Porsche964FP

Paint Protection

Thought Process
I had micro scratches, bird mess, stone chips, track rubber on my previous paint.

Having had the car resprayed in black yet again (notoriously the worst colour to hide imperfections) I decided to have the front of the car wrapped to preserve the paint from track work, stone chips, UV, bird droppings etc.

I looked into several companies and heard various horror stories:
From films yellowing, film being cut on cars, dirt accumulation around seams etc.

Eventually I settled with Paint Shield - www.paintshield.co.uk
No affiliation.

They had a very strong reputation and don't cut on cars.

Procedure:
The car is meticulously cleaned and detailed to leave a clear, bright work surface.

The film is cut in panels by a printer - they have a database of all cars under the sun. The software allows them to design film panels that include your mods - for me this was the missing indicators on the wings for example.

The film is placed in their bright, clean workshop.

A soap like solution is used to move the film into place and stop it sticking, then a rubber bar is used to push out the solution and allow the film to stick.

The process took half a day to do the just front end.

The Film:
The film is a strong and flexible one that repels small stone chips.

It also repairs itself....

I didn't believe this either until I saw their live demonstration... if micro swirls/ micro scratches are made to the film the film will automatically 'heal' itself making the scratches/ swirls disappear. The process is sped up if warm water is poured on the effected area!

I don't expect you to believe me until you ever see it for yourself.

She took me over to a display car panel which had the film applied and used a small, fine wire brush and scratched the film in a circular motion. After the film looked ruined she poured a mug of warm water over it. Low and behold it actually works and the film healed itself!

Here is a video that displays what I saw - as found on their website.

You Tube

The film they used is the same one featured in the video - Expel Ultimate.

After care:
I got a little pamphlet that basically explains how to take care of the film.
Yellowing occurs if you don't use good PH neutral products etc.
And you wax it (not polish) as you would your car.

They have an extensive guarantee - that extensively covers the protection of your paint.

After thoughts:
The staff there were very friendly, helpful and professional.
They clearly know their stuff.
The product held up to stone chips and track rubber at Spa.
The film is seamless, wraps into panel gaps - you'd never notice it unless told.
The film gives a deeper shine to the paint - like lacquer.
Happy bunny.

Anyway here are way toooo many pics.

Porsche964FP

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Porsche964FP

Lastly I purchased a set of Rennline magnetic track pads that cover the bonnet and under the headlights for extra protection on track.

Pic from their website. http://www.rennline.com/Rennline-Mag...nfo/EM06%2E07/

oldtimer

OK Frank , we've had the sales pitch , now tell how much it was ????

Porsche964FP

As if you didn't know I'd say this - call them. I don't talk figures out of the work place

Not good value - you get what you pay...

GazC2

Not sure I get it you pay good money to have a cracking paint job surely you have to detail the car before application to have it looking good ? conversely your trying to protect your cracking paint job by applying the film which no longer looks cracking because it has a film over it and charged you an arm and a leg in the process I think I would rather pay for a touch up respray in the future unless it gets chipped to bits on track days in which case it might be worth it , hope i`ve made myself clear!!

Porsche964FP

Not sure I understand -

The detail happened to make sure the surface was pristine as dirt under the film is not great... The car got dirty between the paint job and the film application.

In my humble opinion the paint looks exactly (if not better since the film acts almost like an extra coat of lacquer) the same with the film in place. It's seamless. You'd never know it was there unless told.

Well the film should last many, many years if well maintained - thus avoiding the need for a front end respray as stone chips are no longer an issue.

There are a few mostly American 964 guys who swear by it also. I guess it just depends how keen you are on respraying a front end every few years...

I guess I'll just have to wait and see whether it all made sense in years to come.

Between that and touring with the car on less than perfect roads stone chips came in abundance prior.

bigunit_271078

I think it depends. I hate stone chips and after spending good dosh on getting it all tidied up last thing I wanted was more stone chips. I got paint shield over front of mine and over 2 yrs since the paint job it's still spotless. I don't regret it.

911Jetta

XPEL is awesome, and very popular in the States. The key is a good install, it looks like you got that (especially since you were hovering around taking 100's of pics =;>).

XPEL and the Rennsport mats..I would say you are covered.
I'm surprised I don't have more chips on the front of my car...

Porsche964FP

Yup - it was after your recommendation and seeing (being pointed out) the seamlessness on your car that I went for it.

Yeah I believe the US Rennlister with the Cobalt Blue 3.6 Turbo has it and he's very happy after many years.

Hope so!
That's because your pics always display pristine roads! Love your pic threads btw. Always a great read Jet - thanks.

alexjc4

Hmm interested in this, but I wonder how well it does with cat claws, by bonnet had long scratches down it from the bloody cat sliding down it trying to hold on.

911Jetta

Big thanks! I'm just keeping everyone entertained while your car is down.
You know everyone on the forum can't wait until Black Betty is rolling again!

Love the "Black Betty - XXX" thread titles.

Porsche964FP

As you may remember I almost killed my neighbours (bonnet claw sliding) cat on many occasions. If the wire brush scratches heal - I'm hoping cat scratches will be a walk in the park....

More importantly,
1. Did you get the mirrors alright? Everything functioning as it should?
2. WHERE is your thread?!

I hope to one day make pic threads like yours - they're much more fun.

Cheers mate - sometimes I think I should keep my mouth shut. But I'll be happy even with one person liking my threads!

KiwiSean

I've had the same done to my car including the sills, shark fins and fronts of guards and rear bumper behind the wheels. Sadly flying stones on the track will still get through the film. Making it even harder if not impossible to touch up like a normal stone chip.

I agree, it's almost impossible to notice, it's just a small line. It looks great but you will still need the magnetic track mats that Frank has gone for if you're going to track and run close to other cars.

Unfortunately I have a f-glass bonnet!