3M Chip Film

[Dawg]

Anyone have any experience, good or bad, using the clear film to help prevent chips on the front of cars/trucks? I think it is a 3M product. I know it depends on the size of the vehicle, but I would like some ball park prices. Anything I should look for during installation whether I do it myself or have it done? I would like to get some for the front of my wife's Lexus RX350. Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks

[More Power]

I've seen the installation at a local auto custom shop. It looks really good on their display hood. I don't know the cost, but I'll probably have some of this installed in the future.

Though, I wonder about how well the film deals with hot summer sun and heat - over several years.

Jim

[christophersond]

I believe the technical term for this product is an "Invisable Bra". I do have it on my 04 Malibu MAXX, and have had it on my last 2 trucks. It looks, and works great, plus it is durable. I first had it on my Malibu, and was extremely pleased, so I ensured the "Invisable Bra" was a part of the deal on my trucks as part of the purchase agreement. It stands up to the weather just fine. On my new truck, there is also some of this stuff on the bed, just in front of the wheel well--it was factory installed. Locally, I believe the installation is around $100.00 for a full sized truck. I highly recommend it.

[NutNbutGMC]

I had it on a 2001 GMC. It held up very well although I am not so sure about it's useful functionality. Seems like I ordered the kit from somewhere in NC and installed it myself with one other helper (it would take two for an easy install). No complaints but I did end up putting a low profile deflector on the front over it and that seemed to take care of a lot of debris away from the hood. Bugs in particular (over the windshield instead of on the windshield) when I traveled in the midwest during the summer. Back in 2001 I think I paid around $125 for the front and two side pieces for the front of the fenders.

[Dawg]

Thanks for the input. My wife's Lexus has a front end slope that begs to be blasted with road debris. I have the deflector on my HD and have still managed to get some pretty nasty hood chips just past the deflector. Once I get this stuff repaired, I want to add something for a little extra protection.

[NutNbutGMC]

Thanks for the input. My wife's Lexus has a front end slope that begs to be blasted with road debris. I have the deflector on my HD and have still managed to get some pretty nasty hood chips just past the deflector. Once I get this stuff repaired, I want to add something for a little extra protection.I'd say that the 3M clear will do just that. However it only comes back across the hood so far. Maybe call those guys and get a dimension. The product itself is worth of installation in my opinion.

[TheJDMan]

Any automotive paint supplier who sells 3M products will sell this film. If you take your truck/car in to the body shop to get the chips repaired the body shop should also be able to install the film.

[jblather]

I have the 3M Paint Protection Film applied to my Caddy and my 2500HD.

On my car, I had them apply it to the hood, forward part of front fenders including the forward part of the flares, headlights, front bumper, forward side of the outside rear view mirrors, inside of the door pulls (on the door, not the handle), and the top of the rear bumper (people tend to drag their luggage out of the trunk and across the bumper).

It's worth every penny. It was installed on my Caddy in 2005 and it's still invisible and has done a stellar job protecting the paint. Also, headlights still look brand new.

The most important thing about the 3M Paint Protection Film is the installation. Let a pro install it for you. Prices for installation are all over the map. I had estimates of $800 down to $325 to do my car.

I had it applied to my car after it was repainted (due to stone damage). I had to wait a while after the repair to allow the paint to cure at the advice of the auto repair shop.

[WyoDutch]

I had it installed on the leading edge of the hood on my 2009 Sierra. Holding up well.

If after a year... it still looks good and doing the job, I plan on having it installed on the bottom 12 inches of both sides of the truck. Installer will do it for $300.