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3M Coating
I know that I saw a long thread on this subject on PC, but can’t find it to save my life. We are considering having the nose of our bus “coated” with the 3M film. Good or bad move? We have a bra but it doesn’t cover the lower 1/4 or so. Seem to remember from the thread that I can’t find, that some said the film degrades. Thanks for a link or advice.
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22 Replies
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I put it on my XL ten years ago and I have no complaints.
Greg
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Well, we have the 3m on the front of our bus. Its ok. Our coach is dark so you do not see the seams. If i had a choice, i would prefer the padded bra that you remove during a rain storm and when you arrive at your destination.
On our previous coach, a Foretravel, we had a new product sprayed on the front. I think the product was called. Armour Coat. Its what is sorayed on the front of sport cars and such. No seams and the bugs just hose off. We also had the front of our new Jeep sprayed.
Xetreme Paint and Graphics could do the install. The flip side is when you have “enough” rock chips, just get the front repainted. Or in Truks case, buy a new coach!
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I had it on the front of my bus when I bought it last year……it was scratched, foggy and looked horrible. I spent 4 days, 8 hours a day working to get it off. The same thing happened on my last coach and based on my experience I would NEVER use it again. When I put it on a new coach I bought it looked great for almost 3 years then the fogging started…..I would rather invest in a nice bra, which I just did, so I can put it on when we’re traveling and take it off when I arrive.
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I have the 3M and like it, but like others have said, when it gets dull, it has to be re-done. If it can be removed without damaging the paint, then you’re good to go back on with new, otherwise, it’s paint time.
Tom & Bill have obvioulsy been talking to Al too much and are under the opinion I change buses often, but just not true. I’ve had this one now for 5 months. Have you guys yet found the secret compartment in your XLII that is stuffed to the gills with hundred dollar bills? It’s there, you’re just not looking in the right place. Did you also find a spare toilet seat? I have also discussed raising your due’s with Jon.
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Add me to the “glad to have it” list. It was too much work to use the bra. I did it once. If you leave it on after a rain I understand some nastiness happens underneath that is scarier than foggy 3M shield.
I had a strip of my 3M go bad sometime within 3 years. The Dazzling Detail folks came out and removed the old piece and replaced with new. No problems.
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We have the bra too and its a PIA… maybe under “special” circumstances but horrible to have something that has to be removed and cleaned when you arrive somewhere especially if its just an overnight stopover.
We have the 3M as well and like it. Know nothing about the sprayed on stuff… but I do know that “Extreme Graphics” do lots of Prevosts as well as others and do a great job… James & Jennifer Stallings own it and they are great to deal with !!Cheers, Diane
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I’m beginning to see a pattern here.
People that don’t wash their own bus or who have one of those spray jobbies that lets them power wash it without drying the bus are afraid of the small amount of effort it takes to use the bra.
Man up. Used properly the bra protects from dings, it won’t turn yellow and crack, and in a few years you won’t be using harsh chemicals to remove it so your can do it all over again. It takes around 2 minutes to remove or replace the bra so how hard can that be? Or you could add a plexiglass shield that requires you to wash the front of it, the back or if and the front of the bus, and in a short ti e it turns a milky white. Commonly fouind on CC coaches.
The ultimate however it to go braless and allow the dings to be seen as beauty marks.
Fire away.
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I am glad that someone mentioned paint……YES, we had to re-paint the front end even though I used the recommended products to remove it. The clear cote came off in several spots and it even pulled off the paint on some of the striping especially where it comes to a point.
If you EVER have to remove it you will never use it again…..aside from the fogging, if it becomes scratched or etched then it comes off in a million small pieces. Jon also makes a good point…it does nothing to prevent dings. My “padded” bra is wonderful, looks great, and only takes a few minutes to put on and off. I had mine custom made so it fits the entire painted surface perfectly.
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I was all set to admit that I agree with Jon till he said to go braless. I had a bra made up over at lazydays in tampa because I hated the dings in the stainless. the paint dings you can fix but that stainless shows every little ding. the bra can be a pain at times but overall its much better than the three M stuff. i had that on a previous coach and it was horrible. It was a real pain to remove too so get yourself a bra. just stay right with the guy if you have it done by wade at lazydays. They dont follow directions unless you stand on their shoulders.
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the longer the 3m is on the harder it is to remove without damaging the paint. I believe 3m recommends replacing the film every 5 years.
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Please don’t tell Red to go braless, he get’s very confused and spends lots of time in front of the mirror thinking about how best to handle that deal.
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My bad…….now I am trying to get that mental picture of Red in front of the mirror out of my mind.
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Thank you men. Based on your comments, I will skip the 3M for sure. We have a bra that came with the bus, so we’ll stick with it.
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I KNEW U WERE A DIRTY OLD MAN (JON)
See Tom I told you so !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Where did that come from???????? I’m not old.
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