Q: What are the three most important things I
should I be looking for when looking for paint protection film?
A: 1>Quality of the install. Installing
a clear bra is a very tedious and time consuming activity.
While there is no such thing as a 'perfect install' our installers
do everything possible to insure your clear bra is properly
installed and does its job - protecting your paint.
Check the install gallery.
2> Material. 3M Scotchgard Pro Series is the market leader and it is what we use exclusively.
If one starts with an inferior raw material the quality and longevity
of the install is doomed. (Most other manufacturers have not
figured out how to clear coat their material).
more on the currently available 3M films here
Supplemental Note on 3M films:
Recently there have been a lot of companies using back channel
supply lines to provide an aerospace version of paint protection
film - sometimes known as Aerogard, AeroFilm, AeroBra. This film carries NO 3M WARRANTY
WHATSOEVER; it is not approved for the automotive market, it is
NOT CLEAR-COATED, and WILL dull and yellow. The main reason
for offering it is that it requires less effort and skill to
apply. Accept no substitutes, insist on Scotchgard!
3> Quality of the 'cut'. Some
companies offer very inexpensive kits with a lot of small 'easy to
handle' pieces that need to be fitted together and invariably
leave gaps and unsightly seams that tend to attract dirt and
grime. They do this to save money buy
nesting small pieces tightly together during the manufacturing
process. Some competitors also design their 'kits' to
use the smallest bulk roll possible to further reduce cost buy
further reducing coverage. i.e. only offering a piece on
the leading edge of the hood. Our kits are designed with as few
pieces and as few seams as possible. They are designed to offer
the best compromise between coverage and install. This makes for a
MUCH better final product.
Q: What should I be watching out for?
A: The number one thing we can say is watch out for claims that
sound too good to be true! There are many small Online companies
trying to be national companies via the Internet by making wild
claims. As they lack the ability to install their kits on a
national basis, some may 'Tell you what you want to hear' to close
the sale. Without a professional install the material
arguably has no particular value. The inherent value is the
materials ability to protect your vehicle from stone chips right?
It will not do much protecting if it lives in the closet still in
the box it was shipped in. Like most things, if it sounds too good
to be true it probably is. We are a Texas company and are
very proud to exclusively serve the Dallas Metro area's paint
protection film needs!
Q: I am obsessive about my car can you guarantee my clear bra will be
perfect?
A: No. As stated in other areas of this site, there is no such
thing as a 'perfect clear bra' It is designed to protect
your vehicles finish with a minimal trade-off. There will
always be 'imperfections' - not really imperfections as they are
acceptable - if you look close enough. If you stick your nose to
the film you may spot a stray fiber, a speck of dust, etc. While
we do everything possible to prevent these occurrences, you should
know they are likely. The 8-Foot rule is the way to look at
it - literally. Stand 8 feet away and you car will look
paint chip free! If you think your clear bra install is
going to look better than factory paint keep in mind we do not
start with a sterilized flawless vehicle and we do not work in a
Billion dollar TI Clean Room.
Q: Can it be removed?
A: If desired, film can be removed at any time by picking up a
corner of the film and pulling the film off the vehicle surface at
a 90-degree angle. If the film has been present a long time, or if
the film and vehicle are cold, a heat gun or hair dryer may be
used to soften the adhesive, allowing easier removal. If any
adhesive remains on the vehicle after removal of the film, it can
be removed using use 3M TM General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner (Part
#08984), according to the package directions.
Q: Can I install it myself?
A: No, well probably not. All Modern Armor Paint Protection kits are sold on a
professionally installed basis by factory-trained installers.
Given that only 3% of our paint protection kits are rated consumer
installable, and that the install is a critical part of the final
result, we highly suggest professional installation.
Q: But other websites describe how I can
install it myself???
A: While a lot of websites describe in simple terms how easy it is
to install, look at why. They are trying to sell something
nationally - bulk pre-cut kits. They want to be Big but can't
offer professionally installed kits on a national basis, so they
try to sell the material. We are only looking to service the
Dallas Metro area and thus don't need to convince you that working
with an eight foot by two foot piece of adhesive backed material is easy. Just think of all the complex compound
curves on the front of your vehicle, and then that you are going
to put a piece of something flat on it and not get any creases or
bunched up material during the install. The truth is the
material can be very difficult to work with. If you really want we
can cut you as many kits as you need to cover you vehicle
yourself.
