3M paint defender

[gurowar]

Good day all, I was just wondering has anyone heard of and tried
3m's paint defender? I live here in Chicago so salt season has started
I was washing off the salt the other day and saw a chip in my paint.
I don't have the time right now to fix this and am worried if I leave
as is the salt will get to it and I will get a rust spot. I was thinking
of covering it up with 3ms paint defender till the spring where I can
take care of it. Any thoughts on this?

 

[MegaMouseGW]

Well Although I have not heard of this I did a bit of research for you. First it seems like it would be a good idea. Several sites I looked at says it does what it advertises and protects the paint from chipping due to rocks and other things that can destroy your paint. Which is a good thing.
Now as far as the chip you already have in your paint this is what I recommend: before you use the 3m paint defender (I can recommend it due to what I read up on it), clean the spot real well making sure that there is no rust in it yet, using a god etching spray primer use that to cover the chip and a small part of the surrounding area, mask off a small square about 2" from the chip and put a light coat of the primer on that spot. That will protect it much better than just the 3m stuff. If you feel like it you then can put one coat of paint over the primer but it is not totally necessary. After the primer/paint has completely dried, then apply the 3m pain defender.

Maybe someone else will chime in about this but the above is how I would do it.

 

[chedched]

We sell the 3M paint protection here at my work. We have a "plotter" which allows us to cut for almost any vehicle. I have seen real good outcomes with it here. The tricky part is finding someone who knows what they are doing when they install it. The person applying it can have a big impact on the finished product. We have one guy here who does them almost all day. If you feel like taking a trip to Madison, let me know, I can hook you up.

 

[gurowar]

Looks like I will not need paint defender anymore, I actually went out and got it and was getting ready to apply it. I saw one or 2 bubbles and like a dummy I poked it to make a long story short I put a hole in my rear wheel fender. I know this isn't a great job but had to do something till the summer where I can do it properly ended up just doing a hack job to hold me over. this is the best I can do for a cold winter day in chicago.

 

[NYCruiser]

Um…..that looks like worse problems than a paint chip.

 

[gurowar]

Yeah it started out that way and when i was going to
Apply the paint defender i noticed a few
Bubbles so i poked at it. To make a long
Story short i ended up with a hole. So i cleaned
Out what i could and did a hack job for now
To hold me over till summer to where i
Can do a better job.

 

[NYCruiser]

If you like that truck you're going to want to cut out the rusty parts and replace with metal. Then paint.

 

[MegaMouseGW]

If you like that truck you're going to want to cut out the rusty parts and replace with metal. Then paint.

I can agree with the above. That looks a lot worse that what you originally described. A visit to a body shop may be in order to get it right if you do not feel comfortable cutting up your truck. Have them look over your truck to see if there are anymore spots that are suspect (while you are present), and have them show you them. The cost will be worth it to extend the life of your truck.

 

[gurowar]

Darn I was hoping no one would say that but I guess your right looks like
I'm headed to the body shop to get it taken cared of. I don't have the equipment or knowledge to do all that so anyone know of a good body shop
in the Chicago area? Particularly out west by Naperville?

 

[MegaMouseGW]

Sorry dude but I am from Slidell Louisiana. Wish I could help on the Chicago front.

 

[gurowar]

No worries thanks guys for your input, much appreciated!!! Have a Happy New Year!!