Are you looking to protect you new vehicles finish from being eaten away (along with the resale value) by sand and road debris? Thinking that 3M paint protection film, aka a clear bra is the way to go? You are on the right track! Thinking that they are 'all the same'? No not at all. Think picking the lowest price is the way to go? No, that could be a very costly mistake.
When we started in 2003 there was one major manufacturer of paint protection film, 3M. In the years that followed many new manufactures have entered the market, almost all promised the moon, but over time were proven to not deliver on their promises. 3M is the go to choice. But what choices do they offer the public?
In the spring of 2014 3M launched its latest material 3M Scotchgard Paint Protection Film Pro Series. It is a world class material and one we feel is the best option available given our requirements, and likely yours too! 3M continues to develop this product to make it even better! It is a very clear material and has a self-healing clear coat. Minor scratches disappear over time! Keeping your new car looking new longer. 3M includes a 10 year national warranty on their Pro Series Paint Protection film. We use this material exclusivly
In the end of 2005 3M released is last major revision of it's hallmark Scotchgard Paint Protection Film. Scotchgard SGH. There were minor updates over the next half dozen years or so. It is still available but has not been updated in a number of years and will not be updated from what we have been told. It is harder to apply than the newer generation of films and it does not have a self-healing clear coat. It does hold up well in the Texas climate though and carries a 5 year warranty from 3M.
In 2007 3M bought out one of its competitors Venture Tape Corporation for its industrial adhesives business. Venture Tape had a small niche product Ventureshield paint protection film. It was very stretchy as it was not clear coated. Easier to install than 3M's Scotchgard paint protection but as it was not clear coated it turned dull rather quickly. A lot of industry insiders had assumed 3M would kill off the brand, but here we are over a decade later and the brand is still here and the product is unchanged from 2007 as fr as we are aware. 3M positions it as a low cost entry level material. Given past experience and the climate here in Texas we would not recommend applying this material. We do still see installers using it as the cost is a fraction of the current top line materials and it is forgiving to apply, a bonus to inexperienced installers.