Need some advice-

[DK Custom Products]

I'm looking to put some protective film over the paint on the new Tri Glide.

In the past I've purchased 3M film and made my own...well, Mary has.* It is a true PITA and she would rather not do it again.

What pre-cut kits have you used, and how did you like them?

Thanks in advance for any and all advice.

Kevin

[Tucci]

https://www.xpel.com Had this professionally done almost four years ago. They make a computer "cad" of the sections of the vehicle you want covered. You choose as little or as much of the trike you ant done. No discoloration in four years, easily removed if you want to repaint.

[Jthubbs]

I had the H-D one installed by the dealer, I was so unhappy I had them redo it. It still sucks. I wouldn't use them again. There are air bubbles in them and streaks

[Texan]

Check out See Through Braz. Contact Al with what you want. GREAT customer service. I've been running their product for some 4 years now with no problems.

See Through Braz

8~\o

[ultrafxr]

Kevin being new to trikes and protective film I decided to go with the H-D kit. I'd heard horror stories about how difficult it is to install and when I asked my dealer how much to install the service manage said about 4 hours. I pressed for an exact amount and he asked the tech who does it and came back with 8 hours. Yikes and at over $100 per hour. No thanks. I decided that if I screw up and had to toss the kit I could use it for practice, buy another kit and still be way way ahead price wise.

Well truthfully it really wasn't all that difficult. I googled and watched several videos and read articles and really didn't have any problem. The fenders were the most challenging since they are curved both up and down and somewhat side to side. But I just kept working it and it smoothed out with no problem. The only thing I wish is that more of the leading edge of the fender were covered since I've picked up a few pecks primarily on the outer edge and outside the film. But if it were wider it would be that much more difficult to install.

In fact I'm not sure I could have worked a much wider section and gotten it to lay flat. The key is to keep it wet and use the proper squeegee. I bought the recommended one from Amazon and in fact got several so if you need one let me know and it's yours.

Trike is now 18 months one with 18k and the film looks just fine.

Jerry

Added: Just remembered that before I bought my kit I went to a custom auto accessory shop nearby that does window tinting. Installer there said he bought film and cut to fit and applied it to a friends trike. Said he could do the same for me. So if you're interested in that let me know and I'll get you the contact info.

[GoSlo]

I decided against using the H-D film because it's not very good. I went to a shop that installs the film on mostly very expensive cars, so I was sure he at least knew what he was doing. I had it done on my 2013 and in four years I never replaced it. Never needed to. Sure, there were some spots that got dinged with rocks, but still protected the paint and didn't fade. I had the front fender covered back to the forks and the rear fenders covered more than halfway over the top of the fenders. I got a 2018 last year and had it done again by him. He changed the film he was using, so hopefully it works just as well. Plus it's guaranteed for life. The only thing that bothered me was the cost the second time. It was twice what I paid four and a half years ago. Paid $175 FOR THE 2013 trike and $350 for the 2018.

[DK Custom Products]

Thanks guys. I've looked at a bunch of different kits.

After talking to a local guy that did a great job on tinting Marys' truck windows (plus he rides) gonna go with the HD one.

Kevin

[trikermutha]

I tried the HD paint protection and turned out like S***t

Ended up using a 3M product that worked out well at the time.

[520fd]

On my 2017 Tri, I used the HD brand paint guard. Worked great. Easy to install. Had them on for 2 years, never a problem. Since I traded my 17 in on a new 2019 Tri Glide, I had to buy another set.

I bought a HD brand off E-Bay. Paid $30.00 for a brand new set. Awesome deal. Also bought a HD Premium Luggage rack for $70.00. Also New. Also had to order another Tour Pak Relocator Kit from DK Custom. Momma likes her room.

[tfdeputydawg]

Talk to your local LineX dealer. Color match or a contrasting color. Seen 1 done in flames wrapng over the tops of the fenders. Looked great.

[arnie]

Thanks guys. I've looked at a bunch of different kits.

After talking to a local guy that did a great job on tinting Marys' truck windows (plus he rides) gonna go with the HD one.

Kevin

Kevin I did the H-D back in 11 on my trike. Unless H-D changed the kit the rear pre-cut clear is not wide enough to give the rear fender protection. I don't remember what width it was but after having my left rear fender repainted because of the knicks to the outer edge I had Ziebart install the clear on the rear fenders. They cut their film the same length, I believe it's 2' long, but it was 12" in width. That covered the outside curve on the fender, & no more dings. I've had 3 trikes now & all of them had the 12" wide clear on the rear fenders & no more dings.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

I had my 15 tri done at the guy that does my window tinting ... since the 14 already has expel, I only need a little under the luggage rack ... the monkey's tail will scratch the paint ... .

He does custom installs and is very reasonable. It was like $220 for the fenders, the area between the fenders and the side covers. That warrantee was good too. I got hit with a rock and put a pretty good scratch in the film. It did protect the paint and the tint guy replaced the whole section that was damaged. No charge. Look into guys that do the 3m clear bras.

[Firewrench22]

I used some clear vinyl I had at work, left over from a project. I just did the inside curved part of the fenders where Momma's boots might hit it getting on and off, and put some by her footboards. As for the broad surface of the rear fenders, well, in my book a few chips are character marks, proves we ride it...

[tnbillybob]

Kevin, call your favorite sheriff, Bobby Riles, Fayette County. He has a guy that will come to you. Does a great job and extremely reasonable.

[MDF48]

I bit the bullet almost 3 years ago and had a local guy, that does expensive cars for dealerships, install the Xpel film. It is not cheap but it is tough. He did the front fender, both rear fenders all the way back to the tail light and made them wider than the factory computer cut called for. Also got the flat area between the fender and side covers, the side covers, front head light and auxiliary lights, front fairing and both lowers. I did not do the tank, tour pak or trunk area etc.

This stuff will "self heal" as they call it. When you get a small dent in it if it stays in the sun for a few hours on hot days, it will smooth out. The computer and cutting machine does an excellent job of matching contours. You can find a bunch of videos on You Tube etc. I just didn't have the patience to try to install any film, I would have ended up getting PO'd and mess it up. So I just decided to spend considerably more and have it done correctly.

[Trampas]

My 2016 had the HD film and it worked ok, my 2018 has the HD film, sometimes I wish I would have went to this one place that puts on Xpel film, have heard it is good but I never had any trouble with the HD film though so I went with it

All for now Trampas

[520fd]

Say Kevin. Since you put the Ceramic Coating on your trike, how does that effect the clear film install?