3M PPF?

[C.R. Rivian]

I have a vendor that I've used before that installs 3M Surface Protection Films for Post Factory Installations | 3M United States. Have not seen that mentioned or reviewed here or in the other forums I frequent.

Wondering if anyone has used the 3M product and can comment/advise.

Thanks!

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[jollyroger]

I have 3M on my Tesla, seems to work fine. I've only had it for a little over a year and I keep the car garaged, it for sure took damage and offered protection to the underlying paint.

I do keep hearing that Xpel is a superior product, but it doesn't seem to be by very much.

 

[COdogman]

I don’t have any firsthand knowledge, but in the thread about Rivian’s Xpel deal someone seemed to think 3M was 3rd or 4th best of the available products. Seems to me that 3M would be perfectly capable of making decent PPF, so maybe it’s some smaller details that makes others better… or maybe they all come from the same place and we are all being silly

 

[Barney387]

3M is a decent film, it's known for its overly aggressive adhesive and rigid urethane. The combination of these two make it more difficult to install in some cases. Xpel is just a name brand and is over hyped. The adhesive is soft which makes it bruise easier during installation in my personal experience. All of the films will accomplish the purpose of being a sacrificial barrier between the elements and your clear coat.

 

[patsinthusan]

I did matted 3M on my R1T

 

[COdogman]

Looks great!

 

[Northish]

Wondering if anyone has used the 3M product and can comment/advise

I may or may not know someone very close to me that works at a PPF manufacturer and knows "how the sausage gets made" lol. I've been self installing 3M Pro Series on our R1T and have installed 3M VentureShield on my other vehicle. Pro Series is more like Xpel with self-healing properties, whereas Venture Shield has a hardcoat and more aggressive adhesive. 3M has a hair thicker urethane than Xpel which can be a bit more difficult for installers.

Both 3M and Xpel make great films; as a consumer either are good choices. 3M was the OG PPF developer going back to helicopter rotor protection film for the military. Xpel now makes their own film and markets heavily towards installers, whereas 3M works more with OEMs.

3M Pro Series DIY install:

3M is a decent film, it's known for its overly aggressive adhesive and rigid urethane. The combination of these two make it more difficult to install in some cases. Xpel is just a name brand and is over hyped. The adhesive is soft which makes it bruise easier during installation in my personal experience. All of the films will accomplish the purpose of being a sacrificial barrier between the elements and your clear coat.

100% agree with you, well summarized. 3M VentureShield has more aggressive adhesive and less stretch, Pro Series is a bit more installer friendly, closer to Xpel.

I did matted 3M on my R1T

I'm showing this to the person I know who helped launch this exact matte film. It will make their day

 

[CGM55082]

Is Llumar considered a decent PPF?

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