Installing 3M protective film

[patriot]

Anyone on this forum in the Atlanta area installed the 3M film. I've read the instructions and I should be able to install the panels, however, I'm willing to pay someone to put them on. Of ourse I old need to see their work.

 

[Teal]

give it a go, its only difficult when u get on radius areas,,, at some point it is removal if u dont like it
i prefer the film that is removal,, cant recall the name at this point,, do a search. u order and cut to dim.

BTW nice ride.

 

[patriot]

give it a go, its only difficult when u get on radius areas,,, at some point it is removal if u dont like it
i prefer the film that is removal,, cant recall the name at this point,, do a search. u order and cut to dim.

BTW nice ride.

Ya don't learn unless you try. Dang, it's only money.

 

[Oldmsocko]

If you google 3M Film it will take you to their site and you will be able to search for an installer.

 

[GARYD]

Buy a piece of cheap 3M film and try installing it yourself. If you make a mistake you're only out a few dollars. I bought 8' of 3M film for $50. I will make my own pieces and have enough to make 3 or 4 back up pieces all for less then Harley charges for their kit.

I put the home made panel of 3M film on top of the saddlebags on my 03 Ultra - very easy. As was mentioned earlier, the compound curves are a little more difficult.

Try a local window treatment shop. They do this kind of work.

 

[Skeet7373]

I don't have my TG as yet, still trying to forget 20 years of 2 wheel to learn the 3. I found a great guy in Nashville that has a FB page https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Paint-Protection-of-Nashville/306323966068828.

He his so nice to chat with, very friendly. He said he has not worked on a trike as yet but would love to do one. His company has patterns for any Harley but the TG. If I had mine he would be the one to put the film on the bike. I discussed with him about makeing sure the film goes over the crest of the fenders and he said that would be no problem for him to do. Thought I would throw this out to you since you are close to Nashville. His name is Lane Nagin and the facebook page is Paint Protection of Nashville. He has pics of a Limited he did recently and a bunch of the high end cars he does every day. Hope this helps. And the product he uses most is XPEL.com.

Karen

 

[scooty]

This film is not hard to install all you need is a squegee and water. If you wet the fender and apply the film it will not stick with the water between surfaces. Position film where desires and work all of the water and air bubbles out with the squegee starting from the center, if you are not satisfied with something lift it off add more water and try it again it won't really stick till it is completely dry between the fender and the film.

 

[GARYD]

+1 for Scooty. Even after you have it all done and it's dried, you can still remove it without any damage to the paint.

 

[ljsdsm]

To: GaryD Installing 3M protective film

Where did you get the 3m film for $50 from and what thickness.
thanx
ljs
My email LSTOFFEL13@msn.com

 

[FLTR2008TRIKE]

This film is not hard to install all you need is a squegee and water. If you wet the fender and apply the film it will not stick with the water between surfaces. Position film where desires and work all of the water and air bubbles out with the squegee starting from the center, if you are not satisfied with something lift it off add more water and try it again it won't really stick till it is completely dry between the fender and the film.

You want to use a squeegee like this one >> Window Film Tools Teflon Gold Squeegee | eBay

Also use water/alcohol/dish soap solution. 2/3 water, 1/3 alcohol 2-4 drop of mild dish soap

Clean the area very well your wanting to place the 3M film. You must remove the wax and any surface dirt. Its best to claybar the area first to remove any impregnated dirt particals.

Apply liberal amount of the solution to area you want to place the film. Spray liberal amounts of solution on both sides of the film and your fingers.

Keep applying the solution as you remove the protective layer from the adhesive.

Place the 3M on the painted area. DO not let the backing of the film get dry!!

Move the film into desired position. Once in position start using the squeegee from the center out to the edge of the film.

Keep applying the solution to the back of the film and painted surface. Work as many of the larger bubbles outward as you can. If you get one that needs attention you can lift the film easy by applying lots of solution to work the film up to the get to the air bubble.

One other option is to use a sewing needle to poke a small hole in the center of the bubble and work the air out. Only poke the film enough to allow the air to escape.

There will small bubbles you will see for several days after the film is applied. Leave them alone!!! They should disappear

 

[Smitty Werben Manjensen]

For a first time do-it-yourselfer, large curves or compound curves will be your downfall. I've done a lot of this work with 3M and several other films, and if the curve is very much, it will be a fail. If you are wrapping a fender, have a pro do it. Flat or gentle curves can be done by a careful beginner.

The recommendations by FLRT2008TRIKE to use a soap (use baby shampoo) mixture to allow the film to be moved on the surface is good, plus his other comments. But once you get it sticking very much, and try to remove it to reposition, often lines will develop in the 3M that will be visible to the eye, and nothing will remove them. The lines appear at the point of "stick/non-stick" where you have peeled back the film. SO, be very sure you have it where you want it before sticking it down.

Stick it down by squeeging out the solution, and lubricating the dry surface with soap solution so that your squeegie doesn't grab the 3M and ALSO cause permanent lines. Also, pressing too hard or the wrong way on the squeegie will also cause lines.

As you stick it down and notice the inevitable bubbles under the surface, you should probably leave them alone and come back later with a tiny syringe and suck out the water and air. Trying to squeegie out the bubble (or pull back the film) will many times cause permanent creases in the 3M. Most bubbles will have air in them, which will not disappear over time. They must be sucked out, and a syringe is a nifty way to do it. (We have a diabetic cat, and I use one of those syringes, since it has a very small needle.)

I started doing this on my own vehicles about 14 years ago, and the first car resulted in throwing out hundreds of dollars of film. Over the years, I got much better, and am not afraid to do the work, but I am not a pro and I always have problems here and there. I've done about 12 cars and 3 bikes/trikes.

Finally, keep the whole area very clean. Sweep and vacuum the floor, and keep your hands very clean. Any sand, dirt, hair, whatever, that sticks to the sticky side will show through like a big zit, and you will have a very hard or impossible time removing them without damage.

Of course, if you're not as picky as me, maybe you can live with lines, hair, and blemishes on the film. Picky is my downfall. Good luck!

 

[87Trike1200]

Here's a 3M link for finding installers of protective film. Fill in your ZIP code and how far of a search area... HERE

 

[RdKnB]

My Son is in the Car business and he called the people that come to the Dealership. If they can keep high end car owners happy I am sure they can handle my fenders.