I just wanted to let everyone out there with an Evo know that the other day I paid $475 to my local tint shop who also applies 3m clear shiled (that invisible 8mm clear bra that goes on the front of your car) for $475 they did the WHOLE front of the car and the rear wheel wells to right by the rear door so the wheels don't kick up any rocks and chip the area. They also did the mirrors and around the door handles on the car. This stuff is great. It is not visible at all from a distance. When you get up close you can faintly see the lines where it is but really its worth it. Id rather see a few faint lines than have my front end sand blasted. This way I can make sure that the car doesn't get any chips on it. Great for long road trips. Anyways I just wanted to reccomend this stuff to all you guys. You can't notice it at all and most tint shops install the stuff to. I will post some pics tonight to show you guys how it looks.

 

Cool, I've heard of that stuff on other forums. It get's mixed reviews (some people say it's noticeable or yellows on their car, others say it's perfect). I've been thinking about it for the Evo - can't wait to see those pictures.

 

Looking forward to the pics too.

 

I saw this stuff on a Viper in OC. Apparently it's talked about on some Viper board. "Car guys" will notice it, although you have to stand next to the car to see it. The place the Viper guys talked about is in Torrance, CA. I'm not sure if it was 3m film, or if they used something else. A very good idea, as far as I'm concerned. Anyone know of this place in Torrance? FWIW, it wasn't yellowed at all.

 

My father has the stuff on his 911 Cab an Ferrari of Dallas recomends it as well on any car they sell or service. I like it, with all of the stories I have heard about the Evo paint chipping I am going to do it.

 

Before I bought my EVO I test drove an a '03 Acura RSX type S which had it on the front hood & fender areas as well as the forward surfaces of the rear view mirrors. The paint was silver, and the plastic was not really noticeable until you were standing next to the car. Even then it was subdued & didn't really detract from the car's appearance. I thought it seemed like a good idea, depending on how well it was applied, but I’m also worried about yellowing, damage to the paint from the adhesives etc. I think if there was something resembling a definitive opinion that it was OK in these areas I'd go for it on the hood & front fender area, assuming the price wasn’t TOOOOO bad (stuff like this always has such a huge mark-up, I wonder if you could apply it yourself? Probably has to be heated to shrink it into compound curves). One concern I'd have with the EVO is how well it would stand up to the high hood temps.

Dan

BTW Chris I see the product you're talking about is 8mm? I assume that's the thickness, nearly 1/3 of an inch, I'd say the stuff I saw was more like 1/16 at most.

 

I need to see pics....sounds weird

-Shahul

 

It is 8mm but I am not sure how they are measuring it because it looks to be 1/16th because it barely is noticeable at all. The guy insisted that it was 8mm thought and so does 3mm. They must be measuring something else. Anyways they told me that they have removed it from cars that have had it for years and it has not left any damage to the paint. It WILL NOT damage paint if you remove it. As far as yellowing goes, trust me it won't. I saw an Audi S4 that had it on there for years and it looks BRAND new. This stuff is great and since 3m makes it it is even better!

 

here's an EVO kit for any DIY'ers.

http://WWW.ARMOURGLOVE.COM/Shop/asp/...rchFor=&PT_ID=

 

whats the wash / wax procedure now with those on?

im assuming they were custom cut and will be a ***** to take off and wash then relign up all the pieces on a weekly basis

 

You wash and wax as you would on any normal paint surface. I had it on my previous car for 3 years and it was awesome...no paint chips, fading etc.... Its worth it and it wasnt visible (I had a silver car) ....I waxed the parts that were covered as I waxed the uncovered painted surfaces check Xpel.com or Stongard.com for more info

 

Anybody using it on the side of the car where people have complained of getting chips? I might try the DIY stuff when I get mine or just give in and have a local tint shop do it.

 

I've been researching this stuff and I havent been able to find if doing it yourself is just as good as having it done by a professional. What do you guys think? I dont want it to be like those DIY tint jobs you see when you drive around with bubbles everywhere.

 

Chris-I checked it out , it's actually 8 mils thick, or .008", a little less than 0.25 mm, which sounds about right. Here's the 3M site on the product http://cms.3m.com/cms/US/en/2-168/clelFFC/view.jhtml
I'm going to look into it. If I can either do it myself or find a competent local installer who doesn't want an arm & a leg for it I think I'm going to do it.

Dan

BTW here's a link to a thread on an Infinity G35 forum, haven't read it all so I'm not sure it's referring to the 3M product, but it looks informative http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthre...e#Post67235989

 

I dunno, unless it requires special tools or a hell of a lot of practice (both may be the case) I gotta think *I'D* be more intersted in doing it properly on *MY* car that some installer. Even when you're paying them people can be such F'ups

I actually applied two layers of tint from a cheap kit to the glass sunroof of my last car, a '91 Sentra SE-R with an untinted sunroof. To this day it looks great w/no bubbles.

Dan