3m clear bra film by the roll

[khamul02]

I saw someone a while back mention you can pick this stuff up by the roll. Does anyone have a source? They mention $50 a roll.

I know you can pick up the precut stuff but what I would like to do is get that and the roll so I can use the precuts as templates for the roll.

[the]

you can find it all over the net, just do a search for 3m Scotchcal.

xpel.com used to sell it in bulk, probably still does.

Not sure you buy it by the roll, though. Normally sold in bulk sheets. Even in bulk, it isn't inexpensive stuff. A "roll" (assuming by that term you mean many yards) of it would be quite expensive. Even in uncut sheets, $50 doesn't buy you all that much.

[Super_Dave_D]

I see a lot of it by the roll on ebay, in various sizes.

[Cooper911SC]

PM me with your needs.

I install clear bras and have Ventureshield film in stock. 18" 24" 30" 48" and now 55" All clear coat 8.5 MIL. thick. XPEL and Venture patterns/kits avail.

The 24" runs about $6-8 (Can't remember off top of my head) a linear foot.

As far as rolls go they come in 'x' width by 100' long It is more like $600 and up for a 'roll' of film.

I prefer to use Venture as opposed to 3M because it has less 'orange peel' look once installed on the cars. (esp. black and dark colors) It is also easier to install and less likely to leave tack lines or yellow over time. (Also way easier to remove if the film gets damaged and needs to be replaced.

Any other questions I'll be glad to answer for you. Glad to give advice and experiences with install info....It's not rocket science, just takes patients if it's your first attempt.

To 'see' the results of one of my recent installs pick up the September issue of Road&Track...My partner and I wrapped the entire front clip, rockers, rear splash areas, and windshield of the Veyron used in the 200 MPH shootout.

Cheers, Cooper

[Porsche_monkey]

Could you post a brief explanation of how it is applied?

[khamul02]

Cooper,
Which type do you prefer? I have heard some of this stuff yellows after a year or so.

[khamul02]

2 guys garage vid:

http://www.webcastone.com/clients/autosupershield/video.html

another install writeup:

http://www.mishield.com/howto.shtml

[Cooper911SC]

Hi PBH- The link to mishield that khamul02 posted has a very detailed description of how the film is installed.

In a nut shell the urethane film has an adhesive back and is 'floated' onto the surface of the car with a slip solution of soap and water. Another solution of alcohol and water is used along edges or at certain points on the kit where a more imediate 'tack' is desired. The solutions and bubbles are squeegeed out as the kit is stretched and installed. Bumpers and mirrors are the hardest parts to install typically. Any complex curve is a challenge as you are trying to stretch a flat material around it. (M3 mirrors suck)

I use a medium yellow window tint squegee and vary my slip solution a little from the mishield site. I use 32oz. sprayers with 13 drops of baby shampoo and water. For the alcohol solution I use about an inch to inch and a half of alcohol in the bottom of the bottle and the rest water. If you use too much alcohol it can cause tacky marks during the install.

khamul02- I use primarily Ventureshield film. Their latest 'hard coat' film is really nice, we have it on my wife's white 993...no yellowing yet!
Venture is nicer to install as it stretches more than 3M and the adhesive doesn't 'tack' as quickly. (That means no tack lines with stretch marks after the install) It is also easier to remove should there be a problem down the road.

I trained with XPEL in San Antonio in 2004 with 3M film. (They have a co-branding deal) 3M has been around the longest and still has probably the largest share of the PPF market. They produce a high quality product with great consistancey. Unfortunatley they have always had a yellowing problem with their adhesive and have worked really hard to fix it. One of their recent attempts included thinning the film from 8Mil to 6.5Mil...then they had problems with penetration... The other big gripe about 3M film is the amount of orange peel on the surface of the film (shows up bad on black and other dark colors). This is caused by the way they spray an automotive clear coat on top of the urethane film to help protect it from the elements.

Then there is Avery Dennison film...it is stretchy but gets ruined by the elements and owner neglect in short order! It does stop rock chips...but looks bad after it fades.

LLumar and Beckhart also make PPF. There are some other cheapies out there too.

I reccomend using Plexus Plastic cleaner on the surface of any/all PPF at least every two weeks to help seal up the pores and keep it looking it's best! It is susceptible to hard water spots and is damaged by petroleum based products, degreasers, and bug/tar removers.

