Clear Film Protective Bra pros cons?

[Bugzy]

Just bought a 2001 Esprit and have been contemplating
installing a clear protective film bra and was curious if anyone has had any experience good or bad with these films. Also wondering whether DYI installation can be done or better left to the experienced installers.

[lotusguy]

Just bought a 2001 Esprit and have been contemplating
installing a clear protective film bra and was curious if anyone has had any experience good or bad with these films. Also wondering whether DYI installation can be done or better left to the experienced installers.

Bugzi,

Congratulations on your new purchase! As far as the clear paint shield, it's not a perfect solution. It is not permanent. It will degrade over just a couple years and as it is softer than the paint underneath and surrounding it, will scratch much more easily. Even wiping with pure cotton cloths, will, after a period of a couple years, show this area to be scratched as compared to the rest of the paint. Also, it is not 100% optically clear, so depending on the base color of the car, will reveal some color difference. Less noticeable on dark cars, more noticeable on lighter ones. The demarkation line will become more obvious over time as dust and dirt collect along the edge of the plastic.

Also, it does not entirely relieve problems with stone chipping. Stones will still 'break' the paint, but the clear shield will keep the 'broken' paint in place hiding it cosmetically to a degree. The trouble with this is that when the clear shield is removed, for reasons I stated above, the paint will come with it necessitating a repaint anyway. also, you won't be 'revitalizing' the paint underneath as it cannot absorb the chemicals contained in waxes etc. that keep the paint from becoming too brittle.

As far as installation, a versatile, careful DIY owner can do it, but it's pretty easy to scew up getting bubbles under it and so forth, you're working with big pieces of 'Saran Wrap' in some sense. The best ones I've seen has been professionally applied.

Finally, I personally would not use it. It is not invisible, will scratch at a greater rate than the rest of the body only making it more visible and eventually you need to repaint the nose anyway. I would keep my money, buy bottles of touch-up paint and develop a proper technique. When this becomes untenable, then I'd reshoot it using the considerable monies I saved by passing on the shield in the first place. Granted it's very popular right now, but my impression is that it's just the latest car 'fad' similar to what window tinting and teflon oil additives were a couple years ago. And, as 'Murphy' would have it, a friend of mine has it on his pristine Red '78 S1, but a week after installation he got a huge stone chip just 5mm above the installation line, go figure... Jim'85TE

[Bugzy]

Lotusguy, thanks for your input on the film.It's always good to talk before you leap.

[83 turbo]

I have a friend who bought a brand new Vauxhall VX220 (Opel Speedster) and decide to opt for the film, bought direct from Vauxhall (very expensive) he tried installing it himself, very difficult to get a good finish and wasted a couple of pieces in the process. Eventually he gave up and got a profesional signwriter to do it. The signwriter misplaced one of the pieces and removed it complete with the paintwork!!! Thus more expens in having the paintwork repaired. He says it still gets stone chips in the plastic film, which tend to hold the dirt and polish residue. When I first saw the product I thought it was a good idea, but know I think it creates bigger problems than it solves, personally I would not use it. Jez U.K.

[kmaier]

Well, I think it depends heavily on the film used. I used the Scotchcal film on the front of my Esprit about a year ago. Truly a bi*ch to put on and make it look right. The Scotchcal film does not scratch easily and does not yellow or peel. I had a few areas on sharp curves where it didn't look so hot. However, after a year I removed it (about 2 days ago) and had NO problems taking it off. I simply peeled it off slowly and the paint underneath was absolutely pristine. The film protected the paint perfectly. I guess it really depends on which film is used. I plan on doing it again, although I will not buy a "pre-cut" kit the next time. I found the main bumper piece needed to be stretched over 2 inches horizontally to fit the light cutouts. The vertical dimensioning was fine. The other issue I had with the pre-cut kit was the widths did not permit wrapping of the curves, hence most of the edges were still exposed.

You can get some additional on the Scotchcal film by visiting www.xpel.com. This stuff was originally developed for rotars on helicopters and propellers on fixed-wing aircraft. 3M (Scotchcal is brand name) also gives you a $1000 warranty against the paint underneath. I can't vouch for the others, but the 3M stuff works and won't damage the paint.

Regards, KM
2000 V8 (now bra-less and unprotected)

[rob.ellis]

My bought my car to drive and enjoy, not to pamper. Mine is covered in stone chips on the front (well what would you expect after 63,500 hard miles ). If i ever sell it i'll get the front re-painted. Other than that i really don't see the point. I think a lot of people worry too much - its a car. Drive and enjoy.

Rob
98 V8-GT (dirty, stone chipped, still makes me smile every time i drive it)

>edited 'cos i can't spell

>> Edited by rob.ellis on Monday 17th February 08:31