Ok, so I've been learning a lot about paint protection films, clear bras, lately and thought I'd share what I've learned and hopefully get some extra information.
There are a variety of different options out there, in films and in process. StonGard, Xpel, Rockblocker and Llumar. From what I can deduce StonGard, Xpel and RockBlocker are semi-transparent and are 3M product/s, Llumar uses it's own new transparent product. The 3M products have been around a while, with the Llumar product being one of the newer ones on the market.
Web propaganda says that the semi-transparent products don't yellow with age. I've talked to one local dealer, Llumar dealer, who says that the semi-transparent's yellow with age. (grain of salt) Llumar hasn't been around longer then 3 years, but supposedly doesn't fade to yellow or cloud.
There are a number of different web sites that offer Paint Protection Film kits for the Mazda3, currently. Full (hood, lights, mirrors and bumpers) as well as partial (any combination of the full) are also available. These range from $250 - $750 for the full kits of the 3M based products. I haven't found a place to buy Llumar PPF pre-cut kits yet. I don't have them linked, but could if folks really want them. What I have deduced is that the application of clear bra's can be tricky and the Mazda3 is average -> above average in detail and level of complexity (stretching and corners).
Conclusion: If you've never worked with and/or don't feel comfortable working with vinyl, it's worth it to pay someone to do it for you.
Questions I have about Clear Bra's:
#1 With washing somewhat regularly (summer once every 1-2 weeks, winter once every 2-4 weeks) and waxing (summer once a month, winter once every 1-2 months), how well will the clear bra's last? Peeling? Yellowing (I've got a white 3, so if it goes yellow it will really show)?
#2 Anyone know of folks in the Seattle area that do them? Frank's Window Tinting did an awesome job on my window tints, but their quote of $900 is a little high for me right now.
Links (gathered from a variety of forums):
http://www.llumar.com/na-eng/Automotive/auto-paint.html
http://www.xpel.com/products/default.asp
http://www.rockblocker.com/main.htm
http://www.stongard.com/sgcontent/default.asp
http://www.tintdude.com/
http://www.frankswindowtinting.com/
There are a variety of different options out there, in films and in process. StonGard, Xpel, Rockblocker and Llumar. From what I can deduce StonGard, Xpel and RockBlocker are semi-transparent and are 3M product/s, Llumar uses it's own new transparent product. The 3M products have been around a while, with the Llumar product being one of the newer ones on the market.
Web propaganda says that the semi-transparent products don't yellow with age. I've talked to one local dealer, Llumar dealer, who says that the semi-transparent's yellow with age. (grain of salt) Llumar hasn't been around longer then 3 years, but supposedly doesn't fade to yellow or cloud.
There are a number of different web sites that offer Paint Protection Film kits for the Mazda3, currently. Full (hood, lights, mirrors and bumpers) as well as partial (any combination of the full) are also available. These range from $250 - $750 for the full kits of the 3M based products. I haven't found a place to buy Llumar PPF pre-cut kits yet. I don't have them linked, but could if folks really want them. What I have deduced is that the application of clear bra's can be tricky and the Mazda3 is average -> above average in detail and level of complexity (stretching and corners).
Conclusion: If you've never worked with and/or don't feel comfortable working with vinyl, it's worth it to pay someone to do it for you.
Questions I have about Clear Bra's:
#1 With washing somewhat regularly (summer once every 1-2 weeks, winter once every 2-4 weeks) and waxing (summer once a month, winter once every 1-2 months), how well will the clear bra's last? Peeling? Yellowing (I've got a white 3, so if it goes yellow it will really show)?
#2 Anyone know of folks in the Seattle area that do them? Frank's Window Tinting did an awesome job on my window tints, but their quote of $900 is a little high for me right now.
Links (gathered from a variety of forums):
http://www.llumar.com/na-eng/Automotive/auto-paint.html
http://www.xpel.com/products/default.asp
http://www.rockblocker.com/main.htm
http://www.stongard.com/sgcontent/default.asp
http://www.tintdude.com/
http://www.frankswindowtinting.com/
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