After 9 weeks and a little less than 1,400 miles owning my new car, I've noticed one fairly minor rock chip on the front bumper. The black clear coat or black of the basic bumper is slightly showing through. This has prompted me to have a clear bra / clear mask installed. WOW -- these prices are all over the map. I'm looking to have only 1/2 of the hood, all front bumper and backs of both mirrors done. I've received quotes ranging from $450 (in San Jose, a decent drive from Oakland) up to $1,500. I realize the film quality impacts price, but this seems like a drastic spread. I feel that a more basic 3M product would be fine, yet others online seem to prefer Xpel. Any thoughts/opinions here? Also, for any in the Bay Area, who did yours for what cost and were you happy with it?
I recommend getting as much of the car covered as you can afford. Getting the full hood covered looks nicer and the impact will be beyond wherever the film ends. Do the door cups, rocker panels and the top of the rear bumper cover. I don't know if covering the headlights has prevented hazing but the uncovered emblem looks like crap. I had VentureShield film on the 2006 and have it on the 2010. Ask the installers for their recommendations and reasons. Films change and what was available 5 or 10 years ago may not be available now. Some of the price swing could be due to overhead but I wouldn't buy just on price. The place should be clean and the installer meticulous. It took a day to shrink wrap the car. This is definitely a situation where you want it done right, not fast. When I was sideswiped the film saved the rocker panel. If I would have had to pay out of pocket to replace the film "Reno" (my installer) wouldn't have charged me. The first trip my car makes is across the state to Monmouth Beach to get wrapped (and it will be covered in painters tape enroute).
All great points, thanks for the info. I hadn't considered the rocket panels. What is the advantage there? Thinking splash-back? I just scheduled an appointment for the mask with someone that seemed top-notch and highly skilled in chatting on the phone, plus had a heap of excellent Yelp reviews to boot. He highly recommended Llumar film, I forget the specific type but it's self-healing. More than I wanted to pay, but in the end I know it'll be worth it. From my research it sounds like 3M films can yellow, FYI for anyone reading this now or in the future. I was cautioned by multiple people that pearl white paint is very picky on which clear mask it will look okay with (apparently as the mask ages, white showcases flaws the best, hence the importance of a quality film).
I am going to be using AVO in Walnut Creek for our new Lexus RX450h that we purchased last weekend: They charge $795 for 8 mil thick film and it comes with a 10 year warranty. It's who the Lexus of Concord sends all their work too. There was a rep there who had it done on their car with 61 k miles and 4 years on the film and it looked great. They have other packages where you can get the whole car filmed if you want more than the front and mirrors. Another data point to consider .
Congrats on the RXh! Love it. One of those will likely replace our Lexus HS250h at some point. It only has 56k miles, so it seems silly to replace an utterly trouble free vehicle just yet. Interesting regarding AVO. They quoted me over $1,000 to do just the bumper, 1/3 of the hood, some fenders and door mirrors on the Prius! I'm sure they do a great job, regardless, but I found Classic Ride Clear Bra in San Leandro. Excellent Yelp ratings and my quoted price is less than he has posted online by several hundred.
My film was installed 12/31/99--1/1/00 and hasn't yellowed. The rocker panels take everything thrown off the front tires. The door cups take a beating from fingernails.
They also recommended Tint on Wheels. Another rep at the dealer recommended them. His prices was $1000 using 3M film. He would go to the dealer and put it on for us since our new ride is there due to this: We bought it with this curb rash damage at 9 miles. The caviar color with Noble Brown leather was hard to pass up. You ever want to meet some other local members, here's a thread if interested: Possible Monthly install meets. Bay Area-Fremont Good luck with the film install.
Tint on wheels? Never heard of that one. How does it prevent curb rash? Acts as a protective shield? Seems it would just get damaged along with the wheel.
No worries. I may have confused the issue by posting the pic of the curb rashed rim next to his business name. When he found out it was at the dealer, he offered to apply the film there as the car will be there through Wednesday, must be local to Concord.
Don't do it, is my 2 cents. I did it in 2005 on my 2004 Prius, fine for about 4 years (had the car for 12 years), then the mask prevented the hood and front bumper to be polished etc and the mask yellowed. Cost was $600 back then.
Wait until your windshield shatters, and some Oakland hoodlum dents your front fender and door. Scratches from pebbles and curbs feel less important. 303inthe510 is that you I see on the 580 westbound in 700?
Tucatz sorry to hear about that fender. Totally sucks. Was that at Safeway on Mountain? Looks like there or maybe on Grand Ave? Nope, I've been in Tahoe since Thursday but I'm on 580 almost daily. I have the black and yellow plates.
California classs plates - trending now! Pictures of my car w dented fender in at the Lincoln heights Safeway on Redwood road.
Ahh -- yes Redwood, that's what I meant! We must live nearby. I'm in Lincoln Highlands below the Temple.
