Paint Protection Film
 

Anyone else notice the RX-8's have the clear protective film on the bottom of the doors and in front of the rear wheel wells? Too bad it's not on the front also.

Yes, I also noticed it too. It also help to have them on the door edge to protect from little accidental door open on a high curb when you park on the street. I was wondering if anyone know where we can buy those clear film.

This place sells a version by the foot: http://www.xpel.com/products/default.asp

I've got it on the nose, 1/4 way up the hood which includes the fender hump just behind the headlights, door handles (fingernails), mirrors and behind rear wheel. Job done by Digicut Systems. Installers all over country I was told. Product name is DigiShield.

XPEL Clear Bra template available this week
 

If anyone has been considering getting a 3M clear bra on their RX-8 - my tint shop just advised that XPEL ( www.xpel.com ) has finished their template for the RX-8 and will have it available this week. XPEL dealers just download the config and then the pieces are cut under computer control. I'm going on Friday to have it installed!

Regards,
Gordon

One word....

Pictures!

Make sure you get em! :

Unfortunately they don't list the kit for cars with App Pkg.

The pieces combined for total frontal coverage equals over $500 without installation. Let us know what you got done and how much it cost, if you would please.
Thanks in advance.

3M Clear Bra ? Pricing? Do it yourself?
 

Today I checked on this and the company wanted 3 hours and $500. Options?

moderator edit

Hey, I grew up in El Monte!:D

In So Cal get a hold of Edre or Daniel at Envisage Design Labs in Torance. (866) 335-3456. Tell them Jeremy from Invisiguard sent you, they'll take care of you;)

If anyone has any other question about paint protection film feel free to drop us a line!
Invisiguard@sbcglobal.net
Jeremy

How much does such product cost any one know? is it easy to put back after washing the car?


Thanks

Nice Avatar:D

Thats acctually a pretty low price if they are quoting a full install(bumper, hood, fenders, mirrors) but everything is relative when it comes to skilled labor, you can always find someone to paint your car for less..;)

As for DIY, honestly, I have never seen anyone do an install on even the easiest car on their first try(me included!) and the RX8 is by no means a begginers car. If the installer you talked to is willing, watch them do an install to see what acctually goes into it. Also, there are alot of sub-par installers out there trying to do this on the side of their window tintinting/auto detailing/body shop, ect. so dont be afraid to ask for references and see one of their installs. BTW, if your near Boca Raton, get a hold for Auto super shield 561-367-0101, they are excellent installers.

If you have any other questions about paint protection film feel free to drop us a line!
Invisiguard@sbcglobal.net
Jeremy

Though it can be removed(with a bit of effort) with no damage to the pait, the film is meant to be a permanent, maintenance-free install that can be washed and waxed over along with the rest of the painted surface, see the attached pic of our film installed on an M3(look close!) to give you a better idea of how the film looks installed. Prices can range from 500-1000 for a full install(typically bumper, hood, fenders, mirrors) but just like any other skilled labor, price is always relative. You can always find someone to paint your car for less money ;)

Considering that it costs about $300 to get a hood repainted, and $500 to repaint a front bumper, spending up to $1000 is not a bad idea. I repainted the hood on my wife's 2000 Accord last year, and it already has chips again.

That sound good, I will put it in my todo list, since I like to do everything myself; it's the joy when you know you did something good to your car =) Definitely I will consider the clear film over the bra :p

My RX-8 is in right now having the XPEL version of the 3M Scotchcal clear bra applied. The bumper piece is supposed to be very difficult to fit ( check out www.xpel.com to see the pattern), so I'm not sure I'd want to try it myself. The pattern doesn't include cutouts for the headlight washers on Canadian cars, so my shop has to modify it for that. I'm also having the rear window and rear side windows tinted at the same time - I'll post pics and prices when it's done!

Regards,
Gordon

Does anyone know if there is anyone in the UK that supply and fit this type of film?

Wouldnt use of this product on such areas as the hood which has a lot of surface area being exposed, pose some kind of threat of melting into the paint in really hot climates such as California?

Has anyone noticed if dirt gets trapped on the line between where it is, and where it's not? I heard someone tell me this. But I don't know if it's true. So I thought that by covering the entire hood, that might work?

Besides, I have plenty of chips going up the hood of my car. It's not that I follow real close, I just drive to work on an interstate that I call "rock-alley"... Thanks to a lot of dump trucks.

Just picked up the RX-8 - fabulous job. Pictures wouldn't be worthwhile, since you can not see the clear film! The rear edge on the hood is back about 20", so it should provide great protection.

FWIW, here's what the installed cost came to:

RX-8 Hood, fender, mirror: $260 Cdn, ~$186 US
RX-8 bumper kit: $270 Cdn, ~$192 US
Headlights and fog lights (custom fit) $79 Cdn, ~$56 US

Total for the paint/lights 3M film protection, installed: $609 Cdn, ~$435 US.

Oh, I also had the rear side windows and rear window tinted with XG film, 35% - $119 Cdn, ~$85 US. Looks great - pictures of that would be worthwhile, so maybe in the next few days...

Regards,
Gordon

The urethane film will not melt with any amount of heat experienced in hot climates, this includes the heat from under the hood as well. When we install this film we use heat guns set at 500 degrees on the all the edges for proper adhesion, so hot weather is no problem at all.

Nothing will get "trapped" by the film, since all edges are securely adheared to the paint, but dirt and wax may build up along edge. This is easily removed with a dry cloth or a medium bristle tooth brush if stubborn. As for covering the whole hood, while possible keep in mind that these kits are designed to cover just the frontal impact area of the vehicle while remaining as practical to install and visually unobtrusive as possible. Obviously there is always the possibility of chips or scratches happening outside the frontal impact areas, but once you start paying more to cover larger areas of the car, you will soon come to a point of diminishing returns as far as actual protection versus costs are concerned. In any case, a good installer will be able to provide you with any custom coverage you desire. ;)