3M "Paint Defender System" - anybody tried this stuff?

Dear V-8 Buick lovers of our beautiful paint finishes (and isn't that all of us?)

While cruising a recent issue of Car Craft, I came across an ad for a 3M automobile product that seemed a bit odd, but perhaps worthwhile. It is called: "Paint Defender System." Here is a link to the 3M page describing the product:

http://3mauto.com/products/paint-defender/

Basically it is some sort of clear film that you put on top of areas that are at most risk of impact from things like rocks, sand, and stuff like that. Here is an image from the 3M website showing a possible use - protecting the front of the hood area much like those ugly black "bras" do for some modern cars:



When this surface has become worn by all those projectiles that would have otherwise damaged your paint, you can simply remove it and apply another layer. Here is an example again from the website:



You apply this product much like spray paint from a can. You need to mask off areas that you don't want coated with this stuff. Then you can use their special application handle to make the job easier (and make them a little more dough I suppose.)

I'm not sure how easy it would be use on our classic cars. My trusty wagon has hood lettering and a hood ornament that would right in the region to be sprayed. I don't know if you can apply this stuff to chrome and be able to remove it later. If you could this would be really great! I'm trying to restore a hood ornament now and I can clearly see that this poor thing has been "particle blasted" by road debris. Even if it isn't something for classic cars, it might be interesting for modern daily-drivers.

Anybody tried this stuff? Anyone know about some obvious problems with it? . . . . . . . . . .

Opinions solicited!! :Smarty:

Cheers, Edouard :beer

 

I saw that commercial. Paint needs to breathe. Not sure what it would do to the paint.

 

I just saw that ad today as well, it says "tape off and apply" so my guess is you don't want it on any chrome pieces.

 

From what I saw on the commercial it sprays on. Some kind of elastic polymer I guess.