rocks chips

[jake-88]

dang that sux! I think instead of getting clear bra I might just get the bumper repainted after a little while.

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[Blk2015GT]

dang that sux! I think instead of getting clear bra I might just get the bumper repainted after a little while.

That's what I would do. Get some touchup paint for now from Dr Colorchip, it's only about $30-40, and wait until its bad in a few years and spray it.

As you see, once you do file that next rock will always just miss the film. That's luck for you.

 

[JessV]

I got a good one on the hood before the dealer gas even got used up

Another under pass headlight

Oh, man. That's brutal. I am sorry! :eye bulge:

My red '15 is my daily driver as well. I try to avoid being behind big trucks or even following closely to cars because there is a lot of construction on the highways that I commute to work everyday on.

 

[Cobra Jet]

I'm surprised some of you have not used or heard of this product:
http://www.autogeek.net/3m-paint-defender-spray-film.html

My neighbor had the 3M Clear Bra installed on his Lexus by a local shop and it is pretty much invisible (on a dark metallic blue paint). Whole front bumper cover, half way up the hood and faces of mirrors was all done. It's held up good for nearly 6 years now, no discoloration and its protected the front of his SUV very well from any road debris.

 

[15stang]

Just got my first rock chip :(

CO guys, which dr color chip kit did y'all order?

 

[Blk2015GT]

I'm surprised some of you have not used or heard of this product:
http://www.autogeek.net/3m-paint-defender-spray-film.html

My neighbor had the 3M Clear Bra installed on his Lexus by a local shop and it is pretty much invisible (on a dark metallic blue paint). Whole front bumper cover, half way up the hood and faces of mirrors was all done. It's held up good for nearly 6 years now, no discoloration and its protected the front of his SUV very well from any road debris.

That's only for short term use. "Up to 1 year" as it says. May be good for long road trips or short term applications.

It also uses a lot of product. Doing the whole front end would be 4-5 cans. And who knows how easily it goes on (smooth) and comes off.

 

[Rhys]

Get a clear bra for the front bumper. It will protect the cars paint and won't really change anything.

 

[GNS]

I've read hundreds of threads/webpages and reviews are 50/50 from people who have gotten it done (this is years later, not the first month or 2) I've seen yellowing issues, which are less these days but still happen. I've seen it pulling off paint removing the clear bra (especially if you take a hard hit and the paint is chipped but held in place by the adhesive. I've seen people with bubbling, bu more with problems and peeling at the edges (that's not covered by most warranties on them)

I'm sure a lot has to do with the quality of the installer, but higher quality, more expensive. They can go $1000-1500 or higher to get the hood, front bumper, fenders and mirrors. For that price you can get a really good body shop to respray the bumper in 5-10 years for less money.

You cannot repair the film so once its damaged from a rock or otherwise, it needs to be re-done; again at a price that is 1000 times the material cost. It's plastic so you can;t just polish it like a scratch in the clear cost with a buffer.

There are concerns about lines in the film (edges) and fading under the film on a darker colored car.

I just couldn't see spending $1000 on plastic film to maybe prevent a rock chip that may or may not happen.

Also, get in a front end wreck and insurance won't replace the film. So you're out $1000-1500 that you are out of pocket to re-install.

IMO not worth it at the end of the day. Rock chips happen and these aren't Ferraris.

I had a clear bra installed on my car. I would not do it again for most of the reasons listed above. It's a car, not an expensive vase, drive it as it was meant to be driven and don't worry too much about rock chips. Fill 'em in and move on with your day.

 

[Vile_the_Bastage]

Yeah, mine is ingot as well. The problem is the stripes are flat black, so the little hole on my bumper is like "HAI THAR!"

I'm going to dab some plastip on the hole and see if it mask it a little.

Well, if your vinyl stripes are matte black like mine, Plastidip works like a champ for filling in the chips. I tried it today with a q-tip and a pool of dip and it filled in nicely and the color is just about spot on (you have to get real close to notice anything). Overall I'm happy.

Now to get some Dr. Color for the rocks that hit actual paint.

 

[boostedCO]

Anyone selling a bubble to protect our cars? 3rd rock gets the windshield

 

[argile2000]

I've read hundreds of threads/webpages and reviews are 50/50 from people who have gotten it done (this is years later, not the first month or 2) I've seen yellowing issues, which are less these days but still happen. I've seen it pulling off paint removing the clear bra (especially if you take a hard hit and the paint is chipped but held in place by the adhesive. I've seen people with bubbling, bu more with problems and peeling at the edges (that's not covered by most warranties on them)

I'm sure a lot has to do with the quality of the installer, but higher quality, more expensive. They can go $1000-1500 or higher to get the hood, front bumper, fenders and mirrors. For that price you can get a really good body shop to respray the bumper in 5-10 years for less money.

