I applied this 3M plastic to the rear bumper below the tailgate. It's virtually invisible, and it's a lot less expensive than the Honda accessory. Use lots of soapy water on your hands, the body, and the sticky side, and it goes on easily. I just wish it was longer than 60" Five feet isn't all that much when you start spreading it out over the body of a car. Even 72" would have been better. I'd like to put some on the front of the hood, but I have to figure the right way to do it. How far left and right, and what about the fold-under?

I put a similar product on the rocker panels, but it wasn't as wide. Wider is better.

 

Thanks. I can see where that would come in handy in certain places.

 

I find the same material being offered on Ebay, in a variety of widths that include much wider than 60 inches. Search " 3M clear bra paint film " without the quote marks, to find lots of results. Be careful to look at the listing pictures, so you buy the material that is genuine and has the red 3M logo all over the backing material. I suspect several listings are actually offering knock-off material, so make sure the seller states they are selling genuine 3M material and guarantee it.


Very interesting sounding stuff. It should be useable several places on your car. I have not used it myself, but am tempted to try some for the back bumper top surface.

 

For these 3M clear films, did you guys have to use their PT solution or just plain soapy water? Also, for the bends around the numbers and such, did you guys have to cut to fit or do they kinda conform to the shape they're placed on? Sorry I've never heard of these things until being on this forum

 

Thanks. I plan to get more.

 

Mine came with. Of directions, so I just used soapy water. It bent from the top of the rear bumper down to the vertical part wih no trouble. I don't know how it would do with compound curves. Look at the 3M site for more info.

 

Yea I kinda wanna apply it to the front bumper and hood. I was carwashing today and noticed it seems the paint is really thin and chips easily from highway debris.

I saw online at this website, i believe ... nochip.ca and they sell pre-cut 3M stuff for the 2015 Honda Fit, but they literally charge an arm & a leg for us DIYers.


When you applied yours to the rear bumper, is the film noticeable on the bumper or would you say its relatively flush until you got up close to look at it?

 

Here is a link to a you tube video, from one of the 3M film suppliers that offers various sizes on Ebay.




This is from Clear Defender, based in Florida according to their Ebay listings. They have several interesting how-to videos on you tube, showing how they install the film on various parts of the car and the basic method and tools used.


Looks a lot like some of the methods used to install window tinting. It appears that the soapy water spray lets the film float around on the surface, then the alcohol and water spray displaces the first spray and lets the film adhesive take over.

 

Thanks! I can't imagine cutting a large sheet so accurately to fit the bumper.

 

Xpel makes clear bra material you can buy in bulk or have cut to fit. Recently saw they have the GK template and can cut to fit the front bumper, partial hood and front fender, complete hood and fender, etc. Authorized dealers will have access to the template and the plotter used to make the cuts as well.

I played with the bulk film years ago and had mixed results due to my own lack of experience. The hood was easy enough but the bumper on the car I had then was complex enough to make me say "never mind". The GK front bumper looks easier but I may still opt to pay an installer if I end up doing this.