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Post by soonercruiser on Jan 15, 2008 9:00:06 GMT -8
With soonercruiser, I have spent way too many weekends before shows repairing those nasty looking, little stone chips on my PTeazer bumperette (Inferno Red Pearlcoat). **So, with the new 2006 Black GT Vert, the first mod was a trip to the window tinting shop for a layer of X-Pel polyurethane film on the front end. I had even done a DIY repair of the license plate holes in the front bumper; repaired, sprayed, buffed out, waxed and sealed. Even though the paint surface wasn't perfect (I am rank amateur you see), with the protective film over it, it looks simply marvelous! I had posted this on the PTCruiserlinks,com forums. I will try to post the after picture next weekend, after the film has dried out all the little bubbles.  |
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Post by soonercruiser on Jan 26, 2008 19:10:28 GMT -8
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Post by Candyman on Jan 29, 2008 0:02:17 GMT -8
Hey their Frank,
Looks good! I used to offer the 3M Clear Bra for my cutomers when I had my detail shop. You can barely till its even their from a distance, but it is the best protection I know to avoid rock chips!
The only downside to this is that as the paint deteriorates under normal wear and tear, and even being in the sun, you will start to notice a difference in the color as the pigmentation starts to fade, while the paint on the front under the protective layer is sealed, and will deteriorate at a much slower rate than the rest of the vehicle.
Best way to avoid this is to keep on a regular simple detailing schedule including regular washes with a good car wash soap, followed up by regular glazing, and waxing once every 2 months to keep the color from fading!
As always, thank you very much for visiting here, and please be sure to come back anytime!
Candyman
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Post by soonercruiser on Jan 29, 2008 9:33:43 GMT -8
Only every TWO months! No wonder my arms stay sore!  I will be staying "on top" of the paint protection otherwise. The best way to force myself to do that, is staying with a regular show schedule during the summer....and keeping that ride in the garage and out of the heat & sunshine here in Okieland!
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Post by soonercruiser on Jan 29, 2008 9:48:35 GMT -8
Only every TWO months! No wonder my arms stay sore! I will be staying "on top" of the paint protection otherwise. The best way to force myself to do that, is staying with a regular show schedule during the summer....and keeping that ride in the garage and out of the heat & sunshine here in Okieland! (I'm lucky in having a covered garage at work)
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poi
New Member
Posts: 44
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Post by poi on Jan 30, 2008 19:46:16 GMT -8
hey guys, i looked into the clear bra also. i didn't do it becuz i was told by the installer that it wud have to be redone every other year becuz of the discoloring and the chipping.
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Post by Candyman on Jan 31, 2008 1:20:41 GMT -8
Hey Everyone,
I only had the pleasure of doing two clear bra applications, and both vehicles spent most of their life in a climate controlled garage so what they needed a clear bra for, I will never know, but the only ones I have played with were from 3M, and they only had a life expectancy of somewhere in the neighborhood of 2 years primarily due to the paint under the bra fading at a much slower rate than the rest of the vehicle which was a real problem more so on darker paint as it is way easier to see the mis-match colors on darker paint pigmentation than on lighter colors like white, or silver. The only other problem was that the clear bra retained some moisture which can also become a problem over time.
I ran into the same problem with heavy duty paint sealants, as they can last for up to 5 years, but some of the better sealant's provide such a good barrier that after a year or so, the paint would start to fade, but their was no way to correct the fading without stripping the sealant off first That is why I recommend just following a strict regular detailing schedule consisting of regular washes, and I normally re-glaze, and wax my PT once a month, re-polish the wheels every three months, and buff the paint once a year to minimize the paint surface reduction which occurs every time you use compound. It is a lot more work, but it's the only good way I have found to maintain the oils, and nutrients that give the paint that deep rich eye popping color!
Either way you have good, and bad, so when all is said and done, it comes down to this "if you like the way it looks, and are happy with the protection it provides" then that is all that matters!
Candyman ;D
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Post by soonercruiser on Jan 31, 2008 19:34:22 GMT -8
The current 3M film has a 5 year warranty. My X-Pel is supposed to be a 7 year warranty. One of our locals, grammy & Dirty Harry have a Inferno Red 2005 vert that still looks great with the 3M. That's primarily why I decided to stop repairing rock chips all summer. |
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Post by soonercruiser on Feb 1, 2008 20:22:59 GMT -8
Candyman, BTW - if the paint on my black vert fades....what color will it be?? Will it eventually match my hair? |
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Post by Candyman on Feb 3, 2008 2:41:06 GMT -8
Hey Frank,
Probably pretty close!. ;D
Candyman
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