I have to say $500 - $700 is a chunk o change to protect the front from nicks and scratches. I'm all about protecting my paint, but for that many benji-bills I think I'd rather do it myself and put the rest towards other mods. thanks tho for the heads-up on the pricing!

from the feedback I've gotten (here and via PMs), I think the way to go is to clean and clay bar my car, and put the film on. I'm guessing that one would want to put the Zaino on top of the protective film and not under it.

that is to say, clean, clay bar, clean off surface, apply protective film, then Zaino.

anybody think I should put Zaino on first and then the film?

thanks for all the input.

 

I am not 100% sure, but I would think you would need a wax free surface for the film to stick properly.

 

Wow you've already got rock chips? Living and working in San Ramon I would think that it would be hard for you to get rock chips! I'll be commuting in my little baby 70 miles a day round trip from Antioch! I wonder if there is a local place I can have my car taken to for the clear stuff. Or maybe you can do it for me after you do yours! j/k

Yeah... $500 is a lot when you consider our salaries, huh? But wait... I think you make more than me. Aren't you like a 2nd level? No wonder you live in SR and I live in Antioch

 

I did both. I wanted to protect the paint from any possible long term effects of the film's adhesive. I've have it on for 2.5 years. I only Zaino the film once in a while. Basically, you can treat it like any plastic - ie. Plexus.

 

I've been thinking seriously about getting this done, but don't have the money to do it. I want to get it painted (the front spoiler at least) first, then get the clearbra put on it. however, if it were possible, I'd be happy to do the front spoiler clearbra myself. Where can i get these films/kits you guys are talking about? I've been quoted between 350 and 800 to get one installed.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Icemn2003
[B]I've been thinking seriously about getting this done, but don't have the money to do it.

 

I've been told that the Invinca-Shield brand is lower priced, primarily because the pieces are smaller. For me, I don't mind have a couple barely noticable seams on my bumper (I think I was told they run vertically down from the inside of the headlights) to save a couple hundred dollars. Also, since the pieces are smaller, the self-install is that much easier.

For those of you contemplating doing it yourself, the larger the piece, the more difficult it is to handle and if it touches the ground or otherwise gets dirt on it-- it's ruined.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by tritium_pie
[B]I've been told that the Invinca-Shield brand is lower priced, primarily because the pieces are smaller.

 

I haven't quite gotten to that "chapter" of my homework assignment yet.

It's going to be a couple weeks or so before I actually get around to finalizing and buying a particular brand, altho it looks like just about everyplace uses the 3M variety. I had heard that the 3M stuff has some "wavy" properties to it, and there is another brand out there that is crystal clear-- can anybody verify this, and if so, the name of the other brand?

I think I'm going to go with the cheapest pre-cut offering for the S2000 shape, as cutting the stuff myself is clearly a recipe for disaster. So far, that's looking like Invinca-Shield. I've already started calling around. however I might look into purchasing as large a sheet of the bulk stuff to cover as much of my hood as possible, since it's practically flat and should be easy to cut.

I appreciate any and all advice on where to purchase, how to install, what to watch out for, and other tips-n-tricks any of you can provide.

btw, can you guys believe how friggin' expensive this plastic sheeting is? I'm like, "Hrmmm. Rick's diGrappa billet X-brace chassis stiffener, made of T6 heat treated 6061 aluminum, custom machined for the S2000 and beautiful besides: $261. -vs- 3M extra-thick Saran Wrap for cars, made in bulk at some factory back East: about the same price. Add in custom-cut for the S2000, and the $$$s go up from there." Nutty.

 

Ben (can I call you that?), if you want maybe we can share the cost of the sheeting if you buy it in bulk. I have a feeling I'll be needing this stuff on my baby. I'm buying him later today! I should really be sleeping... I'm supposed to be at the dealership at 9:00 am. Oh yeah, you also have a PM