Do any of you use the clear film to protect against rock chips? If so, would you recommend it (or any other product)?

 

From what I've read, it looks like you need to get a quality install using brand name (3M) material with a "lifetime warranty" for it to be any good.

But those run ~$500.

I was going to get one myself.. but.. your hood can get chipped anyway if the rock bounces past the film.

Also, a nice carbon fiber hood will run you about $600. So when you get enough rock chips, just spend that $500 on a new carbon fiber hood.

I'm probably going to invest about $100 in a regular opaque car bra for cross country trips... or any trips down to the parents in Florida during love bug season.

 

I have Xpel polybra on my bumper and hood but not so much for rock chips than for bugs. My car is a DD and I have about 15 miles of swampland to drive through in the early morning hours - when they are worse. Even though I'm **** about washing my car, I refuse to do it every other day to get rid of their decaying bodies. We just went through the Second Coming of love bugs here as well. Those things are nasty and will etch into your paint if not taken care of pronto.

So...that being said, it's worth the $$ to me to have had it installed. My wife (who has all the common sense in my family) asked why I just didn't have the hood and bumper repainted every coupla years. At the price paid it may have made more sense.

 

I looked into it.

I was quoted about 700 installed. Venturefilm is generally considered the best and far supirior to 3m.

The body shop I use from time to time had a couple BMW's he was working on with the film that he showed me. One silver, one white. Both about 4 years old.

The 3m film looked like absolute crap. All yellow and chalky due to age.

Now, there will not be any chips under the film. But now you have to shell out another 700 for the film again.

I made the decision to just have the bumper reshot after I have the car for a few years if it bugs me. And I use the upper part of the ford bra to protect the hood.

 

Someone said they put Glad plastic wrap over the front when they drive their car to a show. It keeps the front from getting dirty with bugs.

 

Thats what I do, and on the hard to cover areas, use the wide blue painters tape. You might get some weird looks going down the road but it saves you alot of cleaning time when you arrive at the show.

 

I use the 3M product, it covers the first 18 inches of the hood, bumper and headlights. With several applications of Meguair's wax the 3m line is hardly visible on the hood. Cost in Canada was $644.00. I've been on a few long road trips and have no marks in the paint.

 

Just remember that if you opt to go with the plastifilm (e.g. on the hood)...it is noticeable from about 6-8 ft...so if you're going to go with it...check it out on another car first.

 

Yeah, I noticed it on a G35 sedan passing me(in my semi ) this morning. I don't know about that... Too noticable. The car was pearl white..

 

avoid the rocky roads

 

My pony is fast enough to DODGE the rocks...