Anyone use... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

*ksjh1316* · 09-02-2008, 07:00 PM

I have seen a lot of new Mopars with the clear film on the front of the hoods to protect from rock dings and bug damage. Has anyone used this material on the raised parts of our hoods. If so how does it work and what kind of cost is involved. Just looking for options to try and save the hood from the highway when I get her back from paint jail. Anyone have pics as well to see how it looks. Thanks

tcb-1 · 09-02-2008, 07:13 PM

Jeff,
I know of a window tint installation business here locally that is applying a clear plastic shield on frontends. I think it's a lot like the vehicle "wrap" on some company vehicles.

LONGHAIR · 09-02-2008, 07:53 PM

Chevy puts little patches of that stuff on the lower part of the rear doors on HHRs. There is a raised section that is part of the body line of the rear quarter panel. Since it is a front wheel drive vehicle, the tires throw more grit than a non-sriving tire would.

I have used it before on other stuff....We always called it "Helicopter tape"
I guess from it's original use on the leading edge of the blades?
http://www.racerstape.com/heli.html

cparman · 09-02-2008, 08:09 PM

I have a friend with a C-6 Vette that had a 3M product installed on his car and another with an Aston Martin that did this also. My buddy with the Vette said he was in Texas, and a commercial truck was spitting rocks the size of you thumb, and it did not hurt the paint on his car. it did ruin a piece of this film. On both of these cars it was almost a half a day, and almost a grand to install it. If you could buy some, and do just the front of your hood, I think for a driver it might be worth it.

Camper Power · 09-02-2008, 09:34 PM

only the leading edges of the car is protected, its supposed to be an invisible protectant but when u get up close it looks like crap. the body shop i used to work at saw many cars come through with this protectant on and since the leading edges are protected doesnt mean the rest of the truck isnt gonna get pelted with rocks. this one guy had a 69 mustang that had this stuff on and he decided to remove it cause it made the car look like crap, we had to repaint almost the entire car cause the only way to get the glue completely off is to sand it. i strongly not recomend this product

matthufham · 09-02-2008, 10:29 PM

i have a civic and i'm going to get it repainted, and get the guys who tinted my windows to apply their protective film to my air dam and rockers.

463 · 09-03-2008, 12:00 AM

expensive and it looks good almost invisible,performs very well. have not tryed to replace or remove it yet so i can't atest to the paint break down when removing it. but i do have a test control patch on my man door in the shop that i'am watching closely.

Rollie396 · 09-03-2008, 12:14 AM

had it put on my wife's Grandprix when I bought it.IMO it's hardly noticeable and protects the front of the car great.I only have two problems with it.When I wax it,it can be a bit of a pain to get the excess out of the seam where the film ends.That and it cost $500.
All that said,it'll go on the next vehicle we buy,and it may go on the 72 when it's done as well.

09-02-2008, 07:00 PM	#1
ksjh1316 Account Suspended Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 1,599	Anyone use... I have seen a lot of new Mopars with the clear film on the front of the hoods to protect from rock dings and bug damage. Has anyone used this material on the raised parts of our hoods. If so how does it work and what kind of cost is involved. Just looking for options to try and save the hood from the highway when I get her back from paint jail. Anyone have pics as well to see how it looks. Thanks

09-02-2008, 07:13 PM	#2
tcb-1 Nothing to see here..... Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 4,625	Re: Anyone use... Jeff, I know of a window tint installation business here locally that is applying a clear plastic shield on frontends. I think it's a lot like the vehicle "wrap" on some company vehicles. __________________ Doug THANK YOU to our American Soldiers & Veterans - POW MIA "You will NEVER be forgotten". The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson Last edited by tcb-1; 09-02-2008 at 07:55 PM.

09-02-2008, 07:53 PM	#3
LONGHAIR just can't cover up my redneck Join Date: May 2004 Location: Columbus OH Posts: 11,414	Re: Anyone use... Chevy puts little patches of that stuff on the lower part of the rear doors on HHRs. There is a raised section that is part of the body line of the rear quarter panel. Since it is a front wheel drive vehicle, the tires throw more grit than a non-sriving tire would. I have used it before on other stuff....We always called it "Helicopter tape" I guess from it's original use on the leading edge of the blades? http://www.racerstape.com/heli.html

09-02-2008, 08:09 PM	#4
cparman sharp as a marble Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: atlantic beach,florida Posts: 1,082	Re: Anyone use... I have a friend with a C-6 Vette that had a 3M product installed on his car and another with an Aston Martin that did this also. My buddy with the Vette said he was in Texas, and a commercial truck was spitting rocks the size of you thumb, and it did not hurt the paint on his car. it did ruin a piece of this film. On both of these cars it was almost a half a day, and almost a grand to install it. If you could buy some, and do just the front of your hood, I think for a driver it might be worth it.

09-02-2008, 09:34 PM	#5
Camper Power Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Grande Prairie Alberta Posts: 261	Re: Anyone use... only the leading edges of the car is protected, its supposed to be an invisible protectant but when u get up close it looks like crap. the body shop i used to work at saw many cars come through with this protectant on and since the leading edges are protected doesnt mean the rest of the truck isnt gonna get pelted with rocks. this one guy had a 69 mustang that had this stuff on and he decided to remove it cause it made the car look like crap, we had to repaint almost the entire car cause the only way to get the glue completely off is to sand it. i strongly not recomend this product __________________ eh 1970 Chevy C20 daily driver 1975 GMC Jimmy 4x4 project 1966 GMC C10 Dad's project

09-02-2008, 10:29 PM	#6
matthufham Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carl Junction, Missouri Posts: 2,061	Re: Anyone use... i have a civic and i'm going to get it repainted, and get the guys who tinted my windows to apply their protective film to my air dam and rockers.

09-03-2008, 12:00 AM	#7
463 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sask Canada Posts: 1,666	Re: Anyone use... expensive and it looks good almost invisible,performs very well. have not tryed to replace or remove it yet so i can't atest to the paint break down when removing it. but i do have a test control patch on my man door in the shop that i'am watching closely. __________________ Trueman

09-03-2008, 12:14 AM	#8
Rollie396 someday it will be done! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lloydminster,AB. Canada Posts: 1,620	Re: Anyone use... had it put on my wife's Grandprix when I bought it.IMO it's hardly noticeable and protects the front of the car great.I only have two problems with it.When I wax it,it can be a bit of a pain to get the excess out of the seam where the film ends.That and it cost $500. All that said,it'll go on the next vehicle we buy,and it may go on the 72 when it's done as well. __________________ '72 C-10 Proud owner of a million new and used pieces that used to be and will once again be(god willing) a testament to the term "they don't build em like that anymore. '80 LWB 2wd beater '67 GMC long fleet (cab donor) '66 long step (parked till it's turn comes around) '65 short step (parts truck that will donate it's bed and possibly frame to the '66) '06 Grand Prix wife's car (she hardly lets me touch it) my pics



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