So I bought my 2009 Platinum and took delivery of it at the end of April that year. About a week or two later, I had the front end of it covered in 3M (applied by a professional, definitely worth it). Been driving the truck around for the past year, including a lot of offroading, with over 13k miles on the truck now. The front end is great but the entire truck got scratched to all hell down the entire length of it on both sides. Some were deep, some were very light. But it was the entire truck, front to rear and it hurt me every time I brushed against a bush while on the trail.

I finally went ahead and got the truck detailed yesterday (awesome job, all the scratches gone, suspension cleaned underneath so its now cleaner than when I bought it, and the interior done). With that being finished, I scheduled an appointment to get the majority of the rest of the truck covered in it. Just picked it up and it looks awesome.

What I have covered so far:

Entire front of truck and the first 2 feet of the hood
Mirror caps
Door handle interiors (where your finger nails would scratch it when pulling)
Front half of aftermarket fender flares on the rear
Front half of the front doors below the chrome molding
Both sides of the bed including gas cap door
All 4 doors from below the window to above the chrome molding

You can't even notice it's on there, except when the paint gets scratched. Before I got it done, you could see the front 3M had no marks and then exactly where it ended, the scratches started on the paint at the seem. Now the scratches are gone, and the paint is protected. Now time to go hit the trails again!! (once it gets dirty on its own haha; I ain't wasting that detail!!)

 

You have some pic's?

 

Not much to take pics of since it is clear, but I can try and get some tomorrow to show the truck from far away, and different distances to show you can't see it. I'll can even do some close ones to show the edges of it.

 

I thought of doing the 3M, but when the price was climbing to like $500 for the regular package I was thinking it wasnt worth it. That and the fact the 3M only last 5 to 7 years before it starts yellowing and peeling, and I plan on keeping this truck for at least 10 years. How much have you ended up spending on the basic coverage and then the additional wrapping? Ive got a local tint shop that applies the 3M as well.

 

X2 on the cost... I'm interested as well. But does it really only last 5 years??

 

It ain't cheap, but I have not heard or seen anything about it only lasting 5-7 years. I plan on keeping this truck definitely for at least 10 years. Like I said, I had it professionally applied, and he would calculate it out and then tell me the price he would charge. I'm not sure if I got a deal on it, but these are the prices I paid:

Front of truck with mirror caps: $700
Sides of bed with part of flares covered: $500
4 Doors below windows and front half below moulding: $600

Total: $1800

I know a full vinyl wrap tho is around $5000 according to Leo...

 

$1800 will by you a nice paint job. Scratch it up then re-paint.

 

$1800, might as well get it repainted, custom paint at that, maybe a nice fade. I was told by an installer that in 5 to 7 years is when cracking, fading, bubling, yellowing can occur. Thats prob why the warranty is 5 years for it. 3m website says it has something in it that RESIST yellowing.

 

I don't know anyone that will repaint a vehicle this large for $1800. Hell, just to get my aftermarket fender flares paint matched cost me $300. An entire truck for $1800....I'll believe that when a professional auto painter quotes me that

 

Easy... find a retired autobody guy who still does work on the side. The overhead of an autobody shop is ridiculous.

 

Most of it is labor, do most of the prep work yourself, save alot of money.

 

I have absolutely no experience with any kind of paint work of any sort. I'm not about to try my hand on a truck this expensive as my first try. Good idea tho for someone that has done it before..

 

I've seen on lundinternational.com they have a line of "seemless blackout" pieces coming. The aeroskin has been out for a while. They will now also have pieces for upper & lower bumper skin, rocker panels etc... No work on when its out though.

 

It would prob not be repainted for at least like 10 years, by then shouldnt
feel so new...lol. Id like to hear from people who have had it on 5 plus years and see how its doing. Might be worth the rocker panel and front
area. For now im going to have to stick to the touch up pen. So far so good though,keep a good coat of wax on it, that helps.

 

For sure, I get it waxed every other wash. It really does seem to help. I've had it on the front for over a year now, and looks as good as the parts that got put on 2 days ago. I'll let y'all know how its holding up in 4 years....haha