[E92Fan]

As many of you know, I had Paul Townsend from www.shineondetail.com detail my car at the beginning of last summer and he managed to achieve a quite sublime finish even with the rubbish BMW paintwork (click here for pictures). However after several summer trips to Prague, the Nurburgring and consequent high-speed jaunts down the German autobahns, I found that my car had not only suffered terribly from stone chips, but also that it had huge chemical bug splat issues Effectively whilst my car was travelling at high speed, it was decimating the bugs and insects that flew in its way (stupid bugs). It would seem that the severity of the impact, combined with the high acidity of bug juice, chemically etched splat trails into the top lacquer of the bonnet, front bumper and wings of my car. It seems that this is becoming much more of an everyday issue now that car manufacturers are using much weaker water-based paints and lacquers, which don't seem to have the robustness of the old-generation paints.

I contacted Paul at ShineOn to see if we could rectify the problem, and at the same time I started researching paint protection films. For a read of Paul's report about his work on my car, click here

Now, like many of you probably, I hadn't really seen many good things about paint protection film. I had in my mind that old horrible looking plastic with a hideously obvious edging line that stopped a quarter of the way up the bonnet On a black coloured car, which shows up everything, it would have been the worst thing imaginable. However, I came across a thread on our lovely forum mentioning a company called Paintshield Ltd in Lincolnshire. I remember some guys at the Nurburgring talking about them too, but at the time I wasn't really paying much attention. I also found a company called Armourfend who offered a paint protection film product.

Fast forward a few days and tens of phone calls later, and what I had discovered was that whilst the two products from Paintshield and Armourfend were similar, the application they would each undertake on my car was different.

Armourfend were suggesting to use their clear film half way up the bonnet, on the whole of the front bumper, and half way up the front wings to match the finish line of the film on the bonnet. They were adamant that the new product they use was so clear that the edge wouldn't be noticeable. Now that sounds a bit too good to be true really and besides, what I wanted was a film that protected the whole front of the car as the stone chips and bug splats had ended up almost three quarters of the way up the bonnet! Armourfend said that they didn't have a CAD file to enable them to computer cut the film to fit the whole front, and so they'd have to spend a fair bit of extra time with my car to create the film to suit. To be honest, the attitude of the person I was dealing with was fairly conceited and arrogant and I got the distinct impression they weren't really interested in helping me

Paintshield on the other hand were a revelation - firstly, their attitude on the phone could not have been more welcoming, helpful and understanding. They listened to the problems I was having, understood the situation and how fussy I am about the appearance of a paint film, and whilst they did their best to reassure me over the phone, they admitted that the only way I would be sure of the product was to go up to Lincoln and have a look for myself. I was passed onto Tom Wakeford, the MD for Paintshield, for a more in depth discussion. At this point I discovered the best bit about Paintshield - Tom himself drives a Monaco Blue E92 335i !!! He had already CAD designed a film to fit the entire front end of the car - whole bonnet, front bumper, front wings, AND mirror caps.

I had pretty much decided to go with Paintshield, purely on the strength of their professionalism over the phone. The fact they had an E92 in-house was the clincher. I made arrangements to go and see them with a view to getting the film installed there and then. On my arrival, Tom had a very close look at the front end of my car to inspect it for any damage, and also to ascertain its suitability for the film. Unfortunately for me, I had a few too many deep stone chips and whilst the film could technically go on, Tom refused to do the work as he didn't want me to pay for something that I would not be happy with visually - what apparently happens with the very deep stone chips is that it creates an air pocket underneath the film when it is applied, and those air pockets will be visible to someone like me who notices everything!! His suggestion was to get the stone chips sorted first, then to revisit them.

In the meantime, he showed me around his premises - impressive to say the least! His reception is covered, literally covered, wall-to-wall, with pictures of cars that he has worked on... Scuderias, Gallardos, Veyron, Enzo, MC12... basically any car you can think of, he's almost certainly done! That does mean that his CAD database of film is the widest ranging of probably all paint protection companies.

