[scoobbee]

Folks,

Going to get X-pel for my STI when it comes in. Not sure to get the Bikini-Cut (follows the curves of the car) or straight cut (straight across the hood). Please give me your opinions. Also, think it is worth getting the headlights protected too?

Thanks
-K

[bklynpanman]

that is crazy expensive.. venture shield ftw!! i got the bumper, bottom of the hood.. front fenders.. mirrors, and custom pieces for the rear doors and part of the rear fender... for 600$ installed...

[Edvig]

I've had Rockblocker or Xpel film on the headlights of all 3 of my Subarus. The film not only will help protect the headlights and foglights from getting smashed from the random rock off the road, but it also helps keep the plastic headlight cover from getting pitted up over time.

[Stedenko]

Originally Posted by scoobbee

Folks,

Going to get X-pel for my STI when it comes in. Not sure to get the Bikini-Cut (follows the curves of the car) or straight cut (straight across the hood). Please give me your opinions. Also, think it is worth getting the headlights protected too?

Thanks
-K

I got the XPel last week. I got the non-bikini cut. The guy said that it covers a bit less. You're also getting the rear fenders, right? Definitely get the rear fenders. It's very important.

[scoobbee]

Before I decide to get the rear fenders the guy wants to see what subaru is going to put there. Since my car is on order... the factory paint protection will cover most of the rear hump. Could you send me a pic or 2 of your bikini-cut so I can see what it looks like? are the lines nice? tight?

Please send pm and I'll give you my email.

thanks
-K

[JuggernautTCW]

how much to cover the whole car w/ venture shield?

[Stedenko]

Originally Posted by scoobbee

Before I decide to get the rear fenders the guy wants to see what subaru is going to put there. Since my car is on order... the factory paint protection will cover most of the rear hump. Could you send me a pic or 2 of your bikini-cut so I can see what it looks like? are the lines nice? tight?

Please send pm and I'll give you my email.

Hi there,

I'll PM, but I probably wasn't clear. I didn't get the bikini cut, I got the straight one. It looks pretty good to me but I have nothing to compare it to.

That's a good idea to see what Subaru does with the rear fenders. Personally, if you get the car and they haven't done anything yet, I'd get the X-pel. I got a small rock chip on my driver side rear fender while driving home from the dealer (the car was booked to have the plastic put on the next day). There are a ton of rocks on the road here though from winter. The city lays them down for traction in the snow and uses less salt than other cities.

[limited777]

I have rock block too and I love it, its great i didn't get it on my last car and ahh it was bad. Only down fall I have found to it is it seems to absorb the guts of certain bugs and semi stain the clear bra but its really not that noticeable. I have full cover - Mirrors/Bumper/Fogs/Headlights/HoodScoop/Hood

[STI 08]

that is crazy expensive.. venture shield ftw!! i got the bumper, bottom of the hood.. front fenders.. mirrors, and custom pieces for the rear doors and part of the rear fender... for 600$ installed...

i want to get clear bra put on my car. but my car is white too, and im afraid the clear braw will yellow after time and show alot cause my car is white. do you think it'll turn yellow?

[Digitalfiend]

I would seriously consider getting a custom cut kit. The Xpel kits are made from the 3M film and they do not wrap the edges of the protected areas, which leaves them exposed to chips. I was considering the Xpel kit but was deterred by the cost to get it to Canada and then have it installed. When I found out that they use 3M, I just had it done locally by an authorized 3M installer. It turned out way better than I expected and all my leading edges are protected.

[bklynpanman]

was told it won't yellow. Looks great on white. Saved me today on the highway. Go for it

[BigDan]

Originally Posted by JuggernautTCW

how much to cover the whole car w/ venture shield?

How come some hardcore paint guy's just re-clear the whole car.

I'd imagine there are some tougher clears or maybe 4 coats?

[scoobbee]

About yellowing. The 3M stuff will not yellow any longer...as long as you make sure that your installer got replacement film sometime after Feb. this year. 3M made a change to the adheisive such that it does not yellow. I am sure that some installers are using the old stuff first.

[Digitalfiend]

Originally Posted by BigDan

How come some hardcore paint guy's just re-clear the whole car.

I'd imagine there are some tougher clears or maybe 4 coats?

The problem is, I don't know of any paint that can stop a rock at 60mph+. My clear bra has already helped prevent chips from stones while I was on the highway doing 120 km/h. While you can probably have the car repainted for $2K, it could easily get chipped almost immediately and then it isn't perfect anymore. My clearbra, knock on wood, has sustained some decent hits and the paint is still perfect (as well as the clearbra).

The rear door/fender film is a must-do from '08 owners. I can actually see very minor pits in my film and this is with mud flaps.

[limited777]

its not that fact that its tough and more clear its the face that its rubbery so it ABSORBS the impact of the rock more so then protects it. Its not going to stop a ding or dent, just stop the paint from chipping by absorbing the angles of the rock unlike a clear coat or paint would where it would just scrape.