kizamybute'
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I fully get the need for the clear protection film. Personally however, have just never been a fan of it. (dirty edges with visible lines, they start peeling at the edges, etc) But absolutely see where it is necessary in many use cases. For me though, spending $3,500 or $4,500 to clear wrap the truck is just too much. At the same time, I get the labor of it as well. I've tried doing it on my own and it's a royal pain in the rear. The one's who do it professionally, know what they're doing. I can do flat surfaces, no problem, but adding in curves and that's where I suck at it!! If they actually wrapped it around the edges of the doors/fenders/etc, and you couldn't see the edges, would certainly be more appealing, but appears that most cut the film rather than wrap it all the way around so the edge is out of sight.
But, considering I have three separate road trips coming up, starting tomorrow, through three different deserts, I chose to buy a roll of clear protection film on Amazon for $40 and half-assed it on the front portions of the truck, simply for the actual protection. Being that I don't usually road trip very often, I usually don't have a need for it. My front ends have stayed pretty clean on the routes I regularly travel.
I spent about an hour putting it on the flat surfaces in the front, the headlights, front part of the hood and mirror caps. Will remove it all in 4 weeks when my trips are done. For $40, instead of $4,500, and an hour of my time, it will at least offer the protection from common bugs and road debris on desert trips. It didn't come out as bad as I thought it would. I cut it up more than the pro's would do as they're good at laying single large pieces around curves. I tried one curve and there was no way. So, just made smaller pieces, much easier to put on. Only ended up with a couple of creases around the bottom of the mirrors. Have to lean down to see them. It passes the "5 foot test". Looks great from 5 feet away. I did the chrome delete on my Tesla after being quoted $1,800. Again, I get the labor of it. But, did it myself for $50 in vinyl. Wasn't the greatest job, but looked great from 5 feet away!!
I did also add one piece that I will probably leave in place on the rear tailgate. For whatever reason, Rivian chose not to put a handle on the tailgate and I always cringe when I have to close the tailgate with my hand on the dirty / gritty paint surface. Fortunately, it's a nice straight area that was pretty easy to apply the protection film to. Now, I won't feel so bad when I close the tailgate, knowing that I'm not scratching up the paint. Feel the same way about the gear tunnel doors, but at least Rivian already puts clear protection film on those from the factory. They should have done the same on the tailgate too. Although, after just 3 months with the truck, can already see the dirty edges of the "clear" protection film on the gear tunnel doors. Hence supporting my reason for not being a fan of it.
On a separate note:.......
After my last road trip on the 20" all-terrain tires, which really impressed me as to how well the Rivian did in terms of actually going as far as the range estimate it said it would, I'm looking forward to seeing how much better it does now with the 21" road wheels / tires on it. The second of my three trips will be the same path to Vegas as my last trip there with the 20's, so will get a direct comparison. Tomorrow, heading up north. The last trip will be to Arizona. So, three different deserts for the front end to survive!
But, considering I have three separate road trips coming up, starting tomorrow, through three different deserts, I chose to buy a roll of clear protection film on Amazon for $40 and half-assed it on the front portions of the truck, simply for the actual protection. Being that I don't usually road trip very often, I usually don't have a need for it. My front ends have stayed pretty clean on the routes I regularly travel.
I spent about an hour putting it on the flat surfaces in the front, the headlights, front part of the hood and mirror caps. Will remove it all in 4 weeks when my trips are done. For $40, instead of $4,500, and an hour of my time, it will at least offer the protection from common bugs and road debris on desert trips. It didn't come out as bad as I thought it would. I cut it up more than the pro's would do as they're good at laying single large pieces around curves. I tried one curve and there was no way. So, just made smaller pieces, much easier to put on. Only ended up with a couple of creases around the bottom of the mirrors. Have to lean down to see them. It passes the "5 foot test". Looks great from 5 feet away. I did the chrome delete on my Tesla after being quoted $1,800. Again, I get the labor of it. But, did it myself for $50 in vinyl. Wasn't the greatest job, but looked great from 5 feet away!!
I did also add one piece that I will probably leave in place on the rear tailgate. For whatever reason, Rivian chose not to put a handle on the tailgate and I always cringe when I have to close the tailgate with my hand on the dirty / gritty paint surface. Fortunately, it's a nice straight area that was pretty easy to apply the protection film to. Now, I won't feel so bad when I close the tailgate, knowing that I'm not scratching up the paint. Feel the same way about the gear tunnel doors, but at least Rivian already puts clear protection film on those from the factory. They should have done the same on the tailgate too. Although, after just 3 months with the truck, can already see the dirty edges of the "clear" protection film on the gear tunnel doors. Hence supporting my reason for not being a fan of it.
On a separate note:.......
After my last road trip on the 20" all-terrain tires, which really impressed me as to how well the Rivian did in terms of actually going as far as the range estimate it said it would, I'm looking forward to seeing how much better it does now with the 21" road wheels / tires on it. The second of my three trips will be the same path to Vegas as my last trip there with the 20's, so will get a direct comparison. Tomorrow, heading up north. The last trip will be to Arizona. So, three different deserts for the front end to survive!
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