Important update as of August 9, 2011
What is the difference between original 3M Scotchguard film and the genuine 3M Ventureshield film?
- Ventureshield (Venturetape Corp) film was 3M's leading competitor in the paint protection film market for decades. A more optically clear and better abrasion resistant film without the orange peel pattern in it like Scotchguard has. The company, Venturetape, was bought by 3M in the Fall of 2007. 3M acquired and now owns the Ventureshield film line and continues to manufacture and market it worldwide.
- Both films are high performance, high quality 8mil films. Chemically different but both providing stone chip protection. We feel, in our experience, as many pro installers in North American and Europe feel, that the 3M Ventureshield film looks more clear on a car and is better to work with when applying giving a better end looking result.
- KW PAINTSHIELD sells and installs for less using the quality 3M Ventureshield film. This does not mean it is a budget film or inferior one that is used. Truth be known, the cost to purchase a factory roll of either film is roughly the same, give or take a few dollars!
- We provide you with a proven stone chip protection film, a 3M brand, full parts and labour warranty and great service all at affordable prices. We want to give you good value at a price you can afford. There's nothing wrong with that right? We will never over-inflate our prices by suggesting our film (older Scotchguard generation) is better like some competitors do.
- If you are told the 3M Ventureshield film is a budget alternative (suggesting of less quality) you are being misled. It is not and hundreds of thousands of vehicle owners around the world would disagree. Many OEM car makers would disagree and so would thousands of professional installers, not just in North America but across the Globe.
- 3M Ventureshield OEM films have a nationwide full parts and labour warranty from the manufacturer.KW PaintShield is an authorized installer and thus you're warranty documentation is valid.
- KW PaintShield is an approved and authorized applicator for the 3M Ventureshield film through an established dealer network channel in the market place. With this, all film installations carry the manufacturer full parts and labour warranty throughout North America. We are not listed on the 3M website because our authorized applicator status is through the authorized and long established 3M Ventureshield OEM channels within Canada and USA. KW PaintShield's past 6 years of business operation in the Kitchener-Waterloo community is a testament to our customer service and quality with new vehicle owners.
- VentureShield has been tested and approved around the world with leading OEM’s such as Mercedes, Chrysler, Ford,
GM, Ferrari, Nissan and Volkswagen to name a few.
During Nissan and Mercedes testing, the leading competitors’ film was punctured with a nine-pound probe. VentureShield® was not punctured until 20 pounds of pressure was applied. Thus, the film is over 100 percent more abrasive resistant, meaning that your vehicle will not sustain paint damage.That's impressive and not a "budget" film performance at all!
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What is Paint Protection Film? Also referred to as PPF, clear shield, clear bra and chip guard, it's a high impact resistant, clear automotive film designed specifically to apply  to your vehicles vulnerable forward facing painted surfaces. Combining excellent elastic properties and optical clarity with a high shear and tack adhesive, 3M/Ventureshield is twice as stone resistant as the leading competitor.
Do you use Genuine 3M Ventureshield Films? Yes! KW PaintShield uses genuine 3M Ventureshield films which are available to us as an installer through authorized dealer channels. In 2007 3M purchased Ventureshield and it is now a 3M product. In doing so, 3M acquired Ventureshield's advanced film technology which is more optically clear (no orange peel pattern in the film) and elimated their primary competition in the marketplace. Both films are excellent and work well to defend your vehicle from stone chips. Ventureshield film is a 3M product and listed as such on their website.
Can PPF be washed and waxed? Yes, you may wash and wax your car as if it were not present. In fact, we suggest you do wax the PPF protective layer just the same as the rest of the car, to ensure against uneven fading of your car's paint.
If I sell my car, can PPF be removed? Yes. PPF uses a patented acrylic adhesive which can be safely removed from factory paint without residue, leaving your car looking as great as the day you bought it! But really why remove it? The next owner may appreciate having PPF on the car and see value in it when buying. Please note although PPF can be applied to repainted vehicles it cannot be removed and the manufacturer film warranty does not apply.
Will it diminish the appearance of my car? PPF will protect your car for years and remain virtually invisible. With regular washing and waxing, as any car owner should do, PPF will keep looking new.
