Discussion Forum - Northstar Chevelle Club

SShink · 3K+ Club

3M Paint Defender Product-Anyone use it?

69SSConv · Active Member

Looks like a simple enough system? Curious as well if anyone has used it?

SShink · 3K+ Club

I'm guessing there's a visible edge line like the product that dealers install that might catch dust and show over time?

Might be worth it to put this down low on the rockers and behind the fenders to help with rock chips in addition to the front of the hood. Looks like the kit comes with a vehicle bag to protect it from any overspray too.

bowtie · Secretary

I wouldn't do anything until you know what the "full cure" time on the paint is. Some paints need a while to fully cure/harden/whatever before you apply stuff onto them.

I like the idea, I know a lot of modern vehicles are using a clear film protector on exposed body sections that are prone to chips. New trucks have them fore and aft on the box at the wheel wells as an example.

jim larson · 2K+ Club

Interesting, looks like a possible use on my 2012 silverado, wonder how it will do with the gravel roads?

Jon H · 1K+ Club

I have not used that product but we do have the 3M film product on the Mustang. I am not that impressed. It does prevent rock chips but is visible and subject to defects. I don't think you would be happy putting that on anything but a daily driver.

Back in Black · Active Member

I am a true believer in paint protection film. I had the front bumper cover, headlights, leading 12" of the fenders, side sills, and quarter panels behind the rear tires of the Viper covered with 3m clear film. The front bumper cover took a direct hit at 60mph from a turkey, hitting the tire wall at Road America, bumping a tree stump, and a couple thousand track miles getting pelted by debris from cars in front. I recently peeled it off due to all the damage and there is not one mark on the bumper cover. I also peeled the film off the driver's side side sill which also took a good scraping from the tire wall. The portion above the body line was not covered. See the pics and judge for yourself. I wish I would have covered the whole car.

The lower body below the eyebrow line on the El Camino has also taken a beating from road debris. I would cover those areas if I had it to do all over again.

-- Edited by Back in Black on Friday 12th of July 2013 09:20:08 AM

Jon H · 1K+ Club

Back in Black wrote:
I am a true believer in paint protection film. I had the front bumper cover, headlights, leading 12" of the fenders, side sills, and quarter panels behind the rear tires of the Viper covered with 3m clear film. The front bumper cover took a direct hit at 60mph from a turkey, hitting the tire wall at Road America, bumping a tree stump, and a couple thousand track miles getting pelted by debris from cars in front. I recently peeled it off due to all the damage and there is not one mark on the bumper cover. I also peeled the film off the driver's side side sill which also took a good scraping from the tire wall. The portion above the body line was not covered. See the pics and judge for yourself. I wish I would have covered the whole car.

The lower body below the eyebrow line on the El Camino has also taken a beating from road debris. I would cover those areas if I had it to do all over again.

-- Edited by Back in Black on Friday 12th of July 2013 09:20:08 AM

I suspect the original cost of the film and application (based only on what I paid) was in the $600 range. Now that it is off you either recover for another $600 or let nature take it's course and see what kind of damage occurs. It does protect, no question about that, but the film shows its age as evidenced in your photos while doing so. If I had to do it all over again on the Mustang I would put up with whatever came along for issues and do a touch up paint if necessary, I don't know if the resulting dollar outlay would be that much different. Just my .02.

Back in Black · Active Member

I wouldn't be peeling it off if it hadn't gotten damaged. It had a lot of life left.

Jon H · 1K+ Club

Back in Black wrote:
I wouldn't be peeling it off if it hadn't gotten damaged. It had a lot of life left.

Are you going to replace it?

Back in Black · Active Member

Jon H wrote:
Back in Black wrote:
I wouldn't be peeling it off if it hadn't gotten damaged. It had a lot of life left.
Are you going to replace it?

I would if I was having the paint damage repaired but I'm wrapping the whole car instead. Makes no sense to paint it if I'm going to continue to track the car.