Lotus Elan Central

by **Elan_Matt** » Thu 23.03.2006, 23:02

Hi guys,

Lately I've become more and more frustrated by the small stone chips that are sprinkled across my front bumper and bonnet. As well as companies like Chipsaway which I've seen recommended on here a few times, I'm considering having a protective layer applied to the bumper and bonnet too. There are loads of companies online that claim they do a good job, but I was wondering if anyone else has considered this option and whether anyone has had any experience with it already?

Cheers,
Matt

by **RatHead** » Thu 23.03.2006, 23:55

These were the ones I was considering:

http://www.armourfend.com/

They give you a quote for an Elan if you e-mail them and they can tell you your nearest fitter if you cant be arsed doing it yourself.

Im not sure about the film though - its not invisible - so while it may protect the paintwork - whats the point in protecting it if you cant see it properly cos of the film?

I would recommend chips away. I had a bad scuff on my rear bumper and they came and repainted it and its as new now. He also went round the car touching up the stone chips and left me the pot of paint for future use - all for £55.

by **Gazza** » Fri 24.03.2006, 00:28

My car has been completely cover in 12 pieces by armourfend and was at Donington. Was only going for front bumper but when I saw how invisible it was I had rear arches,wing mirrors, light pods and bonnet done as well.

You have to look very close to see it. I heard someone say my wing had a hairline crack in it, then they realised it was armourfended.

Was hoping to display prices at the show but I still have not got a bill to pay Sinclaires for it yet, so don't know how much.

Cheers Gary

by **Gazza** » Fri 24.03.2006, 00:32

This is a brand new design where the film goes right around the bumper and into the wheel arches so less joins are visible. I think my car is the first with this pattern as only head office had the laser patterns to make it from.

Cheers Gary

by **RatHead** » Fri 24.03.2006, 00:40

It might be worth a look then - or get one small bit - say the rear wheel arches or the bit where the hood rests on the hood stowage lid. If youre happy with it get the rest.

by **johnbenk** » Fri 24.03.2006, 06:24

Hi

Any chance of some pictures. A picture paints a 1000 words

Cheers

JBK

by **pjohn151** » Fri 24.03.2006, 08:53

You have to look very close to see it. I heard someone say my wing had a hairline crack in it, then they realised it was armourfended.

How would a picture help? :lol:

On a more serious note, it is only worth doing once you have had all the stonechips repaired - ie bumper resprayed or whatever, as the stonechips will be under the armourfend/3M film and still show up.

Phil

by **Elan_Matt** » Fri 24.03.2006, 09:28

Ok, cheers for the info guys.

Gary, where is the armourfend head office? I think I would be most interested in just getting the front bumper and bonnet done.

Phil, would chipsaway get rid of the chips and scuffs well enough to then cover the front with a protective film, or is a respray necessary?

Just wondering about washing the car when it has the protective film over it and how long these protective films last?

Cheers,
Matt

by **Gazza** » Fri 24.03.2006, 10:06

Matt

You probably can now speak to anyone at armourfend about this kit, just when I had it done they had to fax patterns over to nearest armourfend place.

You can wash and polish car as normal but the more polish you get on the armourfend joins, the easier it is to see, as it creates a build up which you can rub away.

There is 2 half pieces for the front bumper which join under the number plate and go into wheel arches. 1 piece between bumper and bonnet which goes up the wings, level with the light pods. 1 piece on each pod and 1 piece on the bonnet that goes across the bonnet the same height as the pods(with whole cut out for badge)

2 pieces for each side for the front of each rear wheel arches and 1 piece for each wing mirror.

I remember talking to Paul.P about it, so maybe he might say what he thinks of the kit.

Will try to take some close up photos if it stops raining

Gary

by **Paul.P** » Fri 24.03.2006, 10:21

Gazza wrote:I remember talking to Paul.P about it, so maybe he might say what he thinks of the kit.Gary

Gary, it looked really good !, i think if youve had a respray, or your car is in really good nick it would be well worth while having this fitted. I shall be thinking of this myself in the future. Shall be interested in the cost Gary ?

by **pjohn151** » Fri 24.03.2006, 10:21

Phil, would chipsaway get rid of the chips and scuffs well enough to then cover the front with a protective film, or is a respray necessary?

I don't know at what point it is cheaper to get the panels completely resprayed, compared to getting chipsaway to do the lot

Best to get a quote from some bodyshops and chipsaway if you take that route...

Phil

by **Gazza** » Fri 21.04.2006, 13:25

I had to finally pay for the Armourfend yesterday :cry:

I was not given a complete breakdown of prices but each piece is available individually. All prices include fitting. Tried taking pictures of it on the car, but even with 5m pixel camera it still does show up. :wink:

6 piece top kit is £145 + vat, includes door mirrors and notice the film goes further around the front wings than the old kit.

3 piece kit for front bumper is £100 + vat

4 piece kit for the rear arches is £35 + vat

Gary

by **John_W** » Fri 21.04.2006, 20:03

Gary,
those are good prices. Your car looked great at Donington and the Armourfend was all-but invisible.

If my car did not already have so many (touch-up repaired) stonechips I would have it done.

John

Lotus Elan Central

paint protection

paint protection

Paint protention

Who is online