Re: Invinca-Shield

[TeamZ3@xxxxxxx]

kennedy@domain.elided writes:

> Consider that my M3's worst paint chips are actually near the rear of
>  the hood, not the front 1/3 of the hood.  Also some bad ones on the
>  top and one on the side.

Hmm, that wasn't my experience.  The front nose and 1/3 hood of my previous M3
was seriously *peppered*, as were the areas behind the wheel wells.

>  Further, if you did just do the whole hood or whole car, it would 
>  eliminate the "line" and resultant pains during waxing.
>  
>  Is the film itself just extremely expensive?
>  How wide are the rolls?  Is the line going to be there no matter
>  what because the roll is only 2' wide?

Yes, it's 24" wide.  Yes, it is somewhat expensive.  It can be labor intensive
fitting it to compound curves smoothly, requires finesse and patience,
especially on a curvacious BMW Z3.  Otherwise, I really don't know what you
mean by *waxing pains* since I toothbrush out wax from all the crevices and
such with every waxing.  I guess waxing in general is a pain, but a necessary
evil.

>  Why wouldn't it become standard from the manufacturer? 

How many people do you know who go buy a new car and then could care less
about it?  Only the majority of people who buy them.  For every dollar the
manufacturer spends they must get so much back in return.  A lot of people
won't invest money in the present for a future benefit they can't put a firm
number on.  I'm not saying everyone should rush out and immediately put this
film on every vehicle they can get their hands on; it's not for everyone.
However, if you have a nice vehicle that is subject to extreme wear in certain
areas, like behind the wheelwells for people who race on soft tires, then you
may want to consider it.  

The people who buy a $25,000 mobile home probably aren't interested in
scotchguarding the carpet, either.

>  What's the drawback?

Potentially initial cost, depending on how much area you want to cover.
They'll generate pieces for how much or how little area you want to cover.
How many 93+ Rx-7 TT owners wished Mazda had used this stuff behind the lower
wheelwells?  Again, I'm not trying to peddle the stuff.  I saw a problem on
some of my previous vehicles and see this product as a solution to minimize
the damage.  I'm just telling you it's out there and it was worth it to *me*.
Everybody else has to decide the value of whether or not to use it for
themselves

Mark Sipe

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