Who's done a urethane protective covering

[boat737]

The car is just about complete. I'm looking into having a clear vinyl coating done on the front section as well as the rear forward facing fender areas. (maybe even along the tops of the doors where I seem to hang my arm).

Who's had that done? How long does it hold up? Is it worth it? Disadvantages?

TIA.

[wareaglescott]

I have it on my 911. I really like it. Keep in mind most the materials now need to come off and be reapplied after 5-6 years. My film is self healing and really does a nice job protecting the car.

I looked into it for the Cobra. The main problem is most the installers use pre cut kits for specific cars. There is no such kit for our Cobras so you are looking at a full custom cut and application. After speaking with my installer who does nothing but high end cars and has an amazing reputation he said the curves at the front of the car would make the job a nightmare with no pre cut kit. You really need to make sure of the quality of the installers skills or it may not end up looking to great.

I needed up ordering some material from Ebay and installed just some straight pieces around the bottom opening on the nose and in front of the rear wheels. You can not see it unless yo really get down and look for the seem. I figured that was the most vulnerable area. 5500 miles in the rest of the front end still looks like new.
I would absolutely 100% put something in front of the rear wheels. That area of my film takes a beating.

[Driver_WT]

I had the forward facing areas of the rear fenders done a month ago. Works so far, can't see it unless you look really close. Cost me $175 Canadian for the shop to cut and apply the two pieces for the rear fenders.

Wade

[wareaglescott]

The stuff is quite easy to self apply in front of the rear wheels. Just buy some XPEL film from Amazon in the size roil you need and cut to fit yourself for that area.

[boat737]

The stuff is quite easy to self apply in front of the rear wheels. Just buy some XPEL film from Amazon in the size roil you need and cut to fit yourself for that area.

Thanks Scott & Wade. Yeah, I was thinking that the front clip, with ALL those curves, would be a challenge to do, at least to do and make it look presentable. I've watched a couple YouTube videos, and thought about attempting myself, but the cutting/trimming still looks challenging.

[RR20AC]

Ordered mine from Amazon. Have it on the front where auto-x cones may hit. (Worked). Rear spats are done along with the top of the passenger door. Easy to make a pattern out of blue tape. Tape off the area and the pull the area piece off and place it on the 3m product. Perfect size every time.

[Jim Doak]

I got my car repainted two years ago. It had lots of road rash on the nose of the car; the lower you looked, the worse it was. Upon completion of the paint job and after a few weeks cure time, I had a local shop install Xpel film over the front of the car as well as on the fronts of the rear fenders and along the tops of the doors.

After two years and approx. 7,000 miles I'm very happy with the film and would do it again. It's done its job and has protected the paint.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

I have it on my 911. I really like it. Keep in mind most the materials now need to come off and be reapplied after 5-6 years. My film is self healing and really does a nice job protecting the car.

Did the dealer have it done or was it a DIY? My daughters 911 had it as a final deal closer by the dealer. Don't know the product name but its worked out well.

[Avalanche325]

I used 3M film on the rear spat areas. It works well. Not too hard to put on. I tape my front up for autocross. I have plenty of road rash on the front down low. But, I drive it a lot.

Disadvantages:
1. You really shouldn't put anything on fresh paint for at least 3 months. The paint needs to outgas.
2. It doesn't last forever.

[boat737]

Disadvantages:

2. It doesn't last forever.

I was afraid someone was going to say that. At this point in my life, I just hope everything I buy now will out last me.

The paint was shot about 2 1/2 months ago now. I haven't even washed it yet, but it's getting to be about that time now.

[wareaglescott]

Did the dealer have it done or was it a DIY? My daughters 911 had it as a final deal closer by the dealer. Don't know the product name but its worked out well.

Dealer has a guy they use. I used him. I sure as heck wasn't attempting a DIY on a new 911 lol. It wasn't part of the deal though. I paid for it.

[mikeinatlanta]

I used to be in the business. Make sure the product you buy is NOT vinyl. The quality products are urethane. There is some vinyl product out there and you want to stay far far away from it. 3M paint protection film and XPEL are both urethane.

[boat737]

I used to be in the business. Make sure the product you buy is NOT vinyl. The quality products are urethane. There is some vinyl product out there and you want to stay far far away from it. 3M paint protection film and XPEL are both urethane.

Thanks Mike. Did not know there was difference, or a urethane product. I changed the thread title.

[mikeinatlanta]

Thanks Mike. Did not know there was difference, or a urethane product. I changed the thread title.

There are companies selling a vinyl based product. All are begging for trouble. I've been out of it for a while. Hopefully they all go out of business.