I had to once again wipe down the car the next morning because it got dark and I was not going to spray this stuff in the dark. I also didn't want to do this with the sun beaming and drying to product before I had the chance to apply the necessary layers. I shook the living hell out of the can prior to using it. I wanted the have as uniform product as possible. I then proceeded to to attach the spray handle and spray as directed. I went left to right, then up and down, then left to right. I did 1/2 of the bumper at a time starting on the left half then the right half. The spray handle is HIGHLY recommended. It's just a lot easier. Be carful spraying. I had my car with hood pointing outwards. I should of went in head first. Any small breeze will make your spray stream go astray. It was so friggin hard to get the 3m to go where you want it. Another biggie is that the spray nozzle sucks booty. due to the viscosity of the product, a foam will build up at the spray nozzle and then splutter everywhere as you spray, not good. At first, I would stop and wipe it off with a clean paper towel. This was not that effective. IT got rid of most the foam but some was just simply pushed into the divit of the spray orifice that which later would be spit back out and onto the car, DOH! 1/2 way through, I started to just simply give it a good blow/puff of air. 1/2 a lung full is plenty. Just be carfull because the the foam will fly everywhere. Also, don't touch the material once it has been sprayed no matter what. Leave the foam bubbles, the run everything. You can't fix it. It's not possible. It will even and level out better then it looks. JUST LEAVE IT ALONE!! After you are done spraying, peel of the 2nd layer of tape. Do not skip this part. If you let the 3m material so dry with the detail tape on, when you peel the tape, the 3m will peel off too. You don't want that. So, peel it off when wet. I then closed the garage door and let it dry. As a side note, make use you wipe down the bottom edge of the garage door before you start. There is lots of dust and junk there. You want want it to dislodge as the door closes and land on your car.
-wash 1hr
-wax- 1hr
-taping 1.5hr (I have only done the bumper so far)
-spraying 25 mins
Over all, I think the project went ok. This product will work and protect your paint some. It's not going to be perfect but imo plenty fine. There will be some runs and unevenness due to the application technique and limitations of a spray bottle. Just try to control as many variables as possible. I do know that 3m stand by there product. I had some spots that could use a thicker film. I called 3M and they told me you can't spray a 2nd layer on a existing dry layer. You will risk "orange peel" look. They asked how many bottles did I use and then asked if I would like to give it a 2nd try with a supposedly "new nozzle." I told them yes and they took my addy and will be sending me a replacement bottle to redo my bumper for free. I think it looks ok but far form perfect. I'm going ot leave it for a little while and see how it holds up.The smaller the area the more even you can apply this stuff ie. side mirrors. When this "new type" spray bottle comes, I will do my side fenders and hood. Until then, imma drive my car.
car tape off
bumper is sprayed and dried, this is to compare the gloss/ finish. It's not bad.
another comparison
overspray line, hard to see, the windsheld side is slightly less glossy then the other
overspray at a different angle. The tape was about where my finger was and goes strait up. You can kinda see the the half closer to the windshield is not as glossy and the other side.
