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Who wants to put clear vinyl on the front of your ride?

Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2003 1:41 pm
by Vibe Rater
Check this out before you do. I have seen many threads on this forum about front end bras, bug deflectors and vinyl tape for the nose. I used the vinyl on my truck many years ago. Sure it helped with some minor irritations I'm sure, but look what happens to it after a few years.

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Re: Who wants to put clear vinyl on the front of your ride? (Vibe Rater)

Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2003 1:42 pm
by ragingfish
I saw a guy with it at the last meet I was at...you could totally see it...looked horrid...I would never stick that crap on my car...

Re: Who wants to put clear vinyl on the front of your ride? (Vibe Rater)

Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2003 1:49 pm
by Vibe Rater
I thought I was gonna have to grind it off, but I found that a heat gun, plastic scraper and some GooGone will take it off. Another shot.

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Re: Who wants to put clear vinyl on the front of your ride? (Vibe Rater)

Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2003 1:50 pm
by Vibe Rater
A closeup. Get the bucket...

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Re: Who wants to put clear vinyl on the front of your ride? (Vibe Rater)

Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2003 1:52 pm
by Vibe Rater
I'll post some pics when I'm finished getting it all off, in a couple of days. Very slow and tedious.

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Re: Who wants to put clear vinyl on the front of your ride? (Vibe Rater)

Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2003 1:54 pm
by Vibe Rater
Note the big dent, courtesy of a rock thrown up on the highway (401). Obviously, this strip of vinyl can't be expected to prevent this.

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Re: Who wants to put clear vinyl on the front of your ride? (Vibe Rater)

Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2003 10:04 pm
by NovaResource
That stuff is not designed to be left on for years (and baked on by the sun). I believe it's supposed to be replaced every year or 2.

Re: Who wants to put clear vinyl on the front of your ride? (NovaResource)

Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2003 12:13 am
by Vibe Rater
Apparently. It still doesn't help deflect the big objects. It is a product that seems like a good idea, but really isn't.

Re: Who wants to put clear vinyl on the front of your ride? (Vibe Rater)

Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2003 12:42 am
by NovaResource
It's not a deflector it's a paint protector. It just helps prevent chips and/or scratched in areas exposed to such things.

Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2005 3:20 pm
by northvibe
what about it being on headlights/fog lights?

Re: (northvibe)

Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2005 3:04 am
by Mavrik
I got some tried tested and true 3m clear bra stuff on the hood of my Vibe. Same stuff used on other cars there as well, many of those cars now more then 4-5 years old. Still clear with no discolouration.But quality of materials do vary.

Re: (northvibe)

Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2005 8:08 am
by AKLGT
Quote, originally posted by northvibe »what about it being on headlights/fog lights?there is a different type of clear film that is thicker. check out http://www.rockblocker.com

Re: Who wants to put clear vinyl on the front of your ride? (Vibe Rater)

Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2005 10:04 pm
by Josh
I think before you go slamming clear front vinyl/3M material you should consider the following.1. You live in Canada where the winters/bugs/roads are PROBABLY worse than they are here in WA state.2. You stated you used the vinyl "many years ago", materials get better every year.3. You did not state, the manufacturer or type of vinyl you put on your truck.Please don't just post a topic showing a worst case scenario, telling everyone, in a nutshell "don't put it on, it will look like crap"I have stongard (manufacturer) on one of my cars, it was put on over 8 years ago and still is clear.

Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2005 3:30 am
by AKLGT
several members on other forums (subaru) have this done and no problems. i have it installed on my LGT and so far so good. however, i hope to have it redone professionally as i didn't do as good a job as i'd have liked. it'll work for now through the winter until i can afford to have it redone professionally. perhaps we might have mav's front end done at the same time too if they give a discount.

Re: Who wants to put clear vinyl on the front of your ride? (Vibe Rater)

Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 10:58 am
by waveresponder
Quote, originally posted by Vibe Rater »Check this out before you do. I have seen many threads on this forum about front end bras, bug deflectors and vinyl tape for the nose. I used the vinyl on my truck many years ago. Sure it helped with some minor irritations I'm sure, but look what happens to it after a few years. wow...didnt know that happened....although you mentioned several years..i think ive officially decided not to get clear vinyl...although yes materials get better over time....just dont want to find out the hard way if i chose the right one....

Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 12:03 pm
by WaveAction
is that the 3M clear stuff thats similar to what you've done? or is it something different? i've heard nothing but good stuff about the 3M stuffhere's a link i found of an actual kit ment for vibes, pretty decent too, under $200 for the front bumper kit, but almost another $200 for the hood kit, imo it's worth it, rather pay $400 for the 2 kits then have to paint the whole front end cause of paint chipshttp://www.invisiblemask.com/c...=VIBE