FYI...Venture recently replaced 3M as the OEM supplier for the rear splash guards on MBZ. CLS cars. Venture will now also replace 3M as supplier to Lotus for paint film on the Elise/Exige cars in Europe and soon in the U.S.

Thanks for reading my long response! Glad to answer any other questions too!

Cooper

[khamul02]

Cooper,
Thanks for the detailed info.

[the]

I'm sure there are lots of good products, and it depends on how much use/abuse the product gets, but I installed the 3M film to my car in 2000, and it has not yellowed or changed a bit. It's on a silver car, which is one of the colors that seem to hide film the best, and it is unnoticeable (no one has ever noticed it all of these years).

These other new products sound interesting, though, esp. for the more color sensitive cars.

[Cooper911SC]

Yep, 3M is a good product. You are right that silver and light gray/titanium cars hide the film the best. The biggest complaint by far with the 3M was simply the amount of orange peel on dark cars...almost looks like someone has spread a light coat of vasiline on part of the hood or something. You also hit on a big factor for most people...and that is how much abuse the film takes...I would hazard a guess and say most Pelicans are car folks who maintain their cars (Porsche's and dailys) to a reasonably high standard. It is always amazing to me to see a new low miles car come back to a dealership with crazy water spots and a filthy interior and the owner wants to know how come the film looks so bad. (I include a can of Plexus and care/warranty info with every install)

The reality is no film or install is perfect. Even if the film was green with yellow polka dots...it's job is to protect the paint from chipping...it's just nice that it is clear and that you don't have to take it on and off like a traditional vinyl bra. When well taken care of the film will last a really long time...kind of like if you polish and wax your paint.

Cheers, Coop

[khamul02]

Cooper,
I'll be shooting you a pm when I get the amount I need all figured out. Thanks again!

[911nut]

Cooper, does Plexus cleaner have any grit in it?
Also, would Meguiars plastic cleaner work?
I had the 3M product installed about a month ago on my car. There are a few stretch marks on the bumper but overall you can't tell it's even there.

[Cooper911SC]

No grit in the Plexus.

If you are talking about Meguiar's PlastX I would be VERY careful as it does have some bite to it. It really shouldn't be necessary to use an abrasive polish on the film. IT IS ALWAYS RISKY AND NOT RECOMMENDED TO USE ANYTHING ABRASIVE ON PPF. If you have scratches or other concerns with the film, I would take it back to the installer and have them look at it and give you their opinion about whether it can be corrected.

Plexus is really what you want to use.

Coop

[Oracle]

Cooper,
Are you in the business of selling pre-cut film on-line?
If so I'm interested, please let me know for a 964 with aero mirrors.

Thanks!
Jasper

[oly]

Cooper,

It's been a couple of years so I'm wondering if you have any new recommendations or lessons learned. Specifically:

1. Do you still prefer Venture film over the alternatives?
2. Do you still leave the films on long term with no problems for the paint?
3. Have the films gotten easier to apply?
4. Is Plexus Plastic cleaner still the best option?

[donporfi]

Cooper
What would you recommend for headlights, specially H1 or H4.

[khamul02]

I would just like to add that Cooper sent me a kit to do my car and it still looks as good as the day I put it on with absolutely no discoloring. I've had it on over a year now.

[Cooper911SC]

Hi Oly, and All,

Yes, I am still using Venture. I have tried some other newer films and still find the Venture to be the best.

This film is designed to be left on without causing paint issues. Again, the biggest key is to wait at least 4 weeks after a repaint before installing the film. Any new paint must be allowed to fully cure before film application.

In fact, I had a job removing 1 year old 3M film from the entire front clip and rockers on an F430 yesterday. The client recently purchased the car and didn't like the way the film looked...he prefers 'naked' paint and to live with the occasional touch-up. The film came off with no problems.

Ease of application is still the same. I like the Venture because it stretches more easily than some brands. The adhesive also has less of a tendency to 'tac' and leave marks.

Plexus is still recommended by Venture. I also have an acrylic polish I use to remove minor scuff marks.


Donporfi: The lights can be protected with the same 8mil. (.008) film as the front of the vehicle. You can also order thicker 20mil. and 40mil. film. If you track the car or drive on graveled roads during winter the 20mil. is probably the way to go. It can be purchased in 24" sheets and hand trimmed with scissors, then applied. Check www.xpel.com

Beam pattern is unaffected. I have the 8mil. over my euro H4's and use 20mil. on the fogs on my SC and on the 993.

Khamul : Glad to hear the film is still looking good!

Take care, Cooper