Looking at the 3M clear paint protection(clear film) that goes on your bumpers and grille. Just curoius if anyne has done it and how its worked? Looking to protect the paint a little on my 2011 black fx4, the canadian winters have taken its tole on the paint. Thanks!

 

I went with the Ventureshield on the front portion of hood, front parts of the fenders, & mirrors. Would have liked to do the whole face like you but it would have cost me over $1000, so I covered the areas that would rust.

I won't buy a vehicle nowadays without having this done. It works great.

Ventureshield was bought by 3M.

Find a reputable installer...black is one of the harder colours to do properly...every flaw will show.

 

I just got my matte black 3M vinyl order late this week.

The grille surround is etched with something, and rather than sand it down and paint it ( tried PP by hand up to orange with no luck ), I am doing a matte black vinyl on it, so it matches the grille insert.

Got enough to do the front and rear bumpers as well ( only chrome on the truck - never looked right to me ).

In the 3M 1080 scotchprint car wrap line, they have brushed, matte, gloss and clear.

Maybe going with a gloss black would work better than clear ???

I did get the matte QD from CG for detailing the matte vinyl that I got.
- Don't want to jack it up with a gloss type QD.

The 3M Scotchprint line is marketed as good for 9 years of outdoor service.
- I think this is building usage, where it is outside 24x7 .

I am doing my own, the 3M product has a releasable backing on it that is pressure activated.
So while doing the install with the heat gun ( for contours ), you can move it around and until you squeegee it down. This was a difference with the 3M Scotchprint product over the other manufactures that I noticed. I think others have something similar to this. No activator needed for the back of it.

 

I've had the 3M clear shield on my truck since new. The installer did a great job, from the right angles you don't even know it's there. I always had my bug deflectors painted to match my trucks, but wanted to do something cleaner with this one.

It's a tough product, after three years I've got two small chips out of the film from rocks but no damage to the paint underneath, so it's worth it's weight.

I got mine installed from the local Line-X dealer, it was roughly 1/2 the cost of having it done at the Ford dealer. I'd recommend it for sure - it looks way better than a bug deflector.

 

ok awesome thanks!

 

I have it on my front bumper and the painted part between the bumper and the grill. No issues. I've had it done on previous vehicles as well and it holds up nicely and seems to do its job. I did not opt for it any higher since I've never experienced any issues. Keeping a good distance between yourself and the vehicle in front of you also helps immensely.

 

I bought my 3M clear material off ebay (very cheap) I bought the computer cut front bumper assembly and a small roll for the sides (I cut and installed behind each wheel). I watched a few videos on youtube and installed it myself. It turned out fine and you can't tell it there. 2 years and still looks great. Definitely worth while.

 

any tips/tricks to do it yourself!?

 

Yeah...Don't....have a professional do it, it is well worth it.

 

Not to mention that 3M provides a 5-year warranty if installed by a certified installer.

I've had it on my 09 for almost three years and I've been very happy with it.

 

Speak of the devil mine is at an installer right now getting the entire front done. It's similar to this one http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-F150-FX...-/150742755398 but the one I'm doing is a little better coverage and I'm also having the door sills done. Not cheap about $700 here in St. Louis, MO installed.

 

There are plenty of videos on youtube that will show you how to do the install. Start on some smaller pieces, such as behind the rear wheels, behind the front wheels, etc. I did all of those first getting used to how to work the film and the front bumper last.

 

Its a good investment! I'm my hood, headlights and fog lights. $200

 

Almost my entire truck is covered in it. Cost me $1800 but the front couple feet of my hood, front bumper, fog lights, mirror caps, the parts under the door handles where your nails scratch the paint, front half of the lower part of my front doors, the front half of my rear fender flares, all 4 of my doors from above the indent to the bottom of the window, and every part of the bed sides of my truck from the front to the back where it turns into the tailgate is covered