The next Big Thing: INVISIBLE BLING!

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The next Big Thing: INVISIBLE BLING!

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The next Big Thing: INVISIBLE BLING! - 7/13/2007 9:02:59 PM

jng1226

Posts: 86
Joined: 6/25/2007
Status: offline

Hi All,

I just had the 3M Scotchguard "Invisible Bra" installed on my H3 this morning. If you've never seen it, it is a clear polycarbonate film that is professionally applied to your most vulnerable front painted parts to protect them from chips from rocks and other road debris. You can't see it from 5 feet away and even close up it is a challenge - you need to be at the right angle to see it clearly. I've had it on the wife's Boxster for almost 5 years and it works brilliantly and still looks good. It has kept her bumper from ANY rock chips and we drive on the highway a lot at 80+ mph. It can be replaced/removed if it ever gets really damaged and keeps you from ever having to repaint your bumper. I cheaped out on my 350Z and didn't get it done and due to the vertical surface of the front bumper it got chewed up pretty badly and looked sandblasted and pock-marked like the moon after only 50,000 miles.

I also got the optional headlight protector film, which is at least twice as thick, to protect the Starr HID projector assemblies. I didn't bother taking pictures of those because the installer did such an excellent trimming job that you can't even see the edges.

Although there are several patterns for application, I went with the basic Hummer H3 hood pattern and it was $280 installed. The headlight protectors were $120 installed and shipping for both patterns was $30 for a total of $430. IMHO that is cheap insurance against repainting and broken headlights with all the construction here in FL.

The guys name is Alan Seligman of Invinca-Shield Installers (Orlando, FL), his phone is 407.767.0966 and his email is invincaman@cfl.rr.com. He is VERY reputable in these parts and is the only clear bra installer for Lamborghini/Bentley of Orlando. You can see his website with more information and testimonials at www.invincaman.com.

Here are the pics:

Pic 1: Front from 5 feet away – he just finished it 2 minutes before the picture was taken. Some water from application makes the film a bit more visible than it will be in 2 days after totally drying out.

Pic 2: The hood from 3 feet at an angle so you can see where the hood pattern starts and stops.

Pic 3: The hood from 1 foot away so you can see the film.

Pic 4: The side of the front bumper from 6 inches away so you can clearly see the film. Again, it is a bit more visible at first application than it will be in 48 hours after more drying.

Jeff

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< Message edited by jng1226 -- 7/13/2007 9:10:47 PM >

Post #: 1

RE: The next Big Thing: INVISIBLE BLING! - 7/13/2007 9:54:20 PM

nascar 17

Posts: 164
Joined: 2/27/2006
Status: offline

some of the hummer dealers use that on the back fenders for rock chips. it is something they tried to sell me.

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Post #: 2

RE: The next Big Thing: INVISIBLE BLING! - 7/14/2007 1:03:08 AM

HummBob

Posts: 16111
Joined: 5/6/2006
Status: offline

Pretty Cool!!!

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2004 Black Hummer H2

2007 Black Escalade

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Post #: 3

RE: The next Big Thing: INVISIBLE BLING! - 7/14/2007 2:21:05 AM

blackstangs281

Posts: 6826
Joined: 11/13/2005
From: Pittsburgh PA
Status: offline

Neat

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Post #: 4

RE: The next Big Thing: INVISIBLE BLING! - 7/14/2007 8:09:01 AM

Mountain Trooper

Posts: 92
Joined: 8/2/2006
Status: offline

Interesting... Can you post more photos in a couple days after it has cured completely?

Nice color by the way. I have the same.

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2007 H3 Midnight Blue Metallic

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Post #: 5

RE: The next Big Thing: INVISIBLE BLING! - 7/14/2007 8:40:37 AM

Dennis

Posts: 7584
Status: offline

Looks good...still has a little cloudiness in the film...

