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Purchasing and Installation |
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Q. |
Can I purchase
Scotchgard™ Paint Protection Film
directly from 3M? |
| A. |
3M sells larger rolls of
film to selected 3M Authorized Distributors
and Converters and not to end consumers. 3M
does not manufacture vehicle-specific film
kits nor does 3M install kits on consumer
vehicles.
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| Q. |
How much does it cost to
have Scotchgard™ Paint Protection
Film installed on my vehicle? |
| A. |
This is a question for your
professional installer. There are many makes
and models of cars, trucks, RVs and boats.
On personal vehicles Scotchgard™
Paint Protection Film is most often used to
cover the front portion of the hood. 3M film
is also commonly applied to painted bumpers,
mirror backs, truck bed rails, door handle
inserts, door edges, rocker panels, mirror
backs, wheel openings, etc. Any painted
surface of a car, truck, van, SUV, RV, boat
or motorcycle that is susceptible to bug
damage and rock chips can be covered with
paint protection film. Since the amount of
film required and difficulty of application
will vary by vehicle model, 3M suggests you
contact professional installers near you for
their recommendations and price quotes. |
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| Q. |
Can I install Scotchgard™
Paint Protection Film myself? |
| A. |
3M strongly recommends that
Scotchgard™ Paint Protection Film be
installed by a fully trained and certified,
professional installer. These are skilled
installers in applying the film around
compound curves, challenging grillwork,
wheel openings, bumpers and all other areas
on today's vehicles. |
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| Q. |
How can I get additional
information about Scotchgard™ Paint
Protection Film? |
| A. |
Many professional
installers have extensive experience and can
answer your questions or browse this website
for information on Scotchgard™ Paint
Protection Film and a listing of
professional installers. |
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Maintenance and Removal |
| Q. |
Will Scotchgard™
Paint Protection Film harm the painted
surface if the film is removed? |
| A. |
If the film is properly
applied to a fully cured painted vehicle, it
can be removed, usually in one piece,
without damaging paint surfaces beneath the
film. |
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| Q. |
Can Scotchgard™
Paint Protection Film be applied over a
vehicle that has had the paint touched up? |
| A. |
3M recommends that any
repainted surfaces on your vehicle be
professionally painted and fully cured
before applying paint protection film. If
you have touched up scratches or chips with
a tube of "touch-up" paint and then apply
paint protection film over it, the film will
protect that area until it is removed. If
the paint protection film is removed, it is
possible that the area around the
non-professional touch-up paint could peel
off. |
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| Q. |
Will the paint smear if
Scotchgard™ Paint Protection Film is
applied over a newly painted vehicle? |
| A. |
The paint on a newly
painted vehicle must be cured according to
manufacturer's recommendations. Your body
shop should be able to provide you with this
information. |
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| Q. |
Can you paint or apply a
clearcoat over the Scotchgard™ Paint
Protection Film? |
| A. |
No, this is not recommended
and is at your own risk. 3M film is supplied
with an OEM-approved clearcoat which is not
formulated to be over-printed, painted or
clearcoated. |
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| Q. |
Can I cover the whole
vehicle with Scotchgard™ Paint
Protection Film? |
| A. |
It is possible, but the
application would be difficult and
expensive. This product is really intended
for the most vulnerable areas of the
vehicle. |
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| Q. |
Can Scotchgard™
Paint Protection Film be applied over
graphics? |
| A. |
The clear film will not
interfere with vinyl or painted graphics and
is designed to match the gloss levels of
today's automotive factory clearcoat paint
systems, providing virtually invisible
protection. However, if the Scotchgard™
Paint Protection Film is removed, damage may
occur to the underlying graphic during the
removal process. |
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| Q. |
Can Scotchgard™
Paint Protection Film be used on headlights,
foglights or windshields? |
| A. |
No, it does not meet the
Department of Transportation's standards for
optical clarity. |
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| Q. |
Does Scotchgard™
Paint Protection Film stick to bumpers? |
| A. |
Yes. |
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| Q. |
Does Scotchgard™
Paint Protection Film stick to plastic? |
| A. |
Yes. |
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| Q. |
Can Scotchgard™
Paint Protection Film be used on boats or
other watercraft? |
| A. |
Yes. Marine requirements
are different than automotive, so it is
important to contact your 3M
Dealer/Installer for information on these
applications. |
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| Q. |
Can Scotchgard™
Paint Protection Film be used on aircraft? |
| A. |
Aircraft requirements are
