Paint protection - films?

[EastFreo]

Has anybody got any advice on whether the films or wraps (ie 3M etc) are worth investing in to protect your paint?

About to pick up my new defender and looking at all the UK sites it seems it may be worthwhile.

If anyone can recommend a Perth based outfit that would also be great ( if it is worthwhile)

Cheers

[AndyG]

Plastidip appears popular, but not tried it. Look forward to your report.:D
And, you bastard, 17 days to go:) for mine.

I understand it can be peeled off like a skin.

[sashadidi]

I have used a Dupont product on the old TD5 after 4 years in the strong NZ (Australia is the same) sun the "film" started to bubble and flake like a bad telfon coating in a cheap frying pan and was impossible to polish out and cover up. A panel beater told me this was normal, best to spend more money on using good quality polish e.g. mothers or 3M etc and use a clay bar and Carnauba wax as part of your polishing routine.

[land864]

Carnauba wax for mine . I used to put 2 coats on my cars before I used them in Pajero Challenges or off road events and that really protected the paintwork. Brush scratches would just buff out or even a 3rd coat over on return , would tidy it up immensely.

[jasonedu]

I did a photography weekend with Vic Widman of Great Divide Tours. His FJ Cruiser was coated in a clear plastic film. I asked him what he thought about it and he swore by the stuff. Not really noticeable at all unless you had a closer look.

His was fitted by, and he recommended these guys...

OZICOZI Stoneguard - Car bra, Paint Protection, Vinyl Wrapping - OZICOZI Stoneguard, The original Stoneguard (http://www.ozicozi.com.au/)

No idea of price though.

[nat_89]

Has anybody got any advice on whether the films or wraps (ie 3M etc) are worth investing in to protect your paint?

About to pick up my new defender and looking at all the UK sites it seems it may be worthwhile.

If anyone can recommend a Perth based outfit that would also be great ( if it is worthwhile)

Cheers

I can only comment on the 3M venture shield its called and its bloody unreal did the front of my new D4 before i picked the car up and they do the front 1/3rd of the bonnet bumper headlights around the fog lights on the mirrors and so forth but they can pretty much do where ever you want its all laser cut and they apply it for you, the cost for the front on my D4 was $1100 installed not to bad i thought and not a stone chip on the car!! I also go the 3M crystalline tint and bloody hell its awesome blocks out some heat its expensive but very very worth it.

Ive had the 3M film on 2 cars so far and love it and swear by it will definitely get it again. Its pretty tough to i gernie the front of my car from a safe distance back and it seems to handle it but i mean just be gentle i guess.

When i was looking at my partners new VW Golf i rang a place in Brissy about it and they said they don't use it they use some Opti Coat PRO paint protection its meant to be better but i didn't end up getting it so i can't really say much about it.

I think I've attached a list of registered installers from 3Ms website for WA.

[EastFreo]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think I will look into the 3M.

Getting closer for the delivery of my Defender. Have gone for santorini black which I know will show very scratch but thought I might see if I could reduce the damage as much as possible over the long term.

Will just have to work out a way to sneak it on without the wife noticing!

[AndyG]

Why has this thread got me thinking about high end waxes, for a pile of misaligned Lego blocks, painted by a kindergarden, ( in Santorini Black) when I didn't give a rats for the new VW Passat. :angel:

[EastFreo]

I know what you mean Andy. I didn't bother about anything when I got my Prado nor my wife's Volvo xc60.

Maybe the wait for the build, the voyage and now the final wait before I get handed the car just gives us too much time to over-think what we need!

[AndyG]

Indeed, six months to buy accessories and stack in the garage :)

[Barefoot Dave]

Maybe it is the expectation that this is the last Real LR and it just may be a keeper? Gotta keep it good for the grandkids ;)

[EastFreo]

We have a bit of a history of that. My first car was a 1964 Sprite that was my Dad's. Still got it and the kids both want it but the 6yr old son has already got dibs on the Defender. In fact when I was going for a test drive he told the dealer the defender was going to be his first car!