Hey folks-

I posted a topic earlier in the week about 3M alternatives.

Yesterday I went and met w/ a guy who is certified to use both and it's night and day when comparing the two.

First he showed me the 3M on a chrome amplifier he had laying around. I could see plain as day what he had spoke about on the phone. It orange peels. Bad. And if I could see it on that chrome, it would look 10x worse on an IIP. Also, there's not a whole lot of elasticity to it. He showed that when he as to stretch it to get on different places, it stays stretched at the point of the most pressure.

Next he showed me the alternative by Madico (www.madico.com)...I was amazed. It was totally see thru! I mean yeah you could tell something was on there, but you're going to anyways. There was no orange peel look and he showed that no matter how much he had to stretch it, it always returned to it's normal form (the parts not sticking to the surface)...so I am going to do a bit more research today and then most likely call him tomorrow to make an appointment to have it done ASAP.

He quoted me $525 - $575 for the tC because of the color and difficulty factor. He said 3M woulda been about $200 more.

Also he noted that he has had several people come back after a year or so w/ the 3M product and there were problems with it so he had to replace it.

He has not once had a problem w/ the Madico product.

The guy knows what he's talkin about too, he was doin a Porche Carrera GT while I was there...awesome car!

 

Has he ever done a tC before? RockBlocker has done most of the scions here in the Valley. Very good work. The link in my sig works again!

 

No he hasn't. But if I have problems with it, I take it back to him and he fixes it. The guy seems very reputable...

I'll check out your RockBlocker thing when I get a chance.

 

Just looked at it briefly before lunch...it's a local gig man...I want this thing professionally installed....and I live no where near Arizona...hence the Harrisburg, PA below my forum name...thanks anyways.

 

It isn't just local. There are installers across the country and the owner travels frequently himself.

 

Truthfuly, I would not trust those places 100% Everybody I know uses 3M and it looks as good and invisible as the first day it was installed. I have the Rockblocker on my front end as well and I can't say it can get any better. I have seen other products too.

 

does anyone on the forum have the 3m on their car already, if so i'd like to see pics. i've seen 3m on my friends xb and his is300.

 

Trust me, I saw it w/ my own eyes as I said above.

The 3m had a weird finish when applied. The Madico did not.

He even rubbed the 3M in to see if the 'orange peel' look would go away and it wouldn't. It had an opaque look to it.

Madico he just put it on, for show, and he didn't even have to rub it in or anything. He did though to show me that it doesn't change. (the clearness)

This was all done on chrome which should give you an idea on how it showed.

I do trust this guy. He said he's had problems w/ 3M and like I also said I saw the Madico product installed on a Porche. It looks great.

I'll contact that RockBlocker to see if they have someone in the area. If they do, maybe I'll arrange to look at it.

But as of now, I'm not gonna go w/ 3M unless someone can post pictures (of great detail) a dark car, BSP, BCP, or IIP w/ this product on it.

 

hey this is really good info. And there is a seller right next to me too! Thanks rjj

 

My issue would be discoloration.

I've seen seveal 3M installs and there's no discoloration after being on the car well over a year. With something new like the alternative it would be something I'd be concerned about.

Plus 3M is a huge company with a big R&D budget, I have a hard time thinking their products are sub-par. But, stuff happens.

 

Thread-

Were they on dark colored cars?

Also Madico has the same warranty as 3M. 10 years I believe.

Just by what I saw in the demo it blows my mind.

When I go back Mondayish I'll ask if he can put sampls on again and I'll take some pictures....if he lets.

 

1 was a blue Porsche GT3, another was a white vette, and the third one I've seen is a gold Lexus LS430

That's good to hear about the warranty though.

 

We agree completely with your assessment. That is why we will not make a hasty move to switch brands until we see some long term results.



3M is 6 years so are others. So I would think Madico is the same. RockBlocker offers LIFETIME warranty on all of our products. Why? Because we believe in it so much.

rjj130 - It was great taking with you th eother day and I wsh you the best in yoiur venture into a new product such as this. If we can ever help please feel free to let us know.

Retrodrive's car with CF

 

Are you sure it was A 3M clear bra you saw. Because when I was meeting with some 3M reps and there distributors (the largest in the nation)

they talked about how the 3M film doesn’t yellow because of the clear coat that it has (they showed me a sample of a clear coat type and one without after they’ve been on for ~ 5years) the difference was very noticeable.

Also make sure you get the laser cut bras that are being sold now they work much better than the hand cut alternative as they won't peal or get dirt under them (likely the cause of the discoloration you saw) this was told to me by both the 3M rep and distributor

 

interesting.. bmw 7 series come OEM with them.. wonder why the porshe didnt?

 

All car manufacturers approve the 3M film on their vehicles, but no one offers the Full kit OEM. Maybe pieces here and there such as dog leg or rear bumper tops. Someday it will be offered as an option from the factory. Right now just the dealers are on it.