Accumulator re: Static Cling alternative to Adhesive Clear Bra...

FitSport · 07-22-07, 12:38

A month or so ago, I bumped into Accumulator's thread regarding an inquiry about Static Cling Protection Films. http://autopia.org/forum/car-driver/...tion-film.html This got me intrigued right away and started doing my own small research looking for a solution. I found an American company that actually sells clear blanks. Window-Cling.com - Custom static vinyl window clings, decals and magnetic signs. After corresponding with a gentleman named John Kerlin, I found that their widest available clear blank measured 48". I then asked for a quote of 48"x144" which came to $69.12US plus shipping/handling, or $5.76US per foot. Shipping was $25US plus an unexpected $40CAD for brokerage fees because of UPS (I've already dispatched an email to John to see if it can be shipped via FedEx or US Postal for future orders).

So, this past friday it came in.

And for those wondering, that Honda Fit has 4 coats of Victoria Wax Concours on it. Wheels were coated with KAIO and 1 coat of Collinite 476S.

Now, before I go on any further, let me just state that I'm no expert engineer or hands-on type of guy. I lounged around during shop class in high school and still got an A, so it's not like I'm Mr. Wizard with tools. Anyway, the first step was doing my best to measure a cutout for the hood.

As a first attempt, I didn't plan on covering the entire hood. A coverage of 80-90% is satisfactory for me. This type of vinyl film also has it shortcomings. Particularly, you can't wrap the hood edges with this as you'll later see further down below. So, I wanted to leave a 1/4-1/2" gap to where the vinyl film begins to the hood edge. Using a permanent marker I dotted along the hood edges while the film was on the car. I then connected the dots on a picnic table to help me guide the knife during the cutting process. I ended up with this.

So, now comes the grand event. Before applying the film on, I sprayed the hood with ONR QD since I drove around for a bit the day before. I decided to peel the entire backing right off and apply the film. I'm not sure if this was a good idea. After about 2-3 hours, I managed to get the film on the hood.

As you can see it's not a very good job, but I'm not particularly picky at this point. In fact, I find it pretty close to what the local Honda dealer did on their showroom cars. This is just a preliminary test. What ended up happening is that I applied the film too high on the hood, and the width of the film stretched beyond the hood edges because of stretching trying to get as many bubbles out. I think the next time around I will cut the film in smaller sections to achieve a better form-fit. This photo below...

...shows how the vinyl film has a hard time wrapping around a sharp edge, and therefore is liable to peeling. I cut this excess with scissors and the film looks perfectly secure just being on top of the hood rather than wrapping around it.

The purpose of this project is to find a viable alternative to the clear bra and full nose mask. We all know that the biggest disadvantage of a clear bra is that anything below it doesn't get washed/waxed/polished/etc. It's second disadvantage is cost. For a full on entire hood, bumper, front valence, portion of quarter panel, and side mirrors clear bra install is around $700CAD plus tax for my '07 Honda Fit. A partial hood only job (which only covers 25%) is around $250CAD. This is technically not a rip-off, the labour is just very intensive. The advantage of this static cling vinyl film is that it is removable and re-applyable (if that's even a word), which is what I want. It does have its own disadvantages mind you. 1) As you already saw, it can't wrap around edges. 2) It's rated to last only 5 years indoors, 3 years outdoors. 3) It's 150 microns which I think equates to 7.5mil. Thinner than regular 3M 8mil adhesive paint protection film, and XPel's 12mil version. 4) Because of its removable nature, if it starts to peel on the corners, it is liable to fly off during highway speeds, which brings me to...

...the durability test. I will be just going through with my regular driving routine to-and-from work, and testing to see - first and foremost - how well it holds on to the hood. I am confident that it's going to protect just as well as regular 8mil paint protection film. I will update this thread as I progress along with this project.

I'm open to suggestions on how to apply it smoothly as I want to reduce the bubbles and reduce the time it takes to install/re-install it.

PS: Photos were taken using a Canon EOS 1D Mk1 with a Canon 50mm f1.4 lens. Added a very slight contrast and saturation boost during RAW conversion to reproduce a more natural look.

Accumulator · 07-22-07, 01:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by FitSport

.... After about 2-3 hours, I managed to get the film on the hood..

Yikes, that sounds like quite a job-of-work,and you were doing a relatively simple, flat panel too

Great write-up and pics (nice to see somebody else appraciates fast lenses too

) and it looks good IMO, let alone for a first effort. I'll be interested to hear how it holds up. That potential for coming off at speed would have me a bit concerned.

Wonder how big a job it'd be to do the front bumper cover

Probably "very big".

BTW you have the car looking mighty nice

Frito Bandito · 07-22-07, 01:15

Nice post! I look forward to your findings about durability.

FitSport · 07-22-07, 01:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Accumulator

Yikes, that sounds like quite a job-of-work,and you were doing a relatively simple, flat panel too

Great write-up and pics (nice to see somebody else appraciates fast lenses too

) and it looks good IMO, let alone for a first effort. I'll be interested to hear how it holds up. That potential for coming off at speed would have me a bit concerned.

