Member Since: 17 Jun 2006
Location: Gauteng
Posts: 63
Protection of Body Paint
After reading an article given in "Leisure Wheels" about the new RR diesel being covered with plastic film supplied by Maizey Plastics to protect the body paint I decided to do some investigation. I contacted Maizey Plastics in Longmeadow, Johannesburg and got a sample of their "Promo Series" transparent plastic film which has an adhesive on one side. The main problem that if the film was left to long on the body, one week, it was difficult to remove as the glue stuck to hard to the body paint. The plastic film tore off leaving all the glue behind which I removed with paraffin. I then had a brilliant idea and that was to first apply car polish to the car body before attaching the film. I did not even wait for the polish to dry. The advantage of this is that if you make a mistake of putting on the film you can simply peel it off and reapply. After leaving it for a week I removed the film with ease leaving no glue behind. The big test came when we set off for Botswana for two and half weeks. It took me and my son 4 hours to lay the plastic film on both sides of the vehicle, with the polish underneath.
The big test for the plastic film was at third bridge which was a loop from the place they launched the motor boats down the channels back to camp which consisted of driving on a road where nearly all the bushes and dreaded thorn trees rubbed against the sides of the vehicle. The second test was the Passarge Valley loop which was hell as all the trees in one section covered the road completely and the car had to do some serious bundu bashing.
After coming back today I was nervous that I could not take the plastic film off, but to my surprise it came off with no effort at all leaving no glue behind. The beauty of it that the paint behind the plastic was clean and free of scratches. I would really recommend that anyone going in the bush gives this a try, it does require a bite of effort but well worth it. I have included photos of me taking off the plastic film as well as the product used. If you look closely. you will be able to see the wax layer behind the plastic film.
23rd Apr 2007 8:51 pm
Alfwarez
Member Since: 17 Jun 2006
Location: Gauteng
Posts: 63
By the way has anyone found a way to remove scratches from the plastic parts such as the wheel arches, door mirrors and plastic fittings on the sides of the doors and pillars.
23rd Apr 2007 9:21 pm
Baben
Member Since: 15 Feb 2006
Location: Kyalami
Posts: 2059
Sounds like a gret preventative step.
Wish I'd thought of this before venturing into the bush first time.
Woodmead carwash did a great job getting rid of most of my scratches, but the plastic remains all screwed up.
I can't think of any way to get rid of plastic damage except to replace the parts before you put the car up for sale.
24th Apr 2007 7:08 am
heine
Member Since: 07 Feb 2007
Location: Midrand
Posts: 4054
How much does this stuff cost ?
24th Apr 2007 9:59 am
Riegs
Member Since: 21 Jul 2006
Location: Gauteng
Posts: 3
Great Idea & I presume it will cost a lot less than the product offered by VPS. By the way what happened to the Rangie in your gallery?
24th Apr 2007 8:10 pm
Alfwarez
Member Since: 17 Jun 2006
Location: Gauteng
Posts: 63
Very expensive all of R12.00/m2. A hell of a lot cheaper than the Polyurethane film which they are presently advertising in all the 4x4 magazines.
24th Apr 2007 9:29 pm
Riegs
Member Since: 21 Jul 2006
Location: Gauteng
Posts: 3
Thanks for the reply!
I would really like to know what happened to the Range Rover Sport - stuck on the beach in PE?
25th Apr 2007 6:31 pm
Alfwarez
Member Since: 17 Jun 2006
Location: Gauteng
Posts: 63
He was in High Range Sand Mode with air suspension fully extended. By the time they got down there they had snapped 4 ropes. One tug with a snatch strap after breaking the suction with an air jack and he was out. The poor guy was so shocked he asked the rescuer to drive the Rangie off the beach with his 2 water bikes.
The reason I put this on the site is to show that their a lot off people who have 4X4's and think that they can go anywhere. The incident will cost him dearly in the end as its difficult to get rid of salt water completely. To give you more info is that the place is Port Elizabeth at Hobbie Beach. Its basically 20 to 30 long and people use it as a launch pad for jet skies and ski boats. A lot of 2X4 use it with no problem and I have even seen a Ford Granada launch jet skies from this site without incident. Its also a place where people get a kick off by been seen in their latest 4x4 especially when a lot of people are around. This ass must have gone down their with full tire pressures and to far into the sea think "hey look at me I have a RR" and "bang" with the result he got stuck.
25th Apr 2007 8:01 pm
STEVEGABS
Member Since: 19 Feb 2007
Location: GABORONE
Posts: 25
Just the thing I have been looking for (Apart from the magnetic stuff)
I presume the name on the photo insert is the name of the product?
How many meters to cover the D3 sides?
Is it on a standard length roll?
Is one layer good enough?
26th Apr 2007 1:19 pm
Alfwarez
Member Since: 17 Jun 2006
Location: Gauteng
Posts: 63
The product name is the one given on the photograph. The height of the roll is 60cm. I used 12m to cover both sides of the LR3. I don't know if this company is represent in your country. The product is made in Belgium. It is basically a SELF ADHESIVE VINYL SIGNAGE MATERIAL.
26th Apr 2007 10:07 pm
Alfwarez
Member Since: 17 Jun 2006
Location: Gauteng
Posts: 63
Sorry, forgot your last question. Yes one layer was found to be more than adequate to take on thorn bushes. If you are concerned you can always stick another layer on on top of the first film layer.
26th Apr 2007 10:10 pm
Alfwarez
Member Since: 17 Jun 2006
Location: Gauteng
Posts: 63
this product is supplied in whatever length a customer requires in South Africa, so the advantage one does not have to buy a whole roll, thus making it very cheap.
I just found a supplier here in the states and ordered some - I will report back - I ordered Silver to match my paint (I hope)David
'05 LR3 Zambezi Silver
ARB Bull Bar
Superwinch EP9.0
Rasta Sill Guards
Land Rover Raised Air Intake
Hannibal Roof Rack
Rear Access Ladder
27th Apr 2007 6:22 am
STEVEGABS
Member Since: 19 Feb 2007
Location: GABORONE
Posts: 25
Thanks
Have located similar product locally.
Will keep you informed
27th Apr 2007 7:05 am
heine
Member Since: 07 Feb 2007
Location: Midrand
Posts: 4054
I found a place that sells thin magnetic sheets in 6 m rolls - it's going to be a ache to cut to size , but at least it is reusable and easy to apply - I'll let you know how it goes
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this product is supplied in whatever length a customer requires in South Africa, so the advantage one does not have to buy a whole roll, thus making it very cheap.
ache to cut to size , but at least it is reusable and easy to apply - I'll let you know how it goes
