Super Secret Project...

GammaZeta · 04-15-2012, 02:46 PM

I was working with a professional vendor that specializes in decals for cars to make something for the stone guards, similar to the magnetic ones I used to have for the Z3M.

Well, obviously magnetic wouldn't work, so after a few back and forths, many emails, some measurements, mailing rubbings, etc., I put on the very first fitting.

Keep in mind that this is the FIRST fitting from an estimated cutting. The only vinyl thick enough to prevent rock chips was a carbon fiber he had in stock...really high quality and really, really nice looking. Not some cheap stuff. There would be more options in the future but it would require ordering additional, special vinyl. The CF doesn't look cheap at all, which is what I was initially afraid of.

Here is the first draft, let me know what you think:

inTgr8r · 04-15-2012, 03:31 PM

Sorry....
Its thumbs down for me

Rated M Roadster · 04-15-2012, 03:40 PM

That's terrible.

DataStream18 · 04-15-2012, 05:31 PM

Isn't that what mudflaps (all be it small ones) are for?

GammaZeta · 04-15-2012, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DataStream18

Isn't that what mudflaps (all be it small ones) are for?

There was still some rock chipping going on in that area.

gferil · 04-15-2012, 06:15 PM

In my opinion looks out of place, but if you like it then great way to protect the skirts! Personally for me to want to put it on they would have to be completely clear like a clear bra.

gtMc · 04-15-2012, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gferil

In my opinion looks out of place, but if you like it then great way to protect the skirts! Personally for me to want to put it on they would have to be completely clear like a clear bra.

Gamma, does a clear bra film applied to that same area not work well enough for what you need?

ZStig · 04-15-2012, 08:06 PM

no me gusta

Finnegan · 04-15-2012, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtMc

Gamma, does a clear bra film applied to that same area not work well enough for what you need?

+1

GammaZeta, it's creative, but I just don't like the look. Sorry.

BlackMoupe · 04-15-2012, 09:24 PM

try imitating the stone guards popular on Z3M's. This style isn't doing it.

GammaZeta · 04-15-2012, 10:07 PM

Thanks for the input. Looks like this is strike one.

GammaZeta · 04-16-2012, 06:54 AM

So do you think it needs to be smaller? Maybe without the front facing lip section?

spr_bimmer · 04-16-2012, 06:56 AM

i would put these on to protect my paint but only because my car is black and you wouldnt be able to see it...

inTgr8r · 04-16-2012, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GammaZeta

So do you think it needs to be smaller? Maybe without the front facing lip section?

Honestly; as far as producing a product for others.... I just can't see it working in any solid vinyl format size or shape.
Now, if you were to make something in clearbra/stone guard, some might be interested.

For a clearbra kit, I'd make it cover the whole area. (to edges of body panel)

The problem with a clearbra kit is that there are so many others out there doing it, I'm not sure how marketable a rear fender kit would actually be.
FWIW, On my old roadster I had the entire lower panel done front to back and it worked great.

GammaZeta · 04-16-2012, 08:24 AM

I'm not looking to develop a product to sell, just something that would help the Z community with a problem I have had with the rock chips. The original stone guards for the Z3M were done by an old forum member originally.

What about a color-matched stone guard resembling more traditional guards?

The problem with a clear guard is that for most of us, there is already some visible damage. A solid guard would be able to hide the damage and prevent future damage.

inTgr8r · 04-16-2012, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GammaZeta

I'm not looking to develop a product to sell, just something that would help the Z community with a problem I have had with the rock chips. ..............
The problem with a clear guard is that for most of us, there is already some visible damage. A solid guard would be able to hide the damage and prevent future damage.

Yes that can be an issue.
That's why I did them on my roaster (bought new) and not my coupe (bought used).

3002 tii · 04-16-2012, 11:00 AM

I have clear ones that I cut out using 3M material. Great for track days but I wouldn't do anything other than clear...

Kgolf31 · 04-16-2012, 11:11 AM

That looks awful. Sorry.

I have Venture Shield in that area. Didn't want to go that much coverage, but this is how it looks:

GP20 · 04-16-2012, 02:39 PM

My M's entire side-skirts are clear-bra'd. One of the best maintenance/protection investments I made for the car. After 3 years they're still in great shape. I'll do this for all my future cars.

gtMc · 04-16-2012, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GammaZeta

The problem with a clear guard is that for most of us, there is already some visible damage. A solid guard would be able to hide the damage and prevent future damage.

Ah now I see your point in trying the solid color angle.

For me, I too would rather give it a touch up or respray, wait a few months and then 3M clear bra the entire side skirt. But, above is a very good reason you have for wanting to come up with this regardless...

mousitch · 04-16-2012, 11:21 PM

Im just gonna get the AM side skirts and then have them clear guarded. Gives me an excuse to get the aftermarket skirts:thumsu

