Okay, the film was applied to the new 745Li yesterday, by Bob Montgomery of APEC. He's been doing it for 3 years and has applied (and removed for demonstration) the stuff from his C-5. He uses patterns from X-pel, in San Antonio, which he feels are the best fitting. We had it applied to the entire front, including the headlights, plus the rear 'liftover' lip of the trunk. I'd like to wrap the whole car, expecially areas where small door digs, or stray fuel filler nozzles lurk, as a sacrificial surface.
We (he) chose a new product (there's at least 3) which is very high gloss, and which is virtually invisible on this shiny black paint. The 3M is good film, but is not as glossy (I saw it on the front of his Envoy). On certain colors and in certain areas of your car, this may not matter.
Avery makes adhesive film as does Lumar and VentureTape, which we chose. Cleartastic, I believe, is a static cling product. The adhesive types require heat and/or waxes to totally remove. The choice of tape varies on the application.
Each product has its strengths and weaknesses. Some stretch more to accomodate the complex curves of your car. One tends to separate from its adhesive when stretched too far. None will be totally undetectable as wax lines or reflections will reveal the edge, but this glossy VentureTape is very hard to see. The appication is very similar to window tinting, but exterior application typically has more complex curves, even more than the Vette rear glass.
I figure that I'd rather R&R the tape than repaint chips. The tape allows UV to pass, so the paint fades evenly. Being more porous than paint, it needs waxing as well.
Cost was $585 vs $700+ at the dealer. I appreciated Bob's honesty, skill and patience (experience), demonstrated in the application. He would have sold me a laser-cut kit for about $200 less.
