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Just a teaser here as I don't have the car finished yet. I will follow up with the finished product later. As I mentioned in other threads, I am taking the opportunity to refinish my front end while it is in the body shop for the rear ender repairs. Below is a pic of the front end torn down. Bumper and lower spoiler are out for refinish prep prior to getting new paint and new clear coat. It turns out that a number of the front end trim pieces actually come new in the black and do not need paint. These are all being replaced with new pieces along with the plastic mesh grills. The front end should basically look brand new when done (I had quite a lot of little rock chips that I inherited from the original leaser). After it is done I plan to clear bra it and the entire hood. Because I got a discounted insurance rate from the work being done to repair the rear, along with paint already being prepared and such, this whole front end project is gonna cost me about $2k I think it's worth it to have the front like new again. It drove me nuts when I reached the front end after washing her! It shouldn't any longer.
Nice!! Take that opportunity to really clean those calipers and wheels and the intercooler fins/radiator
Good call! I was thinking about that. Now that you mentioned it too, I just sent an email to the guy handling my car (the guy has been great btw and sends me regular pics of progress) and asked him to take 15 minutes to clean those things up.
Good call! I was thinking about that. Now that you mentioned it too, I just sent an email to the guy handling my car (the guy has been great btw and sends me regular pics of progress) and asked him to take 15 minutes to clean those things up.
The pics aren't super great that the shop guy took. But here is what he sent me. There is a bit of wax residue and dust it looks like that obviously does not concern me. But even with these low res pics I can see it looks much better. For those unaware, I have not actually seen the car yet as it went straight to the service side after this work was done for the engine issue (discussed in the other "ticking noise in my 2015" thread). I may not actually get her back for quite a while. Ugh. After I get her back, she goes straight in for the Suntek clear bra for the entire front clip, door edges and handles, mirror backs, and rear top of bumper. Here are the current pics. I will post finalized pics again when everything is done.
Dope. I just did my whole front end. Bro the amount of pieces it requires to remove everything definitely makes me not want to get rocks chips again. I’m gonna 3m clear bra
Dope. I just did my whole front end. Bro the amount of pieces it requires to remove everything definitely makes me not want to get rocks chips again. I’m gonna 3m clear bra
Do some research on the different films. After I did, I determined that Suntek is the winner. I don't believe the 3M has the ceramic impregnation which gives you the nice hydrophobic properties (stuff does not stick to it).
Look it up and talk to your local installer. You might change your mind. In full disclosure, I had the 3M on my 2011 and it seemed to hold up and perform well.
Here are a couple of pics in the driveway. Just got her back last Wed. Sorry for not having better lighting. It was pretty cloudy out when I took these. Trust me though, even in the sun, it looks like brand new. Next task is the full front clip Suntek clear bra in about 2 weeks.
Here are a couple of pics in the driveway. Just got her back last Wed. Sorry for not having better lighting. It was pretty cloudy out when I took these. Trust me though, even in the sun, it looks like brand new. Next task is the full front clip Suntek clear bra in about 2 weeks.
Vrod - she's a beaut, brand new front end and new m157 under the hood!!!!! Looks like a perfectly new virgin E63 to me
The last step of the front end re-finish is complete. Unfortunately I only have 1 pic at the moment. It started pouring rain the day after I took this and almost has not stopped since. I went with the entire hood and fenders getting the film. So no annoying line in the middle of the hood. The picture is with Eva backed into the garage and the reflection is from across the street. This gives an idea of how sick this thing looks with the bra! LIKE GLASS! Notice the hood reflection looks sharper than the windshield reflection?
I will post a few more pics after rain stops and I get her cleaned up.
Car look great. When films started out years ago it was only recommended on factory cured paint and not recommended repainted cars. I hope that's still not the case. Removing film could peel the paint off.
Car look great. When films started out years ago it was only recommended on factory cured paint and not recommended repainted cars. I hope that's still not the case. Removing film could peel the paint off.
The hood is still original paint. Only North of the hood is refinished. Also, the dealer's collision center only uses factory paint and they guaranteed it for use with a clear bra. Their only warning was that it needed 30 days before applying the bra. I went about 45.
Thanks Man! It actually looks even better in person believe it or not. Pretty happy with it. Also came with 10 year warranty against any discoloration or de-lamination.
Thanks Man! It actually looks even better in person believe it or not. Pretty happy with it. Also came with 10 year warranty against any discoloration or de-lamination.
I've seen a totally laminated Porsche recently and I believe it ... it was like glass ... amazing
remember the old 3M bra's that got yellow and peeled back within a few weeks lol!??? We have come a long way from those days
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
