[PIMPaLiCiOuS]

Okay, I forgot where I read this, but it was about someone using some kind of 3M material over their body panels (hood, rocker panels, fenders) to prevent paint chipping and other damage from rocks jumping up.

I also seen the post on nissanforums about the guy w/ the Xterra rolling Herculiner right onto the rocker panels itself, all under the door side moldings. I thought I remember the 3M material being like a clear coat of some sort, so it won't be all black and have that "bedliner" look like the Xterra had.

Can someone shed light on what this 3M stuff is? And will it provide the same protection as the roll-on Herculiner method?

 

[OkieScot]

There are several threads on TUNFS forum on this. You can also do a google search
of Xpel clear coating and find some sites. There are several places in OKC that do this sort of thing, but it is pretty expensive.

Check the following sites:
http://p085.ezboard.com/ftunfsfrm41.showMessage?topicID=1294.topic and
http://p085.ezboard.com/ftunfsfrm41.showMessage?topicID=1556.topic.

For some reason the second site is not working. I rechecked it and that is the correct site. You can go to TUNFS and find it. It is pretty close to the one above it. They are both sort of old so you have to go back 3 or 4 pages to find them.

I had it done on my Miata several years ago and it was very difficult to install. I had a
"professional" do it and they had to do it twice and it still was not as nice as I would like to have had it.

There are several companies that make this stuff although I have been led to believe
that 3M makes most of the products. I used Xpel on my Miata. I think the name of the last kit I was looking at was from Invisishield or something like that.

There is a difference in thickness from the different companies. Some use a thinner material. There is also a difference in the area of the vehicles that the different kits
cover. I have not been able to find one yet that will cover only the areas I want
covered.

I also painted the piece below my chrome bumper and no one makes a kit for that
since most Frontiers have that piece black and it does not chip. At least it does
not discolor when it chips.

OkieScot

 

[kansasfrontier]

OkieScot

The Nissan Dealership in Wichita said they could put that stuff on for me on the area right infront of the rear tires. That is the only place I have gotten paint chips. I do have the splash gaurds but I live on a dirt road.
I have not asked for an estimate yet because I want to get that area repainted before I protect it.

Hope that helps. I spoke to the shop manager about it.

 

[PIMPaLiCiOuS]

Awesome. Thanks guys! With the information you gave, I was able to find this site:

http://www.automotivearticles.com/Clear_Bra_3M.shtml

Its pretty cool and made me understand a lot more what this stuff is about. The one they used is the 3M Protective Film "Clear Bra." I had no idea this stuff was that common. Forget a stupid ugly black vinyl bra!!! I will seriously look into this once I get my truck.

kansasfrontier, did you ask what the stuff your dealerhip uses? I wonder if my dealer uses it. But like the article said, it might be worthwhile to have a local installer do it other than the dealer. Might save you some money unless you have a hook-up.

 

[explorerman]

The dealership where I bought my truck had flyers for this place www.ultrashieldusa.com
Since their world headquarters are about a mile from my house I gave them a call. To do the front of the hood, painted parts of the front bumper, fenders and lights it was $450 with installation. I'm really tempted to do this because stone chips really show up on the Super Black paint.

Roy

 

[PIMPaLiCiOuS]

EVEN BETTER!!!

Straight from the 3M website:

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Scotchgard-PPF/Home/

It has a product description, professional installer locator, a FAQ section, and even videos of an install and a film test!!! The videos had trouble buffering when I tried it, but hopefully it'll work later tonight. I can't believe I haven't heard of this stuff before!

OkieScott -- looks like we have 2 certified installers in Edmond!! Sweet!

 

[PIMPaLiCiOuS]

Now I know I'm probably beating this post to death by now, but I found another site:

http://www.xpel.com/default.asp

Apparently these guys use the same 3M material, but they sell actual kits if you'd like to do them yourself, and they also offer coverage for headlights (in different colors too!). Check out the link below to see the Frontier kits:

http://www.xpel.com/products/config...e=1&year=2005&make=29&model=500&submodel=2743

 

[OkieScot]

PIMPaLiCiOuS,

Thanks for the Edmond location. After my experience with the Miata I would definitely
go with a professional installer. I would be surprised if any of our local dealers have
the expertise to do a good installation job. This stuff is pretty tricky to install without
leaving bubbles or wrinkles, especially on compound curves.

It looks like both installers are at the same location, but at least we have a choice
of approved installers here.

OkieScot