25 replies to this topic

[MajorGav]

I guess this is a question for those VX owners without stone chip protection please. AS some of you may know, I'm a big fan of Armourfend and enjoyed full protection on L1L VX! My VXT comes with some Vauxhall protection and I'm tempted to remove it and go down the Armourfend (or Paintshield) route again. Currently, my car has the bumper, bonnet lip, air intake and rear arches protected. I also have a couple of pieces to fit on the inside of the front arches. Will this be enough for the time being? Is it worth getting the whole bonnet and full side sills down or do these areas not suffer from stone chips too much? Be wise of me to check before spending 500 big ones. A point of note - the Vauxhall protection doesn't seem half as good as Armourfend. It may protect the paintwork, but stones seem to pierce the film, thereby leaving a mark. Stones seemed to bounce off the Armourfend, leaving no marks. Any help would be appreciated.

[Foxy]

...my car has the bumper, bonnet lip, air intake and rear arches protected. I also have a couple of pieces to fit on the inside of the front arches. Will this be enough for the time being?

I'd say this was enough and not to bother with the full bonnet or sills. You should fit the wheelarch pieces asap - it will be chipped through to the fibreglass before you can say primer.

[MikeS]

I've got the paintshield film on the bumper and in front of the bonnet on mine, after getting battered to bits by 2 gritters on the M6 & M5 last Sunday it seems to have stood up quite well. Really pleased I had it done, some of the grit marks are quite deep but it doesn't seem to have penetrated the film. Shame it seems to be unbonding from the back edges of the bumper and the mirrors though already, it's only been on 4 months

[kipper]

I started with the front bumpers, bonnet lip, front sill end, turbo ear's and mirrors (self fitted) as I was getting fed up discovering small chips appearing every time I took the car out. Recently went to Amourfend to have the full bonnet and full sills fitted. Now feel much more confident that my paint work will stay intact for longer. Had an accidental atercation with a badger one night. A glancing blow along the drivers side sill, a very slight scuff to the Amourfend and no damage to the paintwork. I'm sure that without the protection I would have had a nasty scratch/gouge to deal with.

[PaulCP]

Gav Be aware that the Amourfend kit has changed somewhat in that the bonnet now comprises of 6 pieces rather than the original one piece. Had mine re-done since i needed a new front clam but IMO it is not now as good as it was. Also leaves a few gaps and sods law mine is chipped between one of the gaps. The vx stuff really is crap as you say, stones just pierce it Paul

[MajorGav]

Thanks chaps. Paul - so you agree with me about the Vauxhall stuff. When it pierces the film, does it go through to the paint, or is it just the film which is damaged? May make a difference to my decision - i.e. live with the Vauxhall stuff for the summer and replace before the winter. Secondly - how many chips does the side sill attract? Obviously the rear arch panel is a must, but what about the complete section under the door? Sorry for the questions - never driven the VX unprotected before! Want to enjoy my drives without worrying.

[PaulCP]

Paul - so you agree with me about the Vauxhall stuff. When it pierces the film, does it go through to the paint, or is it just the film which is damaged? May make a difference to my decision - i.e. live with the Vauxhall stuff for the summer and replace before the winter.

Had to have mine touched up in a couple of places since it had chipped the paint through the film.

When we took the vX film off it was full of holes so i guess in the majority of cases the film had taken the brunt of the impact. Stll crap stuff though

[paintshield]

I've got the paintshield film on the bumper and in front of the bonnet on mine, after getting battered to bits by 2 gritters on the M6 & M5 last Sunday it seems to have stood up quite well. Really pleased I had it done, some of the grit marks are quite deep but it doesn't seem to have penetrated the film.

Shame it seems to be unbonding from the back edges of the bumper and the mirrors though already, it's only been on 4 months

If you have lift this is a warranty Issue can you get in touch with me by phone 01476 592777 and we can get this addressed.

Best Wishes


Tom

[MikeS]

Cheers for ringing Tom, will try and sort out a weekend to get it redone. Good old Zymol polish

[paintshield]

HI On the Subject of the Wheel arch pieces used by Manufacturers this is typically a different kind of film called OEM film this comes from a variety of sources (as cheap as they can get it). The pieces used on the Elise and Vx22o by Lotus are not currently 3M film Iknow who makes it but not my place to release that data. As for Sill damage this is often a case of dumb luck, I have seen both Elises and VX220's at the Lotus factory with serious exterior sill damage. IF it were my personal car, I would have it on in these areas as there is potential for damage on recently gritted and gravel roads, as well as resurfacing work which will hammer the sills. If you can avoid the resurfacing work specifically i guess you would be fine without it Best Wishes Tom

[neolus]

My arches are a mess. Has anyone ever tried to get response from vauxhall about the poor protection on the arches?

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[ratboiler]

Having had the bonnet lip, inner arches, and air intakes done, I would go for a full bonnet as the stone chips are mounting up already. Mind you at least I don't have to worry about the rust starting.

[ianj]

I'd noticed the front of my VXR collecting chips after just a couple of hundred miles, so decided it was time to get some "protection". I've always avoided having this done on previous cars as I've seen too many with yellowing film that has become unstuck at the edges, but decided that red paint on my car wasn't going to last too long otherwise.

As it happened, a friend who looks after a large fleet of prestige cars (Aston, Lambo, Ferrari, Porsche etc) had been evaluating stonechip protection products and recommended VentureShield to me. This is similar to the 3M product but is said to have a number of advantages in that it doesn't discolour and is extremely resilient. In addition it has a lifetime warranty, and was competitively priced compared to the quotes I had from the 3M product suppliers.

