[FatMorbo]

Just got 3M applied today... I'm so glad I got this done to protect the paint. I'll post some pics tomorrow since it's getting dark out now, but here's the area's I got 3M applied:

Front Hood
Front Fenders
Grill
Bumper
Headlights
Foglights
Side Mirrors
Door cups (under handles)
Door edges (to protect from hitting other cars)

All that for $540, and the only thing I'm dissapointed about is that there's nothing behind the wheel wells or on the rocker panels... but for another $200 sometime down the road I could get all that done... haven't made up my mind on that.

Pics to come tomorrow!

 

[Silver]

I am in the Seattle area too.

I was quoted about $450 for the entire package at:
http://www.accutintseattle.com/index.asp

 

[FatMorbo]

Are you sure that was the full kit? They quoted me at $450 w/o the bumper and $600 for the entire package. They took 10% off because I'd done business with them prior, as had my brother... well I certainly hope they didn't scam me outta $90.

 

[Silver]

Are you sure that was the full kit? They quoted me at $450 w/o the bumper and $600 for the entire package. They took 10% off because I'd done business with them prior, as had my brother... well I certainly hope they didn't scam me outta $90.

Probably depends on who you talk to I suppose. I do know Stongard in Bellevue said about $450 as well; though I think their full-kit is different. $600 is more than I have ever heard; it seems they should be able to wrap the car in 3M for that price.

 

[raitchison]

I REALLY need to get this done, there are laready quite a few rock chips on my front end.

 

[Forrest]

Anyone here ever do this themselves?

 

[mEtHoDySt]

I will be doing it next weekend probably, I ordered a pre-cut kit out of edmonton. pre-cut will make it really easy, cause theres lots of room for play once you put alot of the solution on. Too fearful to put an exacto near my baby :shock:

My brother-in-law use to work doing tint, alarms, etc. So i'll be getting him to show me how to do it. Also getting him to do my tint.

 

[Forrest]

The full X-pel kit will cost $620 (USD) :shock: and Stongard kit is (450-ish). Both are for parts only.

Where are you folks buying your full kits? Any links or phone numbers you can post would be appreciated.

 

[mEtHoDySt]

I ordered mine through http://www.carpretty.com/film.html I e-mailed them to ask if their prices on-line were american or canadian. He e-mailed me back saying their online shopping cart was down and gave me a quote for a full kit costing $435 canadian with taxes and shipping on top which comes out less than $500.

Pretty pleased with it all, my buddy put a kit from them on his car and it was very precise. we'll see how it all goes.

 

[rukkus]

can you apply wax over the 3m guards?

 

[FatMorbo]

Probably depends on who you talk to I suppose. I do know Stongard in Bellevue said about $450 as well; though I think their full-kit is different. $600 is more than I have ever heard; it seems they should be able to wrap the car in 3M for that price.

Well, the material itself is rather expensive, and the application really should be done by a pro... sure you could do it yourself, you could also tint your own car if you don't mind bubbles. The bumper on the 3 is very, very large for a 1 peice application, and the grill is quite difficult. I called every shop listed on 3M's site in the Seattle location, and for the full bumper included kit $600 was the cheapest, some went as high as $895.

Here are the pics... I just reformatted my computer and dont have my imaging software right now so I couldn't resize them, they're rather large so I'll just do direct links.

From a distance, the 3M is barely noticable... you can see a bit on the far side of the hood here:
http://www.fatmorbo.com/mazda3/3Mdistance.JPG

If the light catches it just right, the line becomes more apparent:
http://www.fatmorbo.com/mazda3/3Mhood.JPG

And of course, if you get right up close you can see the lines where the coverage ends:
http://www.fatmorbo.com/mazda3/3Mhood2.JPG
http://www.fatmorbo.com/mazda3/3Mdoor.JPG

 

[mEtHoDySt]

I take that last write up to offence.

Just becuase someone is doing it themselves they're gonna have bubbles?

Sorry if you feel you need to pay everyone to get a "good job" done. Regarding tint, what do you consider a pro? someone who charges you more because they had to take out some panelling to get around a brake light? It's sad seeing so many cars where their tint goes around that third light.

