[vkk]

Anyone have opinions? A coworker recommended Accutint. He also showed me his car and it looked good so I was surprised to find all the negative comments here for Accutint. so I'm wondering about alternatives. Thanks

[Revlis]

Bump... Anyone have any experience?

[TTG]

Accutint is a rip off. I got my extended kit installed at a place in Fife and paid $450 including tax... But is is 3M (which is what I wanted) They also give you a hassle free 1 year warranty on everything... If you don't like it just take it back and they will redo it!

Artworx - Certified Installer
Phone: 253-691-1595
Fife, WA 98424

[vkk]

Mirrorworks detail which has been mentioned for detailing here in the forums as doing good detail work also does stonguard installs. Fife is a bit out of the way for me but these guys are quoting 795+tax for a stonguard install.

[Revlis]

I just cannot help but think that the consumer is being taken for a ride on "stone Guard" and other "film" type paint protection.

WTF is so expensive? Labor? Non-sense, cannot take too much longer than a regular window tint job.

Materials, unlikely it's just thicker films... $795 seems like a good deal but I see prices usually much higher than that and it makes no sense.

[TTG]

Originally Posted by vkk

Mirrorworks detail which has been mentioned for detailing here in the forums as doing good detail work also does stonguard installs. Fife is a bit out of the way for me but these guys are quoting 795+tax for a stonguard install.

Well, it is of course up to you...... 30 min drive for half the price was worth it for me... We ended up driving 2 cars there and have the MINI serviced as well... A friend has the same thing installed at Acutint on her IS and mine looks so much better on the edges & etc.

[ifaudi]

Originally Posted by TTG

Well, it is of course up to you...... 30 min drive for half the price was worth it for me... We ended up driving 2 cars there and have the MINI serviced as well... A friend has the same thing installed at Acutint on her IS and mine looks so much better on the edges & etc.

How noticeable is it on the hood? What all parts were covered for the $450? I'm debating if I should get a clearbra on the front of the car or not. Guess it depends on how many rock chips I pick up in Germany.

[TTG]

Originally Posted by ifaudi

How noticeable is it on the hood? What all parts were covered for the $450? I'm debating if I should get a clearbra on the front of the car or not. Guess it depends on how many rock chips I pick up in Germany.

When i 1st went to pick up my car after they were done, I thought they did not get to it yet since I did not see anything as I was standing 6 feet away from the car..... Unless you really look for it, it is really not that noticable.....

One thing that I did and I know I was not suppose to is I Zainoed the crap out of the car before taking it in.... AFter they were doen with it, I hit the clear bra with Z-6 which made the shine of the clear bra really blend with the rest of the car.....

They did my hood (almost half way), front bumper, mirros, door edges, headlights and fogs.... Both BMW fife and MB of Fife get their cars done there.... There were couple of CLS' and CL 55's being done among with my car....which bumped up my confidence for this place.

BTW, I did ED too but did not drive the car too much there..... Dropped it of w/ 70 miles the same day.... and this is what my car looked like shortly after redeilvery since I bought it from Yakima.... so rock chips were not an issue for me :rocks:

[vkk]

Originally Posted by TTG

Well, it is of course up to you...... 30 min drive for half the price was worth it for me... We ended up driving 2 cars there and have the MINI serviced as well... A friend has the same thing installed at Acutint on her IS and mine looks so much better on the edges & etc.

Actually I'm more worried about the long drive down I-5 and opportunity for the car to incur more chips because of the distance. That is an excellent price and seems like a great place to get this done.

[vkk]

Originally Posted by ifaudi

How noticeable is it on the hood? What all parts were covered for the $450? I'm debating if I should get a clearbra on the front of the car or not. Guess it depends on how many rock chips I pick up in Germany.

My ED was in Jan and i picked up a ton of rock-chips. However, BMW is fixing all of them via their insurance. It's the reason I don't have my car yet. It's taken 2 weeks since it arrived at the dealer. I'm supposed to get my car today. In fact, they apparently found chips on the hood I hadn't noticed and ended up resubmitting to insurance and fixing them.

However, if you get rock chips, make sure you file the insurance claim and you'll get taken care of I'm sure.

[TTG]

Originally Posted by vkk

Actually I'm more worried about the long drive down I-5 and opportunity for the car to incur more chips because of the distance. That is an excellent price and seems like a great place to get this done.

