[cue003]

Anyone thinking about doing any clear protection film on the front of the van or the 1/4 panels or mirrors etc?

Just curious if anyone is contemplating it.

 

[Knucklehead]

We were wondering about this too. At least on the hood and nose. With the lowered profile thought it might be a target for rock/roadway chemicals. Any idea about the cost of this stuff?

 

[Dewey]

I was thinking of protection for the bumper to avoid scratches. But I haven't done any research yet.

I'm interested in what others find.

 

[MiniVinn]

Clear protection film on the complete front clip is definitely recommended. Not just half way up the hood but the whole way, the whole front bumper, and both fenders.

People also do the mirrors and a bit behind the wheel weels in the back.

 

[Tony]

Some people even wrap the roof to protect from rocks that fly up and if you drive on highways a lot and live in a city with a lot of construction it makes even more sense to go through that extra measure. It sure is much cheaper than having to repaint and surely much cheaper than having to deal with rust.

 

[cue003]

man, so may pieces to potentially wrap.... maybe wrap the whole car. lol. I am not sure if this stuff is generally replaceable after a certain amount of time or if once you put it on it is on forever and removal means you have to repaint.

 

[PacificaLimited]

Got mine done here: Automotive Elegance and I got the "Standard PLUS" front-end wrap which covers lower cowel, bumper, FULL hood, front fenders (front third of them), mirrors and headlights. Considering the times I had gotten my last-two vehicles painted due to chipping/rocks... I consider it a worthwhile investment. And it really is "invisible".

 

[andy1230]

Got mine done here: Automotive Elegance and I got the "Standard PLUS" front-end wrap which covers lower cowel, bumper, FULL hood, front fenders (front third of them), mirrors and headlights. Considering the times I had gotten my last-two vehicles painted due to chipping/rocks... I consider it a worthwhile investment. And it really is "invisible".

Hi PacificaLimited, around how much does a wrap job like that cost? I was just considering getting an OptiCoat Pro done for vehicle paint protection but obviously the wrap would protect a lot better.

 

[PacificaLimited]

Hi PacificaLimited, around how much does a wrap job like that cost? I was just considering getting an OptiCoat Pro done for vehicle paint protection but obviously the wrap would protect a lot better.

The prices were right there in that link - on the paint protection page, scroll-down.

I paid slightly less because I was also using them to tint all twelve panes of glass (obviously not the front windshield) so I got a bundle deal. When I say all-twelve... I had my two front-row Driver and passenger door windows, the two A-pillar triangle windows, two mid-row windows, two 3rd-row windows, full rear glass, and all-3 panes of roof glass.

The front-row and A-pillar glass was done to *legal* tint limits and the remaining 8 were their darkest "limo-tint"... all tint was using the newer Nano-ceramic films which deflect an upper-90% amount of UV and infra-red light... keeping it slightly cooler.

 

[andy1230]

Please post a pic would love to see what the Pacifica looks like tinted

 

[MiniVinn]

man, so may pieces to potentially wrap.... maybe wrap the whole car. lol. I am not sure if this stuff is generally replaceable after a certain amount of time or if once you put it on it is on forever and removal means you have to repaint.

I would say depending on how much sun exposure you get, replace every 2-2.5 years to be safe ? I have seen moments where people have it on their cars for 3-4 years and it bonds to the clear coat and comes off in little pieces to the point they had to repaint.

That being said, that was the old stuff, maybe the new wraps now have much better longevity.

 

[BRLowry]

I was able to get my Limited done with the Llumar product for $800. That included front bumper, partial hood, door edges, rocker panels, top of rear bumper and rear fender area. My dealer has a guy they work with that did it at the dealer's location. I price it at a specialty shop, and they priced it near $2000.

 

[Tsuter]

I would say depending on how much sun exposure you get, replace every 2-2.5 years to be safe ? I have seen moments where people have it on their cars for 3-4 years and it bonds to the clear coat and comes off in little pieces to the point they had to repaint.

That being said, that was the old stuff, maybe the new wraps now have much better longevity.

The newer stuff is better. I had the 3m scotchcal clear film on my truck for over 6 years and it was a real pain to get off. The new material is supposed to go 5 yrs before replacement. But if you garage your vehicle, it could last much longer.

 

[Tsuter]

Please post a pic would love to see what the Pacifica looks like tinted

My profile pic is a 20% tint on the front windows, nothing additional on the rear windows.

 

[MiniVinn]

That looks really good ! I actually thought that was an SUV when I first looked at it... Black is quite slimming isn't it ?

 

[Tsuter]

Yeah, we like the black. It was that or the granite gray, we considered the blue, but it wasn't dark enough for our tastes. Now I just need to do the tail lights and it'll be looking right. As least as good as it can until I get another set of wheels for it.

 

[Momzilla03]

That does not even look like a minivan! Very sharp! I love the window tinting.

 

[Damoncaravanman]

The prices were right there in that link - on the paint protection page, scroll-down.

I paid slightly less because I was also using them to tint all twelve panes of glass (obviously not the front windshield) so I got a bundle deal. When I say all-twelve... I had my two front-row Driver and passenger door windows, the two A-pillar triangle windows, two mid-row windows, two 3rd-row windows, full rear glass, and all-3 panes of roof glass.

The front-row and A-pillar glass was done to *legal* tint limits and the remaining 8 were their darkest "limo-tint"... all tint was using the newer Nano-ceramic films which deflect an upper-90% amount of UV and infra-red light... keeping it slightly cooler.

Let me ask...... you tinted the roof panels? years ago we were always told not to tint the sunroofs, they would get too hot and shatter.....your opinion? I would love to darken the roof....

 

[PacificaLimited]

Let me ask...... you tinted the roof panels? years ago we were always told not to tint the sunroofs, they would get too hot and shatter.....your opinion? I would love to darken the roof....

I had never heard of that... nor was it brought-up as a concern. Not sure why roof glass would be more shatter-prone than any OTHER glass that is tinted as dark. My thought was that it's blocking a substantial amount of the UV and Infra-Red light, so was thinking it'd keep the inside cooler... it doesn't feel like the glass is any "hotter" than normal when I open the roof shade. Dunno what to tell you other than that. [shrug]

 

[Damoncaravanman]

A friend way back in the 90's had a I can't remember the type of car and he said the sunroof shattered. Over the years it was brought up and they say that with the shade not open or "vented" like you see in some cars, that it traps more heat......I have asked several installers over the years and no one wanted to do the roof saying the same, it would shatter, so I stopped asking. It's mixed reviews on it.....

window tint can cause sunroof to crack.....really??

Tinting a car sunroof, am I being fed bullshit?

FAQ - Window Tinting Company

For those of you who have tinted, did you tint the sunroof? - Subaru Forester Owners Forum

I would love to have it tinted, jst don't want to have any issues......maybe I will do 35% .