Yah it takes a pro to cut the 3m from a soild peice but laying it down is not that hard. Ever try to change your own oil? Maybe it will change your outlook.

 

[Mellow]

You know, if you screw up with the oil, all you end up with is oil on your hands and on the oil pan exterior. If you screw up with the film, you lose the film. Or worse.

 

[FatMorbo]

Mellow said it perfectly. Comparing changing your oil to applying 3M would be like saying:

"You put your own bandaid on your hand when you get a cut don't you? So why go to the emergency room when you've severed a finger? Just stitch it up yourself sissy!"

Well... that might be a bit extreme. But anyway, when it involves expensive one-use materials, longtime high exposure use, and my cars external appearance, I'd prefer the install to be done by someone who's done it before, preferably many times before, who will guarantee their installation for the lifetime of my car.

If someone wants to hassle with the install themselves, go for it... but it definately seems like it'd be a tricky lil bastard to install.

 

[b]

I take that last write up to offence.

Just becuase someone is doing it themselves they're gonna have bubbles?

Sorry if you feel you need to pay everyone to get a "good job" done. Regarding tint, what do you consider a pro? someone who charges you more because they had to take out some panelling to get around a brake light? It's sad seeing so many cars where their tint goes around that third light.

Yah it takes a pro to cut the 3m from a soild peice but laying it down is not that hard. Ever try to change your own oil? Maybe it will change your outlook.

If he wants to put it on then it should be okay for him, it is "his" car. I think that when he puts it up I would hope that he tells us how it went and posts some pics so that we can take a look at the work. Shit, it may actually be easy. I mean people put in their own stereos and some screw it up and others become champs.


peace and zoom zoom.

 

[Bimmer]

If you plan on installing any piece on your own, start with the small pieces and see how you do. If you can't put a dooredge, mirror or fender on and be happy with it... please dont attempt doing a hood or bumper! It sure looks easy to install when you watch someone install it, but it took me over a year of hands on with the material before i felt i was getting kinda good with it. I have about 5 years of experience with the material currently and if ya need pointers, lemme know. I'll be happy to help out.

 

[mEtHoDySt]

didn't realize people are still talking in this thread.

Well I did the install last weekend and it turned out great. The pre-cut is very precise. It wasn't that hard except on my back. It was pretty much all about tons of solution and lots of stretching. I am surprised how much the stuff stretched. I did what Bimmer said too, I wasn't gonna start with the big pieces. Saved the bumper for last

The material that went on the headlights was the hardest to work with because it was thicker and required a little bit of heating as the guy told me. Oh and trying to transfer the bumper from the roll to the actual bumper was hilarious. Luckily there was two of us. Just soaked it in the soapy water and rolled it.

All and all it turned out great, I would post pics but it hasn't been good weather in my area at all. I only got to do a quickwash on the weekend with all the rain. Once I do a wash i'll take some pics and post. Supposed to rain again tomorrow so probably friday.

Sorry for the long post

 

[FatMorbo]

Be gentle on the washes when you're dealing with the edges of your 3M for the first week or so. I didn't wash mine at all the first week just to be safe, but if you're washing by hand and not laying on the pressure, it should be alright.

 

[DigitalCameraBuff]

I also got a quote of $600 for the full install. However, the full install only covers about 12 inches of the hood (similar to a real car bra). I contacted another dealer called Clear Statement and they are willing to cover up to 36 inches of the hood as well as the full install for $725 (also will cover the pillars on the car where the windshield is).

I'm wondering why more people are not requesting more coverage for the hood. I've had my car for 3 weeks and already got 2 rock chips where the bra would not have covered if it was only 12 inches.

Also, what did Accutint charge you for your tint service? I got quoted $250 and a 10% discount if I got both tint and bra done.

 

[mEtHoDySt]

Yah it's been a while,

I finally put some pics up of the final. Not sure the pics are big enough to see it really. There is one shot where the sun hits it nicely so you can see it.

http://www.imagestation.com/album/?...invite&cmp=EMC-IS_other&creative=album-invite