Why is it needed now? My Dad's car didn't need it.
- Paints are different now than 20 years ago, and they are applied differently. Many of the environmentally unfriendly ingredients, such as lead, have been removed. Unfortunately, these ingredients are also what made paint more durable. Also, paints are applied much thinner now than in years past, being applied by computers. While this allows for greater initial quality, the thinner paint is far less durable
- Chrome-plated metal parts have disappeared. Where bright trim IS used, it is virtually always electro-plated plastic, which is vulnerable to stone chip damage.
- Headlights, formerly made of heavy, durable glass, are almost universally made of lightweight, super-clear plastic. While they are highly impact resistant, they are vulnerable to rock dings, scratches, and bug acids from everyday driving.
Is there any special care required for PPF? No! The only thing you need to do is wash and wax the car normally, using any good brand of automotive wash and wax (McGuirers, Turtle Wax etc). Clear or white waxes are highly recommended as coloured or dyed waxes (red, yellow, blue etc) may stain the film.
What does the warranty cover? The manufacturer's limited 5 year parts and labour warranty covers you against bubbling, peeling or lifts. Repair or replacement is at the sole discretion of KW PaintShield so long as the film failure is not due to misuse or abuse of the PPF. Normal PPF wear over the lifetime of the vehicle is not covered under any warranty.
How does 3M Ventureshield film compare to similar products? the 3M Ventureshield is distinctly smoother, clearer and stronger than other brands and original Scotchguard. It also has the benefit of being in use for the longest time specifically for automotive paint chip protection and has years of field testing and development behind it. The 3M Ventureshield stone chip film is among, if not the, strongest at deflecting rocks and road debris, without damage to your paint. Combined with the progressive technology top layer, it will last for years without loss of appearance combined with regular washing and waxing.
Why do I need this? With the gleaming finish of the paint intact, your automobile will retain more value at trade-in time! Additionally, you'll enjoy the beauty of the original finish while being able to drive and enjoy the car, without fear of stone chips (or dirt and de-icing road salt) year round, year after year. Don't let the slow degradation of your auto's appearance diminish your pride of ownership!
Do you use pre-cut patterns?
KW PaintShield uses computer cut kits as well provides custom installations. Custom installations from bulk PPF often provide greater coverage/protection than the kits do because more of the protection film can be utilized. The end result is the same though. The Paint Protection Film (PPF) will fit like a skin, look virtually invisible on the vehicle and do its job in protecting from stone chips.
How do your costs compare to competitors?
If you compare similar areas covered and amount of coverage, plus the fact that our prices are for the product installed, we feel we're very competitive. KW PaintShield offers quality product, installation at fair prices. The investment of having your $30,000-$60,000 vehicle protected with PPF is a small one over the lifetime you’ll own it. It’s also a cost effective investment when you consider the cost for autobody work, paint resprays and a better resale value.
Will it diminish or alter the appearance of my car?
Your 3M Ventureshield film (aka: Clear Bra or PPF) will protect your car for many years and remain virtually invisible. In fact, from 5 feet away, most people will never even know there is anything on the car! And, yet, you'll have the finest paint protection film available in place, with a complete parts and labour manufacturer’s warranty against bubbling, peeling, lifting or cracking from UV exposure.
Can chip guard film (paint protection film) be used to protect headlights? Yes! Due to the extreme optical clarity of PPF, it will not diminish light transmission from your headlights, while providing 100% protection. It will help prevent that cloudy/hazy look that can develop over time. We often install headlight protection for vehicle owners. Ask for it to be included in your vehicle protection package!
How long should I wait after painting the car before having PPF installed?
The guy at the body shop said I need to wait a month. Is this true?
Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer for this one. The guy at the body shop is trying to cover himself by insisting on a month to allow the paint to cure. However, we frequently install PPF over repairs that are only one or two days out of the paint shop, with no ill effects. PPF is 'gas permeable', meaning that the paint can continue to out-gas and cure without any adverse effects. All this being said though, because we have no control over how the prep work is done, how well the paint is applied, if and/or how long the paint is baked, etc., we cannot be liable for paint that lifts or might otherwise be damaged during the course of installation or removal. |
