Starting to notice rock chips on my rear fenders, debating on installing the 3M film, pros cons? A bra just doesn’t do it for me I know what they do over time to the paint beneath.
Bra or 3M clear film
- Thread starter Midnightour
- Start date
I think I preferred the 3M film over the bras, you don't have to remove it and dry them after a rain event. However, at the last Texas get-together, I looked at Harold J's trike, he had the hard truck bed liner professionally sprayed on his fenders in place of the bras.
I must say, it looked really good, and as tough as that stuff is, I doubt it would ever chip. I think I have changed my mind.
I must say, it looked really good, and as tough as that stuff is, I doubt it would ever chip. I think I have changed my mind.
Film, hands down. Check with Xpel. Great film.
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Check out one of the sponsors of this forum, SeeThroughBraz.
I've had their product on my trike for over 2 years and no complaints. AND you want to talk customer service !!!! The best. Al and Meredith are great to work with if you have the slightest problem.
I run bras on my rear fenders but also run seethroughbraz product under the bras. Bras will mar the paint unless you keep the dust and dirt out from under them ALL THE TIME. I put their film under my bras and no paint scuffing. Why both.....I like the looks of the bra on the trike.\
www.seethroughbraz.com
8~\o
I've had their product on my trike for over 2 years and no complaints. AND you want to talk customer service !!!! The best. Al and Meredith are great to work with if you have the slightest problem.
I run bras on my rear fenders but also run seethroughbraz product under the bras. Bras will mar the paint unless you keep the dust and dirt out from under them ALL THE TIME. I put their film under my bras and no paint scuffing. Why both.....I like the looks of the bra on the trike.\
www.seethroughbraz.com
8~\o
Never tried the bras but have used both the 3m film and the plastidip. Both the film and the Plastidip are easily removable if you need an update and don't hurt the paint.
That is EXACTLY my scenario! I too have the seethroughbraz product on mine and LOVE it but like the looks of the black fender bra also.
- Thread starter
- #8
Thank you, this is why I like this site!
Just be aware, See thru bras told me at Eureka Springs, they don't make a set for the Motor Trike, and their site doesn't list CSC conversions either.
You can buy the see thru material in 12" wide strips, but I don't trust that I'd get it on in the correct places & with no wrinkles...
You can buy the see thru material in 12" wide strips, but I don't trust that I'd get it on in the correct places & with no wrinkles...
I like the "Bed Liner" (Line-X) idea without the traction granules ....
..... but another good alternative is one or two layers of 5% VLT Static Cling Window Tint. Buy a roll at Walmart or Advance Auto and cut your own. Use a couple drops of baby shampoo in water in a spray bottle to wet fender and your new bra and put in place and squeegee into position. You can wash it in place, even wax it, you can remove and soak in soapy water and reapply if you need to.
..... but another good alternative is one or two layers of 5% VLT Static Cling Window Tint. Buy a roll at Walmart or Advance Auto and cut your own. Use a couple drops of baby shampoo in water in a spray bottle to wet fender and your new bra and put in place and squeegee into position. You can wash it in place, even wax it, you can remove and soak in soapy water and reapply if you need to.
Film
EXPEL film protection is installed by a person who does luxury vehicles. This stuff is so great, it heals itself, easy to clean and wax and cannot see it. Plus it has a warranty 3 to 5 years. When I had it installed on my 2012 TG, they covered the entire fairing, fronts of the lowers, side covers, front of the tank near the nose of the tank so my jeans would not rub, the body panel and the fenders. The fenders were covered over the sides to the pin stripe. I do wish I had had it go up higher to the top of the fender to the crest. Expel is not cheap, but its worth every penny to keep from getting all those rock ships.
EXPEL film protection is installed by a person who does luxury vehicles. This stuff is so great, it heals itself, easy to clean and wax and cannot see it. Plus it has a warranty 3 to 5 years. When I had it installed on my 2012 TG, they covered the entire fairing, fronts of the lowers, side covers, front of the tank near the nose of the tank so my jeans would not rub, the body panel and the fenders. The fenders were covered over the sides to the pin stripe. I do wish I had had it go up higher to the top of the fender to the crest. Expel is not cheap, but its worth every penny to keep from getting all those rock ships.
We put the 3-M film on a lot of our customers' trikes. Looks great and does provide good protection. I have seen some scuffed up by rock chips after being on a while. My understanding is that the film can be removed and replaced if necessary.
Another thought for you who have "running boards" on your trikes: we often will coat the running boards with truck-bed liner. Our painter can tint it to match the trike and not only does it look great, but protects against rock chips and boot-scuffs.
Another thought for you who have "running boards" on your trikes: we often will coat the running boards with truck-bed liner. Our painter can tint it to match the trike and not only does it look great, but protects against rock chips and boot-scuffs.
Absolutely correct. I have it on my Trike, truck, and civic. 10 yr warranty on the film that I had installed. I had him go over the top of the fender because stones don't really care about a certain color to hit, right?
- Thread starter
- #15
I just bought some 3m film, any tips on installation would be appreciated!
I've put 3M on some items, I just wasn't 100% pleased with it's appearance on our trike fenders ...... but many love it. I found that in time, the edges collected dirt / soap / air under the film just enough to make it plain there was a film there ..... didn't like a clear film that wasn't so much inviisable. As I recall, it works well using squeegee and a small spray bottle of distilled water with just a couple three drops baby shampoo in it. Wet fender and wet sticky side, put in place. squeegee from center out. There are some premixed install liquids .... but whatever you do search for some info on the net before starting. Wouldn't hurt to watch some youtoob videos.
Just a couple days ago I made new ones for our trike out of something I've been thinking about for some time .... I like it ...... http://www.triketalk.com/forum/threads/29979-quot-DIY-quot-Lehman-GTL-Fender-Bras (link there)
My figuring is if it's gonna be seen, make it look like it's supposed to be seen.
Just a couple days ago I made new ones for our trike out of something I've been thinking about for some time .... I like it ...... http://www.triketalk.com/forum/threads/29979-quot-DIY-quot-Lehman-GTL-Fender-Bras (link there)
My figuring is if it's gonna be seen, make it look like it's supposed to be seen.
- Thread starter
- #17
Looks great nice job, I have the clear film and will take your advice installing. I do appreciate your pictures and advice.
That's my worry too,Dennis.
As strange as this may sound, but if you don't have a regular applicator, a credit card works just fine in MOST cases. Unless you are applying the stuff to flat surfaces, pay for the application. They guys, at least Xpel, know what they are doing. It looks easy, but heating and stretching that stuff isn't as easy as it looks.
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