Q: I bought a kit online; how much do you
charge for the install?
A; We do not install kits bought online, period. In order to
provide you the consumer with the best possible clear bra
installation we need to make sure we control all the variables,
material, material age, shape of the pieces, and the install of
course. There is one genius selling what he describes as a
clear bra online - but it is cut from an inferior design library
and it is cut on SIGN MAKING MATERIAL, and is not worth the $9.95
we paid for one! We can't in good conscious take your money
for an install that we know isn't going to work out.
The truth is you bought a do it yourself kit, which means you need to do it yourself. The reality is buying a kit online and not installing it yourself is like buying a window tint kit online and instead of trying to install it yourself you take it to a tint shop and ask them to install it for you. What do you think they would say if you brought them a piece of tint and said - install it?
Q: What is it made from?
A: We exclusively use a tough clear coated and adhesive backed 3MTM
transparent urethane film. Both the clear coat and the film itself
are manufactured to be UV transparent. This mitigates any
differential fading issues associated with traditional bras. Not
all manufacturers have figured out how to properly, if at all,
clear coat the film.
Q: How tough is it?
A: A derivative of the film is used on helicopter rotors to protect
them from being destroyed in hash environments.
Q: Is it really invisible?
A: The material is very difficult to see once it is properly
applied. Most people will not even notice that it is on the car.
Take a look at some of the vehicles in our install
gallery. If you have a pure white vehicle the material will be
easier to spot.
Q: How is the kit applied? Do you spray it
on?
A: The material comes to us in a large roll. Our computer
controlled machines cut the material into shapes designed to fit
various parts of your car. These pieces are then applied to the
vehicle. The
pieces and the painted surface are wetted down with a solution and moved
into position, and then the solution is squeegeed away.
Q: Will the film harm the painted surface?
A: If the film is properly applied to a fully cured painted
vehicle, it can be removed, usually in one piece, without damaging
paint surfaces beneath the film.
Q: Can you paint or apply a clear coat over
the film?
A: No, this is not recommended and is at your own risk. 3M film is
supplied with an OEM approved clearcoat which is not formulated to
be over-printed, painted or clearcoated.
Q: Can the film be applied over graphics?
A: The clear film will not interfere with vinyl or painted
graphics and is designed to match the gloss levels of today's
automotive factory clearcoat paint systems, providing virtually
invisible protection. However, if the 3M paint protection film is
removed, damage may occur to the underlying graphic during the
removal process
Q: Can the film be used on windshields?
A: No, it does not meet the U.S. Department of Transportation's
standards for optical clarity and abrasion resistance.
Q: Does the film resist yellowing?
A: Yes, it resists yellowing because the film is constructed of
thermoplastic urethane, a tough, conformable material that is
covered by a clearcoat layer. If you have a pure white vehicle the
material will look slightly yellow depending on the lighting
conditions, even when first installed. The film is designed to be UV
transparent and UV stable.
Q: Can I still use a car wash?
A: Once applied, refrain from washing the vehicle for 48 hours. Washing after that time presents no
problem. Special care should be taken as to the process used in
the vehicle washing. Acids and harsh chemicals used by some
dealerships, and automated washes are bad for your paint and they
are bad for our material.
Q: What about waxing my vehicle?
A: When waxing the vehicle, some wax may build up along the film
edges. This can easily be removed when dry with a Q-Tip. Liquid
waxes are best as they tend to leave less residue to clean up. You
can also use a low tack 3M Blue Painters tape along the edges
during the waxing process thus avoiding wax buildup in the first
place. Do not use any waxes containing
dyes, abrasives, cleaners or waxes not recommended for urethanes. Additionally
carnauba waxes should be avoided as they are yellow by nature and
can stain the urethane over time.
Q: How long will it last?
A: The material has
an average life span of about 5-7 years. It is much
like the paint on your car. Whether or not the car is garaged and
whether or not it is kept washed and waxed will make a big
difference in the life span of the product.
Q:Does 3M guarantee the material?
A:> 3M now Guarantees the film for 10 years