Clear Armor?

[fab]

I just picked up my car from the autobody shop last night. I had Autobahnd applied for $595. This includes the hood, front bumper, 2 mirrors LT/RT side fender. And they also applied a strip right after the front tires.
I really haven't had a chance to take a REAL good look it's been raining.
http://www.myautobahnd.com/

[z12358]

fab, did you apply the cover over fresh paint? I think my installer told me that 1-3 (I don't remember) months of paint curing is necessary before the cover installation.
Z.

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by z12358

fab, did you apply the cover over fresh paint? I think my installer told me that 1-3 (I don't remember) months of paint curing is necessary before the cover installation.
Z.

That depends on the paint application. Air dry will need some curing time. Baked paint needs almost none.

[John V]

The films are porous. They can be applied to paint that is not fully cured.

The Boxster is one of the most difficult cars to cover. I have a friend who did mine free (he has done a few other very difficult cars) and it turned out great, but I would not suggest anyone try it themselves unless they're willing to ruin a lot of film attempting it.

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by John V

The films are porous. They can be applied to paint that is not fully cured.
.

You also have to consider what the curing from the paint will do to the plastic. I'd wait for a cured surface.

[CJ_Boxster]

What could curing paint do to plastic?

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by CJ_Boxster

What could curing paint do to plastic?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paint

[z12358]

Originally Posted by John V

The films are porous. They can be applied to paint that is not fully cured.

John, I'm no expert but this doesn't make sense. I can imagine this would bake (cure) the film into the paint thus making it impossible to remove without taking the paint with it.
Z.

[CJ_Boxster]

Originally Posted by z12358

John, I'm no expert but this doesn't make sense. I can imagine this would bake (cure) the film into the paint thus making it impossible to remove without taking the paint with it.
Z.

Yeah, cause if the surface is cured, which it usually is before a shop allows the car to leave its facility, the dried/cured surface wouldnt become permanetly attached to the Film... You probably wouldnt be able to peal off the film without striping the paint until its 100% cured.

[John V]

Originally Posted by z12358

John, I'm no expert but this doesn't make sense. I can imagine this would bake (cure) the film into the paint thus making it impossible to remove without taking the paint with it.
Z.

Yes, you're right, I was mistaken. On my M3, I had the front bumper resprayed and then applied the film, but it indeed was cured before clearbra installation.

[n4ally2]

I got a couple of quotes on doing to clear bra. The dealer quoted me around 1100 while the local body shop with certified pros is around 800. I think that is easy call right? The body shop? Sorry if the questions seems silly, but really have not had any experience with body shops for these stuff. So better check with you folks then be sorry later.

BTW, I shouldn't have this done on a rainy day right?

[n4ally2]

Thanks for the info. Where do you suggest that I have it done? Should I take it back to the dealership or have it done at a specialized autoshop? I assume that the dealership would cost me more. What do you think?