ishethere2001

Just curious if anyone has ever used this?

Scotchgard™ Paint Protection Film


I can't imagine not putting something like this on a car this price..

John

Stumblefoot

Just got home from Washington, DC tonight and catching up on the forum.

My protection film is being installed tomorrow morning. I'm with you, I couldn't imagine not putting it on.

I've been really pleased with my installer in the past, so I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow.

Jlight

I have this film on my BMW and it has been fantastic. I have it on the hood, bumper, lower bumper, door handle cups and dirver and passanger mirrors. I am going on year three with it - its something I would get on any vehicle

BJ021

We have it on our XC90 everywhere they could put it and after 3 years the things in awesome shape! Highly recommended . We are having it installed on the GL next week after the dealer buffs the truck.

stlduckhunter

Can you wax or detail over it and what is the cost? Thanks.

Nevada Jack

I may go against the masses on this one but I have never used this type of plastic protection on any of my cars. The only car I had bad paints chips with was a BMW '98 Z3. My '98 OB black E wagon showed some of this. I think this was when they shifted to water based paints.

Since then, my '03 E sedan, my '06 S430 and my '07 S550 have shown no chips anywhere. The S550 had over 14000 miles on it and included a cross country 6000 miles trip, all on high speed freeways with some terrible roads. I had a lot of bug debris (easily removed) but not one chip. In addition Las Vegas has more gravel trucks on the road than cars sometimes with all the construction going on. This provides a great breeding ground for sand and other stuff to hit the car and still no damages finish.

I think the nano finish and the recently applied "scratch resistant clear coat" has reduced the chipping of earlier paint finishes. So from my standpoint the application of plastic to make a "saran wrapped" MB is just not necessary. YMMV

emayer

I agree with NJ on this one!

I have the film on my Porsches given the low profile and hood shape of these cars and have had excellent results. I wouldn't dissuade anyone from using the clear bra on the GL, but I'm less inclined given the ride height, the fact that the front is near vertical and plastic, therefore the odds of a major stone chip on the hood etc. is much smaller.

BJ021

We live 'up north' so we see everything imaginable on our roads from huge bugs in the summer to sand/salt trucks in the winter - I don't care how good a paint job is - it's still just paint and if I have an option to protect it without anyone really noticing - I'm in! But I could see living in the south may not have as many road issues as we do up here and therefore may not need as much.

...as far as waxing, etc. goes - no issues.

Nevada Jack

I can live with that...each situation demands it's own solution..:-)

Jlight

I am with you and I live down south. With all the #rap on the roads these days I know the added protection is saving me some paint headaches!

Waiting-4-550

I'm also gonna forego the saran wrap on the GL.. Chips are a good reason for getting another car... heah it's only money we're talkin about here

Stumblefoot

I hear you Jack and each person certainly needs their own solution.

After seeing what the roads have done to my Trailblazer, there just isn't any chance in heck that I'm going to take that chance with my GL.

My installer finished about an hour ago and I think he did a terrific job. I loved his solution for fitting the film over the curves on the bumper. I think everyone will like it when they see it in Vegas.

So, for $490, he did the hood, fenders, mirrors, bumper, windshield pillares and wheel flares. I'm very satisfied with his work and price, and reassured that my GL will look great for years to come.

Chicky Monkey

My dad has this on his BMW and I think it detracts from the look of the car. All I ever see is the line of the plastic. Course rock chips detract from the look of the car too....

Stumblefoot

That's weird. You have to look extremely close and be right on top of our vehicles to even see it. Our GL is Verde Brook and our A6 Silver. In most locations, I have to run my hand over the area to even know it's there.

GL Troll

I understand they eventually need to be removed. I’m a little concerned about that part. Anyone know how they go about it?

How long does it last?

The visibility depends on how clean it is. Dirt shows off the line.

StevethePilot

On my black GL, I need to be within about 10 feet or in very bright situations (or if the car is especially dirty) to see the film line. Within those parameters, it's very easy to see. Here in Arid-zona, we have a little creature which has been recently renamed, called the Chip Seal. Far from an endagered species, it shows up on most road works as a tiny black missile headed either for your windsheild or any forward-facing paint, particulalry in the lower quadrants. 3M clear bra was the only logical choice, even with what appears to be very nice, thick paint from MB. (At least compared to the micro-thin paint-like rice paper on my Lexus!)

vinceching

i'm against it. i just took off a clear bra from a friends black s65 and its only been about 8 months.

you can see the front that was wrapped under the clear bra has paint that looks brand new, while the rest of the car has faded a bit.

it doesn't look too good.

i would only recommend the clear bra material to put put in the door handle part to prevent scratching.

gas-man

I have it in all of my cars. It is fantastic. On my GL I had it done for $585 that is including the hood, bumper, fender, side view nirrors, as well as the splash side on both front sides.

Puggy

Floor mats in all the vehicles and a WeatherTech cargo liner in the SUV are about it for protection here. I do have a spray in liner (Line-X) installed in my pick-ups to stop things from sliding around.