I use the Invisible Shield on my iPods, phones, computer, etc. My car is coated with 3M protective film. But when I look at used bikes on Ebay and whatnot, nobody ever talks about a protective film to keep the paint from chipping…but of course they all list the number of scratches and chips on the bike. Usually they even say “these chips and scratches are normal for Cervelo” or something similar.
Is the lack of mention of the protective films because no one uses it? Or, have I just missed out on this?
I for one don’t use it because I have no idea what you’re talking about. Are you saying you put an extra coat of clear paint on your bikes so that can chip before the original paint?
It is a clear vinyl product that protects the paint… I have it on both cars and use it on the bike. I apply it to areas that cables might rub and where I mount the speed and cadence sensors for the bike computer.
You can apply this stuff to anything. My installer just has giant rolls of it so I’m going to see if he’ll coat my bike, if my bike ever comes in. I’ll never have to worry about a scratch again!
I use the 3M product for autos. I bought a roll of it and cut out the appropriate sections for areas where either cables rub or scratches and chips are more common - such as outside of rear seat stays and the bottom of the down tube. My bike’s a mix of white with black carbon and the film is barely noticeable. It was pretty easy to do and a full roll will basically give you a lifetime supply, so even if you goof up a couple of sections you have plenty to replace them.
PM me if you want me to send you the full product name, code etc when I get home from work.
Ha ha, I thought someone would mention the added weight. I’m pretty sure it would weigh under 5 grams to cover the entire frame, lol.
Thanks for the offer on the film. I think I’m going to get my auto installer to do it. He is reasonably priced and coated angles on my car that I didn’t think were possible to cover in one large sheet.
To anyone wondering how this stuff performs on cars, if I pick up a ton of bugs I can just use a 3M green scrubber to get them off without worrying about the paint. Rocks are a joke…don’t do anything to my paint job. I’ve seen cheaper films pick up dings in the film from rocks (the dings show up as white spots on the film. which can then be removed and exchanged for a new coating.) On computers and iPod stuff the film is a requirement. I have never shown someone else a document on my computer without them sticking their fingers all over my screen. At first I went through a cringing phase, then I decided to ban people from doing it vocally, but now that I have the film I just wipe the screen down without worrying about getting scratches on it. I’m also now on a high fiber diet and feeling much better.
I have used these products from Bonk. They work great. I remove my cranks and tape up the frame and chainstay to protect it from damage when the chain drops off.
Also a nice layer on the underside of the downtube works wonders for stone chip protection.
Another 3M auto film user here. It’s great stuff, and the nice thing about it is that if you have to remove it, it comes off relatively clean - almost no mess to deal with (unlike packing tape and other stuff like that).
There is actually a better product than the 3M product. The 3M product has been known to yellow over time.
The other product is produced by a company that was bought out by 3M a year or so ago, but continues to operate separately.
Are you talking about the Rockblocker stuff? I have 3M and it hasn’t yellowed. I trust their branded stuff the most.
Your logic is backwards. I’m not saying that you should keep the bike in packing materials. I’m saying you should put something on it that the bike company, itself, should have done. Protect your paint job!
If it’s good enough for the leading edge of helicopter blades that the US military uses in the desert then it will probably protect your chain stay and top tube from scratches. That’s all I’m saying…
I actually convert both products, the 3M and the Venture. When Venture bought 3M, we assumed that it was for the Venture shield line.
I’m not saying that the 3M isn’t good, it is 3M. All I’m saying is that there is a better product.
Just finished putting 3M helicopter tape on my new p2c(looks like the guy applying the masking tape didn’t get the memo about it being a P2 now!). A little bit of patience, a hair dryer and a razor blade make it look just about invisible. I did the drive-side chainstay, the cutout, and the bottom of the fork crown. You have to get damn close to see it is there. Personally I think it looks cleaner than the fake carbon cover Cervelo sends w/ the frame.
