3M Clear Vinyl for Stones and Bugs

[david.g.chapman]

I noticed at a lotus meet last year that some Elises where covered in a clear vinyl coating around the front of the car. Obviously used for stone chips and insect splatter (those acidic juices can attack paint).

IMHO it did not look that bad on the car.

So I decided to look into it for my +2, and bought an 0.5 x 1.5m piece from Amazon for just under a tenner. This is the 3 layer glossy stuff that you put on using a solution of washing up liquid and water:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00EOLEHOG/r ... 71_TE_item

You peel off the backing and use the washing up solution on the car to position the vinyl - then push out the air bubbles with the heel of your hand or a credit card.

I have just fitted it and can say (again IMHO) that it looks OK. I covered the front of the car from the front bumper to just before where the bonnet starts. On a plus 2 this is where the impact angle for flying objects is worst. I also stuck a piece on the front of the Stromberg "power bulge" for the same reason. I used separate pieces for the pop up headlights with a 3mm margin for the headlight pod edges.

It is supposed to least for 5 years+. I will see what time does to it - it can be peeled off again (perhaps ).

Dave Chapman

[roblotus79]

Could you post a picture please? I'd be interested in seeing what it looks like on the car.

Cheers


Rob

[Jason1]

The wife's Yaris has it on the rear arches. I believe its been on there since 2002 and its still good.

[david.g.chapman]

OK - pictures would help.

Note - pic 1 is at the bottom and pic 3 is at the top!

For pics 1 and 2 I have tried to show up the edges of the film. Pic 1 is under flash so the colour is distorted. if you look carefully you can see where I have curved the edge of the film to try and make it look better. I could not get a continuous sheet to stick properly next to the side light so I cut the film and curved the edges again. use of a heat gun might get around this if you are brave (and more skilled).

Pic 2 is under natural light coming through the garage door. I should have cleaned the film up a bit but you can see the glossy finish.

Pic 3 is how it looks to the casual eye - you have to look carefully to see anything

Cheers

Dave.

[john.p.clegg]

Good idea if you've recently had a ?8,000 respray..

John

[cal44]

The 3M vinyl isn't cheap, but it's good. P car guys use it all the time here in the States. Ever wonder why car bras went away? This stuff. Take a six hour drive through the desert with this film on the front of your car and you'll see benefit.

mike

[elansprint]

David that looks good I have seen several TVR's with it on only comment I would make is be careful of using polish like autoglym and mer as the white residue ends up leaving a white line around the edges
Ian

[david.g.chapman]

I will make a note not to use autoglym etc. near it.

My feeling is that over time, dirt might migrate underneath the margins of the vinyl and embed itself in the adhesive layer to form a visible line. If this happens I will try carefully lifting the edge and cutting off 1mm, then pressing it down again.

The film does seem nicely bonded to the paint after 24 hours so I might be OK.

I will see.

Dave.

[pharriso]

I've had the 3M material on my M3 since new in 2006; Not a single chip & you really have to look for the film to notice it.

The material that Lotus uses is called Star Shield; $1000 option on a new Evora.