I am getting little rock chips on my front.. some that look like explosions on the moon but leave no chip and a few tiny chips.

I am freaking out as you can assume. I dont have the cash in hand for the 3M coating right now and I am not sure I really want to put it on if it only lasts 5 to 7 years.. Questions...

1. Would you put a bra on till you could afford to put the 3M coating on?

2. Would you just let the front end chip till you could put 3M on?

3. Would you jsut put your Z in the garage and not drive it till you could get the 3M coating on?

4. Does the 3M coating yellow after a couple of years?

5. Wouldnt the paint under the 3M coating stay semi glossy while the rest of your Z look fantastic after waxing?

I am in a "dither" as to what to do.

EZ

 

I would put the bra on and forget about the 3M application particularly if you are strapped for cash. I know there have been several discussions about the risks of the bra huring your paint, etc. but I have used them on several of my cars with no problem at all including my '78 280Z that I wish I could find a new bra for. Yes you need to remember to take them off in the rain and be sure they are dry when put back on. Also a tight fit is important but the one for the Z appears well made with a tight fit.
I will probably get flamed from the old technology side but it's my opinion and experience.

 

I know exactly what your talking about. I'm getting little chips to. The 3m clear looks good, but will it realy work to stop rock chips? I would think a regular front bra would be better.

 

What panel is getting the most damage? I would suggest getting the 3m/xpel stuff for that particular panel if you are low on cash. I would bet some of the guys selling this stuff would cut you a deal if you wanted just one piece.
You can care for the clear bra piece in the same way as the rest of the car, and the shine will stay the same. And I wouldn't worry about yellowing or deterioration for at least 7 years.

 

3M Paint Protectant

 

I would get the 3M put on the Hood and the top of the fenders as that is metal and will tend to chip easier than the plastic bumper, and also the chips are more noticeable on the hood than the bumper, and also I have found that I drive much further back from cars and avoid being behind trucks as much as possible.

 

I tend to avoid haphazard situations like you mentioned, but I'd really like something to protect the front of the car at the track where rocks tend to be flung up pretty often...

 

If I couldn't have 3M, I would just respray the front end every few years.... I can't stand to see nice, new cars with a black leather front end.

 

Thanks everybody!

I will check to see if I can get my front lower bumper done with the 3m film.. if not then I will get the bra until I can do the whole thing.

I mean.. this is regular hiway driving between my home and work.. I even leave a bunch of space between me and the fool in front of me... or beside me.. I will get some touchup paint to cover the two tiny impacts.

Got about 230 miles on her and she is sweet.. 1 week of driving. With Balloon Fiesta coming up my cash is goign that way. Have to get the basket and balloon ready for action.

Talk to you all later!!

Pat (aka EZ)

 

Well on the xpel site http://www.xpel.com/paint/product.as...san&model=350Z

They have the bumper + hood going for $550....and I'd guess install is at least another couple hundred on top of that. wacky.

 

Down here I got a hold of the guy that is supposed to be the best in installing the stuff, from what I have found out the materials are all the same or very similar if not 3M, but it is the installation that matters, and from the 350Z kit it is the bumper that is the hard one to put on, the hood and fenders are simple. You want someone that has a lot of experience and not just a window tint installer getting into the clear bra business, because it will take some time and patience to put the bumper piece on correctly without any marks. This guys was going to cost around 800, so I am on the fence, for that money I can wait until the bumper is beyond help and buy the Nismo bumper as replacement.

Just as experience, I got it done for free because they were looking for a car to measure but they cannot get the bumper on right, first it was done in two pieces then they tried in one piece but they cannot avoid the imperfections, this is why I say to look for someone with years with experience installing hard kits such as 996's or such cars with hard front bumper shapes.

 

I am sorry I guess I wasn't clear, I found the "best" after I had it done for free and they couldn't do it right, the "best" saw my "free job" and said his installation will not have any of the imperfections that mine has and he seemed very knowledgeable. He came highly recommended (Pepi Feliu of Auto Supershield) and he garantied that it would pass my picky test after I showed him what I was not happy with.