Now fast forward to the middle of December with stone chips sorted, car covered in road salt, and a trip back up the A11. On arrival, the guys immediately took my car round to their wash area so it could be cleaned thoroughly before work started. Me being me, I decided to clean the car myself!! I don't think they were quite expecting that I will admit though that Joe, one of the technicians, is as fussy about paint swirls and car cleaning as me, so in reality I could have let him clean the car as he was intending and not have any worries!

Into the workshop and the whole process was started. The Paintshield technicians were amazing so quick and precise with their work, with incredible attention to detail. The film is cut from their CAD-controlled machine, sprayed with iso-propyl alcohol and wet-applied to the car. The amount of work needed to ensure that no air bubbles remained requires huge amounts of patience and effort. The wings were the first to be done, as they are the easiest part of the car to do! At this point, I was asked to leave the workshop area itself as the process for doing the bonnet and bumper requires so much solution that the floor becomes a swimming pool!

Four hours and a sandwich later (thanks Tom for the food!) and my car was declared finished. As I walked into the workshop, one of the technicians was heat-locking the edges of the film to make sure they wouldn't lift. The film takes two weeks to cure properly, so in that time the car can't really be washed. After that, the process to look after the film is the same as looking after paintwork - there is a layer of lacquer on the film that responds to waxing in the same way that normal car paint does.

The film is a once-application product - once it's on, it won't be removed. That's not to say it can't be removed however - it's just that there's no need to! Paintshield give a 4 year paint protection warranty with the film, and it's guaranteed not to yellow or crack either.

As you can see from the pictures below, the results are astonishingly good I guarantee that you can't see the film on the car unless you stick your nose right up to the paint and know what you're looking for. It really is that good. And it is so optically clear - if there are any blemishes on the paintwork itself it will mostly be seen through the film!

The cost of the product varies from car to car, and depends also on what each customer wants (full/partial coverage, whole car, front only etc etc). Best thing to do if you're interested is to contact Tom Wakeford directly, say that you're off the E90post forum, tell him what you want, and he might even give you a forum-incentivised quote


Contact details -

Tom Wakeford
Paintshield Ltd

www.xpeleu.com / www.paintshield.co.uk
01476 592777


I am ecstatic with the finish - it was over and beyond my already high expectations. I recommend Paintshield without any hesitation or reservation!



The front wing BEFORE application


Applying the film




After the film had been applied - can't see it !!!!


The front end BEFORE the film



Front end, number plate back on, FINISHED!


All done!!

[Hoops]

You're up early!!! Molly woke at 3am and we are driving to Cardigan Bay this morning to visit my parents - i couldnt get back to sleep so thought i would have a look on here!! Hope you had a lovely Xmas buddy. Speak to you in a few days.

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by bmwbailey

You're up early!!! Molly woke at 3am and we are driving to Cardigan Bay this morning to visit my parents - i couldnt get back to sleep so thought i would have a look on here!! Hope you had a lovely Xmas buddy. Speak to you in a few days.

Ummmm.. nooo?? It's past midday here in Hong Kong!!!! Think I should buy you and Louisa some tranquilizers!!

[Hoops]

Of course - forgot the time difference!!! I keep wanting to buy some ear defenders but Louisa said she'd initiate divorce proceedings forthwith if i do!!!! How much am i NOT relishing the prospect of a 5 hour journey to South West Wales now!!?? Best bit is - ive just peered out of the window and noticed an inch of frost covering the cars outside - nice!!!

[Auto_Armour335i]

They did a great job, Almost as good as I can do. Just kidding they did a great Job. Here is a black GT I did a few weeks ago. It has the full hood, fenders, bumper, lights, mirrors, full roof, and side skirts. Everyone is always scared of black. If done right it looks awesome.

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by Auto_Armour335i

They did a great job, Almost as good as I can do. Just kidding they did a great Job. Here is a black GT I did a few weeks ago. It has the full hood, fenders, bumper, lights, mirrors, full roof, and side skirts. Everyone is always scared of black. If done right it looks awesome.

That's the Xpel film as well right?? Looks fantastic!

[Auto_Armour335i]

Originally Posted by E92Fan

That's the Xpel film as well right?? Looks fantastic!

That is all Ventureshield film with xpel film on the rocker panels.