You cannot repair the film so once its damaged from a rock or otherwise, it needs to be re-done; again at a price that is 1000 times the material cost. It's plastic so you can;t just polish it like a scratch in the clear cost with a buffer.

There are concerns about lines in the film (edges) and fading under the film on a darker colored car.

I just couldn't see spending $1000 on plastic film to maybe prevent a rock chip that may or may not happen.

Also, get in a front end wreck and insurance won't replace the film. So you're out $1000-1500 that you are out of pocket to re-install.

IMO not worth it at the end of the day. Rock chips happen and these aren't Ferraris.

This is just my opinion but the new versions of clear bra material on the market today do not have these problems anymore. Also there are clear bras that heal when you pour hot water over them. I can't remember who makes it though.

 

[Wblv17]

Anyone selling a bubble to protect our cars? 3rd rock gets the windshield

still the same old H-Town.

 

[Blk2015GT]

This is just my opinion but the new versions of clear bra material on the market today do not have these problems anymore. Also there are clear bras that heal when you pour hot water over them. I can't remember who makes it though.

I know, I just don't think they're worth $1000-1500 unless you're protecting an ultra high end car that repainting will really hurt its value.

You can get a front end sprayed for that much easily with money to spare. And the plastic does not stop all damage despite the wild claims out there. A good rock hit at high speed from the highway will damage the paint under the film, and when you go to pull that film off one day the paint in that chip still has a high change that it will pull right off on the film. It's happened to people before.

If you get into an accident most insurances will not replace the film with the parts/paint. You will be out $1000-1500

 

[GoodEye]

After driving for a week a rock hit the lower right passenger side of my windshield - right where the windshield wiper is at rest (it was a rare rainy evening in the Bay Area). The crack is about 16" long now... I don't even know if you can get a replacement windshield yet, I haven't dared ask the dealership... I'd rather spend money on mods haha


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[sleepless]

I've read hundreds of threads/webpages and reviews are 50/50 from people who have gotten it done (this is years later, not the first month or 2) I've seen yellowing issues, which are less these days but still happen. I've seen it pulling off paint removing the clear bra (especially if you take a hard hit and the paint is chipped but held in place by the adhesive. I've seen people with bubbling, bu more with problems and peeling at the edges (that's not covered by most warranties on them)

I'm sure a lot has to do with the quality of the installer, but higher quality, more expensive. They can go $1000-1500 or higher to get the hood, front bumper, fenders and mirrors. For that price you can get a really good body shop to respray the bumper in 5-10 years for less money.

You cannot repair the film so once its damaged from a rock or otherwise, it needs to be re-done; again at a price that is 1000 times the material cost. It's plastic so you can;t just polish it like a scratch in the clear cost with a buffer.

There are concerns about lines in the film (edges) and fading under the film on a darker colored car.

I just couldn't see spending $1000 on plastic film to maybe prevent a rock chip that may or may not happen.

Also, get in a front end wreck and insurance won't replace the film. So you're out $1000-1500 that you are out of pocket to re-install.

IMO not worth it at the end of the day. Rock chips happen and these aren't Ferraris.

:shrug: I don't know where you got this stuff, almost none of that is true on modern ppf's.

• Films don't yellow anymore, for 5-10 years at least.
• All good installers cover peeling/bubbling.. proper installation is their entire job! If you feel you can DIY you can buy the kit yourself (https://www.xpel.com/products/paint.asp) for half the cost.
• Nano-fusion on the entire hood, entire front bumper, both front fenders, and both mirrors was $995 in Houston, TX at Invisishield by Steve Perez's team (took 1st in the PPF category of the 2014 Window Film Professionals Conference)
• Respraying your hood, bumper, and fenders AND getting the paint to match on a multi-layer metallic paint... wayyyy more than $1k, but good luck with that.
• Modern films are self-healing. One rock chip will not ruin the entire thing
• You can wash and wax over the film just like the rest of the car. Its just another clear coat.
• Modern films do not make the paint fade any faster or slower
• If you don't like lines on your hood.. you shouldn't have bought a 2015 mustang bc its got plenty haha
• If you live on a dirt/rock/debris free island, then sure, there's no point. Save you some money. Me, it's not if I get a rock chip, its when.
• Of course insurance doesn't cover modifications. It won't cover your intake, exhaust, or new wheels either.

This is some serious fear mongering man. Have you ever even seen these films in person?

Anyone interested, read up at tintdude.com. Specifically: http://www.tintdude.com/forum/index...-durability-of-ppf-3m-avery-kpmf-orafol-xpel/ if you want to look at the best films out there today.

Xpel Ultimate, Nano Fusion, maybe SunTek are your best bet.
Xpel: https://www.xpel.com/products/xpel_ultimate_paint_protection_film.asp
(clearly says "self-healing" on the top of the page AND 10 year warranty against discoloration or peeling, etc.)

NanoFusion: http://nano-fusionppf.com/
(Lifetime warranty)

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