as far as the bumpers are concerned: yes, they will become ratty after
time. and the protection pieces are much cheaper to remove and replace
than the cost of repainting a bumper.

i worked at stongard in bellevue, wa (across the lake from seattle...) a
few years ago for a few years, doing design and installation work. we
(now they)use the 3m paint protection film. how good it looks on your
car is entirely dependent upon how the piece is designed, and though i
do not work there any longer, i am convinced that tim has the best
philosophy on designing the product.

the product is designed to protect from rock chips, but many people did
also want bumper protection in the rear. it will do nothing in a
collision, but yes, you will be protected from small parking bumps.
Steve Larson wrote:
> I've had mine for a couple of years and there are no noticeable damage
> marks. I frequent the local interstates and small rocks and debris are the
> standard here. It may show tears if another vehicle strikes it, but keeping
> it waxed and slick will help prevent it from those types of rips.
>
>
> "J. Perry" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>"Somebody." > wrote in message
unet.ca...
>>
> wrote in message
egroups.com...
>>>
>>>>I am considering 3M's clear paint protection material for my next new
>>>>car. I know it is designed for protecting paint from flying rocks at
>>>>speed. However, I would like to know from people who had it applied,
>>>>how effective is the film in protecting your front bumper from other
>>>>cars. (I also plan to get a custom piece made for my rear bumper). In
>>>>the city I live in, I rely mostly on tight street parking. My last car
>>>>became full of paint chips and scrapes on my bumpers quickly. Thanks
>>>
>>>It doesn't improve the structural integrity of the peice, only reduces
>>>the
>>>occurance of chips in the paint job. It might help marginally for a
>>>very,
>>>very light scratch.
>>>
>>>-Russ.
>>
>>Does this type of material show burrs or tears in it? Just curious as to
>>whether or not it starts looky pretty ratty over time as it fends off
>>paint
>>chips and niks from other types of flying debris.
>>
>>Ron M.
>>
>>
>
>
>