protective films

[Bill_B]

Perhaps not a concern for some as much as others... but has anyone done any protective films partially on their doors/quarters to protect against tree branch pin striping? I'm curious to know as to how well this stuff held up if anyone has any experience. thanks in advance!

 

[BlackCloud]

The dealership had added a clear bra to the entire front, as well as the side view mirrors and along the bottoms of the doors. I think you could cover the entire vehicle with it and no one would know.

 

[Hammit]

I wrap vehicles as part of my living, while it is mostly done for looks or advertising these days, the idea was originally conceived to preserve paint on leased vehicles.

There's hundreds of films out there these days, and they are fairly affordable, but installation is not something you want done by an amateur if you care at all about the look of the finished product, and that's where it gets pricey.

 

[Lindenwood]

In my experience, a good coat of wax does wonders. The first time my wife took her TRDP out following me in my 3rd gen, we ended up on this horrible trail that was literally a mile of tree claws. It took us about 90 minutes to get through, with me driving 50 yards at a time only to get out and walk back so I could try to hold back limbs as she inched forward. The paint looked aweful. But when we got home, I washed it and re-waxed it and it turned out 99% of the scratches were just in the dealer's wax job, or at least shallow enough in the clear coat that the wax hid them perfectly.

Also, in my experience, the more specialized your protective layer, the harder it is to repair if you do damage it.

 

[Oldmanb777]

Wax isn't even vaguely close to what clear bra, or wrap does. The clear bra on my truck peeled slightly in a couple places right in the middle of the hood. Right where the edge is. Probably from my washing the truck, and not being careful dragging the mitt up against it. Sure helps with the rock chips.

 

[J.F. Sebastian]

Good clear bras can withstand being shot at with a pellet gun (...old test) so pinstriping is not an issue unless you don't wrap forward-facing door edges, etc. that may catch and begin to get peeled back.

Branches or whatever will leave marks (that may or may not come out depending on severity and if using self-healing wraps) but the paint underneath will remain in the same condition as when you installed the wrap.

I did my entire vehicle (roof too) and it has already begun to pay for itself.

 

[Inv4drZm]

I've been surprised what I've been able to buff out. This was from a tree I rubbed up against trying to climb a hill (I did make it up). It buffed out completely in 5 minutes, with only a small dent left. I've also removed a nice tree branch scrape across my hood. I couldn't imagine spending $1k or so on PPF when I can buff out a lot and detail it myself. Every pin stripe has buffed out on mine as well. I just ceramic coated my paint last weekend so it should be more than ready for another round. Using PPF on the leading edge of the hood would be a good idea to protect from rock chips but getting the whole vehicle done sounds like an expensive headache to me unless you drive through overgrown fourwheeler paths all the time. I've seen on an FJ after a while his clear bra started changing color and the edges collected dirt so it has its limits.



After soapy mitt wash and clay bar:



After buffing:

 

[J.F. Sebastian]

Also, in my experience, the more specialized your protective layer, the harder it is to repair if you do damage it.

Clear bra is not repaired, if it gets too pitted and/or unsightly for the owner, the panel is replaced for a new one.

Wax and Ceramic coating do not protect against a real scratch or impact of any description nor are they meant to. Ceramic coat, buff and polish your vehicle enough and eventually you're spending more than clear bra and still no physical protection.

People don't do it to protect against just the odd pinstriping. There are some stretches of highway where I live that at certain times of year will literally destroy a paint job one way through if there's any other traffic for example. As in as much primer and steel as paint left... It is expensive but I've had mine for about 5 weeks now and it has saved me over what would be well into 4 figures if it went in to be fixed. This is on a 2 month old vehicle.

The new, quality films don't discolor.

Some people take brand new vehicles out, promptly bang them up and think nothing of it. Some are fussy and want to maintain their vehicles looks and longevity more so. Different expectations, lifestyles and personalities, it's all good.