I drove down there at 7:30 am on a Sat and I was pretty much the only car on I-5.....Did not follow anyone closely & etc.... So, everything turned out ok... Just ask to be their 1st appoint for the day and you should be set

[ifaudi]

Unfortunately I have to make it through ED AND the drive from either Salem, OR to the Tri Cities (If I get the Clearbra here, which probably won't happen) or from Salem to Fife if I can't find another good place that is closer and has a comparable rate. Of course the drive from Salem will have the front of the car all taped up like TTG's, so I'm mainly worried about the rock chips on the drive to Austria and back.

[ifaudi]

Originally Posted by vkk

However, if you get rock chips, make sure you file the insurance claim and you'll get taken care of I'm sure.

Did you file the insurance claim when dropping off with Harms or seperately? I'm wondering if they would fill the front bumper holes also if they are repairing rock chips.

[TTG]

Originally Posted by ifaudi

Unfortunately I have to make it through ED AND the drive from either Salem, OR to the Tri Cities (If I get the Clearbra here, which probably won't happen) or from Salem to Fife if I can't find another good place that is closer and has a comparable rate. Of course the drive from Salem will have the front of the car all taped up like TTG's, so I'm mainly worried about the rock chips on the drive to Austria and back.

If i were you I would bring couple of rolls of the blue type w/ me and type the thing during the drive in europe if you are that worried. I really would not want my new car, painted, touched up & etc..... Yes, it will look funny when you are driving it around but who cares!

[vkk]

Originally Posted by TTG

I drove down there at 7:30 am on a Sat and I was pretty much the only car on I-5.....Did not follow anyone closely & etc.... So, everything turned out ok... Just ask to be their 1st appoint for the day and you should be set

Cool, good idea

[vkk]

Originally Posted by ifaudi

Did you file the insurance claim when dropping off with Harms or seperately? I'm wondering if they would fill the front bumper holes also if they are repairing rock chips.

Actually when dropping off at Harms, make sure you fill out the form for damage clearly that is provided to you. I suggest washing the car before dropoff so everything is visible. Then you actually file it after getting back home. You fax it to the local office and the dealer and the dealer then works with the insurance company to complete the work. Keep in mind that it's slow. Two whole weeks in my case but there was minor damage to both front and rear bumpers (not just chips).

basically if there's damage, the fix it, regardless of whether they are chips or holes.

[ifaudi]

Originally Posted by vkk

Actually when dropping off at Harms, make sure you fill out the form for damage clearly that is provided to you. I suggest washing the car before dropoff so everything is visible. Then you actually file it after getting back home. You fax it to the local office and the dealer and the dealer then works with the insurance company to complete the work. Keep in mind that it's slow. Two whole weeks in my case but there was minor damage to both front and rear bumpers (not just chips).

basically if there's damage, the fix it, regardless of whether they are chips or holes.

I might have to do the Harms paperwork before I drop the car off since I leave at 11:35am on Monday and might not make it in time (would like to be at the airport 2 hours in advance). Hopefully that doesn't screw me over.

[vkk]

No, that's ok, but make sure you have Thomas explain how to fill it out since there seems to be an expected nomenclature (I didn't have to explain anything to insurance or dealer here in the US about the form). People who dropoff after hours are expected to fill it out themselves.

[vkk]

Also, anyone have any opinions on Ventureshield vs Stonguard locally?

[cabrio8]

It made sense to add to this old thread since the topic is about paint protection film. I picked up my 08 335 cic (TIAG, Sports and Convenience Package, Automatic, iPOD, Idrive and PDC). I did some research on paint protection film; 3M Stoneguard versus VentureShield. I opted for VentureShield because the it was warrantied for life. The price for VentureShield (installed by Northwest Autoshield) was half of the dealer's quote for Stoneguard (to be installed by Accutint). Front facing surfaces were covered such as the bumper, bottom spoiler, headlamps and side view mirror. Other surfaces covered the area behind the door handle and door edge. Interestingly, I also found out that 3M purchased VentureShield. Perhaps, this is a case of "If you can't beat them, buy them". I am hopeful this will protect from rocks while traveling I5 and SR520.

I attached two photos. You should be able to see the film line in the second photo. Next step, goMinigo no holes plate holder.

[jmillet]

Dealers mark-up the clear film paint protection by at least 100%.
Deal directly with Accutint and with the BMW Club discount you can get the complete paint and headlight protection (3M Scotchgard) applied for about $700 out the door.
Usual disclaimers apply. Just a satisfied customer.

[ELA_4]

My dad has used Accutint on both of his new cars (black VW Jetta, grey GMC Sierra) and the paint protection looks awesome. I plan on using them in the future.