Clear Protective Film
06-09-2007, 04:03 PM
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E63 P30, CL500 Sport
Clear Protective Film Questions / Concerns
I was planning on having Premier install clear protective film on the whole car. Where I live, I don't have to worry about paint chips or flying rocks, but I do worry about swirl marks. I HATE swirl marks. However, after reading some of the threads in the S-Class forums, I'm thinking twice about doing it. I would like to get your feedback, experiences and opinions on this issue.
Oh and here are some questinos:
1) Will Protective Film prevent or (at least) reduce swirl marks? *** (most important to me)
2) If I do get swirl marks on the film, will it be easier to take off the film than it is from the paint?
3) Will extreme heat damage the film or cause it to expand or detach? Temperatures here average at 105 in the summer but sometimes reach 112 degrees.
4) Does the film leave any residue? If so, will it harm the paint in the long run?
If you prefer to PM, please do...
Oh and here are some questinos:
1) Will Protective Film prevent or (at least) reduce swirl marks? *** (most important to me)
2) If I do get swirl marks on the film, will it be easier to take off the film than it is from the paint?
3) Will extreme heat damage the film or cause it to expand or detach? Temperatures here average at 105 in the summer but sometimes reach 112 degrees.
4) Does the film leave any residue? If so, will it harm the paint in the long run?
If you prefer to PM, please do...
Last edited by MB_Forever; 06-09-2007 at 06:48 PM.
06-10-2007, 12:31 AM
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2006 WHITE RENNTECH E55
How do you plan to get swirl marks on a clear bra tape? Wheel that car with the stuff on it. No ones going to know if the stuff you plan to put on is gonna fade because what type of clear is it 3M, or junk?
06-10-2007, 05:56 AM
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E63 P30, CL500 Sport
Swirl Marks On Protective Film
Many people told me that the film will eventually get swirl marks from repeated washes. Is this true?
Last edited by MB_Forever; 06-10-2007 at 06:26 AM.
06-10-2007, 10:44 AM
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1. The film most certainly can swirl,fade, scratch etc as with any plastic.
2. It is very difficult to remove these swirls as you can not simply polish off the top level of the plastic as you can with clear coat to remove swirls.
3. Extreme heat will not cause it to detach, but over time can cause a yellowing tint.
4. I have never seen the actual glue damage paint when removed, but I have seen the mask pull paint up with it in some cases, especially if your vehicles have ever been repainted.
Ultimately, DONT DO IT! It will not be worth the $$, and honestly will not look very good on a whole car. No matter how good the install is, you simply CAN NOT make it perfectly transparent. You will see wrinkles, bubbles etc. I have seen people do whole hoods and it is very obvious as the texture is just wrong. clear masks on vehicles, and they are fantastic at preventing chips without adding ugly bras to the front of your car, but that is truely the only benefit.
Hope this helps.
1. The film most certainly can swirl,fade, scratch etc as with any plastic.
2. It is very difficult to remove these swirls as you can not simply polish off the top level of the plastic as you can with clear coat to remove swirls.
3. Extreme heat will not cause it to detach, but over time can cause a yellowing tint.
4. I have never seen the actual glue damage paint when removed, but I have seen the mask pull paint up with it in some cases, especially if your vehicles have ever been repainted.
Ultimately, DONT DO IT! It will not be worth the $$, and honestly will not look very good on a whole car. No matter how good the install is, you simply CAN NOT make it perfectly transparent. You will see wrinkles, bubbles etc. I have seen people do whole hoods and it is very obvious as the texture is just wrong. clear masks on vehicles, and they are fantastic at preventing chips without adding ugly bras to the front of your car, but that is truely the only benefit.
Hope this helps.
06-10-2007, 12:38 PM
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E63 P30, CL500 Sport
I've changed my mind already about doing the whole car, as I've received many e-mails warning me not to do it. I will probably just do the bumper.
Last edited by MB_Forever; 06-10-2007 at 09:54 PM.
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06-10-2007, 06:01 PM
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2011 GL550, 2004 Audi S4 v8
It's just that in my experience with my other black cars, I've learned that no matter where you get the car detailed, you will eventually still GET swirl marks... especially on black cars. I've taken my cars to the best detailing shops, but after a couple of years, I STILL start noticing swirl marks. I just hate it...
I've changed my mind already about doing the whole car, as I've received many e-mails warning me not to do it. I will probably just do the pumber.
I've changed my mind already about doing the whole car, as I've received many e-mails warning me not to do it. I will probably just do the pumber.
Don't get black cars....
06-12-2007, 10:48 AM
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1. The film most certainly can swirl,fade, scratch etc as with any plastic.
2. It is very difficult to remove these swirls as you can not simply polish off the top level of the plastic as you can with clear coat to remove swirls.
3. Extreme heat will not cause it to detach, but over time can cause a yellowing tint.
4. I have never seen the actual glue damage paint when removed, but I have seen the mask pull paint up with it in some cases, especially if your vehicles have ever been repainted.
Ultimately, DONT DO IT! It will not be worth the $$, and honestly will not look very good on a whole car. No matter how good the install is, you simply CAN NOT make it perfectly transparent. You will see wrinkles, bubbles etc. I have seen people do whole hoods and it is very obvious as the texture is just wrong. clear masks on vehicles, and they are fantastic at preventing chips without adding ugly bras to the front of your car, but that is truely the only benefit.
Hope this helps.
1. The film most certainly can swirl,fade, scratch etc as with any plastic.
2. It is very difficult to remove these swirls as you can not simply polish off the top level of the plastic as you can with clear coat to remove swirls.
3. Extreme heat will not cause it to detach, but over time can cause a yellowing tint.
4. I have never seen the actual glue damage paint when removed, but I have seen the mask pull paint up with it in some cases, especially if your vehicles have ever been repainted.
Ultimately, DONT DO IT! It will not be worth the $$, and honestly will not look very good on a whole car. No matter how good the install is, you simply CAN NOT make it perfectly transparent. You will see wrinkles, bubbles etc. I have seen people do whole hoods and it is very obvious as the texture is just wrong. clear masks on vehicles, and they are fantastic at preventing chips without adding ugly bras to the front of your car, but that is truely the only benefit.
Hope this helps.
