Clear Paint Protection Film on Rear Fenders

[BigBen]

I get rock strikes on my fenders. I see advertisements for a clear plastic film that can be applied that would provide some protection for rick strikes. Has anybody done that, and if so what is your opinion?. The other option is to use fender bra. However, when I have used a tank bra in the past I found that eventually the leading edge would collect dust under the lip and mar the paint. Anybody have the same problem with the fender bra?

 

[NJMike]

Big Ben, I’m also thinking about the clear bra. I have the same concern about the usual fender bra. I want to make sure the clear stuff (laminate?) doesn’t hurt the paint. But even though it’s a lot thinner than the fender bra, it still might collect dirt around the edges…

 

[Papa Zook]

We have a local shop that installs the Xpel PPF and we really like it. Some folks like the fender bras and some don't, particularly our Harley CVO trike customers where we do the CVO paint and graphics match. They don't want to cover up that CVO paint and graphics match with fender bras.

 

[Notgrownup]

I installed the Harley kit on my 21 ,it went on pretty easily. I kept the cutout sheets they came on for Templates so I can buy Xpel sheets later if I want to replace them. I like the clear product because the bras I had on my 14 really damaged the paint bad.

 

[Papa Zook]

Big Ben, I’m also thinking about the clear bra. I have the same concern about the usual fender bra. I want to make sure the clear stuff (laminate?) doesn’t hurt the paint. But even though it’s a lot thinner than the fender bra, it still might collect dirt around the edges…

Mike, the Xpel gets zero dirt around the edges, even after an extended time after it is installed. It is thinner than the old 3M style film, but its very hard and rigid.

 

[NJMike]

And it doesn’t hurt the paint?

 

[HDUSA1]

No it doesn’t hurt the paint and it can be removed later if you don’t like it.

My local auto detail shop wanted $300 to put a couple pieces on the lower fronts of the rear fenders of my Roadsmith conversion. I just ordered a small 12”x6’ roll of Xpel off of Amazon for $25 and getting ready to make a template and will do it myself. I’ve got a couple of rock chips I need to fix first with some touch up paint though.

 

[NJMike]

Okay…both “Apex” and “Xpel” are being mentioned here. HDUSA1, you answered my question saying that Apex would not hurt the paint. But you bought Xpel….so I’m just a wee bit confused. Amazon has both. Which is better?

 

[NJMike]

Okay, I confused myself. Now I don’t see “Apex” anywhere!

XPEL has several custom length choices but none that add up to $25. Some are 10mil and some are 7mil. But they’re all a lot more than $25. There’s one for $32 but the thickness is not given.

 

[Papa Zook]

I haven't seen Apex mentioned in this thread.

 

[HDUSA1]

It’s $28.45 for a 12”x72” roll on Amazon now. 8 Mils thick.

Amazon.com

 

[BikerG]

I ordered a roll of 3M gloss film from Amazon and made my own pieces. I don’t like fender bras because they hide paint. Also, debri trapped underneath a bra can damage paint over time as the bra moves and rubs against the paint, acting as an abrasive.

 

[tpb857]

I got the pre cut clear panels for my fenders from Cruzarmor. They held up pretty well. Took me about half an hour per fender. I have the panels for the section inboard of the fenders. I haven’t put it on yet. The only thing I catch there is bugs.

I had 4 cars wrapped with Xpel Ultimate. That stuff was great. No way I did that myself.

 

[pwhoever]

IMHO regarding fender bras. If your trike starts life with them, they pretty much become a permanent thing. I had them on my last trike from beginning and they were on there for just over 8 years. I almost never removed them even when cleaning. For giggles, I did take them off one time last year when doing a big clean. I honestly don't remember noticing any significant scratched up paint damage underneath. But because they were attached with numerous snap on button head fixtures, the snap base part was still attached to the fenders and would have looked odd by themselves. Also with the paint covered up for so long, it did seem to be a slightly different color from the rest of the trike body.

So my suggestion is to either start off with the plastic protector film or if you have the fender bras, just leave them on. I agree that the front of the fenders need something to help protect them.

 

[JTJersey]

This stuff is available in black as well as clear. If the weather ever warms up here I'm going to try some.

https://www.amazon.com/VViViD-Replacement-Technology-Stretchable-Protective/dp/B08KYJYSPX

 

[Ironhorse54]

I agree with Mike reference the Fender bra. NJ Mike and I are going to the CSC factory to Install their fender bras. It’s heavy duty marine vinyl with a foam backing to protect the paint. Two snaps at the top and two at the bottom for easy taking on and off if you want to wash or wax if necessary. Plus, I think the CSC logo looks cool.

 

[NJMike]

Couldn’t have said it better myself, Eddie!