Is there any product superior to Stonegard? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

m5monster · 4th November 2002, 20:43

How is your experience with Stonegard? How much is it? Is there a better product?

rebel1 · 5th November 2002, 00:26

I have stonguard. I recommend the following prior to installing it
1. Do a thorough detail to remove all the swirls etc, in the finish first. Otherwise they show throgh and there's nothing that can be done about it.
2. After installation tape off the edges before using polish. Otherwise the edge catches the wax and it is hard to get it off.
3. Dont put on the door guards, they are the worst at this (refer to #2)
Also make sure a real pro puts it on, it's tricky.

My impressions of the product are good. It certainly helps alot. I also have the headlight and fog light guards too. All have protected my baby's fine exterior. I would definetly recommend this product.

Good luck!

As to price try this email
wlshores@aol.com

01M5 · 5th November 2002, 00:46

I have Stongard and am pretty happy with it. The most important thing is the experience of the installer. I asked the regional distributor who his best guy is and went to him. The installer even cut some custom pieces for more coverage.

Rebel1 is right about the wax. It's a pain to get off the edges so be careful.

After watching the Mischief 3000 DVD where people ruined front end paint from high-speed driving, I'm glad I got it.

bgomez · 5th November 2002, 01:08

m5monster: I just had the clearbra put on my 996tt. Bumper,hood strip,front fender corners, headlights, and mirrors. I have used the same guy for four of my previous cars and it does help a lot. Unfortunately, the hood piece is most noticeable on dark colors. I paid $828. On the M5 it was only $375. According to him the kit for the 996tt is more expensive and it is more difficult to install. This was the first time he had someone else help him so I guess, and I am hoping, it's not just because the car cost more! Either way I wouldn't be with out it.

Man does your new Aston Martin look beautiful!!!!! I love the interior combination! Please let us know how it drives and more pictures!!!!
Thanks, Bill

Stem · 5th November 2002, 03:17

I've been very happy with Armourfend. I put it on the M-5 and the 996. Wasn't cheap. Got the full coverage (includes strip below trunk lip--on the top of the bumper). Was happy enough to get it on the Porsche within days of picking up the car.

atomic80 · 5th November 2002, 05:37

You should also be aware that for the most part all of these different companies out there all use the same 3M material. The difference comes down to the installer/method used by the various companies. I found Stongard to be the best this way since they don't use any knife near the car. All the pieces are precision cut by a plotter machine after they're designed by the computer using dimensions taken from a 3D model of the car. I highly recommend this approach. They were even able to come up with custom pieces for my car this way too. Big thumbs up from me.

$350 for the full kit on the M5. They did tell me that its considerably more for a 996TT because of the difficult contours on the front end.

I also echo the sentiments mentioned above about "preparing" your car for the Stongard treatment. However, one thing I disagree about is the fact that its more visible on darker colored cars. I found that it shows up more on a brighter colored car than a dark one. My brother has a titanium silver X5 and I can clearly see the lines whereas on my M5 I could barely tell that the Stongard is in place.

bgomez · 5th November 2002, 05:52

Hey Jason,
I had heard the same thing that in fact 3m makes the material and it is just marketed differently under different names. The clearbra brand is also precut. For some reason on the Carbon Black M5 I had, the hood piece was more reflective than the rest of the hood and thus made it more visible. Because of this I ended up taking that piece off. On Essa's(friend of mine that you met at the DE)Basalt Black 996tt it looks ok. Either way I would drive a car like ours without it.
Bill

Bart Carter · 5th November 2002, 06:00

Last year at SEMA, I attended a 3M class on installation of the product.

There I met all kinds of distributors for the product. They all use the 3M material and their label.

The quality of the application makes the difference. Some people don't care, some don't have the skill. The 3M stuff is great.

atomic80 · 5th November 2002, 06:05

Bill,

I guess it depends on how its laid out on the surface on the car. I thought that it was very well hidden on my car. To tell you the truth, I'd much rather have the semi-invisibility nature of the Stongard than an ugly black autobra.

I was also under the impression that it would be less visible on a silver car too. Imagine my surprise when I saw the results on my old ML55. I could clearly see it in place.

m5monster · 5th November 2002, 09:18

Thanks gentlemen.

Your experiences and comments are greatly appreciated. After analyzing your comments and weighing heavily those who had Stongard on I have decided to go ahead and do it before delivery.

I conclude the following needs to be done:
1. Have someone experienced do the installation. Installer skill is the single most important factor to successful job done.
2. Avoid knife cut, imperative to use laser cut
3. On my black car, which there is 50-50% chance of showing white edge. I will ask installer to cover the surface per entire body panel. In my case, since the 'bumper' panel extends up to front of 'hood' surface, this panel will be covered, leaving the entire hood surface exposed.
4. Ask if installer can do custom cut for my car, upon checking their website, Stongard does not have a pre-cut version.

Jason, I've got the phone number, I will call Stongard tomorrow to find out if they can do custom cut and out of the house.