04-15-2012, 02:46 PM	#1
GammaZeta Captain 59 Rep 862 Posts Drives: 1 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ma iTrader: (1)	Super Secret Project... I was working with a professional vendor that specializes in decals for cars to make something for the stone guards, similar to the magnetic ones I used to have for the Z3M. Well, obviously magnetic wouldn't work, so after a few back and forths, many emails, some measurements, mailing rubbings, etc., I put on the very first fitting. Keep in mind that this is the FIRST fitting from an estimated cutting. The only vinyl thick enough to prevent rock chips was a carbon fiber he had in stock...really high quality and really, really nice looking. Not some cheap stuff. There would be more options in the future but it would require ordering additional, special vinyl. The CF doesn't look cheap at all, which is what I was initially afraid of. Here is the first draft, let me know what you think:
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04-15-2012, 03:31 PM	#2
inTgr8r Lieutenant General 2432 Rep 11,667 Posts Drives: M2 Comp Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (10)	Sorry.... Its thumbs down for me __________________ '21 M2C Hockenheim Silver '18 718 Cayman S Lava Orange (sold) '13 E92 M3 Santorini Blue (sold) '07 Z4 M Coupe Alpine White (sold)
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04-15-2012, 03:40 PM	#3
Rated M Roadster Captain 160 Rep 892 Posts Drives: F10 M5, i3, Z4M Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: PDX iTrader: (9)	That's terrible. __________________ CURRENT ll F10 M5 l E85 Z4MR l I01 i3 REX SOLD ll E70 X5M l E85 Z4MR VF570 l E36/7 Z3MR l E36 328i
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04-15-2012, 05:31 PM	#4
DataStream18 Lieutenant 45 Rep 556 Posts Drives: 2003 ESS TS1 Z4 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Muskegon, Mi iTrader: (0) Garage List 2004 ESS Supercharg ... [4.00]	Isn't that what mudflaps (all be it small ones) are for? __________________ TS2/Cat-Less Headers/Jet Hot Coating 2000/CF Engine covers & Oil Cap/RPi Scoop/Matte Black Grills/H&R Sport Springs/15mm Spacers Rear/12mm Spacers Front/Flowmaster 40 series/Alcantara Shift Boot/CF Vinyl wrap/SPEC Stage 2+ clutch/8 Lbs Fly wheel/ZHP Shift knob/Hawk HPS Pads/Cross Drilled/Slotted Rotors/Performance Pedal Set/Stewart water pump Love is like a fart; if you have to force it, it's probably shit.
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04-15-2012, 06:15 PM	#6
gferil Captain 30 Rep 740 Posts Drives: 06 Z4MC Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (6)	In my opinion looks out of place, but if you like it then great way to protect the skirts! Personally for me to want to put it on they would have to be completely clear like a clear bra.
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04-15-2012, 08:06 PM	#8
ZStig instagram 997turbotom 279 Rep 7,377 Posts Drives: Interlagos Z4MR Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Delray Beach, FL iTrader: (4)	no me gusta __________________
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04-15-2012, 09:24 PM	#10
BlackMoupe Mouper 114 Rep 1,064 Posts Drives: _____ Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: _____ iTrader: (1)	try imitating the stone guards popular on Z3M's. This style isn't doing it.
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04-15-2012, 10:07 PM	#11
GammaZeta Captain 59 Rep 862 Posts Drives: 1 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ma iTrader: (1)	Thanks for the input. Looks like this is strike one.
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04-16-2012, 06:54 AM	#12
GammaZeta Captain 59 Rep 862 Posts Drives: 1 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ma iTrader: (1)	So do you think it needs to be smaller? Maybe without the front facing lip section?
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04-16-2012, 06:56 AM	#13
spr_bimmer Private First Class 4 Rep 153 Posts Drives: 2004 Z4 Roadster Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Ottawa iTrader: (0)	i would put these on to protect my paint but only because my car is black and you wouldnt be able to see it...
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04-16-2012, 08:24 AM	#15
GammaZeta Captain 59 Rep 862 Posts Drives: 1 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ma iTrader: (1)	I'm not looking to develop a product to sell, just something that would help the Z community with a problem I have had with the rock chips. The original stone guards for the Z3M were done by an old forum member originally. What about a color-matched stone guard resembling more traditional guards? The problem with a clear guard is that for most of us, there is already some visible damage. A solid guard would be able to hide the damage and prevent future damage.
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04-16-2012, 11:00 AM	#17
3002 tii Lieutenant General 2286 Rep 12,565 Posts Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (99) Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75] E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.24]	I have clear ones that I cut out using 3M material. Great for track days but I wouldn't do anything other than clear... __________________ Follow for latest mods
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04-16-2012, 11:11 AM	#18
Kgolf31 Brigadier General 460 Rep 4,531 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4MC, 2012 128i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Ohio iTrader: (4)	That looks awful. Sorry. I have Venture Shield in that area. Didn't want to go that much coverage, but this is how it looks:
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04-16-2012, 02:39 PM	#19
GP20 Major 96 Rep 1,269 Posts Drives: Z4M, F80 M3, 991.2 GTS Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Canada iTrader: (5)	My M's entire side-skirts are clear-bra'd. One of the best maintenance/protection investments I made for the car. After 3 years they're still in great shape. I'll do this for all my future cars. __________________ 2019 Porsche 911 4 GTS 2016 BMW M3 2008 BMW Z4M coupe
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04-16-2012, 11:21 PM	#21
mousitch Dark Sider 129 Rep 1,779 Posts Drives: 2008 Space Gray Z4MC Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Missouri iTrader: (11) Garage List 2008 Z4M Coupe [7.50]	Im just gonna get the AM side skirts and then have them clear guarded. Gives me an excuse to get the aftermarket skirts:thumsu __________________ [URL=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/153/071jt.jpg/] 2008 Space Grey M Coupe-Euro headers-RPI Scoop-Gruppe M CAI-Eisenmann Race Cans-RE X-pipe-ECU Remap with O2 and EGT delete-H&R Sport springs-Zeck CDV delete-Stock Gloss black powder coated wheels-LED Tekarbon Angel Eyes Project-Michelin Super Sports-Hardwired Uniden R7-H&R front and rear spacers-Alarm module added-stereo amp recoded to vert spec settings
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