Xpel, Stonegard, Invinca-shield, and a few others use the same 3M automotive film. As someone already pointed out, it comes down to installation quality......not how much the kit costs that will make a difference in clarity.

Llumar's film has been on the mkt for about 2 yrs now. Although 3M advocates claim the film turns a "grayish" tone, I have yet to see this issue. We don't use Llumar, but the film's very similar to the films we use (Venture / Madico).

Although, it may seem that covering the entire hood is a no-brainer, only a handfull of clear bra installation facilities can do this. (keep in mind, that MOST of the rock chips would be on the front bumper and lower portions of the hood) First of all, sourcing out film lg enough for the install is tough and expensive. 2nd, installation skill and experience is even more important than ever when it comes to covering an entire panel.

On the Stradale, Gallardo, 360 below, all frontal panels are custom covered (full hood, full front bumper, full front fender)

 

same with this f430...all frontal areas are custom covered (one pc w/ film edges wrapped and tucked for a seamless install). Again, INSTALLATION is the key........purchasing pre-cut kits that were designed for professional installation is a step toward wasting your money if you're planning on installing it yourself or finding a body shop, window tint co, etc. to install it for a little bit of money. If a company does not do this day in day out, then the one pc kits would likely come out w/ creases, bubbles, etc.

Here's a 997S that we helped redo after the customer went through a "pro" 3M certified installer - http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforum...d.php?t=191529

 

Listen to Wil - he knows of what he speaks, and his word is good (personal experience here).

Looks like things are going well for you, Sam.

 

Is there a pic of the 3M install anywhere, just out of curiosity.

 

We are currently using Venture and Madico paint protection films. We haven't used 3M for 3 yrs now.....not that it's a bad film. We have our preference for clarity, and 3M just falls a bit short.

Yeh, we're staying pretty busy now dbarnes. You guys must be burning up in your area over the past few wks. We were in the area last wk and it was toasting. Call me when you pick up another car!

 

Had llumar installed a week and a half ago. The install wasn't up to my
expectations. Bubbles went away after a few days, but several "V" shaped
raised areas did not (didn't think they would but gave them the benefit of
the doubt).

One other area raised completely up which was not evident after the install.
This was in the an area on the bumper. Not sure what happended here.

This was done in the Raleigh, NC area by a 'certified installer', but let's see
what happens when they redo it. I will know on Friday.

Anyone else with a false start with llumar?

The film itself is very clear, with no Orange Peel Effect that I have heard
from others with 3m.

Surfsnow

 

If you get lifting like that, the installer is responsible for fixing it.

 

This is definitely an install related problem and not a product defect. Some air bubbles will go away as the car gets in the heat, but i guess it depends on the size of them. Give it a week and make sure your car sits in the sun some each day and hopefully it'll improve. If not, have the install redo those panels.

 

Actually, Xpel is a company that sells pre-cut kits as well as a cutting system. All of their kits utilize the 3M film. You can read up on it at www.xpel.com. I am having their kit installed tomorrow - hood, bumper, mirror, and door edges for $500. I tried looking for Llumar, since I have always been happy with their window films, but was unable to find any local retailer/installer. I'll post some photo's after it has dried.

--sd_diver

 

I have Llumar and its great. Sounds like you had a crappy installed. I would take it back.

 

It sounds like llumar is the brand of choice here? I am trying to decide what brand to do...

 

I'm the original poster, and did get the Llumar. "Next week" is now three months ago.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51916287@N00/sets/520520/ shows some pictures...

Here's one of several... Can you see the lines?

 

Wow - did not go very far up the hood, did they. I had mine done 4 days ago - just washed the car today. Mine goes half way up the hood. Still have a few small bubbles, especially in the hood channels that if not gone my next weekend I'll have to have taken car of. What was done around the door handle? I did get a strip put along the two front door edges (I'll have to have the rear doors done to match).

 

Same here, mine also goes half way up the hood and fenders.

 

Actually, the door handle hasn't got anything done to it. Someone wanted a close-up of the button in some other thread, so there it is.

As for the coverage, I was kinda annoyed with the coverage on the hood, but so far, I kind of like where it is. Thanks to the slope of the hood, you can't see the line unless you sit really high, and the bra's still protected me from a pretty good number of chips (five-ish so far with no visible damage, 1 of which bounced off the bra and chipped my windshield). I'm still happy I got it.