How to protect cars front end form road stones etc

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MBluvr

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Hello all Autogeeks, this is my first entry, however I have enjoyed the discussions in the forum. I own a 05 E500 4matic Benz, which I enjoy. My question concerns protecting the paint/front end of my carfrom stones/etc. kicked up by trucks. I was wondering if using wax on top of Kleasse A10/ Klasse sealent will help. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

MBluvr
 
The wax will help against bugs sticking and their guts damaging the paint, but there will be no added protection against rocks/debris.

I would recommend getting a clear bra (3M or similar), costs a lot $600 - $800 depending upon installer but protects the paint very well.
 
for that kind of a ride [NICE ONE BTW! :D ] Call around and look for a reputable Clear Bra installer. The best way to do this is by finding local car clubs/forums/etc.. and they will 9 times /10 know a good installer.

A clear Bra is the best way to protect against this from happening.
 
Thanks for your suggestion. I'll look into a clear Bra. If one is applied, does it damage the finish when removed? I am concerned about trucks throwing stones, recently a stone hit my windshield resulting in a crack that cost me and the insurance $954 to replace.
Thanks again for your quick replies.

MBluvr
 
MBluvr said:
Thanks for your suggestion. I'll look into a clear Bra. If one is applied, does it damage the finish when removed? I am concerned about trucks throwing stones, recently a stone hit my windshield resulting in a crack that cost me and the insurance $954 to replace.
Thanks again for your quick replies.

MBluvr
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If anything itll show you cared for the car. A MB with a flawless front end cant be too damaging to its resale value ;)

About taking it off.. Ive never heard of someone taking it off. They stay on there for quite a long time.
 
I have a friend with a clearbra on his 350Z and frankly it looks awful. You can very clearly see he has it on there as it's completely discolored. It's a ClearBra.

What I'm trying to say is if you really decide to have this installed on your vehicle, make sure you do your research and find a proper pruduct and professional installer to do the work for you.

On the other hand, you can just enjoy the vehicle you have and try and take care of it as well as possible. If the rock hits your car, the clearbra will only do so much. Careful driving and keeping your distance is probably 80% of it.
 
I have a new 07 G35 Sport on order and have been debating (while I impatiently wait for it's arrival) in my head about how to handle the front... I've decided that at the cost of a clear bra, $600-$800, and the fact that they are visible and take away from the cars appearance slightly, and they only protect against most tiny rocks and debris while offering zero protection against anything you can pickup with your fingers, plus the removal process and expense when you want to take it off.

I think I'd rather go without it and take my chances, for all the negitives and costs, I'd rather just have the front repainted, and if it's really just a small amount of nick's and minor chips, you could just have it detailed to "good enough for a 6 year old car". if it takes a big enough hit, the bra wasn't going to help you out anyway.

as P1et stated, and I'd probably go even further, 95% of it is keeping your distance, not just from trucks, as in the long run, the cars do considerably more damage then trucks because you probably drive behind hundreds of cars a week, vs the handful of trucks doing 50+ mph in the same week.
 
DRIVE BACKWARDS

Seriously though .... chips are bound to happen. Bras can flap and damage the paint. Clear bra's deterioate and yellow over time. Other than detailing, there is no sure fire way to remedy or lessen these marks.
 
killrwheels@autogeek said:
DRIVE BACKWARDS
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And what about to protect the rear-end of the car? Then my trunk will have rock chips!:p

That there sounded very whinney...:o

Joey:cheers:
 
3M makes the plastic and if installed right you can't tell it is there unless you are w/in 5ft of the car. i don't have it on the front of my car, but i do have it around the wheel wells to protect my cheap GM paint
 
clear bras

As far as clear bras go 3M brand seem to be the one that most people feel is the best, but I was aproached at my dealership while having service done by a fellow who does clear bras as a side job when he's not working as a service writer. His prices seem fair and he does a lot of high end cars which would make you think he's pretty good at it. The only thing that that bothers me is the brand of film he uses, it's call Venture Shield. I'm wondering if if anyone on this site has either heard of or had experience with this product. I'm really not sold on this yet.Feed back please
 
Venture Shield I've heard of. To be honest, Clear Bras/PaintProtectionFilms really lie on the installer. Good films should not discolor. Installers usually have a good sense for how visible and how well the overall appearance will be.


Not cheap, but if you truly value your car from the day it's out of the dealership, I highly recommend them for the protection.
 
for the 600-800 dollars most reputable shops charge just get the hood and front bumper repainted every 2-3 years :)
 
Arggg

I dislike Bras with a passion. Why because your vehicle vibrates and it causes the Bra to Vibrate. Well You will not have any stone chips ; However You will have itch from the Bra. Hey if you would like to repaint after time by all means put on a bra. Ohh I forgot about the contaminate on the bra or on the car surface. My opinion for what it is worth no Bra. period.

Brian
 
koibybrian said:
I dislike Bras with a passion. Why because your vehicle vibrates and it causes the Bra to Vibrate. Well You will not have any stone chips ; However You will have itch from the Bra. Hey if you would like to repaint after time by all means put on a bra. Ohh I forgot about the contaminate on the bra or on the car surface. My opinion for what it is worth no Bra. period.

Brian
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I agree. I contemplated the same thing so I could take my vette on a road trip later this month; instead, I am opting not to take it.
You be careful. Do the best you can, and you can avoid a lot of it.
Sometimes you can't. Then you decide what to do based on how it looks, etc.
Saturday was warm and windy - very windy!! I was so angry I took my vette out to my appointment - it was like shrapnel was blowing at me (and even tumbleweeds!) from every direction.
Luckily, she made it there and back no harm done.

Good luck in your decision.
To each his/her own!

Lauren, imho :)
 
koibybrian said:
I dislike Bras with a passion. Why because your vehicle vibrates and it causes the Bra to Vibrate. Well You will not have any stone chips ; However You will have itch from the Bra. Hey if you would like to repaint after time by all means put on a bra. Ohh I forgot about the contaminate on the bra or on the car surface. My opinion for what it is worth no Bra. period.

Brian
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PPF shouldn't vibrate considering it's has an adhesive side on the panel. If it was loose enough to vibrate it could come off easily overtime with friction.

I'll definitely have to ask an installer I know. Few of them are actually good or use films other than 3m!
 
SOrry But reading Killr's post and looking at his avatar makes for a funny comment....but I'll be a gentleman and not say anything..... . LOL
 
all i know is xpel is responsible for the patterns.. the installer chooses what brand of material to use. the guy who did my install uses 3M.. he mentioned he's tried other brands that were less expensive (not sure which ones), but switched back because he kept having to redo them..
 
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