3M vs ventureshield clear bra

[soccerjunky]

had an interesting conversation with the little rock ventureshield installer this morning...he claims that the little rock bmw dealer installs a venture shield on every new BMW they sell (about 1 a day).... Ventureshield has a lifetime warranty and less orange peel....

[Wagner]

3M was kind of the defunct standard. I wouldn't know as I haven't used it before. What is the cost comparison on the two...

[soccerjunky]

i just got a quote for $650 on the ventureshield which is $200 dollars cheaper than 3m and includes the same surface area covered

http://www.ventureshield.com/showcase.asp

[Wagner]

Originally Posted by soccerjunky

i just got a quote for $650 on the ventureshield which is $200 dollars cheaper than 3m and includes the same surface area covered

http://www.ventureshield.com/showcase.asp

[X5Jay]

Originally Posted by Wagner

3M was kind of the defunct standard. I wouldn't know as I haven't used it before. What is the cost comparison on the two...

Just guessing that Wag meant to say "defacto standard"...

[pseto]

i have the 3M product and only paid about $500

[brian5]

I've seen references on other forums on 3M generation 1 and 3M generation 2. Also how expensive Ventureshield is.

For example, here's an (edited) quote, "If you get cheap film, 3M (first generation) film with UV inhibitors or VentureShield with UV inhibitors, that will discolor your car just a bit. If your get 3M (second generation) film withOUT UV inhibitors or Llumar film withOUT UV inhibitors, your paint will be protected and look just fine." I have seen other positive notes about Llumar too.

Interested to hear from others with experience of 3M second generation, Ventureshield or Llumar.

[Wagner]

Originally Posted by X5Jay

Just guessing that Wag meant to say "defacto standard"...

Hmmhmm, neh I meant it to say that barring it having the best functionality it was deemed the standard.

[lakai]

Go with 3m, 3m spends millions on R&D for thier products films, adhesives, etc
. Usually their products are the best on the market and they back it up with warranties that you can actually claim. For instance with car wraping film we only use 3m although there are many others out there that are cheaper and get the job done.

I looked at the ventureshield site and saw their comparison pdf and already I see a problem with it.
Independent comparison of VentureShield to 3M®

1) all their testing of the color shift after X amount of hours of UV exposure with their ASTM E313 standard is fine, the problem is you don't mix a duribility test by throwing rocks at it and still consider it to be a valid ASTM E313 test.

2) Their use of "Visual Rating" doesn't seem based on anything but an opinion. With no details of the spectrophotemeter readings and method of testing, Its hard to discern how true results.

3) Another problem I see is their use of 3 types of venture films compared to 2 types of 3m films which certainly can affect the results when a scale of "best to worst" is used when only 2 brands are compared.


4) If you notice in their photos there are 2 different types of lights/spectrums in the photo, which can definitely affect the visual color differences in the films with a photograph.

Now I'm not saying ventureshield is not a good product, I'm just saying their comparison testing is questionable. Just trying to say that you should decide which to buy on reasons other than comparing specs.

[chefwong]

This is a subjective answer.
Similar to asking if you prefer a dyed, hybrid or ceramic tint. Each type has a different look & or/ performance to it.

Installation of precut/vs. custom is apples & oranges as well with PPF film.
Will they *polish* the paint to perfection before applying the film vs. just a PPF installer who will just clean the paint and apply.

Back on topic....each has it's pros/cons. If I had to have a choice I would choose the Llumar for clarity but I want a clearcoat that 3M puts on their film.

3M bought Venture afaik.

Consider the *installer* 70% of your decision when going with PPF. Film is important but installer is even moreso IMO.