completely different than automotive, so it
is important to contact your 3M
Dealer/Installer for information on these
applications. |
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| Q. |
Can Scotchgard™
Paint Protection Film to used for signs? |
| A. |
The film would probably
stick, but you would need to test any
specific application. 3M has no specific
testing data for signs, so no warranty can
be offered. |
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| Q. |
Does Scotchgard™
Paint Protection Film resist yellowing? |
| A. |
Yes, it resists yellowing
because the film is constructed of
thermoplastic urethane, a tough, conformable
material that is covered by a clear coat
layer. The film and clear coat layers
contain UV protectants to counteract harmful
ultraviolet rays that can cause yellowing. |
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| Q. |
Does Scotchgard™
Paint Protection Film come in colors? |
| A. |
Scotchgard™ Paint
Protection Film is available only as a clear
film. This feature makes the film virtually
invisible while protecting the beauty of
your vehicle. |
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| Q. |
How is Scotchgard™
Paint Protection Film maintained? |
| A. |
Once applied, refrain from
washing the vehicle in an automated car wash
for 24 hours. Washing after that time
presents no problem, and no special care
need be taken for the film. |
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| Q. |
Can I use wax over
Scotchgard™ Paint Protection Film? |
| A. |
Yes. When waxing the
vehicle, some wax may build up along the
film edges. This can easily be removed when
dry with a soft cloth, such as a 3M™
High Performance Cloth. Do not use any waxes
containing dyes or waxes that are not
recommended for urethanes. Abrasive polishes
and/or rubbing compounds are not to be used. |
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| Q. |
What products does 3M
recommend to best maintain Scotchgard™
Paint Protection Film? |
| A. |
3M makes a variety of
products to help maintain the beauty of your
vehicle. 3M™ Car Wash Soap (3M Part
#39000), 3M™ Show Car Paste Wax (3M
Part #39526 and 3M™ Perfect-It Show
Car Liquid Wax (3M Part #39026). The best
surface cloth to use is the 3M™
Perfect-IT™ III Detailing Cloth (3M
Part #39016) since others may scratch the
surface of the film. |
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| Q. |
How is Scotchgard™
Paint Protection Film removed? |
| A. |
If desired, film can be
removed at any time by picking up a corner
of the film and pulling the film off the
vehicle surface at a 90-degree angle. If the
film has been present a long time, or if the
film and vehicle are cold, a heat gun or
hair dryer may be used to soften the
adhesive, allowing easier removal. If any
adhesive remains on the vehicle after
removal of the film, it can be removed by
using 3M™ General Purpose Adhesive
Cleaner (3M Part #08984), according to the
package directions. |
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| Q. |
If Scotchgard™
Paint Protection Film is removed from the
vehicle, can it be re-used? |
| A. |
Once the film has been
applied and set, the adhesive will not stick
a second time. |
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| Q. |
After Scotchgard™
Paint Protection Film has been removed, how
do I get any excess adhesive off my vehicle? |
| A. |
If any adhesive remains on
the vehicle after removal of the film, it
can be removed by using 3M™ General
Purpose Adhesive Cleaner (3M Part #08984),
according to the package directions. |
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| Q. |
What if Scotchgard™
Paint Protection Film is installed
incorrectly? |
| A. |
Contact your Scotchgard™
Paint Protection Film Professional Installer
immediately. |
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Warranty |
| Q. |
What is the Scotchgard™
Paint Protection Film warranty? |
| A. |
3M warrants that Scotchgard™
Paint Protection Film will be free of
defects in materials and manufacture —
including yellowing, bubbling, or cracking —
or five (5) years from date of purchase.
This warranty does not apply to damage
caused by misuse, accident, misapplication,
or ordinary wear, nor does it apply to dents
caused by physical impact of rocks or road
debris. Some installers may choose to offer,
on their own behalf, different or additional
warranties or remedies, beyond the warranty
and limited remedies offered by 3M. |
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| Q. |
How do I make a warranty
claim? |
| A. |
To make a claim under this
warranty, simply contact 3M at
1-800-643-0955. You must have your warranty
card to validate your warranty. 3M will
direct you to an installer selected by 3M to
have your Scotchgard Paint Protection Film
inspected and, if your claim is covered by
this Warranty, 3M will have the installer
removed the old and reapply new Scotchgard
Paint Protection Film.
Remedies and Limitations: The 3M warranty
and limited remedies stated in this document
are exclusive and is made in place of all
other express or implied warranties,
including any implied warranty of
merchantability or fitness for a
particular purpose. 3M shall not be liable
for any other damages or costs, including
incidental or consequential damages, arising
out of the use of inability to use
Soctchgard paint Protection Film or any
vehicle to which it has been applied. |
