BMW i5 and 5-Series Forum

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      12-31-2013, 06:35 PM   #1
GammaZeta
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3M Paint Defender (spray on clear bra) end of driving season review

So I decided to wait until the very end of the driving season and the removal of the 3M Paint Defender to give my review on the results and protection it provided. http://3mauto.com/products/paint-defender

To start with, the application was easy, straightforward and looked pretty good. I applied it to my front bumper, rocker panels and first 1/3 of my hood and fenders. Of course, what really matters are the results.

After putting on 8,000 miles, mostly on side roads, in a 6 month period and starting out with my bumper and rockers being freshly painted before applying the 3M, I must say the I am very impressed by the results.

First though, if you don't put enough on, then it is a b!+(# to take off. One rocker panel was on too thin so I had to use an ammonia based glass cleaner and a bug scrubber to remove it. The hood and fenders peeled right off though.

One thing to add, my Z4M has the aero side skirts ( http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthre...highlight=aero ) which stick out further and are more susceptible to rock and road rash. My old side skirts were chewed up pretty badly.

Conclusion: After peeling everything off, I didn't notice any rock chips or road rash on the covered areas. Even on the side skirts except for one very minor chip.

If you're in the cost range between a traditional clear bra being too expensive for a car that isn't new or the cost isn't justified for an older car, for $25 - $50 bucks the 3M Clear Defender can do a pretty good job preventing the everyday, regular road rash that might happen.

I'm definitely going to respray next year before the driving season begins.

Overall, I would recommend this product.
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      12-31-2013, 09:09 PM   #2
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I love recommendations like this. I will be purchasing sometime in January.
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      01-01-2014, 11:51 AM   #3
son_of_siggy
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Any pics of it on the car?
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      01-01-2014, 06:22 PM   #4
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Thanks for the review, pics would definitely be appreciated.

I'd like to ask a few questions as I'm quite curious about this now....(thx in advance)
How many layers did you spray on and what was the condition of this clear film after 8000 miles. Was it oxidated/scratched/pitted?
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      01-01-2014, 09:57 PM   #5
GammaZeta
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ichiro View Post
Thanks for the review, pics would definitely be appreciated.

I'd like to ask a few questions as I'm quite curious about this now....(thx in advance)
How many layers did you spray on and what was the condition of this clear film after 8000 miles. Was it oxidated/scratched/pitted?
Pics really wouldn't show anything, it is a clear bra. Very invisible, and since it is thinner than a traditional clear bra, the line isn't as visible.

I did 3 layers on one rocker, then 4 on the other and 4/5 on the front parts. I would do either 5 quick layers or 4 a little slower. It's tough to get it to run but it is possible. There is a fine line between too much, too little and just right. You almost have to witness it yourself to know what I'm talking about, tough to describe in words.

The front parts came off clear without any pitting or scratches. The rockers, which got more abuse, did have some small pitting/holes, but nothing that went through to the paint.

3M does say the bra will yellow after a year, that is why I took it off now. But having it on for ~ 9 months, everything was clear and it still looked great. The rockers probably did start to yellow slightly since I did them about 45 days prior to the rest, so my guess is 3M is right in that it will start to yellow at the 12 month mark.
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      01-24-2014, 07:53 AM   #6
LindaSamual
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Hello everyone,

3 m paint film is a good quality product where it is save your car.....
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      01-24-2014, 01:27 PM   #7
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This is pretty cool, I might spray this on the lady's GTI after a post-winter detail. Not bad at all for $40 if it actually works decently.
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      01-24-2014, 06:29 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LindaSamual View Post
Hello everyone,

3 m paint film is a good quality product where it is save your car.....
Not sure if 3M's outsourcing sales reps from Nigeria, but seriously, you joined a BMW forum to make two posts about protective film, and one's completely out of context.

I'm sure the product works, but this thread has a weird vibe (not aimed at OP).

Quote:
Originally Posted by LindaSamual View Post
Hi,

Nowadays many automobile company provide paint protection film for their client at reasonable rate.
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      01-24-2014, 06:51 PM   #9
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My ongoing review. I'll be posting the final post curing pics tomorrow in sunlight. I plan on running it for the full year

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=937112
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