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Post #: 6

RE: The next Big Thing: INVISIBLE BLING! - 7/14/2007 11:53:19 AM

lovergoof

Posts: 10
Joined: 6/17/2007
Status: offline

Oh my Lord, I want one lol. I'll have to definitely look into that after I get some other accessories for my H3. Thanks for the info!

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Post #: 7

RE: The next Big Thing: INVISIBLE BLING! - 7/14/2007 1:03:51 PM

mfish

Posts: 382
Joined: 4/9/2007
Status: offline

I used to work for Bekaert Specialty Films which manufactures window film products including what they call Clearshield http://www.clearshield.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/Product.Home. Is is a good product which does protect your paint. I have seen it installed on many cars during R&D trials and overall it is a good product. However one thing I noticed is that it can be more visible on certain colors such as white and lighter colors, the first thing to stand out is the edge of the film where dirt collects faster than other spots making the edge line somewhat visible.

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06 H3; adventure & lux package; Gibson catback; readylift leveling kit; and some other stuff...

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Post #: 8

RE: The next Big Thing: INVISIBLE BLING! - 7/14/2007 4:35:03 PM

Linus Gump

Posts: 960
Status: offline

I wrapped my entire H3 in that stuff. It cost me about a grand, but it is better tha screwing up the paint with brush scratches

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Post #: 9

RE: The next Big Thing: INVISIBLE BLING! - 7/14/2007 6:38:35 PM

nascar 17

Posts: 164
Joined: 2/27/2006
Status: offline

so do you have to wax it since its wrap ?or can you wax it ?

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Post #: 10

RE: The next Big Thing: INVISIBLE BLING! - 7/14/2007 10:52:24 PM

jng1226

Posts: 86
Joined: 6/25/2007
Status: offline

Yes, you can wax it and it is recommended. Alan recommended Plexus plastic polish.

Since I'm in FL and the sun is pretty intense I want to use the highest SPF wax out there, any ideas?

Linus, I thought the hood pieces were pretty basic. I was thinking the obvious place to apply this was on the rear quarter panel facing forward. It sticks out so far that I'm sure the Adventure package front tires are kicking road debris directly at this panel, not to mention the bugs and road debris from the car ahead.

Alan is contacting the pattern supplier and see if he can get those pieces designed so he can apply them to my truck. I'll take more picture shortly to see if there is a difference. I'm not supposed to wash it for a couple days so I'll take pictures after I wash it and hopefully we can do the before and after.

Jeff

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Post #: 11

RE: The next Big Thing: INVISIBLE BLING! - 7/15/2007 1:24:15 AM

mfish

Posts: 382
Joined: 4/9/2007
Status: offline

...scratches add character

quote:

ORIGINAL: Linus Gump

I wrapped my entire H3 in that stuff. It cost me about a grand, but it is better tha screwing up the paint with brush scratches

_____________________________

06 H3; adventure & lux package; Gibson catback; readylift leveling kit; and some other stuff...

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Post #: 12

RE: The next Big Thing: INVISIBLE BLING! - 7/15/2007 5:17:33 AM

Linus Gump

Posts: 960
Status: offline

Yes, but they don't add value at the end of the lease.

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Post #: 13

RE: The next Big Thing: INVISIBLE BLING! - 7/15/2007 12:47:58 PM

mfish

Posts: 382
Joined: 4/9/2007
Status: offline

I never trust a skinny chef.

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06 H3; adventure & lux package; Gibson catback; readylift leveling kit; and some other stuff...

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Post #: 14

RE: The next Big Thing: INVISIBLE BLING! - 7/15/2007 5:38:16 PM

H34 pleasure

Posts: 3735
Joined: 11/2/2006
From: Effort, Pa
Status: offline

THATS PRETTY COOL.

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{ Tina }

2007 H3 Lux package ( Slate Blue Metallic )
2002 Honda Goldwing ( Burnt Orange )

BAD A$$ GIRLS..DRIVE BAD A$$ TOYS

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Post #: 15