Urgent - protective film question!
Discussion
Hello all - finally taken the plunge and picking up the 06 Vantage this weekend - huzzah!
Here's the question: I have been given the option of a complete armafend (sp?) treatment - over sills, upper rear wheel arches, mirrors, all of bumper, front part of bonnet - and the fitting of a fuse 22 switcher - for £1200. What do you think - worth having done?
I can't decide - part of me says just live with the chips, then get the damage sorted out before i resell. I have the stoneguards on the front arches fitted already. Plus, I have had a rough quote of £1200-1500 as the average cost of painting over such stone damage from Aston dealer. And I can live without the Fuse 22 switcher, though it'd be nice.
I'll be using the car in London as a daily driver.
Thoughts?
Live with the chips, get it blown over before you go to sell it
Sods law says you'll get a chip where there's no 'fend and it'll still need doing.
It can yellow/peel/crack and water can get under bits where stones have hit it.
Then when you go to sell it, you'll need to remove it anyway, and that can be a messy job.
Put your £1200 to better uses.
Unless it's some trick flip paint that'd be a bast to match
Sods law says you'll get a chip where there's no 'fend and it'll still need doing.
It can yellow/peel/crack and water can get under bits where stones have hit it.
Then when you go to sell it, you'll need to remove it anyway, and that can be a messy job.
Put your £1200 to better uses.
Unless it's some trick flip paint that'd be a bast to match
Edited by GT2man-2 on Monday 21st July 18:33
A grand saved is always welcome...i'm a tiny bit wary of the quote for redoing the chips - £1200 to 1500 seems low - but am i just being overly suspicious?
also - does anyone know how much a car cover costs (pref one with a hole to let the parking permit/tax disc remain visible)?
can't wait for the weekend...
also - does anyone know how much a car cover costs (pref one with a hole to let the parking permit/tax disc remain visible)?
can't wait for the weekend...
Mine had the Ventureshield on when I bought it and having found myself unavoidably coming face to face with a gritter gritting, I'm glad it was there - no chips outside the protected areas. No plans to take it off. Never had any peeling in evidence. Peeling is no argument to not having it done - you just go back and have it recovered under guarantee. one area of surface abrasion on the shield but not through to the paint - it did its job but not sure what scratched the plastic.
An aside - the rear arch area that is protected is quite small with what is factory fitted. The various protective covers enlarge this area somewhat so you get more protection.
Aesthetically - you will always notice the start stop areas - particularly over the first third of the bonnet but you know what the lines are for and it seems to be doing its job.
If I had to make the choice you are facing: plastic cover vs respray before re-sale, then I would go for the cover.
Can't help you with a brand of outdoor Vantage cover - does the outdoor Aston one actually have the logo emblazoned on it? The used one stuffed in the back of my boot is unbranded but the dealer said it was supplied with the vehicle new - he said it cost circa £300 new and it is a tailored fit - I thought it was Aston-supplied so check and you might be able to get a logo-free version.
I think it is identifiable as a Vantage even when tightly wrapped up under its cover - you just can't disguise some things
...
Enjoy yr new Vantage
An aside - the rear arch area that is protected is quite small with what is factory fitted. The various protective covers enlarge this area somewhat so you get more protection.
Aesthetically - you will always notice the start stop areas - particularly over the first third of the bonnet but you know what the lines are for and it seems to be doing its job.
If I had to make the choice you are facing: plastic cover vs respray before re-sale, then I would go for the cover.
Can't help you with a brand of outdoor Vantage cover - does the outdoor Aston one actually have the logo emblazoned on it? The used one stuffed in the back of my boot is unbranded but the dealer said it was supplied with the vehicle new - he said it cost circa £300 new and it is a tailored fit - I thought it was Aston-supplied so check and you might be able to get a logo-free version.
I think it is identifiable as a Vantage even when tightly wrapped up under its cover - you just can't disguise some things
...Enjoy yr new Vantage
I was warned off the Fuse 22 removal by my dealer's mechanics who said that it could throw a record onto the car's CPU and possibly even necessitate a dealer visit if the engine warning was permanently triggered. I was similarly warned off by an ex-AM technician (?) on this site. I suppose any AM representative/dealer would say that though but they weren't trying to sell me the Service Works switch option (£300 + VAT plus dropping off your P&J at Works).
For free option - dealer approved tweak: I still wanted the excellent noise lower down in the revs so my dealer simply left the valves permanently open/closed (can never remember which way round it is). Really simple job for them and great throaty V8 sound at first start. They'll switch 'em back to permanently closed/open if I don't like the noise - but I do...
I'd take the cockpit valve switch if it was in a car I was buying but I certainly wouldn't pay extra for it when it can sound that good ALL of the time. It doesn't annoy my neighbours too much on start up and at least it lets them know I've left for work without having to twitch their curtains.
For free option - dealer approved tweak: I still wanted the excellent noise lower down in the revs so my dealer simply left the valves permanently open/closed (can never remember which way round it is). Really simple job for them and great throaty V8 sound at first start. They'll switch 'em back to permanently closed/open if I don't like the noise - but I do...
I'd take the cockpit valve switch if it was in a car I was buying but I certainly wouldn't pay extra for it when it can sound that good ALL of the time. It doesn't annoy my neighbours too much on start up and at least it lets them know I've left for work without having to twitch their curtains.
Hi,
I know of a product that is on the market that is garanteed against yellowing and cracking. It has been tested I believe in Arizona and other harsh environments.
The product is called Armadillo and is available through Johnson Window Films Dealers for a whole a array of cars. You name it they can put the kit on it. The film goes on all the leading edges and the kits can be fitted really quickly as an after market protection on your pride and joy.
I only have a Beetle V5, but I am looking in to it for this.Have fun with what ever you decide to do what a great car to own.
£1200 sounds a lot, but not sure how much the Armadillo kit would be fitted for a Vantage.
Oh for a bit more on the kits have a look at http://www.johnsonwindowfilms.co.uk/automotive/Arm...
Vici
I know of a product that is on the market that is garanteed against yellowing and cracking. It has been tested I believe in Arizona and other harsh environments.
The product is called Armadillo and is available through Johnson Window Films Dealers for a whole a array of cars. You name it they can put the kit on it. The film goes on all the leading edges and the kits can be fitted really quickly as an after market protection on your pride and joy.
I only have a Beetle V5, but I am looking in to it for this.Have fun with what ever you decide to do what a great car to own.
£1200 sounds a lot, but not sure how much the Armadillo kit would be fitted for a Vantage.
Oh for a bit more on the kits have a look at http://www.johnsonwindowfilms.co.uk/automotive/Arm...
Vici
A thought on the cover if you want one made to fit you could see if a sail maker would do a loose cover and may even have something that allows the permit to be seen. I live near the river Hamble and the local company made a cover to protect my leather from the dog and also has made covers for varios things include the brother in law's motorbike.
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff