Hood protector -what type?

[F. Plant]

Have a 2001 legacy and the paint on the nose of the hood has taken a bit of
a beating from stones. Major chips have been touched up, but there are lots
of hairline cracks in the paint from stone impact. Thinking of putting on a
OEM bug deflector or a clear film type bra, but I am concerned about
moisture or ice being trapped against the hood.

Wondering if the deflector is a PITA in the winter with snow and ice sliding
down the hood and jamming under the deflector -also does ice build up damage
the hood?

For the clear bras, does moisture wick in from the edges? I'm concerned of
getting misture trapped underneath since the paint is cracked and you have
to strip off the wax to apply the clear bra's -which sounds like a possible
rust problem to me.

TIA
F. Plant

 

[Alan Peterman]

Clear bra material is WONDERFUL. Protects great, never wicks under it,
unnoticeable, and if you do it yourself, very reasonable. Of course AFTER you
have chips and such it is kinda too late...

 

[null]

I've got the OEM bug deflector on my sedan and haven't had any problems
with ice and snow. I can't
recall ice or snow ever getting stuck underneath it. It does really help
on the rock damage as the hood
is fine but the fenders are now 'sandblasted'. I've heard that people have
had really good luck with the
3M clear bra, although I would think it would work better if the hood
surface is flat (undamaged) otherwise
it you would probably get some air pockets (although very small). Since
you already have damage I'd say
go with a bug deflector. Don't use a bra as they'll damage the hood unless
you remove it every time it gets
wet.

 

[F. Plant]

Clear bra material is WONDERFUL. Protects great, never wicks under it,
unnoticeable, and if you do it yourself, very reasonable. Of course AFTER you
have chips and such it is kinda too late...

Unfortunately I bought it used so I'm just trying to prevent further damage
and rust. I've touched up the major chips (anything down to primer) and
will be getting it buffed out. Don't know what to do about the hairline
cracks though. I think the clear bra is the best route except for the worry
of not letting the cracks breath and potentially keeping them "slightly"
damp for extended periods, as the membrane seems to be slightly permeable.
Probably should fire an email to 3M and see if they have any idea if this is
an issue.

F.Plant

 

[null]

If you're going to get the hood buffed you shouldn't have to worry about
the hairline cracks as the buffer
will actually heat the paint up enough to move it around and a skilled
buffer will use this technique
to remove the hairline cracks

 

[F. Plant]

If you're going to get the hood buffed you shouldn't have to worry about
the hairline cracks as the buffer
will actually heat the paint up enough to move it around and a skilled
buffer will use this technique
to remove the hairline cracks

Thanks. I also poked around on the 3M site and they say that if you remove
the film at a later date it may pull up the paint around areas that have
been touched up with touch up paint. I assume this is due to the damaged
paint having seperated from the substrate around the impact area. May be
same issue with cracks if they are due to impact?.

Don't know if it is an issue or not, as its only a problem if you remove the
film. Odds are the only time you would do this is to repaint anyway.

F. Plant

 

[Michael Smith]

I am looking at one of the 3M kits... i am wondering... is there
anyone hear who has had one over a year? one that has seen all four
seasons?

How does it hold up?

How noticable is it, Really?

Do you wax over the plastic? or just stop waxing right at the edge?


thanks,

Mike

 

[Alan Peterman]

I have had mine one for just 2 years now. Still looks exactly like it did when
I put applied it, which is to say basically invisible from more than 12" and
totally invisible to anyone who hasn't been shown it is on the car. I just wax
right over it - and when I wipe off the wax I run the cloth down the edge with a
fingernail just like any other small "crack" or edge. Now my paint IS silver
which is pretty forgiving, but I've got it on the wife's 325i which is blueish
and it's even less noticeable on her car.