3M Worth it?

Debating on getting 3M on my 2021 Voodoo, paint seems like it would show a ton of rock chips after winters (living in Alberta & we use gravel on the roads in winter), plus I hunt so lots of time on gravel roads in Oct-Nov. Anyone 3M their trucks? What do you recommend (front, hood, roof, etc.? My buddy does it professionally and quoted around $1200 so wondering if it's worth it? Any tips or things I SHOULD or SHOULDN'T do?

 

Yea worth it, the paint on these things blows. Get Suntek not 3M. Depending on what he’s doing $1200 seems like a lot. Pretty sure I got critical areas done for about half that.

 

if you live in areas where rock chips are an issue, then absolutely. Have it on our vehicles but in AZ rock chips are a constant battle.

 

Yes it's worth it, at least here in CO I don't think I've ever made it a year without needing a windshield. I got the front, hood and mirrors on mine at the dealer, $1200 seems like a lot to me.

 

Yeah. My hood is super chipped already

 

I don't install PPF but I detail cars, it will definitely make a difference. If it gets dinged up so be it, that is what it's there for, certainly better than your paint getting chipped.

 

I wouldn't recommend 3M PPF, unless they changed something. I had it on a previous white car and it yellowed.

I do have XPEL on my cement and it has held up great and hasn't yellowed in 2.5 years of harsh NM sun.

I had them do: partial hood / fenders, full front facia, mirror caps and door cups. Cost about a $1,000.00 a couple years ago. It's a good product, just make sure you have an authorized dealer install it.

 

Was the same when I lived in VT. Was only 1 winter out of 10 I didn't get a chip or crack in the windshield. Besides all the dirt roads they don't allow salt to be used on the roads in the winter so they have a sand and gravel mix they put down instead. Great for the roadway, unbelievably bad for windshields and grills.

 

If your buddy does it professionally then i would imagine he already told you what he recommends. What did he say?

 

My opinion, get yourself some touchup paint and I would just invest the $1200 and then use the proceeds in a few years when you have to repaint.

 

Another Albertan here.....do it. Worth every penny.

$1,200 CAD is pretty reasonable.

Who's doing the work?

 

Either way he quoted me full hood, wrapped edges, fenders & flares, full roof, mirrors and pillars. He said he usually does a few extras like bottom of doors & door cups. It's in Canadian so we always pay more than you southern neighbors.
I also have it on the wifes car 1/2 hood on white & I don't like the coloring...but I was assured the new stuff doesn't yellow. I think I may just do it & see if it helps.
Not sure the company name but he has worked for them for 10 years (US Company)

 

Price sound pretty good for that amount of coverage I’d say.

 

I did the front hood and mirrors on my Venza and it worked quite well for 7 years. I do not live in a stony area where chips are common. This time I had a bug deflector installed instead looks great and does the trick too. Living in Alberta that is definite installation to have.

 

Another Albertan here, wife's sister's in law got a new Tacoma like 3 months ago and he had this clear thing applied somewhere in Edmonton for $750, but he was quoted $1200 by some shops...pricey!

 

I have used XPEL before for a specific application on another car, but I suspect this would apply with other products as well. Your paint will fade differently where the PPF is installed. If you remove it down the road, your paint will not match where the film was. You might not have some chips, but you will have "tan lines".

 

I have Xpel Ultimate PPF on my front bumper, head lights, and mirrors. I literally taped off the bumper and mirrors with blue painters tape to avoid rock chips on the way home (200 miles) from the dealership and until the following week when I could get the PPF installed.

 

speedway blue mod lol

 

What range would I typically be looking at for Xpel on the entire truck?

 

1000% get it. I'm in AB as well and even with it after 6 years it shows a few. But MUCH less than all my other vehicles without out it. I found and local shop that did it for about 750 that included pillars , roof near windshield, mirror, and entire front.
Worth every penny but over 1000 is a little much IMO