Picking up a new Cayman S tomorrow (it'll be a stablemate to the S2000) and I'm looking to get some 3M vinyl on the front bumper, headlights, lower hood and mirrors. Normally I don't bother with it (the S2K doesn't have any), but for resale somewhere down the road it may be worth doing on the Cayman. Dealer prices are just plain silly, and I don't have any personal experience with the shops in town that do it. Can anyone here make a recommendation based on personal experience?

 

I took my NSX to Auto Abscessed this summer and they did an excellent job of preparing the paint before the 3M was applied.
I would recommend them.

 

Thanks Warshan. What did they do to the paint before applying the 3M? Was additional prep required because you were applying the vinyl to paint that had a few chips already, or was it just normal prep work? Mind me asking how much they charged?

 

They insured all wax and contaminates were removed / stripped from the paint first. Most shops just clean and apply. If there is wax or anything else on the car, it is under the 3M, only to be there forever and affect the 3M adhesion.

 

I believe auto obsessed brings in outside people to do their 3M work though. Car Pretty has good reviews, I am going to be taking my Raptor to them.

 

Geo, are you going to trek up to Edmonchuck to do this? I doubt it. Go see the guys at Shadow Tinting just off Macleod Tr. S. They do many cars for several new car dealers. I've had many of my cars done by them and I buy the product in kit form from them to do myself. (No, I won't do your car for you. It's just too much work and I can't give you any guarantee.) If in doubt, ask who the Porsche dealer uses. They're not going to trust their cars to some Yahoo that has no good history.
Even if you do go to Auto Obsessed, if they contract to outside jobbers, you will never know what you're getting. The good job that was done last year may turn out to be the crap job they do this year. Know that there are different types and grades of 3M. There is a kind that will yellow within months but is easy to install. Then there's the more difficult kind to install but will last a decade without any fading. There's thick stuff and thin stuff. There's installers that will do many, many relief cuts to make it fit and those who have the expertise to do a complete wrap around and reduce the cuts to a minimum. Shadow Tinting does it all in-house. They even have a commercial shop where they train installers from all over Alberta, including their own.

Another option ................ check out Trimline. I think their in the NE. A buddy in the car club did his ISF there. Did a great job. A bit more money than Shadow because they do a custom fit. Shadow does a lazer kit from a software program.

 

Thanks Dave. No, not heading to Edmonton...want to get it done here. The dealer was way overpriced IMO, and it's apparently the same shop that did the pre-delivery detail which was nothing to write home about. I agree that as with most jobs of this sort, the skill of the installer is more important than the "reputation" of the shop. I'll take a run over to Shadow tinting and have a chat with them, then follow up with a visit to Trimline. BTW, when I was doing my research, I ran across a post of yours from a few years back on a Pcar forum (Planet9?) ...looked like you were thinking about a Cayman yourself at one point. I'm confident that with the LSD and good winter tires, the CS will be a capable winter ride. And for those few SERIOUS snow and ice days, I've still got the S2000 on its Blizzaks. :

 

Yes, when I was still working, I was thinking of getting rid of the S2000 and buying a Cayman S. After talking a bit with a friend in Idaho, who had bought one while still keeping his supercharged S2000, I kept stalling on the decision. By the time I stopped working, I couldn't justify the added expense of switching cars nor the high cost of maintenance 2 years down the road. So far, the S2000 has been completely serviced and maintained by me. I don't know that I could do that with a CS. I'm likely to keep the S for a while now. It serves me well and I know almost every nut and bolt on it.
I used to know the guy who started Shadow Tinting. I was one of his first customers. Haven't talked to him is along time now. Can't remember his name anymore. I think he and his brother split the commercial and retail parts of the business. You're probably looking at about 500 bucks for full frontal coverage unless they see "Porsche" coming, then they could also see dollar signs in their eyes. Trimline is likely the higher priced of the two. Don't worry about the "preparation". When I used to do my own, I'd Zaino (synthetic polish) the whole car before putting on the film. I felt this protected the paint from the adhesive on the film. It's been 12 years now and it's never been a problem. If they tell you it costs more because of their special prep work, take it with a huge grain of salt. As long as it's clean before they install the film, you're car will be fine. The part of my carbon fiber hood that's covered with film is perfect. The part that isn't covered has to be re-clear coated every 2 to 3 years due to the radiant heater in my garage. Think of it as "sun block" for CF.

 

LOL...I'll certainly press anyone who claims they have a "special preparation process." The reality is that this car isn't going to be a garage queen, so it's going to get some road rash over the years as a daily driver. Personally, I don't get fussed about a couple of chips in a car's paint (I've found Dr. Colorchip does a pretty fair job of filling all but major dings).

 

AKA .............. "Surcharge for gullible people"

PS, the actual 3M film, when lazer cut into a kit, retails for about $200.00. Given the markup in that industry, I'll bet their cost is under $100.00. The rest is ............... you guessed it .... "labour" and PROFIT!