I'm having the 3M kit installed on my Z. I was watching the installer apply the material to the sideview mirrors. It does not fit properly, leaving a gap in coverage of 3/4 of an inch. Also the kit is not cut to the exact shape of the mirror. Has anyone had this problem before?

 

Do you know if your installer is custom cutting the material or installing a pre-cut kit? The Xpel kit I use is 2 pieces, one for the top flat portion that fits perfectly to the edges if installed correctly, and a lower piece that wraps around the front flat surface of the mirror and stops about 1/2" short of the extreme outer edge. None of the 1/2" exposed surface is frontal imapct area and should not require further material for protection.

 

He's using a precut pattern. You're right about the lower piece being 1/2" short. Even though it's not essential for protection, I'm wondering why it wasn't cut to fit the entire lower area for cosmetic reasons.

 

If you want a fit like this, have your man call me.

 

Mike,

Instead of a pictograph of your Dynashield kit, how about a close up shot? Digital images taken from more than 4 feet away really can't separate good and bad 3M clear film installations. Let's see a closeup with good lighting and a macro lens.

I'd be really interested how the pros can cover complex curves like the rear view mirrors in ONE piece.

Dean

 

For those you haven't seen the Xpel pattern for the rear view mirror, here's a picture. The fitting and coverage design is obviously poor. Why not extend the trailing border of the film all the way to the mirror edge?

Xpel 350Z mirror pattern

 

even a close up won't show a bad job. I can play with a polarized filter to get the film to show up better, but is still won't show quality of work. My mirror is also 2 piece. The difference is that it fits better and goes all the way to the edge.

 

Does this close up show the quality? Very clear in good light and it looks good.

 

It's easy to cover flaws with close-ups. This is the same spot with the bad area NOT cut.

 

five minutes of photoshop.

I'm just trying to make the point that you shouldn't trust internet pics from anyone. Look at the installers work and judge for yourself.

 

Mike,

I'm not exactly sure what you're trying to show here. Does the picture even represent a 350Z section?

You say it's easy to cover up flaws with close ups, but your close up easily shows a 2 pretty bad flaws.

#1 There's a "dog ear" or fold of extra film material from improper placement of a precut pattern. Could be avoided with proper alignment or a small relief cut, no? A free hand cut of the film never looks as good as a precise (factory)precut.

#2 There's a black foreign body trapped under the film.

I agree that wrapping the film around the edge looks much better, especially around the hood. It's also a much EASIER job since you don't have to worry about aligning the edges precisely.

I would say that what makes the precut vs. custom patterns much better is the way they handle the complex cut-out. (i.e. emblems, fog lights,etc). This is what separates the good from the mediocre.

For those with "custom" cut clear bra film, I would really like to see how they handled the "NISSAN" emblem. If someone can precisely cut that opening "freehand," they are very talented.

Dean

Pic of NISSAN emblem cutout

 

I was trying to show that a close up does not show anything. Actually this an XPEL kit on a 350Z at the top of the reflector. The flaw was a tear from an unskilled installer. I took the pics prior to removing the kit for possible use as evidence in small claims. The owner is now happpy with his full-wrap DynaShield kit.

 

Mike,

It's very illustrative of you to show us examples of other people's "unskilled" installations and defects in the Xpel design. There are plenty of those pictures on this site alone to prove that.

If you're going to use this site for promoting Dynashield as the premium clear bra product, it's time to "show me the money."

Wrapping the edges of the film is easy and you don't need to be precise about your cuts. We don't need to see that.

I would be interested in seeing 2 areas of Dynashield's 350Z kit (please, no photoshopping).

#1 The precise border around the Nissan emblem on the bumper.

#2 The border around the amber colored parking lights.


Dean

 

I would be interested in seeing that as well. Where can I learn more about this kit? Pricing? Can I get it installed in Houston?

 

Hey Dean,

The best way to install the mirrors is to align the outside edge first then stretch towards the car, when you think you've stretched too far, stretch a bit more. Let me know if you would like some more mirror pieces and I'll send them out to you. BTW, if you think THAT was a bad install, you should see the Xpel kit that got cut into 12 different pieces then installed! The pics are floating the site somewhere, even the best made kits can be ruined by a poor installer.

 

I don't have the pics you are after. I could provide them when I do another 350Z. You might also post on general asking someone with one of my kits to post a pic. The emblem is pretty easy though. The hard part is getting it to wrap the bottom of the front, and the headlight openings.

 

I used his car for my patterns. I was really bummed when he took it off before coming to my shop. I wanted to witness it with my own eyes.

BTW as you know, I am not beating up the XPEL kit. It is still the best coverage FOR THE MONEY.