Viognier

Looking for any coaching. Just picked up our first Lexus (2010 RX 350) on Monday. Live in Calgary and would like to install 3M (or equivalent) clear paint protection tape. Any recommendations and approximate cost?

InRBigness

Welcome to Club Lexus Viognier. You will learn a lot here. There are a couple of threads about paint protection on this forum that can help you out. Generally people around here are supportive and use the product. There are many different kinds of films and 3M is just one.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...installed.html

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...rd-update.html

MX5NES350

Hi and welcome. Here is one thread as reference: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...rd-update.html

I would recommend talking some local luxury car dealers and find out who they use. The guy that did mine did work for the BMW, Porsche and Mercedes dealers. He now has a contract with the Lexus dealer.

InRBigness

Althought the film you use CAN make a difference, what is most important is the quality of the install. Even the best material can be ruined by a poor application. If I took to the golf course and had Tiger's one wood, I guarantee you the result would not be the same as if he took mine out.

jnorico

I live in Calgary and own an is350 and got my tint and 3M done at ICON TINTING. They do amazing work

MX5NES350

Yup. Most films are comparable these days. It's the install and follow-up issue resolution that is key

TheSnowman

Calgary, eh?

I grew up in Alberta, not far from Calgary, glad I found out early on that there are places in the world that do not have snow in the winter

In fact, as I tell them in Australia these days, I used to be a Canadian, but I'm all right now!

Viognier

Thank you, I had no idea that 3M had competition. Appreciate the insight.

Viognier

I'll give them a call and as MX5NES350 suggested I'll try other luxury dealerships. Also with INRBIGNESS sharing other possibilities I'll look around. Coaching was clear that install is everything.

Thanks to all for your help!

Viognier

We had it installed on Friday and it looks great...really happy with the installation. Put on a 24" hood kit/fendors/mirrors/bumper/foglights and headlights. I used Calgary Mobile Paint Protection as they had tons of expeience with Lexus RX 350 installs and other high end vehicles like Aston Martin and Bentley.

Looks stellar!!

py0413

I talked an owner from a shop that does all sort of protection product/service for cars and he told me as his honest opinion, he would rather have the front bumper repainted once in a while when there is enough damage. I was surprised he would say that to me, but I thought about what he was saying was very true. you get a pretty good film wrapped around your front bumper, side mirrors, partially the hood, and those can run you several thousands of dollars. Repainting those parts can mostly cost less than that.

My other friend has his own body shop and he repaints his bumpers and pieces all the time, so his car always looks brand new from outside. But that is of course he has his own source.

MX5NES350

Hate to disagree but I got the new 3M full bumper, fogs, partial hood, partial fenders, mirrors, a-pillars, and partial roof. $850 retail installed. Repainting a front bumper WILL cost less than that if you do not have any kind of special pearl or metallic paint (Starfire or Stargazer). Then, of course, that isn't counting in the blending into the fenders and any hood damage which needs repaired as well. I would sooner pay for the plastic upfront and when that is damaged simply pay a $100 or so to replace one piece at a time since you don't need to replace it all at once.

kitlz

3M clear bra, lifetime warranty. I don't have to look at an ugly chipped front fender or worry about repainting

dentate

Lexus paint is beautiful but very soft as I discovered with my first RX in 2004--that was not protected until it was too late...The area under the front grille is particularly vulnerable as well as to the sides of the grille. Typically the 3M folks in the Greater Toronto Area charge $350.00 to do the hood, which they also carry over onto the forward part of the front fenders... I don't think you can get a quality paint job with feathering chips for that kind of money and I have come to believe that it is almost a crime to "break" factory paint--the finish is never quite the same. I had the front bumper done on my 2010 RX and I have to say I would not get that done again--my 2009 RX only has the hood done and my IS350C is the same and I have been please with the protection that they afford.

dentate
Oshawa, On