Q: Envisage Design in Los Angeles want me to use this stuff. I seek the best looking and least likely to yellow...though I bet they all do.

Any ideas? Going on a Ferrari 360 Stradale

Is the Aerospace film any better? Why?

A: I'm a 3M distributor, I have never heard of "aerospace" film, ask for a part number and then post it. the new Scotchgard will look great on the Stradale, I did one last week. Just make sure the owner is aware of the fisheyes in the paint on the stripe, every stradale has them, so he doesnt think that it is a result of the film. You will be able to find them on the whole car in the white of the stripe.

Post a part number and I'll check into it.

A: Aerospace film is basically a urethane made by 3M without the clearcoat and very little texture to the film (from what I have heard). This product is easier to apply and looks good, though not sure of the details on the warranty. In Canada there is a non-clearcoated film available that has been used for a long time (one gentleman cuts around 400 kits a month and says he hardly ever has an issue with the film and the roads up there in the winter time are BAD) with few problems that I am aware of. Try it out the aerospace film and see what you think. Nothing ventured, nothing gained......

A: Fisheyes are small little spots that bubble up in certain paints, some say it is when there is silicone in the air, some paints just have chemical reactions like that, it is similar to orange peel in that its a surface defect only a little worse, they can be wet sanded out, but sometimes the center of it will show color through as well, such as the white showing red through on the Stradale pic above. There was a huge question with Ferrari owners as to wether or not the stripe was a graphic then cleared over or if it was painted. After looking at it closely, IMHO it is painted as it would take a world of clear to cover up those stripes.

A: It is not high gloss...that is my only issue with it. The regular 3m material is. It's a lot of trouble getting info on this stuff!

I want the best quality without regard to cost. My car has no stripe. I don't even want to drive it without film.

A: Correct, except in the last year it has been reforumlated for a higher gloss. The film stretches like Venture, clearer than other film, with an aggressive adhesive. Frankly speaking this stuff will give you a woody once you try it. If interested leave your e-mail on this post and I will contact you and send you a sample and info.

A: I am also a 3M distributor in Alberta, and I will see if I can shed some light here.

The non-clear coated film that we have here will be dicontinued shortly. All 3M films will now be the new Scothgard material.

This is done to give customers a longer warranty, and much improved gloss.

The old material is thinner and without a clearcoat. This makes the material much easier to stretch. When installing a bumper off the roll, I can pull nearly a foot per side.

In my opinion, find a reputable installer in your area, and go with the new 3M Scothgard film

Nemo, I have been selling and installing this material for over 5 years, there was never a new film with the higher gloss as you speak of, and the film that we have currently is no where near as clear as other film.

A: Today I know this film is a true 8 mil (I measured it myself). Aerospace took this to automotive and they passed because of the investment in the clear coat. Today you have a clear coat that streched more than 18% you get separation of the film and the adhesive. With Aero you can stretch it uptil the cows come home.

A: Yes Tube it is, I talked with a canadian distributor yesterday. Great white is correct, 3M is contemplating doing away with the Canadian film, We arent sure if this is considered the "aero" film. It doesnt have a clearcoat on it.

Someones reluctance to post a part # of the "supposed film" he has leads me to not believe it. I talked with my 3M rep yesterday, and he is checking into the diff types that are available.

Now back to answering the question on your car. I would just have it done in Scotchgard. The majority of the market uses it and you wont get any negatives from having it on your car. the reason installers like non clearcoated film is ease of installation. Which is good, BUT, there is more upkeep involved. There are a couple threads on here of people hashing out the difference, BUT a compitent installer can do both. Personally asshat and I only use Scotchgard, as we do cars for dealers and private owners, I like it because the majority of people dont invest the amount of time nesecary to keep a non clear coated film clean.

A: Can you descirbe "upkeep" here? Have a guy in Salt Lake City that has been using non coated film for a long time, does about 40-50+ cars a month and has very little to no problems with the film. Gentlemen in Calgary cuts roughly 400 kits a month and has very little to no problems as well (matter of fact despises the clearcoated film). I can show a picture of the clearcoated film when its not cared for (ie, not waxed frequently) and the clearcoat is cracked all over it. Not saying the coating is a bad idea, but people MUST realize that by taking proper care of the material (just like the paint) you only prolong the life of the material and get maximum performance of the product. Just like anything else, if proper care is not taken, negligence will show. My .02.

A: Regardless of the number of kits someone cuts, upkeep is what a person does to protect the film and the cars paint as well. Upkeep is also the amount of times a person washes and takes care of what they have, be it a car, clothes, teeth, hair whatever.

If a person doesnt take the appropriate steps to lengthen the life of the product, then it would fall under neglect. HOWEVER, that is a warranty issue, NOT an upkeep issue, or lack thereof. And any of the films will deterorate over time if not taken care of, non clearcoated will absorb elements faster than clearcoated. therefore, the customers that dont keep up on their cars, non clearcoated will look less attractive faster. The life cycle of clearcoated film will be longer and washes up easier. But is not impervious to neglect.

A: The only aerospace film we've seen has not been too bad, but cosmetically was not up to par with Scotchgard. I have not seen any samples lately so I am not sure how far they have come along. Durability was great with Aerospace though.

If you guys would like to see what it looks like after a while check out the front and outer wing edges of most planes at the airport. (hint: to find it easier look for the yellow sections)