[KTsRedMiniS]

I am buying a new red mini with white bonnet stripes and will be living in a snowy climate. Can anyone tell me about the invisishield? Is it worthwhile? How 'invisible' is it?

Thanks,
Katie

[termigni]

i dont' know much about invishield but how about RainX? i heard good reviews.

[harveyjoseph]

Quote: Originally Posted by KTsRedMiniS

I am buying a new red mini with white bonnet stripes and will be living in a snowy climate. Can anyone tell me about the invisishield? Is it worthwhile? How 'invisible' is it?

Thanks,
Katie

I think it is well worth the price. You can not see it unless you are real close to the MINI. The MINIs front is real large and without it you will have many paint chips within the year.
Cheers

[jimmy_racoon]

I live in Minnesota and deal with lots of snow and road debris. My MINI was delivered in January and I just couldn't deal with getting any paint chips before the spring thaw! I got the invisishield and I like it. My shield was made by 3M and fits really well. See my pictures, not easy to spot from a distance. I wax my MINI a lot and some wax build-up happens along the line where the shield ends. Nothing major-you justr need to remove it carefully. Best of luck to you.

[Pom Down Under]

If you search the Aussie forum you will see feedback on the 3M film installed by Ozi Cozi....looks good, I have seen it in the flesh and can verify that it is hardly noticable.

BTW...nice colours for your mini! - I see you have a few hard years ahead of you with the home renovations

[Chilli_Red]

I did a brief write up on the fitment of 3M Vinyl see this link
http://www.mini2.com/forum/australia/96902-install-ozicozi-3m-vinyl-paint-protection.html

Regards, Chilli_Red

[stephenjc]

I have invisisheild and I agree that you have to be very close to see the edge of the shield. Look at this pic or look at my gallery and you can see how invisible it is. Although I wonder if it mught be more visible on other colors such as black. And I think it is great - really does a good job protecting the front from chips and bugs.

[chaincooperS]

Sometimes on those darker colors, its painfully visible....

[sagworks]

I am getting my astro black cooper soon and I am getting the invisishield installed before I pick it up. The little line may be visibile, but I think those stone chips are worse!

[kgouin]

I don't have the invisishield and am happy that I don't have it. I went to a MINI gathering recently and looked at the MINIs with it and it is noticeable, too noticeable for me. I thought you could see the lines pretty clearly without really looking for them but I wonder if it was because it was sunny and bright that day. If stone chips really bother you then it is worth getting. My personal view is that no matter what you do, the car won't stay perfect forever. I went through my first winter last year and when I applied zaino in the spring I found 3 very small chips but I also don't do a whole lot of highway driving.

[Cooper76]

I wish I would have gotten it on my Jet Black Cooper, visible or not. The stone chips your MINI will take is unavoidable and with a dark vehicle, show up blatantly. I would recommend it on any color.

[charlief1975]

I got the shield from dealer when I got my Mini delivered July 2004.

Works great..no scratches or nicks. I have the white mirror caps and the shield that covers them is turning a little yellow...wonder if it's sun wear.

[Clutch Cargo]

I had this stuff applied by the dealership, before I even took delivery. Three years later, I have a few comments:

1. Sometimes the line is visible, especially after waxing if I'm not careful about cleaning the extra wax out. But I don't go crazy with that either, because I'd rather have a slightly visible line of wax than a gouge in the paint, eventually.

2. Two areas that aren't covered are the valleys just inboard of the headlamps. Sure enough there are lots of tiny paint chips in there. They look a lot worse than the line. I hope the shape of the film blank has improved since then.

3. I removed the film from my wing mirror covers, after about two years. Against the white, I did notice a little bit of yellowing, and the line was more noticable than against the BRG of the bonnet. Plus, the mirror caps are plastic, so if you get a chip, it's still white -- not so bad. The caps look pristine, there is no difference where the film used to be. I don't think you have to worry about UV affecting the paint differently, underneath the film.

This film, and the light-in-sight gadget, are two must-have accessories.

[Chilli_Red]

Quote: Originally Posted by Clutch Cargo

I had this stuff applied by the dealership, before I even took delivery. Three years later, I have a few comments:

1. Sometimes the line is visible, especially after waxing if I'm not careful about cleaning the extra wax out. But I don't go crazy with that either, because I'd rather have a slightly visible line of wax than a gouge in the paint, eventually.

2. Two areas that aren't covered are the valleys just inboard of the headlamps. Sure enough there are lots of tiny paint chips in there. They look a lot worse than the line. I hope the shape of the film blank has improved since then.

3. I removed the film from my wing mirror covers, after about two years. Against the white, I did notice a little bit of yellowing, and the line was more noticable than against the BRG of the bonnet. Plus, the mirror caps are plastic, so if you get a chip, it's still white -- not so bad. The caps look pristine, there is no difference where the film used to be. I don't think you have to worry about UV affecting the paint differently, underneath the film.

This film, and the light-in-sight gadget, are two must-have accessories.

