venture shield - anyone got this or put this on themselves? ive found chipguard sell it online it for 120 quid.
do you get bits to cover the panniers?
I read on the net that there are newer superior alternatives but cant see any mention of them by uk suppliers.
on ebay there was states based nona film or summat but the feedback wasn't too good re communication and delivery.
anyone used anything similar/better or cheaper?
just found durable autotint 70 quid. 50 quid cheaper. wonder if its the same stuff?
http://www.autotint.co.uk/index.php/bike-paint-protection-kits/ (http://www.autotint.co.uk/index.php/bike-paint-protection-kits/)
http://www.smeggie.com/page18.htm (http://www.smeggie.com/page18.htm)
anyone used it or know any details please?
I placed the venture shield stuff on and it works quite well. After 30K miles and 20 months of crappy weather it still looks good. It hasn't peeled at the edges or discoloured, even with washing it every week.
Some observations though:
1) It is tricky to put on. You will need the patience of a saint and plenty of time. I did mine over a few cold days which wasn't ideal as the plastic doesn't deform too well when cold.
2) You will swear to God that the piece for the front light is impossible to do. It does eventually curve, but it does take an age to form (see 1)
3) It's easy to stretch the plastic, so you cannot use too much force. If it stretches, then the plastic shows the stretch marks and ruins the looks. Thankfully I only stretched it on the panniers so it's not too bad.
4) It's easy to get bubble in the plastic, but you can tease these out whilst you are putting the plastic on. It's worth taking time to ensure that all the bubbles are out as they can look a little messy. I had some on my tank from the first one I put on but didn't take the time to remove them.
5) They provide some slippy solution to allow you to slide the plastic into place. You need to squeeze as much of this from the plastic when it's in the right position, otherwise it looks strange until it's completely dried out. It does eventually dry clear, so not too much of a problem.
6) It comes off easily. I don't mean that negatively, as it sticks like glue. I managed to 'scuff' the plastic on the lights by brushing too hard, so I peeled it off after it had been on for 16 months. Considering how hot the lights get, I thought this plastic would have been welded on, but it was fairly easy to lift a corner and slowly peel it off. If I ever sell mine, I might lift off some of the more unsightly ones on the panniers.
So in conclusion, yes, it's excellent stuff and well worth the money. The shapes all fit well, even the light one that I swore was the wrong shape at first.
If you can get a professional to do it, then it'll save you some time, but I guess a good one will not be cheap. Note, if you do get a pro to do it, make sure you are clear on what will be acceptable (i.e. no air bubble, no stretches), after all, that's what you are paying them for.
HTH.
thanks for the full and informative answer 1ka
can you remember where you bought it from?
I got mine from Chipguard too.
Came with all the stuff you need rolled up in a large plastic tube.
The instructions were straightforward, though the layout diagram could've been clearer as it took me awhile to work out which bit of plastic was supposed to go where, especially if it was LHS or RHS.
If you are planning to do it, then I'd set aside a few days. Of course, you don't have to do it all at once.
yeah cheers for that 1ka, my pal put some on his R1 and it took 2 of them 4 hours non stop.
like you say I can do a bit at a time. start on the easy bits first.
I wonder if the 3m venture shield stuff is the same regardless of who sells it. chipguard durable autotint etc.
or if its cut up to pattern by the separate retailers.
one way to find out I suppose....
Quote from: aljaxon on June 15, 2013, 02:20:57 PM
I wonder if the 3m venture shield stuff is the same regardless of who sells it. chipguard durable autotint etc.
or if its cut up to pattern by the separate retailers.
one way to find out I suppose....
It's all done by 3M, everyone else is a reseller. I think Chipguard may have opened up the tube to slip a business card in and that was it :laugh:
I just use plenty of Auto Glym :yes:
I applied the venture film when my bike was new, it was ok to fit, i used a johnsons baby bath soapy solution which is a milder soap and does not produce so much bubbles. the difficult area i used a hairdryer to help strettch into place. I practised with a small easy bit first.
dont worry about soap bubbles under the surface, they will go.
the hardest bit was not leaving a finger print after prying the two sheets apart
I'd get too frustrated trying to get it all to fit, I have no patience at all with things like that. :hammer:
A good polish will help to protect against boot scuff marks on the panniers etc and is a damn site easier to apply.
Or of course you could just try lifting your leg a bit higher ..... :mfr_lol:
Quote from: Rusty on June 15, 2013, 10:49:01 PM
Or of course you could just try lifting your leg a bit higher ..... :mfr_lol:
He might be tiny like Dave..... :whistling:
Quote from: Lonewolf on June 15, 2013, 10:22:21 PM
A good polish will help to protect against boot scuff marks on the panniers etc and is a damn site easier to apply.
TechSpec makes some pretty cool protection pieces for the side cases, works great IMO for keeping boot scuffs of em! :yes:
http://techspec-usa.com/products.php?cPath=475_476&osCsid=74e66bd6d704110a89b3ef509997b193
They match nicely with the ones for the tank and yer knees... :cool:
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/install17_zps12aeb51a.jpg) (http://s1200.photobucket.com/user/jaywilcox/media/install17_zps12aeb51a.jpg.html)
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/install16_zps00e0e2b7.jpg) (http://s1200.photobucket.com/user/jaywilcox/media/install16_zps00e0e2b7.jpg.html)
you should have seen the damage when we stopped in the middle of a forest yesterday
scuff marks everywhere.
when my lady dismounts she does it very un lady like
a bit like cupid stunt.
but we don't know any better?
ive always been a great believer in colinite yatch wax. apply once every 3 months and its ok.
but boot scuffs on the panniers needs a bit more protection