Looking for some feed back on the whether or not to apply stone guard film to the nose of my GT3 and Boxster. The GT3 is used on weekends and 5 to 6 DE weekends, the boxster is used slightly more. The advantages are obvious, but what happens if it starts to discolor or peel off, if its removed will the color of the paint be the same etc.

 

I had it applied to by 05 GT3. My opinion is that is much better on darker cars. I looked a 2005 GT3 in white that had the film all over. I looked terrible...you could see the yellow edges. My Seal Grey hardly shows it at all...

 

i had two silver 996. one had clear film one didn't. you will not see the film until you are very close to the car. however, the car without the film didn't realy show all the chips either. the chips are there, but you can't see it well due to color.

i have no film on seal gray, you dont see much chips, they are there, but doesn't show much.

i have film on basalt black. hardly see the film.

film on carrara white, DONT DO IT. you will see the film easily. doesn't look good. a friend of mine has a white GT3, track a lot, has 10k miles or so on it now. the chips are barely visible.

your call.

 

I think the stone guard looks worse than a few small chips. My car has 2,200 miles on it, maybe I will think differantly in the future but I don't think so. I would rather paint the front bumper every 5 years or so.
Rich

 

I have indeed debated having the clear bra type film applied to my 2005 GT3 yellow - I decided against it for several reasons:
1. the chips i have would have missed the clear bra as they are well past where the film is applied - so there is no point on hoping you will have no chips with clear film;
2. I am not aware that if there is a complete warranty that is equal to the pAG paint warranty (any negative effects of the film's adhesive, or issues with paint breathing, removal of the guard after heat cycling of UV cycling) - ie there is no coverage from the company along the line of a PAG paint warranty for damages;
3. the cost of the film is equal to a repaint of the affected areas covered by the clear bra;
4. if its gonna chip, it means you are driving the car, so it ain't no garage queen - so stop pretending - you'll likely sell or trade in 5 year anyways - save the cash for things that help you from crashing it, like lessons.

I have thought about it - my cars chip where the rock takes a fancy...the rocks that like my car are smart---perhaps with a guidance computer, they would chip my rear spoiler. Give rocks their due respect and realize they are too smart (unless you cover 100% of your car with film).

 

I had stone guard on my Red 97 C4S and was quite happy with it, I owned it for 4 years. I will be getting my GT3 which is also red, the 3M stone guard this tuesday. From my experience I appreciated the protection of the lights, especially with the Xenon's on my new GT3. Also, I have found that road "tar" is easier to get off the car around the wheels and I am not afraid to use a more aggressive tar remover on the stone guard. Having experienced some rather "large" rock chips on freeway driving, especially over the mountain passes in Washington state, I feel it is a worthy investment.

However, I understand the debate to stone guard or not however, since I have a "F" car friend that is adamant that the rock chip "patina" adds character to your car. He chides me that I am putting a "bra" on my car. :-)

bob

 

It does not look super good on Carrara White. But is acceptable. I think, if they made a film with a slight blue hue, it would look better on the car (less yellow).

You start seeing the film from about 4-5 ft away in certain angles.

However, it sure beats filling in paint chips.

 

As others have said, it depends on what color your car is. I got a black GT3 and had the film applied, although I have never bothered on any other car beforehand. Since the primer is white, stone chips will show up more on dark Porsches. Of course I've gotten a few chips on unprotected areas that I've had to carefully fix - but I'm glad that it hasn't been more to fix.

I think it also depends on the type of film being used and the installation. The cheaper film is more durable but the more expensive film is less visible optically. If the install is with pre-made templates, you will see the edge of the film near the edge of the panels. Custom installers will wrap the film around the edges of the panels and bumper to minimize visible film edges. I got a custom install, so the only visible lines are the back edge of the film across the hood and two fenders.

 

I personally will not get another new car without having the clear bra applied. I used to be the kind that said "I will repaint the car in a few years". Well, a few years would pass and I would never get around to repainting my car(s). Meanwhile, the chips keep mounting and becomes more of an eyesore. The one time that I did go in for a repaint, I started picking up chips only hours after picking up the car from the shop. So I found the repaint to be a complete waste of money. IMO, the film is one of the best investments I've put into my GT3.

Like Cchan said, the better installers can make the film look practically invisible. When I had mine done by Premier, that's exactly what they were able to do. In my case, the entire front quarter of the car is convered. I love to drive my cars. So what's better than to be able to drive it, and have it chip free at the same time. If you're interested in how the film looks, check out my GT3 in Premier's gallery. www.premiermobilegroup.com

 

I had it done to my Carrara White GT3 and am very happy with it. I did not use the 3M product as it has a history of yellowing and blocking uv causing a color differential over time. I went with a newer product called invizashield (http://invizashield.com)

It is guaranteed not to peel or yellow and is absolutely clear. The only evidence of it's application is the hairline edge where it stops. From the front, it is essentially invisible with no hue or color change appreciable.

Had the car to the track a couple of times and was happy with the results. Car cleaned up without a fuss and no damage from flying rubber or rocks.

I really like the shield more for street driving as that is when you get most of the chips IMO. You can tape up a car for a track event but not for the street...

Cheers.

 

Install the "complete bra" ASAP. If you track the car or drive it at all you will be very glad you have the body armour, even if it can be seen. My GT3 is Black and I believe it is more visible on black than any other color that I have seen and yet it beats painting the front of the car, mirrors and whell wells, which I had to do after a number of track days prior to applying the armour. Not the recommended course of action.

Many track days now on the car with the armour and no blemishes. Much debris has hit me during these events. High quality film will not have any discoloration issues due the chemical makeup of the film. Really neat stuff. Make sure your installer is good.

Do it soon, you will love it.

 

pro's: your paint won't chip where it's covered by it.
con's: it looks like ****, imo...

 

I'd rather put up with a few chips. After a few years, all the films look like crap. Besides, you can't cover every square inch of the car anyhow.

 

Just got my red gt3 back from the accutint dealer Bellevue WA. I know my vision is not perfect, but I did have take my glasses off and run my fingers on the hood to find the 3m seams on the hood and bumpers. I thought this material was better(thinner) than what was used on my 97 C4S several years ago and less visible. Asked about the "yellowing" and there is a five year guarantee against it. I figure if I can get five good years before re-applying for $1200 that is no too bad a value.

 

Actually, an Enzo owner here in the Bay Area did just that. He also owns a CGT and someone said he fully wrapped it as well.

Gary