I've now had the full VentureShield kit fitted to my VXR and have to say I'm mighty pleased with it. The kit covers all the usual areas and is very difficult to see.

If you're interested, details are here clicky
My car was fitted by Darren Mills, who I'd have no hesitation in recommending; he can be contacted on 07766 505010.

Before anyone asks, I don't have any association with this product/company; the post is simply a recommendation for a product that may be of interest to other VX owners.

Ian.

[paintshield]

I'd noticed the front of my VXR collecting chips after just a couple of hundred miles, so decided it was time to get some "protection". I've always avoided having this done on previous cars as I've seen too many with yellowing film that has become unstuck at the edges, but decided that red paint on my car wasn't going to last too long otherwise.

As it happened, a friend who looks after a large fleet of prestige cars (Aston, Lambo, Ferrari, Porsche etc) had been evaluating stonechip protection products and recommended VentureShield to me. This is similar to the 3M product but is said to have a number of advantages in that it doesn't discolour and is extremely resilient. In addition it has a lifetime warranty, and was competitively priced compared to the quotes I had from the 3M product suppliers.

I've now had the full VentureShield kit fitted to my VXR and have to say I'm mighty pleased with it. The kit covers all the usual areas and is very difficult to see.

If you're interested, details are here clicky
My car was fitted by Darren Mills, who I'd have no hesitation in recommending; he can be contacted on 07766 505010.

Before anyone asks, I don't have any association with this product/company; the post is simply a recommendation for a product that may be of interest to other VX owners.

Ian.

HI

Just so you know this film is a non clear coated film therefore WILL absorb road grime and tar rubber residue is the guy you are talking about P1 international?

Also this film was fitted by their admission to 997 rear wheel impact areas, here is a picture of what happens to that film after 4 weeks on a 997 porsche, we could of course sell this film as could Bob but we will not touch a non clear coated product in Western Europe (see paint protection film 101) due to the problems you can see here.

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Edited by paintshield, 18 April 2005 - 11:42 AM.

[paintshield]

Here is another picture of this film. This car was a brand new vehicle and we have seen a number of examples of this, they have broadcast that they are doing this work at the Porsche factory in a number of places of late. IF anyone having still seen this, wants us to put this film on their car (after signing a disclaimer) I will be happy to source it for you and fit it (no warranties). Ps is that warranty just on the film or does it include no failure cashback options? Best Wishes Tom PS I would like to examine this car if you are agreeable where abouts are you located so we can come have a look at it? Best Wishes Tom

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[ianj]

Tom, It sounds like my post has raised some commercial sensitivities with you. This is an open forum, so if you want to criticize the competition that's up to you, however, I've no intention of being drawn into such arguments. As I mentioned initially, the purpose of my post was simply to pass on my experiences to VX owners, in the hope that it may be of help to some people. I'm not sure of the purpose of you examining my car. What are you trying imply? I've had lots of work done on many cars in the past and I don't remember a single request from another supplier to inspect the work done by one of their competitors. Ian.

[paintshield]

Tom,

It sounds like my post has raised some commercial sensitivities with you.

This is an open forum, so if you want to criticize the competition that's up to you, however, I've no intention of being drawn into such arguments. As I mentioned initially, the purpose of my post was simply to pass on my experiences to VX owners, in the hope that it may be of help to some people.

I'm not sure of the purpose of you examining my car. What are you trying imply? I've had lots of work done on many cars in the past and I don't remember a single request from another supplier to inspect the work done by one of their competitors.

Ian.

Interesting response

No commercial sensitivities at all, first we can use in any film we like to manufacture kits from, secondly we do not make the film we remanufacture it, so why would there be any commercial sensitivity at all. Looking at the car is pure commercial interest and research, as you seem to have had it on a while, to ascertain how the film is holding up in the light of what we are seeing on a significant number of Porsche 997's under a few months old.

I am surprised you have gotten so defensive over such a simple request, most guys have no problem with us looking at their cars I wasn't trying to imply anything, perhaps you would like to PM me and let me know what you think I might have been implying.

In fact on the commercial aspect if you read PPF 101 you will see that that I always take a very balanced view and in fact recommend some competitors to clients. The nature of the film is not an issue that installers concern themselves about, except where the nature of the raw material may cause customer issues that have to be dealt with.


So that not withstanding can we come look at the car?




Best Wishes

Tom

[ianj]

Tom, I guess I'm missing your point here, so let me put it as plainly as possible. Why would I want you to inspect my car? Ian.

[SteveM]

Slightly changing the subject Tom, when can your Southampton installer contact me with a quote for the front bumper protection . I've had a respray quote, and a respray/protection quote from Picador (Graham ) Cheers Steve

[paintshield]

Tom,

I guess I'm missing your point here, so let me put it as plainly as possible.

Why would I want you to inspect my car?

Ian.

I don't know that you would, I asked the question out of general commercial interest, as other than the 997 issues, we have yet to see how a customer install is holding up on a non-clearcoated film. We did a lot of tests on non clear coated films, Llumar, Avery and Venture as they sent us some film to test. However this was a while ago, given that we always want to offer customers the best possible product, we like to check out how all films are performing on real world installations. This is not a Showtrax thing, as I am certain they probably did a great install but rather a raw material issue. I apologise if you felt I was having a go at Showtrax (not my style). If you are not comfortable with us looking at how the film is performing then I understand.

Best Wishes


Tom

Edited by paintshield, 20 April 2005 - 07:11 AM.