I am driving a silver myvi. Re-painted recently in Perodua.
Thinking to install paint protection film from a local brand (so it is not 3M Venture Shield which is super expensive but same function as 3M Venture Shield) on my full hood and full front bumper to protect from rock chip damage. I do not know why my car so prompt to rock chip damage, I do not tale gate other car. Wondering is it Alesco Kansai paint (the OEM paint brand) is soft.
At the same time, I also want to install Optimum Pro Coating (not Optimum 2.0).
Both are quite expensive investment, at a more or less same amount. Well girl likes make up guy likes car, so if you are reading this I expect you understand why I willing to spend.
Now here comes the headache. For my hood and front bumper, should I install the paint protection film first, or the Optimum Pro coating first?
I share what I think, but I wish to hear your advise and opinion too.
My survey results:
1) Film installer recommends me to do film first then coating later. Because:
(a) Adhesion concern. They think that with a coating already installed, the film will have lesser strength bonded to the car panel. Though they still feel the strength will still be good enough, but having more adhesion strength will not harm.
(b) Coating being hydrophobic, they concern that when washing car with high pressure water jet, the water stream might enter at the edge of the film, and trapped under the film, causing air bubble, or start of peeling. But I never wash car with high pressure pump, though I cannot guarantee in future I might invest into one. However I think one can always be caution a bit when come to the area with film installed. So I do not feel this issue as concerning as the (a).
(c) Film installer claims from their experience, coating on top of film give the better shine and gloss compare to film on top of coating.
2) From reading through various internet forum thread, it is very well demonstrated that the film is not bullet proof, it can be scratched, damaged, abused just like the clear coat does, regardless of brand (but the paint underneath is safe, or at least this is what I read). So overtime it will accumulate sufficient amount of scratch and swirl which reduce the gloss of car. So usually owner replace a new film like few years later. Optimum pro coating will last longer than this. So if one was to install film first then coating, then each time the film is re-install, the coating will be gone. Although one can buy an Optimum 2.0 and DIY after new film installed to save cost, but if the coat was done prior to film then this procedure can be avoided.
3) I have emailed Optimum Australia, they said no problem whether install film first or coating first.
4) I have emailed and telephone 3M, they too said no problem for their film to adhere on top of coating, just emphasize that the hydrophobic quality of coating will not reveal since it is covered by film. I am not installing 3M film but I use this advise as a reference. Since the film installer also told me that they did coat first film later on several cars before also and face no adhesion problem so I think their film behave the same like 3M in term of adhesion on top of coating.
--- --- ---
As for myself, I prefer coating first then film later, the sole reason is to save cost only. I am pretty confidence with the quality of the coating as I have read up a lot of good review on it but the film is a first try. So in case of film failure or damage, even if I do not wish to re-install a film again, I still have a permanent coating on my hood and front bumper.
Although hydrophobic property of coating will be hidden by film, I am guy who regularly wash car. I do not mind waxing on top of the film occasionally to add the water beading effect on top of the film.
If you are a paint protection film user, can share your user experience with me?
Others' opinion and advise too are most welcomed. I might have overlook some aspect.
Remark: Some suggested me using PlastiDIP clear or PlastiDIP glossifier. Actually in my opinion both are not truly transparent, at least not as transparent as film. Some also suggested me using the 3M Paint Defender System, which is a cheaper alternative to film. I have considered that but I prefer something more long lasting as to something I have to re-apply annually.
Thinking to install paint protection film from a local brand (so it is not 3M Venture Shield which is super expensive but same function as 3M Venture Shield) on my full hood and full front bumper to protect from rock chip damage. I do not know why my car so prompt to rock chip damage, I do not tale gate other car. Wondering is it Alesco Kansai paint (the OEM paint brand) is soft.
At the same time, I also want to install Optimum Pro Coating (not Optimum 2.0).
Both are quite expensive investment, at a more or less same amount. Well girl likes make up guy likes car, so if you are reading this I expect you understand why I willing to spend.
Now here comes the headache. For my hood and front bumper, should I install the paint protection film first, or the Optimum Pro coating first?
I share what I think, but I wish to hear your advise and opinion too.
My survey results:
1) Film installer recommends me to do film first then coating later. Because:
(a) Adhesion concern. They think that with a coating already installed, the film will have lesser strength bonded to the car panel. Though they still feel the strength will still be good enough, but having more adhesion strength will not harm.
(b) Coating being hydrophobic, they concern that when washing car with high pressure water jet, the water stream might enter at the edge of the film, and trapped under the film, causing air bubble, or start of peeling. But I never wash car with high pressure pump, though I cannot guarantee in future I might invest into one. However I think one can always be caution a bit when come to the area with film installed. So I do not feel this issue as concerning as the (a).
(c) Film installer claims from their experience, coating on top of film give the better shine and gloss compare to film on top of coating.
2) From reading through various internet forum thread, it is very well demonstrated that the film is not bullet proof, it can be scratched, damaged, abused just like the clear coat does, regardless of brand (but the paint underneath is safe, or at least this is what I read). So overtime it will accumulate sufficient amount of scratch and swirl which reduce the gloss of car. So usually owner replace a new film like few years later. Optimum pro coating will last longer than this. So if one was to install film first then coating, then each time the film is re-install, the coating will be gone. Although one can buy an Optimum 2.0 and DIY after new film installed to save cost, but if the coat was done prior to film then this procedure can be avoided.
3) I have emailed Optimum Australia, they said no problem whether install film first or coating first.
4) I have emailed and telephone 3M, they too said no problem for their film to adhere on top of coating, just emphasize that the hydrophobic quality of coating will not reveal since it is covered by film. I am not installing 3M film but I use this advise as a reference. Since the film installer also told me that they did coat first film later on several cars before also and face no adhesion problem so I think their film behave the same like 3M in term of adhesion on top of coating.
--- --- ---
As for myself, I prefer coating first then film later, the sole reason is to save cost only. I am pretty confidence with the quality of the coating as I have read up a lot of good review on it but the film is a first try. So in case of film failure or damage, even if I do not wish to re-install a film again, I still have a permanent coating on my hood and front bumper.
Although hydrophobic property of coating will be hidden by film, I am guy who regularly wash car. I do not mind waxing on top of the film occasionally to add the water beading effect on top of the film.
If you are a paint protection film user, can share your user experience with me?
Others' opinion and advise too are most welcomed. I might have overlook some aspect.
Remark: Some suggested me using PlastiDIP clear or PlastiDIP glossifier. Actually in my opinion both are not truly transparent, at least not as transparent as film. Some also suggested me using the 3M Paint Defender System, which is a cheaper alternative to film. I have considered that but I prefer something more long lasting as to something I have to re-apply annually.
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