|
|
Cruiser
Posts: 172
Prescott, Az | SInce we go have lots of rocks out here, I'm about to spend $400 getting about 50% of the bike coated with clear film to preserve the paint. I'm getting it on all of the windage parts of the bike. I met with the installer today and he checked the bike over and said he can hide any and all seams. I was referred to this company by the dealership. He had a clear film job in progress on a real expensive semi custom truck and it's almost impossible to tell what's coated and what isn't. The stuff he is using is slightly more expensive but he said it's a dream to work with and forms very well to the contours. It also lasts longer.
Has anyone out there used this before to protect paint? |
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 495
Carrollton, TX | I bought the following kit for my Vision but only installed about 25% of the pieces. It is a good kit and the pieces are cut well but they can be hard to install. This stuff really protects the paint but you don't have the smooth paint surface with it on. I would only install it on the real vulnerable areas. It sounds like you are getting a good deal with the guy doing the install for you. The real key is getting this stuff installed properly. http://www.autotrimdesign.net/detail_IPP-VCTRY-1005__27301.html I think I got a 15% discount on this kit so instead of $313.00 it was about $270.00. They will sell the individual pieces also and I will sell the 75% of the pieces I still have if someone wants them. |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 1158
Richmond, Virginia | Just my opinion but lets look at this. This is the same thing as buying a nice couch then putting a plastic slip cover over it. I dont care how "see through" it is, its still a plastic cover. In reality you arent really protecting your paint because you are sealing over it with a piece of plastic that will take the nicks dings dents scratches. So you are really going to be looking at damaged clear plastic on top of a beautiful paint job. Good luck on removing the plastic when that in itself looks so bad that you want to replace it. Now you've destroyed the very paint under it that you originally wanted to protect, by trying to take it off. Buddy, enjoy the bike, you can always have the front end sanded and repainted years down the road and it will look brand new. But once you put the trailor park trash
slip cover on it you are stuck with that for life............... think twice on this. |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 172
Prescott, Az | Thanks for the replies.
Spock, I appreciate telling me it does't look as good as the original paint, therefore I'm only going to have it applied to the lower tank panel and perhaps a small piece on each side of the tank where leg wear will erode the paint.
VaParadox, I'm going give you the benefit of the doubt, Buddy, and will not take personal the "trailer trash" comment. I think you were well intentioned and I am taking your advice. Sometimes the meaning of the written word gets skewed. Am I correct?
Edited by Necktie 2009-01-22 12:12 PM
|
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I'm not that concerned with the nick points of the bike since I'm not out for resale value, the value of my Vision will be what it is to me and nothing more as I plan on wearing it out. I do want to keep it in good shape and find that the Vision waxes up well, but there are wear points that I would like to leather and I think I would like that look. So this discussion continues that thought process. I would only look at doing that consolde thingy in leather, the center piece below the console, and then leather down the side for the knees. Also the leg touch points on the forward part of the bag. I take a long time to make up my mind on these things as I don't want to spend money on this and then say "nah" so I'm tossy back and forth on pro's and cons. I think a little leather on this bike will, 1, hold to the tradition and purpose leather has played in the history of motorcycling and 2. provide a complentary accent to such a modern machine that is a retromod design to begin with. The extent of my leathering has so far only been the clutch and brake handles, for both functional and asthetic. Functional as I wear half gloves in warmer weather, and in cold weather, I wear a lightly insulated glove so touching leather verses cold metal makes a favorable difference while sitting at stop lights. I've lived and learned many a lesson so I'm slower now in making decision and avoid haste. I can see the clear plastic providing benefit for a time but I do question if it would mar the finish. If was that material that comes with new stuff like ipods and such and would remove easy, then it may be worth it. Comments and wisdom is welcome.
Edited by varyder 2009-01-22 12:39 PM
|
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 1350
| Maybe I can shed some light on the clear film?
I applied some to the top lip of tailgate of my 2006 ranger 2 years ago. I applied it myself. It's the 3M product that like BMW uses and I was told about by the owner of best body shop in my area. (He did my '60 Ranchero over)
It went on easy but I also on the spray liquid that we use at work for the same stuff. It trims easy and as long as you keep the surface and film wet it's real easy to locate.
The paint under the film looks just like the rest of the truck now. I assume over time you would notice difference and I am thinking the rest of truck would fade first since the film has UV protection? Of course today's paint it completely different then the old days having a "bra" on and the difference was big time.
The only down side I have found so far is of my own doing in my case. I had several old fence posts with cement on the bottoms loaded in the truck. I wen to the dump and started to flip them out over the tailgate. Two of them dented the edge of the tailgate and tore the film. Once the film has a break in it it lifts a very little around the edges of the damage. One spot is a 1/4" hole through the film and the lifted area is about 1/2" diameter. So as long as it's installed properly it won't start peeling off. Maybe I could cut around the damaged area and install a new piece? I have no idea how easy it is to get off. I just know the damage has not gotten any worse.
Many vehicles use it as a "stone guard" near the wheel wells today. If you look closely you will notice it. It doesn't stick out like an eye sore. I think BMW does the front grille area?
I would ask your installer if it can be repaired and/or how much work it takes to remove it.
I think if you have it done you will be very happy with it. Most people see the dent in the tail gate long before they see the damaged film.
Hope this helps.
|
|
| |
|
Puddle Jumper
Posts: 11
Centerville , Utah | I had "Clear Bra" installed on most of my bike. It does protect it but after about 12k miles, i'm ready to take it off. I wouldnt do it again! |
|
| |
Clear Film