Replaced Ventureshield with 3M clearbra....Excellent results!

antennahead

So right after I bought my PG 6MT 370Z, I had a local guy install "paint protection" film on my front bumper. There is no company in town I could find doing this, and this guy came recommended from a wheel repair friend of mine (he did work for a high end dealer, and started out doing window tint). Anyway, the job turned out "so-so"............ not terrible, but not first class and befitting a brand new 370Z. There was a large section, about 4 x 6 inches on the right top section of the bumper near the headlight that was full of stretch marks, lines, some scratches, and a few pitted type areas. It was obvious he had to do some serious stretching and work to get the film to fit properly. Every time I would walk past the car and catch it in the right light I would see it....... it drove me crazy. I went back to the installer and he called the company he got the film from, a reputable distributor of venture shield (venture tape) paint protection film. Their response was "it's for protection and not meant to be cosmetic", no warranty guarranty. Of course I was not happy. About the only recourse here would be to take him to small claims court, a real hassle. So ............... after much online research I found another company that installed paint protection film, and decided to have the old product removed and replaced.

This takes us to AutoShield Carolinas: AutoShield Carolinas, Window Tinting Charlotte, Charlotte Window Tinting, Window Film Products for Residential, Commercial, Automotive Applications, Zaino, DF Concours, Race Ramps, Seat Armour, Professional installation, Commercial Window Tint, resid

After talking with the owner Steve at length, as well as his wife Leslie (the business manager), I decided to have them install the new 3M product on the car, it has a clear coat as well, the venture product being removed did not. I was concerned from previous reading that the 3M had a reputation for excessive "orange peel". That is the old 3M film, the current version they use is fantastic! Steve is an authorized, fully trained and experienced installer who really knows what he is doing. He was kind enough to allow me to watch him work, as he removed the old product and installed the 3M paint protection film. As it has been discussed here many times (and I am now a witness to this), there is NO substitute for an experienced installer doing this type of work on your car.

Steve has his own plotter and computer system, and cuts the film for your car right on the spot. Another thing I learned Saturday .......... it's not just the quality of the installer, but also the quality of the "pattern" used to cut the film. The Venture product that was removed, was an inferior pattern. For example: The old film stopped at the top of the bumper, you could see a line there if you looked close. The new pattern wrapped the top of the bumper and extended under the area where the hood sits on the bumper, into the area where the rivets hold the bumper on. NO film line visible with the hood closed! Additionally, the old film stopped about a half inch from the edge of the fender wells....... the pattern Steve used for the 3M film also came right to the fender edge and barely wrapped, again, leaving no visible film line. This was a two piece pattern also, regular bumper and the fang area/lower lip being separate.

All I can say is WOW....... the difference is night and day. I am proud to look at the front of my car again. Steve and Leslie take their work and customer satisfaction very seriously. This was a 3 hour drive for me to have this done. They came in and worked Saturday by appointment to do my car. I learned that Steve is a retired airline pilot, and as a car enthusiast, was looking for another like of work after retiring................. caring for much loved autos was a great fit for him. For those of you in the southeast (they are located in Charlotte) that are contemplating adding a paint protection film to your Z, I can't recommend these guys highly enough. Professional, courteous, and experts at what they do. My car looks fantastic!!! I can't stress enough what others here have said about this......... an experienced installer, plus a great product and great pattern will make for a happy Z owner!

John

SoCal 370Z

John,

3M owns VentureShield.

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antennahead

I know, but the VentureShield paint protection product "at this time" is a different film than the 3M film they put on my car. Steve did say he thought
3M might replace that film now that they own Venture.

John

HTP AutoWorks

There is a lot of misinformation (not meant to be an attack on you) in your post. I am an installer and have been in the industry a long time. There are film companies and pattern companies. Any film can be used with any pattern. There is also no new 3M film out... at least within the last few months. VentureShield does have a top coat film... VentureShield Ultra. Everyone in the industry knows that VentureShield Ultra has less orange peel than 3M but is not quiet as durable. That said VS Ultra comes with a lifetime warranty as opposed to 5 years for 3M. I do not use 3M or Venture patterns because ProForm Design makes the best patterns out there bar none. Those patterns coupled with VS Ultra or ClearMask AR is the best combo IMHO. A good pattern with good film and a good installer will provide great results.

Either way you made a great decision getting the clear bra when your car was new. Todays paint is not durable even compared to paints used a few years ago. My last 3 cars have all had film applied when they were brand new and with over 150,000 miles between the 3 vehicles you cant find a rock chip anywhere on them. Its a great investment and will keep your car looking new for a long time.

antennahead

You are correct, it was a long post and I should have been clearer. The pattern has nothing to do with the film itself, a combination of either can be used. I should have been clear on that. Also, I didn't mean to imply the 3M film was "new" within the last few months, just not the same film reviewed years ago as a horrible orange peel mess............ it is not. The original film on my car was not VS ultra, just the basic venture non-coated film. I can't comment on ProForm Design, obviously, but I can say the pattern used on my car is a fantastic fit with virtually no visible lines. Bottom line (should make you happy as an installer and pro), I was trying to state the importance of using a professional as well as one who uses a good pattern.

Writing a post this long after work and tired was probably not the best thing to do. I'll have to be more specific next time I write something this detailed

John

molamann

Is it too late to install a clearbra after 5 months of ownership? I always wanted to get one done but there wasn't single installer available in Oklahoma City but now that I'm moving back to L.A. in couple of weeks.

antennahead

It's never too late, but doing it BEFORE your car is pitted with stone chips is desirable. How does your front end look now? If you have minimum chipping, I would definitely look into doing it.

John

molamann

There's definitely some noticeable chips, perhaps I should look into getting it fixed before installing the clearbra.

antennahead

Your call, I would like a "like new" surface personally under my film.

John

CBRich

Finally a good reference from a company near me. Seems like CA is the place to be to easily find good shops but we finally have one in the southeast.

antennahead

I highly recommend them, they do great work and will take good care of you. My bumper looks great now, can't even tell it's there......... which is what you want!

John

VCuomo

Anyone know of a good shop to get this type of work done in the Orange County CA area?