Clutch Cargo,
Thanks for the long term report on this type of product.
The valleys between the headlights are now covered with a continuous piece of film across the front of the bonnet.

Chilli_Red

[stephenjc]

Quote: Originally Posted by Clutch Cargo

I had this stuff applied by the dealership, before I even took delivery. Three years later, I have a few comments:

1. Sometimes the line is visible, especially after waxing if I'm not careful about cleaning the extra wax out. But I don't go crazy with that either, because I'd rather have a slightly visible line of wax than a gouge in the paint, eventually.

2. Two areas that aren't covered are the valleys just inboard of the headlamps. Sure enough there are lots of tiny paint chips in there. They look a lot worse than the line. I hope the shape of the film blank has improved since then.

3. I removed the film from my wing mirror covers, after about two years. Against the white, I did notice a little bit of yellowing, and the line was more noticable than against the BRG of the bonnet. Plus, the mirror caps are plastic, so if you get a chip, it's still white -- not so bad. The caps look pristine, there is no difference where the film used to be. I don't think you have to worry about UV affecting the paint differently, underneath the film.

This film, and the light-in-sight gadget, are two must-have accessories.

What is Light-in-sight? (fearing that this is a stupid question)

[eltel]

Seriously, if you prefer stoneships to a small line that very few people would notice unless it was pointed out to them, then put your money into something else. But also don't expect a thin layer of soft ever diminishing wax to stop the majority of stones from damaging your delicate paintwork.

There is no "good" or "bad" (except white) colour for the film, it really depends where the light is coming from as to whether the line is visible, and also if there is a build up of dirt or wax along the line, the line becomes more visible.

For those of you who have it applied, I suggest that you wax the film and keep it waxed to stop dirty water, chemicals, smog, etc., from getting into the film's surface, which is slightly porous. Some people worry that the film will yellow, but it's more likely that it's the rubbish that it picks up that might stain it. Giving it a regular waxing will minimise any discolouring.

Also, bugs may temporarily stain the film, but we have found that the sunlight (in Australia) tends to bleach out the stains. Not sure about the UK, but you probably don't have the huge juicy bugs that we have down here or in the 'States.

We sell and install the kits, so I'm biased, but I think it works, and it looks acceptable and it really makes a difference to the personal side of owning and loving a car such as a MINI.

Too many stonechips can make the car look old and even unloved. So get it on.

[stephenjc]

Quote: Originally Posted by eltel

For those of you who have it applied, I suggest that you wax the film and keep it waxed to stop dirty water, chemicals, smog, etc., from getting into the film's surface, which is slightly porous. Some people worry that the film will yellow, but it's more likely that it's the rubbish that it picks up that might stain it. Giving it a regular waxing will minimise any discolouring.

That's interesting. I thought I had heard that the shield should not be waxed - something abouth wax and some chemicals in it can harm the shield. I can't say I know where i heard this and certainly I have no idea how credile that is. Do you know if this is true of bonnett stripes as well?

[eltel]

Quote: Originally Posted by stephenjc

That's interesting. I thought I had heard that the shield should not be waxed - something abouth wax and some chemicals in it can harm the shield. I can't say I know where i heard this and certainly I have no idea how credile that is. Do you know if this is true of bonnett stripes as well?

The 3M product has a glossy clear coat - some other manufacturers do not - and they (3M) say that it is fine to wax the film.

Also one of the biggest kit sellers over there in the 'States now recommends that wax should be applied straight after fitting to minimise any staining.

Still, you need to be very careful about what sort of wax you use, and try it on a piece first to make sure that it doesn't stain.

Also be careful with chemicals such as metal polish, for doing chromework, etc. One of our customers used something called 'purple polish' to clean an alloy bull bar, was not careful and left a horrible purple stain on the film. So either mask the film prior to using such chemicals or at least try it on a scrap of film. Ask your installer to bring some scrap pieces so that you can try your favourite car care products on the film before it goes on.

[stephenjc]

Quote: Originally Posted by eltel

The 3M product has a glossy clear coat - some other manufacturers do not - and they (3M) say that it is fine to wax the film.

Also one of the biggest kit sellers over there in the 'States now recommends that wax should be applied straight after fitting to minimise any staining.

Still, you need to be very careful about what sort of wax you use, and try it on a piece first to make sure that it doesn't stain.

Also be careful with chemicals such as metal polish, for doing chromework, etc. One of our customers used something called 'purple polish' to clean an alloy bull bar, was not careful and left a horrible purple stain on the film. So either mask the film prior to using such chemicals or at least try it on a scrap of film. Ask your installer to bring some scrap pieces so that you can try your favourite car care products on the film before it goes on.

Thanks.

[Clutch Cargo]

Quote: Originally Posted by stephenjc

What is Light-in-sight? (fearing that this is a stupid question)

In the area where I live, traffic lites are suspended high above the middle of each intersection. So I was constantly leaning over or scrunching down so I could see when the light turned green. Then I got this lens thingy -- no more visibility problems! Dealers should install this on all cars sold. It really makes a huge difference in your driving comfort.