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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Wash, Wax, Detailing and Cosmetic protection/repairs > "3M" chip film?



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      09-15-2010, 03:34 AM   #1
Kanuc
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"3M" chip film?

What do people think of the "3M" and similar rock chip (I live in Canada, lotsa gravel) plastic films. My car is Alpine White - will it just look yellow?

Thanks
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      09-15-2010, 07:01 AM   #2
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It will not turn yellow. In fact, it's quite nice. What my dealer had said though, which I found surprising, is the fact that it will help protect from rock chips, but all that chipped paint you generally see on hoods are from dead insects not getting washed off quickly. Apparently bug guts are acidic.

Not so sure I believe this fully. I'm from WA state and they "sand" the roads there to protect the cars from rusting. Some of that "sand" though could also double as gravel for driveways lol! I've had many a chipped windshield due to this, so I can only imagine it does the same to the paint.

Anyway, my '03 had the film on the front and I liked it so much I had it put on my '11 as well. If you have polarized sunglasses then you can see a rainbow effect in it during the day, and you'll see a small line around the edge of it, but quite honestly, if you're more than 5 feet from the car, it's nearly impossible to see.
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      09-15-2010, 07:23 AM   #3
cb1111
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Bird droppings will quickly mar your paint but it won't look like chips - neither will bug guts.
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      09-15-2010, 07:35 AM   #4
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Bug guts will eat the paint off of your car if you leave them on long enough and they do look similar to rock chips. I check the front bumper/hood area and wipe all the bug guts off every time I drive my car. We aren't talking like leaving bug guts on for a week...it takes a lot longer than that for them to really eat away the paint...I'd say you'd have to leave them on for 3-4 weeks before you'd start to see any damage to paint. Maybe longer.
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      09-15-2010, 09:25 AM   #5
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I bought my pre-owned 335i with custom 3M clearbra on the front bumper, hood, fenders, and side view mirrors. It was peeling off on all corners on the front bumper, so I pulled it off of the front bumper the first week I had the car. I found a great installer and had him cut and install a custom 3M piece for the front bumper and it came out great.

My car doesn't have a single rock chip on it and bugs wipe off with ease. You can wash the clearbra with normal carwash shampoo and water and some of the newer films can even be waxed just as you would wax the rest of your car.

I highly recommend the 3M product!!!! Just make sure you find a reputable installer with references!
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      09-15-2010, 11:52 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kanuc View Post
What do people think of the "3M" and similar rock chip (I live in Canada, lotsa gravel) plastic films. My car is Alpine White - will it just look yellow?

Thanks
Worth the money, especially on dark colors. I've did it to all my vehicles in the past 6 years, and never yellowed, never peeled. Saves the paint (on newer vehicles, the water based paint is stupid thin, and tends to chip a lot).
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      09-15-2010, 12:01 PM   #7
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If you can I suggest getting the "full" hood not just partial. Also the 3M only warranties their film for 5 yrs, but Venture Shield has a warranty for lifetime. The 3M tends to turn yellow after few yrs.

Here is my car getting detailed before I got the full hood, full bumper, full fender, headlights and fog lights.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=430922
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      09-15-2010, 12:21 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RI335d View Post
It will not turn yellow.
Really? Because I just had a local pro detail and 2-stage my paint. My car had 3M on it from the dealer.

The detailer asked if it was "3M". I said I don't know, but the seller told me it was.

He said, doesn't matter, I can tell it's 3M, "because it turns yellow."

Other brands don't do that he said.

So what is the truth here? Well....3M is known to turn yellow. Mine is yellow.
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      09-15-2010, 12:27 PM   #9
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Says it doesn't yellow here.... As far as I know I had the 3M product, and all 3 vehicles that I had done didn't yellow.

http://classictouchfl.com/invisibra/...invisibra.html
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      09-15-2010, 12:33 PM   #10
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"yellowing" depends on many factors. Nwer films age more slowly and won't yellow as rapidly as older films.

Yellowing is more evident on white or silver cars and all but invisible on darker cars.

Even with the worst tint on a white car you won't get yellowing for several years.
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      09-15-2010, 12:56 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cb1111 View Post
"yellowing" depends on many factors. Nwer films age more slowly and won't yellow as rapidly as older films.

Yellowing is more evident on white or silver cars and all but invisible on darker cars.

Even with the worst tint on a white car you won't get yellowing for several years.
Mine is 3yrs old and probably about at the end of its life.

Car is Space Grey..you can tell it is yellow. Also, the edges under the hood where it is peeling, it is definitely yellow. It turns yellow over time...should probably just take it off and clean/detail the paint....maybe redo it.
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      09-15-2010, 01:35 PM   #12
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I've had 3M on my '06 LR3 for 4 years now. Still looks great. No yellowing, and has really kept the areas looking good. No regrets. In fact, just had it put on my '07 335i as well. Highly recommended, but make sure the installer is qualified and experienced.
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      09-15-2010, 01:54 PM   #13
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Here is a nice explanation...

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=266477
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      09-15-2010, 01:55 PM   #14
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Could be how it's stored though. We don't get as much sunlight up north, and they all got parked in the garage.

Florida is like a mile from the sun, so higher UV....
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      09-15-2010, 05:43 PM   #15
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I was speaking in generalities to the OP since we wanted to know about 3M and similar films.

As for 3M specifically, I don't know exactly. I'm not sure what brand is on my '03 and my '11 has AutoBond. Neither are yellowing, and the car underneath the film is pristine still.
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      09-15-2010, 06:31 PM   #16
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Just get it

I have had all different companies on over 8 cars most all cars are white and the tape does not yellow. Now have on a 335, M35 and G470 and all are white and no issues. All are done by the dealers all different and so far all are close to 3 years and doing well. Get it the best that has happened to cars in all my 40+ cars i have had
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