Windshield Protection Film (2 Viewers)

[PDoyle]

I get email from these guys every once in a while. Here is a new product I think may be a benefit, considering the windshield for these vehicles is a nightmare to replace. It is $1200....

Opticle Windshield Protection Film 48"x 50' (PRESALE)

Limited PRESALE rolls. Introductory Pre-Sale Pricing. Estimated ship out time is May 16th Opticle TPU Windshield Protection Film is a high-performance thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film designed to protect your vehicle’s windshield from chips, scratches, and UV damage. With crystal-clear...

www.carsupplieswarehouse.com

 

[FrazzledHunter]

I had 8mil Bray windshield protection film added to my LC's windshield for $600.00.

 

[CanadianRockyCruiser]

This would probably work great until the first time I used my ice-scraper in the winter.

 

[FrazzledHunter]

This would probably work great until the first time I used my ice-scraper in the winter.

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh...I'm wondering about this too.

 

[liftinghvy]

Seems like my $0 deductible insurance replacement is a better deal.

 

[FrazzledHunter]

Seems like my $0 deductible insurance replacement is a better deal.

It's a better deal if you've got the time and competent place to replace it.

If that windshield breaks on a trip we lose days getting it replaced and jeopardize campground and other reservations.

And will whatever shop is around when we're out of town have a clue what they're doing?

I have the same insurance too but I just don't want it to happen period. For me the cost of the film is the price of security and is incidental. Just like the paint protection film is.

 

[PDoyle]

This would probably work great until the first time I used my ice-scraper in the winter.

You guys should cover the windshield or cover the car. But I'm sure the wind plays a big part.

 

[gasman4u]

You guys should cover the windshield or cover the car. But I'm sure the wind plays a big part.

Take some of a vagrant’s cardboard and repurpose for a windshield cover. Perhaps trade for 0w20.

 

[bloc]

This stuff should also help avoid micro-pitting that builds up over the years. My Genuine Toyota panel is about 3.5 years old but in certain light conditions you can see the damage from all of the freeway miles.

 

[FrazzledHunter]

This stuff should also help avoid micro-pitting that builds up over the years. My Genuine Toyota panel is about 3.5 years old but in certain light conditions you can see the damage from all of the freeway miles.

Interesting you should mention this. The guy that put the film on my LC and later, on the front window of my trailer said this should be the case but that could just be sales hype. Time will tell.

My main goal was to try and prevent the 3/4 in stone typically kicked up by a dump truck on the highway causing the spider damage that only gets worse.

But I got a benefit I didn't expect. My windshield had 3 small "dings" and the micro-pitting you mention. After the application of the film ALL of the micro-pitting is gone/invisible as are 2 of the 3 dings. Somehow between the film and the glue it fills the pits or renders them invisible. It's essentially an almost 100% clear piece of glass, almost like a new windshield. I mentioned this to the guy that installed the film and he said that often happens but they don't promise anything.

I would have added this film when it was new when I put film on the body and headlights but I didn't know about it then and the shop where I had it done doesn't do windshields.

Years ago I had windshields "buffed" with liquid compound by glass shops and that got rid of windshield wiper scrapes and the micro-pitting. It seems shops don't do that now.

 

[bloc]

I would have added this film when it was new when I put film on the body and headlights but I didn't know about it then and the shop where I had it done doesn't do windshields.

A couple years ago my tint shop said the best stuff had been removed from the market for quality issues and everyone was waiting on a reformulation to come out.. so maybe it’s best that it didn’t go on back then. He said he had a solid three months worth of waiting list (at that point) for when the new product got released.. and this place usually has new Italian exotics getting tint and full PPF in their climate controlled shop.

But yeah I imagine the adhesive would in effect “heal” a bunch of the little spots when the film goes over the top. If my panel didn’t already have a decent spider on it I’d consider..

 

[Blackford Oakes]

My PDR guy told me about this film the other day when I was having a dent pulled. I'm gonna do it. I don't have time/patience for the drama of begging USAA for an OEM replacement and then trusting the installer to do it properly.

 

[bloc]

I don't have time/patience for the drama of begging USAA for an OEM replacement and then trusting the installer to do it properly.

Exactly.

What are you guys paying for this? And what brand product are they using?

 

[Blackford Oakes]

Exactly.

What are you guys paying for this? And what brand product are they using?

From the quote he emailed me...

"Windshield protection film, clear: $199.99, I use Scorpion WPF. 1 year guarantee from manufacturer, but likely to last closer to 2-3yrs."

 

[liv2bike]

This would probably work great until the first time I used my ice-scraper in the winter.

This. I was at a high end film shop in Salt Lake the other day. We chatted about this windshield protective film. He said it’s great for the vehicle that is driven infrequently ie weekends and not in adverse weather. Can’t use an ice scraper on it. Bugs have to be removed asap otherwise the acidity from bugs can damage the film (depending on the chemistry of the brand of film). If wiper blades aren’t maintained, he said there could be damage caused by old/worn blades. They do lots of high end sports/super cars. And it works great bc they’re driven infrequently.

 

[aM200]

Exactly.

What are you guys paying for this? And what brand product are they using?

I had mine replaced in January with OEM glass. My insurance only covers the cost of aftermarket glass plus installation, so to opt for OEM it was $690 out of pocket. Had to wait about a week for the Lexus glass, and then after the install was done I went back and replaced all the trim around the windshield myself because I knew the installer wouldn't do it right (which they didn't).

 

[eatSleepWoof]

A reasonably local (1hr away) shop installs OEM glass through my insurance, for a $200 CAD deductible. The local Lexus dealer pointed me to them, as the dealer uses the same shop. They've installed OEM windshield glass for me at least 3 times over the last 6 years of ownership. The windshield film is being advertised "on sale" for nearly $1800 USD. That's got to be some kind of joke?

 

[Nothinghead]

A reasonably local (1hr away) shop installs OEM glass through my insurance, for a $200 CAD deductible. The local Lexus dealer pointed me to them, as the dealer uses the same shop. They've installed OEM windshield glass for me at least 3 times over the last 6 years of ownership. The windshield film is being advertised "on sale" for nearly $1800 USD. That's got to be some kind of joke?

Is that installed or is that just the fifty foot long roll of film?

 

[FrazzledHunter]

My PDR guy told me about this film the other day when I was having a dent pulled. I'm gonna do it. I don't have time/patience for the drama of begging USAA for an OEM replacement and then trusting the installer to do it properly.

This ^^^.

 

[FrazzledHunter]

A couple years ago my tint shop said the best stuff had been removed from the market for quality issues and everyone was waiting on a reformulation to come out.. so maybe it’s best that it didn’t go on back then. He said he had a solid three months worth of waiting list (at that point) for when the new product got released.. and this place usually has new Italian exotics getting tint and full PPF in their climate controlled shop.

But yeah I imagine the adhesive would in effect “heal” a bunch of the little spots when the film goes over the top. If my panel didn’t already have a decent spider on it I’d consider..

Interesting! The guy who did my windshield film said most of his customers for windshield film are guys who race their BMWs, Porsches, Ferraris and other high end cars. It seems replacing a windshield on those cars is twice the cost or more of an LC/LX.

And to heck with the cost. Our LC is for fun, pleasure and it's the ultimate toy for me. I really don't care what things cost if it's something I want to do to it. Our friends with boats say pretty much the same thing about their watercraft.