Quick Help: 3M film or not?

Hi all,
I'm headed down to the dealership tomorrow morning to pick up my 2014 dcsb. The salesman is pushing a "3m paint protector film" that will cover the front and the first 15" of the hood. He says we need it in Western Colorado--and I believe him--but wants $400 for installation. I said no, thinking I can get it for a lower price somewhere else if I decide to later on.

Am I right?

 

You're correct.

 

I have it on mine. You can get it installed somewhere else for a cheaper price but the dealer price is mainly the warranty, for 30k miles I believe. The film has helped my paint out on some occasions.

 

Truck is silver. Thanks

 

$400 for paint protection then some asshat will throw their car door into the truck, anyway. Don't bother IMO.

 

Look online and see if you can find a 3M vendor locally. Surprisingly, while $400 might sound like a lot, that's actually a fair price. The paint on the Tacoma is weak, I would rather of spend the $400 to save from all the rock chips from the sand and brine they put on the streets then have my front end look like a buckshot practice target after 2 years...ask me how I know.

 

I paid $500 for mine, which included the leading edge of the hood, the leading edges of the front fenders, and the mirrors. So far, the mirrors have taken a beating, including a couple penetrations through the 3M. I would hate to see what they would have been like without it.

 

Here is a link for all the different configurations with prices for doing it yourself or buying it and paying someone else to do it. They also have instructions on how to install it. You might have to call them for the 2014
http://www.invisiblemask.com/clearbra_land.html?_vsrefdom=adwords&gclid=COblyr-A67sCFQbl7AodTDgAGw

 

I am thinking about having it done to my 2013 before too much pitting happens...In addition to the front, I'd like to have it on the tailgate back because I often carry OHV with the gate down. My DCLB is white though, so I am wondering about yellowing from the UV; I also live at elevation of 7000 ft...

 

I had this on a different vehicle once and told myself that I wouldn't do it again if I had too. In the area where I used to live would have A LOT of bugs during the summer in this one patch of backroads that I had to go through everyday. I would get a ton of dead bugs on the front end. If they were left on there too long between washes(more than a week), the film would get damaged. I couldn't wash it off or wax it off completely.

On a different car which is white, it is now showing a hint of yellow after 7yrs. It's not very appealing at all. If it was a weekend car that stays super clean most of the time, I would do it, but if it's a daily driver, I can't recommend it. It does protect from rock chips, but it's the other factors that no really talks about.

Btw, here in CA, on avg. it's about $600 a car for the front end, side mirrors, and part of the hood.

 

Happy - Where in Western Colorado did you get your truck? Western Slope or Bighorn? I can get you connected to a couple of guys that can come to you and install if you're still looking into something like this.

 

It's crap and collects dirt along the edges

 

The precut kits are crap, they don't cover the edges. Find a reputable installer. Most of them if not all use bulk film and will cut the film to your exact fitting and will wrap around the edges. My recommendation is to also get the a-pillar and 12 inches of the roof covered too. If your remotely OCD about your vehicle, get a clear bra...most of the new film is self healing too and a good quality kit from the past 3 years won't yellow.

 

Thanks for all the info, guys. I decided to forego the 3m film- I've already spent too much on a topper and suspension.

 

Biggest pet peave ever!

 

This is why I was thinking of using Plasti Dip on those parts until I can get sliders.

 

I have it on mine, but only because the dealer offered to give me the undercoating and the 3m if I bought the extended warranty. Just wondering since some people mentioned it yellowed after time, can the 3M be removed?

 

Yes 3M Scotchgard peels off. It also has a warranty against yellowing although I am not sure how long. Their VentureShield has a lifetime warranty.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dQRyIyNPNc

 

Yes the film can be removed. Also most of the film has a warranty against yellowing from anywhere from 5-10 years.

 

I'm having my entire truck opti coated that film starts to look like crap after a while http://opti-coat.com/