maxpowers

I know there were threads about this before, but I can't find them. When I bought the car the dealer offered to sell and install some kind of protective film to protect against chips and scratches. At the time I didn't want to spend the extra money and didn't think I needed it, but after looking at some of my friends older cars that have been well maintained, but still have chips I'm thinking about it again.

I saw this on Jay Leno's Garage


http://protectivefilmsolutions.com/automotive.php

Any help would be appreciated

Keadog

After following this for a while, it seems to me that the best installer you can find matters far more than the film itself.
Find the best installer in your area and go with what they are using. If you're in a major metropolitan area, you may have multiple choices. If you're 300 miles from your dealer, you may have no viable choice.

STG

Where are you located?

maxpowers

South Florida

STG

I'm sure there are many great installers there. I'm sure some guys local to there can chime in.

robziv

I'm on the West Coast of Fl and drive over to your side of the state a few times a year. That's the reason I got mine wrapped this time. You have a lot of dump trucks that don't cover their loads well and my Boxster had a ton of dings quickly due to the soft front. I made sure I wrapped this one right away. I used the guy the dealers used and he did a great job. If you think you'd come to this coast I can get you his info.

fastmd

The guy who did the wrap on my new 15 GT3 just opened a shop in Florida, around Tampa. His work is incredible. You can check pics on the GT3 forum, look for just had my car tinted and wrapped. He is we'll know in the northeast.

Still restless

Hi fastmd, who did you use to wrap your GT3? I think I saw you this past Saturday at the dealer. I'm now waiting for my GTS to arrive. Thanks.

fastmd

I had Lee Berbs install the clear bra and tint. Send me a pm, I will send you his info. Or you can google him. Tell him Tage sent you, he is a real car guy and not pushy.

Still restless

Thanks. I found him on Google. Which tint did you go with as it can be tricky in NJ?

fastmd

I went with 35% Madico charcoal all around, didn't want any of the blue hues from the ceramics.

Premier

With paint protection film, as others have mentioned, the key is really in the installer. Many installers take photos from 5-10 ft away in which the seams and imperfections are not visible. Best thing to do is to look at the work in person and look at it under fluorescent lighting. Look at alignment, jagged cuts, stretch marks (distortions in the adhesive from stretching the material to conform).

CobraR1339

Whats the story on wrapping the headlights. The porsche manual notes to avoid them due to heat. I can't imagine they get hotter than say Arizona sun. Whats your real world experience?

Still restless

35% is pretty dark for NJ (I assume that's where you do most of your driving). Do you have any issues with law enforcement? I leaning to about 50% as that should keep those folks away.

Premier

No issue whatsoever. The film does not absorb any heat, so there are no issues with headlamps being protected. We have been doing this since 1997, so we've pretty much seen it all.