3M™ Paint Defender System vs Clear Bra

motex · 04-20-2015, 06:07 PM

Browsing 3M's website, I found this product that looks great and much easier to DIY against Clear Bra, I was wondering if someone has done it, any feedback will be appreciated

vividracing · 04-20-2015, 06:45 PM

I would never try a product like this, I wouldn't want my paint to be at the mercy of a can of anything that costs $30 vs actual solid film.

Plus 3M is mostly known for having among the lowest rated PPF products compared to XPEL and Suntek so I wouldn't really believe them when they put their stuff in a can and say it can protect your paint. To me, this film-in-a-can reminds me of clear plasti-dip, and has the same properties as well.

Just my thought from experiencing real PPF.

-RyanG

gthal · 04-20-2015, 06:47 PM

The Paint Defender is temporary and is very difficult to make look good like a true paint protection film. The Defender, IMO, is for road trips or the track. It isn't meant to be used just like a clear bra.

motex · 04-20-2015, 07:00 PM

Thanks guys for your comments

Mrfurious214 · 04-25-2015, 02:04 PM

I used the paint defender on my last car (335 alpine white). I only used it on the rockers. I applied it over a layer of plasti-dip to give the black dip a gloss and to protect it from rock chips. It worked pretty good for protection. It was a pain to get off but i think that because i didnt spray the dip or the 3m thick enough. It was tough to tell since it was over the dip but i think it changes color slightly over time (had it on for 2 years). I had about a 1/4" overhang where the 3m was not over the dip and it looked different after some time. So i think i would go with the post above recommendation and use it for tracking vs long term use. I ended up getting clear bra on my M3 this past Wed instead of trying the Paint Protector.

Wo-Wo · 04-25-2015, 02:33 PM

So even if you had to reapply every few months would you still say it's no good?

My car goes in for £5500 worth of paint after completing the recent Scotland Caanonball run, my bro got lively with a Nissan GTR and it resulted in the Windscreen being replaced and the bonnet, both bumpers, A pillars, front wings and side skirts needing painting, so some protection for the Ireland Cannonball in September will be needed!!

Thanks Neil

www.wo-wo.co.uk

04-20-2015, 06:07 PM	#1
motex 2020 Mineral White 30d MSport 523 Rep 2,146 Posts Drives: 2020 Mineral White 30d MSport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Jose iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 X5 G05 30d /// ... [0.00]	3M™ Paint Defender System vs Clear Bra Browsing 3M's website, I found this product that looks great and much easier to DIY against Clear Bra, I was wondering if someone has done it, any feedback will be appreciated __________________ *....Life is too short to drive boring cars*
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04-20-2015, 06:45 PM	#2
vividracing BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 685 Rep 6,854 Posts Drives: E90 M3, F30 335i, F80 M3 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Arizona iTrader: (14)	I would never try a product like this, I wouldn't want my paint to be at the mercy of a can of anything that costs $30 vs actual solid film. Plus 3M is mostly known for having among the lowest rated PPF products compared to XPEL and Suntek so I wouldn't really believe them when they put their stuff in a can and say it can protect your paint. To me, this film-in-a-can reminds me of clear plasti-dip, and has the same properties as well. Just my thought from experiencing real PPF. -RyanG __________________ Travis Williams Shop ALL BMW G80 \| G82 Parts Here! 480.966.3040 ext 318 Travisw@vividracing.com PM, Email, or Call Directly for aggressive BMW Member Pricing
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04-20-2015, 06:47 PM	#3
gthal Major General 1903 Rep 5,678 Posts Drives: 2018 340i xDrive Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Canada iTrader: (2)	The Paint Defender is temporary and is very difficult to make look good like a true paint protection film. The Defender, IMO, is for road trips or the track. It isn't meant to be used just like a clear bra. __________________ 2020 X3 M40i \| Black \| Current DD 2020 C8 Corvette \| Z51 \| Torch Red ... built and waiting for delivery 2016 M2 \| Long Beach Blue \| 6MT 2015 M4 \| Austin Yellow \| DCT 2012 MB C63AMG \| 2011 E92 M3 \| 2010 E92 M3
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04-20-2015, 07:00 PM	#4
motex 2020 Mineral White 30d MSport 523 Rep 2,146 Posts Drives: 2020 Mineral White 30d MSport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Jose iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 X5 G05 30d /// ... [0.00]	Thanks guys for your comments
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04-25-2015, 02:04 PM	#5
Mrfurious214 Second Lieutenant 92 Rep 290 Posts Drives: 2015 Mineral White M3 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Ridgewood, NJ iTrader: (0)	I used the paint defender on my last car (335 alpine white). I only used it on the rockers. I applied it over a layer of plasti-dip to give the black dip a gloss and to protect it from rock chips. It worked pretty good for protection. It was a pain to get off but i think that because i didnt spray the dip or the 3m thick enough. It was tough to tell since it was over the dip but i think it changes color slightly over time (had it on for 2 years). I had about a 1/4" overhang where the 3m was not over the dip and it looked different after some time. So i think i would go with the post above recommendation and use it for tracking vs long term use. I ended up getting clear bra on my M3 this past Wed instead of trying the Paint Protector.
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04-25-2015, 02:33 PM	#6
Wo-Wo Captain 281 Rep 698 Posts Drives: BMW M4 Comp Coupe Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: East Mids iTrader: (0)	So even if you had to reapply every few months would you still say it's no good? My car goes in for £5500 worth of paint after completing the recent Scotland Caanonball run, my bro got lively with a Nissan GTR and it resulted in the Windscreen being replaced and the bonnet, both bumpers, A pillars, front wings and side skirts needing painting, so some protection for the Ireland Cannonball in September will be needed!! Thanks Neil www.wo-wo.co.uk
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