standard warranty.
Is it a feature that really is necessary or can it be removed without a) ending up with loads of stone chips in the area afterwards or b) taking the paint beneath off.
I ask because I must admit that in my kid in a sweet shop state to date I hadn't even noticed if it was fitted to any of the other cars I have looked at.

And before anyone says anything yes there will be photos as soon as I am the lucky owner of one.

Thanks
Kevin

[krisdelta]

Hi Kevin,

Armourfend can get dull over time and as it fights off stones and flies. If it's dull one side but not another, suggests it's been renewed at some point on one side.

I've just had some of mine replaced on the front of my car (done at Trinity Aston). The old stuff came off with hot water and some elbow grease (I think!) and didn't damage the paint at all. It's been replaced seamlessly.

If you've not purchased the car, ask the dealer to remediate - it should only be £200-300 max for both sides on the rear 3/4 to be refreshed.

[mikey k]

They all come out of the factory with these (unless you delete it ) it is one of the most vulnerable parts to stone chips
Many of these films discolour over the years, I doubt AM will do anything under warranty
I had an extended set that is harder to see put on mine as part of the Ventureshield kit
Bloody superb!

[Laser Sag]

Hi Kris and Mike

Thanks for your replies, was perhaps just a little surprised that it had discoloured so much in 4 years. Also on the one side the piece at the bottom had discoloured but the piece at the top was fine, would have thought that if someone was having it replaced they would have at least done both bits on the same side.
Will have a word with the dealer and see what we can agree.

Is it like paint in that it can be polished to improve the appearance or does it discolour all the way through. Never had the stuff before so please allow me what might seem like stupid questions.

Kev

Edited by Laser Sag on Wednesday 3rd July 21:44

[steveatesh]

Personally I'd be giving the paint a really good check, it may be that one has been replaced as a result of doing some kind of paint work there.

Isn't pearlescent white Morning Frost? I'm sure Stratus is a solid brilliant white colour? Maybe George will know cos he likes white, apparently...........

Best of luck with it, beautiful cars......

[MollyGTi]

steveatesh said:

Personally I'd be giving the paint a really good check, it may be that one has been replaced as a result of doing some kind of paint work there.

Isn't pearlescent white Morning Frost? I'm sure Stratus is a solid brilliant white colour? Maybe George will know cos he likes white, apparently...........

Best of luck with it, beautiful cars......

Not sure how long Stratus white has been around but we have it on our new V8S. I'll have you know sir that it is not a 'solid brilliant white colour'! Makes it sound like Dulux! It is metallic/pearlescent yet still different to Morning Frost - another of George's favourit colours

[KarlFranz]

This isn't Armourfend, it is helicopter tape which is even thicker. It is applied by the factory to all new cars unless you opt out while the car is spec'd. The upper shark fin was added to newer cars. Older ones only came with the lower part on the sills. They all fade, yellow and eventually crack with age and UV exposure. If one side is worse than the other it may be as simple as that the car was always parked facing the sun the same way.

[Laser Sag]

As I say not sure on the colour the dealer said Stratus all I knew was it was a lovely pearlescent and looked the nuts even though it had litterally arrived while I was there looking at a different Vantage and was pretty dirty. Stratus, Morning Frost or whatever it is definitley the colour I want. I had set my heart on a black one until I saw this one
The Sagaris is special in a loud shouty look at me in your face way whereas the Vantage just feels special, probably doesn't make sense but I am sure the owners among you know what I mean.

[paddy328]

Morning frost has a bigger metal flake and a pearl effect to the paint, while stratus is more of a true white that's got smaller flake.

[AdamV12V]

MollyGTi said:

Not sure how long Stratus white has been around but we have it on our new V8S. I'll have you know sir that it is not a 'solid brilliant white colour'! Makes it sound like Dulux! It is metallic/pearlescent yet still different to Morning Frost - another of George's favourit colours

Hmmm, two Aston whites... I think lil' Georgie would call that a "Double Dip Recession White"

[Laser Sag]

KarlFranz said:

This isn't Armourfend, it is helicopter tape which is even thicker. It is applied by the factory to all new cars unless you opt out while the car is spec'd. The upper shark fin was added to newer cars. Older ones only came with the lower part on the sills. They all fade, yellow and eventually crack with age and UV exposure. If one side is worse than the other it may be as simple as that the car was always parked facing the sun the same way.

Hi Karl Franz

It isn't the fact that one side is different it that on the same side the lower section has yellowed but the upper shark fin section hasn't. It isn't a problem to me, if wanted an immaculate car I would have to up my budget and buy new, just wanted to find out if it was the norm.

Paddy328 couldn't tell you on the size of the metal flake but would say they were small if pushed, it just looked good even though it was dirty and when that rare thing called the sun popped it's head out for a few minutes it came alive.

[KarlFranz]

Laser Sag said:

Hi Karl Franz

It isn't the fact that one side is different it that on the same side the lower section has yellowed but the upper shark fin section hasn't. It isn't a problem to me, if wanted an immaculate car I would have to up my budget and buy new, just wanted to find out if it was the norm.

My '07MY didn't come with the shark fin. I ordered mine separately from the dealer's parts department about a year ago after seeing most new cars in the showroom with this piece. Perhaps the car you were looking at was the same. This would explain why the lower part was yellow but the upper wasn't.

BTW The yellowing is most noticeable on white cars.

[Laser Sag]

KarlFranz said:

My '07MY didn't come with the shark fin. I ordered mine separately from the dealer's parts department about a year ago after seeing most new cars in the showroom with this piece. Perhaps the car you were looking at was the same. This would explain why the lower part was yellow but the upper wasn't.

BTW The yellowing is most noticeable on white cars.

Would be a logical explanation but on the nearside they are both yellow and on the offside they are different. Seems from the replies that it is normal so not going to worry about it.

Now to finalise the deal and get it into it's new home.

[hashlove]

How many find that the standard shark fins on the rear arches don't go high enough? In the last few weeks I have managed to get quite a few chips on both sides...

[V12woollie]

That was the first thing I had taken off when Francis correct the paintwork prior to the Paintshield being fitted. Now got protection up to the rear swage line.

[AMDBSNick]

KarlFranz said:

My '07MY didn't come with the shark fin. I ordered mine separately from the dealer's parts department about a year ago after seeing most new cars in the showroom with this piece. Perhaps the car you were looking at was the same. This would explain why the lower part was yellow but the upper wasn't.

BTW The yellowing is most noticeable on white cars.

^^^^^this^^^^^

[mikey k]

hashlove said:

How many find that the standard shark fins on the rear arches don't go high enough? In the last few weeks I have managed to get quite a few chips on both sides...

Both mine have had Venture shield to the top swage line for that reason
You can just see the outline of it here


Eurohoon 2011 02 to end 049 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr

[Neil1300R]

Laser Sag said:

Now to finalise the deal and get it into it's new home.

Err, get the dealer to replace the 'armourfend' as part of the deal.

[Neil1300R]

So, how difficult is it to remove and replace? Assuming its been on my car since new - 2006, will it come off easily, will it pull the paint off at the same time? Got lots of stone chips on mine now - must have been the JLC trip.
I'm sure someone has done this before and posted, but can't be arsed to look

[Laser Sag]

Neil1300R said:

Err, get the dealer to replace the 'armourfend' as part of the deal.

Will be trying to but it's not going to be a deal breaker if he won't budge.