[Gibbo]

Originally Posted by Auto_Armour335i

They did a great job, Almost as good as I can do. Just kidding they did a great Job. Here is a black GT I did a few weeks ago. It has the full hood, fenders, bumper, lights, mirrors, full roof, and side skirts. Everyone is always scared of black. If done right it looks awesome.

Remember to put the badge back on.

[Gibbo]

Tony, nice write up of a process that many of us think about but never get round to doing. I guess out of choice it should be applied when the car is brand new to get best results. The only alternative to this is a front end respray say half way though how long you think you will keep the car to give it a mid life freshen up. The garage about 5 miles from me does it for the local Official Porsche Centre and there work is superb.

What happens if you get a big stone hit the film? will it go through and require an new piece fitted.

Pleased you are enjoying your car now with all your mods. You have done a fantastic job of personalising it to your taste whilst maintaining a stock look externally.

This is good for getting the bugs of the front of the car. I dilute 3 water, 1 solution.

http://www.motorgeek.co.uk/poorboys-squash-p-178.html

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by Gibbo

What happens if you get a big stone hit the film? will it go through and require an new piece fitted.

Well, if the film gets pierced, Paintshield will remove the film so that the paint underneath can be repaired. If a stone goes through the film, it'll have gone through the paint too!! However, Paintshield will look after all that and replace the film under the terms of the warranty

[Budgie]

Tony
I had mine done by Tom when i got my E92 last May 07,i did tell everyone about this at the time.As i had my e92 before Tom and mine was used for the template for M Sport models and not the SE like you and Tom have got.Joe is the best fitter of this stuff anywhere in the planet and i can tell you plenty about Tom(Anyone in Porsche Club of GB will know him) as he is a great bloke and has as you said done a mental amount of shit hot motors.

I can fully recommend him and the product also.

I got full frontal,bonnet,wings,mirrors,headlight and door edges done,and agree its well worth it.The warranty and back up is fantastic and Tom is a no nonsense, straight talking good honest business man.

I wont say what it cost in the forum room but i thought it was a good price and good back up.It isnt cheap as Tony might mention also but i think its worth it.

[Carrera RSR]

Having cleaned my car today I certainly wish I had protected my front with this. Having done 16,000 miles since August and got caught in the spray of a gritter a couple of weeks ago the front is looking decidedly second hand now

Car looks lurverly Tony. Very nice write up again.

[Speedtrap]

I would be shocked as well Tony if they sanded a layer off my paint...but looks like a job well done mate.

[Estoril Sport]

Great write up E92Fan,

I have been investigating film protection for some time now and have decided that Paintshield will be doing my Alpina as soon possible when it arrives in July. After talking to them on the phone and e-mail I totally agree that Paintshield are very professional and not conceited or arrogant at all, and where only too please when I wanted to see the finished results on other customer cars as I am concerned how noticeable the edges are and the possibility of the film lifting from the edges in time. I will be having done the whole front area, whole bonnet, front wings, lights, and possibly the sills. Also I will not need to have a day off work as I can work at their premises while the work is being done as they have high speed broadband.

[NAZ]

Great Product, i had it on my E46 & made sure it got on my E92 aswell.....

[beemerbird]

I'm convinced now - going to give them a call.

[330cdsport]

Would defo consider it for my next car. No point now unfortunately as my car is like a teabag at the front

How much to do the front of an E92?

[biscuits]

Originally Posted by beemerbird

I'm convinced now - going to give them a call.

Do it quick Helen, 911's always suffer badly with stone chips. My 996 had the front resprays prior to collection, think it's quite a common occurance. I had Arctic Silver, so they only showed up on close inspection.

[AlanQS]

Originally Posted by Estoril Sport

Paintshield will be doing my Alpina B3 BiTurbo coupe as soon possible when it arrives in July

Don't forget to post up pics please, when she arrives

[Neil McRae]

how does this stuff look on white cars?

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by Neil McRae

how does this stuff look on white cars?

Exactly the same as it does on mine - pretty much invisible. I wouldn't hesitate

[Neil McRae]

did you get your bonnet done too? Whats the ball park price? I do a lot of motor way driving in my 535d and the front of the car is absolutely hammered and I don't want this to happen to the E92.