Front Spoiler Protection - Any Opinions ?

Number5

Number5

Elite
 Bristol M4/M5
Im shortly due to have my front spoiler and nose cone resprayed, due to the 'road-rash and small stone chips that bug me whenever I clean the car. I'm keen to preserve the new paint and not be in the same position 12 months later, so I've a couple of questions I hope you may all be able to answer

1) Is there a certain type of paint/lacquer finish more resistant to impact that I should specify ?
( A friend said that following a partial respray of his bumper he's noticed that the new paint is more subseptible to chips than the original factory finished area.)

2) Has anyone tried or using a clear protective paint film on key areas, and if so :-
a) How easy is it to apply ?
b) is it fairly invisible once on ?
c) Any particular make of film recommended ?
d) Rough costs ?

( See this video http://youtu.be/X58kuP6yBB4 ). I thought perhaps cut and tailored around, it may be unnoticeable if properly applied yet offer good protection and possibly even renewable annually ?

Any feedback appreciated :D
 
Hells bells, that video looks like a very tricky and specialised job! So if one goes to all that trouble does that mean you're protected from stone chips and that annoying road rash?
 
Marlon said:
Hells bells, that video looks like a very tricky and specialised job! So if one goes to all that trouble does that mean you're protected from stone chips and that annoying road rash?
Click to expand...

Thats why I wondered if its difficult made to look easy or if it actually goes on OK. Its not much different to watching the boys putting on their stickers in preperation for LeMans last June !

Id happily spend a couple of evenings tucked up the garage each Winter renewing it if it works, rather than watching soap operas on TV and having an annual respray.

I assume nobody's given it a whirl, judging by the response ?
 
Most body shops will use a cheaper clear coat. If you request the Mercedes approved clear coat, as apparently that's the best one...and most expensive! Can't remember the brand names but do a search and it'll come up.
 
The main issue with a clear bra is being able to get depth and shine from the actual paint.

From what I've read, you can't apply waxes and such and then clear wrap over it as the wrap will not adhere properly to the surface.

If of course you're opting for less of the whole show and shine approach and have a more functional way of protecting the front end then you're good to go.

I've toyed with the idea of having a clear bra on my car after a potential front end re-fresh but after talking to ba3bas over the weekend, blue tape and plenty of wax would be my protection if I'm to be eating up motorway miles with my car.
 
At a classic show recently I noticed the TVR Typhon had clear skin protection on the front spoiler / nose cone - it was a clear sunny day and you had to really look for it to see it was there - and only noticed coz I spotted the edge of it

So it must be possible to get a good finish, and it must work however I would worry if it started to get marked

Not a problem if you can remove it easily I suppose worth further investigation
 
I wonder how practical it would be to have the front spoiler and bumper wrapped in the same colour as the rest of the car (rather than a clear film)?
 
Im not sure if anyone else has posted this link before but it seems somebody is now doing resr arch protection for £24

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z4-REAR-WHEEL-ARCH-CLEAR-STONE-GUARDS-PAINT-PROTECTION-STONEGUARD-DECALS-/231334959937?hash=item35dca35b41
 
I nearly bought some of that 3M paint protector when I was in the states, but bottled it as I'm not sure it would have been allowed on the plane. It only lasts 12 months or so though. I do have details of a similar product though which makes no reference to time. Will dig it out and post details.

Getting my front bumper done soon so keen to protect also.
 
I have used some stuff called Helicopter Tape on my mountain bikes in the past. Very tough stuff, it's clear and if applied well you can only see the edges. Used it on the missus's company car on the door edges, door sills and boot lip so when it's time for it to go back peel it all off good as new underneath, hopefully. I don't have any left though as my RAF contact has moved away.:(
 
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