Protecting your front end........

[Noyjatat]

In addition to the comments I am sure I will get, I know a couple of you DK and RIV have gone down the route of a protective film on the front of your cars. I was wondering what peoples experience is with this and wanted to ask them what they had done, was it the standard or custom, what material and what sort of price and do you think it was worth it.

Cheers guys

[tanoga]

http://www.armourfend.co.uk

[Lady Penelope]

I had this product on my Fireblade and after 12 months I regretted it. Damage was minimal but discolouration was enough to show. Also the very edges of the laminate show where tiny dust particles catch the sticky edge....

Accept a bit of stone chip and save the money

[HYFR]

3M venture shield does not discolour or lift

Don't be put off by Lesser inferior films

[doodlebug]

Agree, potential grief with the film is not worth the hassle. Save the money and cough up for a re-spray if and when the time comes.

If a boulder lands on the front it's going to fly through the film and the paint, fixing that is going to be doubly painful.

[HYFR]

There is no hassle with 3M venture shield

Stone chips look <beep>

[Ian_C]

What was the new high tech one you and Dave both used on your R8s? Suntek (spl) fitted by Drayke Fields?

My S4 had some stone chips, and one of the factors that put me off having it resprayed was that it would only get chipped again. Going forward, a better solution would be to have the bumper resprayed and then filmed. The current generation ones seem to have fewer disadvantages than in years gone by

[HYFR]

I used 3M and Suntek on different cars

3M far superior IMO

Dave didn't use either, Valet Magic special sadly that is far from anything special, still better than looking like a 13yr old kid with acne

[Ian_C]

Ahhhhhhhhhhh, noted, cheers

3M 'self healing' too nowdays?

[Covkiller]

3M venture shield
I had this fitted, it is not cheap. I personally didn't like it as flies burn into it, stone still pierce it, scratches easier than paint, stones chip where it does not cover. Other part of your car get chipped and your spray Shop can't blend the colour in without removing it. I had mine removed when I had my bonnet, bumper and wings blended in.

[RossDagley]

3M venture shield does not discolour or lift

Don't be put off by Lesser inferior films

Just got off the phone 5 minutes ago from ShowTrax - getting the 4 booked in for a full front end in 3M ventureshield. Price is looking to be around £600 - hopefully I'll keep that 'value' when it's trade in time in a few years. But if nothing else, at least it will cut down on the visuals. With a dark coloured car, stone chips look terrible.

[RossDagley]

Mine is now done (by showtrax). I went for a full bonnet in the end as didn't want a 'line' visible across the bonnet, and I'm pleased I did. It was very expensive in the end at £950, but the kit is excellent and looks like the protection will be very good. Of course, only time will tell but so far the only downside is the dent in my wallet.

[RSCosworth]

http://www.armourfend.co.uk

Anyone know if these guys are still in business?? Their website is still up & running but sent them 2 emails this week with no reply & tried ringing them but keep getting a message saying "this number has not been recognised!"

[Covkiller]

Mine is now done (by showtrax). I went for a full bonnet in the end as didn't want a 'line' visible across the bonnet, and I'm pleased I did. It was very expensive in the end at £950, but the kit is excellent and looks like the protection will be very good. Of course, only time will tell but so far the only downside is the dent in my wallet.

Keep us upto date as time goes on

[RossDagley]

Only gripe so far is the lack of gloss - it really takes the shine off the paint which is a bugger as the car's so good to look at. But... I'd rather that than the alternative of stone chips!