Wonder how big a job it'd be to do the front bumper cover

Probably "very big".

BTW you have the car looking mighty nice

I'm pretty sure with the right technique and chemicals, I can get it on there in about 30 minutes. I'm totally convinced that my execution is completely wrong. Don't I have to use some sort of liquid to have the film "float" around so that I can place it properly and remove the bubbles? Anyway, I will be doing parts of the bumper next week, after I learn a bit more and see how the hood holds up. And thanks for the compliments. The car still has a lot of marring, which I plan on removing Spring of next year....if it's still around that is.

Harry Houdini · 07-22-07, 06:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by FitSport

I'm pretty sure with the right technique and chemicals, I can get it on there in about 30 minutes. I'm totally convinced that my execution is completely wrong. Don't I have to use some sort of liquid to have the film "float" around so that I can place it properly and remove the bubbles? Anyway, I will be doing parts of the bumper next week, after I learn a bit more and see how the hood holds up. And thanks for the compliments. The car still has a lot of marring, which I plan on removing Spring of next year....if it's still around that is.

Great write up and info.
as far as making the film float you are completely right about that, my first
clear bra install on my M6 was horrible done by a tint guy who charged me $500
and I got a refund from him for $200 simply because he couldn't get on right.
but he was using that sprayer in a bottle and when I asked him what it was he said
it is an alcohol based sprayer that he cleans the paint with and use it as lubricant for the
film to move it around...

I had a custom clear bra install that included the hood/front bumper/headlights/passenger
door and driver door edges/front low parts behind front tires and the same for the back tired area/also above the Esienmann exhaust quad pips to protect the paint from the heat,
how much you would ask was that custom cut clear bra install? $1800, I am pleased
that it is invincible and 3 times thinner than the 3M film that tint guy installed. Also it has
warrantee for 5 years by the high end shop.

fstb88 · 07-22-07, 07:12

I'm no expert as to apply static cling vinyl to car but for the past four years I regularly applied it to windows without bubbles. So heres my two cents. You started out great, I would have made a template instead of just using the film for future re-applications. Your mistake came in the form of removing the backing all at once. You should remove the backing in 6 inch increments and apply it. You can find a bondo wedge/squeegie at a local autoparts store,or a credit card. As you are laying the vinyl down you should use the wedge/squeegie to unsure a flat finish. I suggest using the QD under the static vinyl and as you squeegie it will remove the QD, but it is there so that if you make a mistake it will come off more easily. As you apply with the squeegie it will squeeze out any liquids and air for a tight flush fit. Just like you would tint. Then wipe off any excess QD if you so desired to use any. When done enjoy your newly protected and bubble free hood.

randomman84 · 07-22-07, 07:22

Try using a water/baby shampoo mix. I used this to put this clear bra type of material on my phone and it worked great. The film on the phone is really sticky to so it may work even better than expected

jmillican · 07-22-07, 07:37

I had a clear bra installed on my car and when I came to pick it up, there were bubbles trapped underneath. I was told that they would go away and they have. Maybe the same will happen with you.

Joshua312 · 07-22-07, 08:23

My guess like the above poster said, with time the bubbles will disappear. Kind of like when you get your windows tinted their are bubbles for a while. I say let it bake in the sun and hopefully the bubbles will flatten themselves out once the static cling forms to the hood.

icu812 · 07-22-07, 10:48

I know this is a little off par but when I have to drive on the hiway I usually take shrink wrap ( you can get this at most any mailing supply store) its like Saran wrap and apply it to the nose and hood of my car after I reach my destination I just peel it off.
has worked great for me , keeps bugs off and chips at bay (so far) just passing this along and its also pretty cheap

FitSport · 07-25-07, 06:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by icu812

I know this is a little off par but when I have to drive on the hiway I usually take shrink wrap ( you can get this at most any mailing supply store) its like Saran wrap and apply it to the nose and hood of my car after I reach my destination I just peel it off.
has worked great for me , keeps bugs off and chips at bay (so far) just passing this along and its also pretty cheap

If it's about as thin as Saran wrap, then no thanks. I need something a little thicker than that.

FitSport · 07-25-07, 06:04

Update 1:

Alright, so this week I've been driving to work with the film on the hood. Just an FYI, home-to-work is approx. 32km one way. More than half of that is spent on the highway (for the people that live here that would be Highway 403 and 410). My driving habits are non-aggressive. Therefore, I rarely spend any time going over the speed limit.

This week so far has been relatively sunny with the temperature not exceeding 25Celsius. We've had the occasional shower overnight, which did nothing to the film. Anyway, so far on the highway, things are looking excellent. My average speed on the highway is 100kmh (63mph) - and for the purpose of this project - I've been occasionally driving at 110kmh (70mph). The film is holding up with no noticeable shrinking, enlarging, shifting, peeling, etc. I'm actually thinking about putting the film through a coin-op car wash this weekend and use a high-pressure washer to see if it will do any damage. I will post another update then. In the mean time, this project is going really well.