Protective film for hard top 2005 T-Bird

[sgallucci]

Can someone share if there is a better solution for protective film, i.e., 3M product, that can be used in place of the factory protective film for paint protection when the hardtop is on the car. The factory film looks terrible.
Thanks for you help.
Sal

[bikebird]

Re: Protective film for hard top 2005 T-Bird

What's terrible is the price for that film. In Detroit the dealers are charging close to 200

[Lonestar]

Re: Protective film for hard top 2005 T-Bird

I am talking to a gentlemen on Friday 11/06 about making these. The source for the 3M ones has long dried up and the company has closed. I have a virgin set of the Ford provided hardtop protection strips and I am going to see if the guy I am going to talk to can use these originals as a template and pump some out at a reasonable price.

[birdfan]

Re: Protective film for hard top 2005 T-Bird

I posted this on another thread, but based on the opening question on this thread I will repeat it here. I hope it is useful in considering an option.

I went to the xpel site and ordered a piece 6 inches wide by 12 ft. It was only $33.96 + shipping. I used the Ford strips as templates and with careful positioning was able to fit all 4 strips in a section 3 feet long. So I now have enough for 3 more applications if I need it!
Cutting the film was real easy with sharp scissors. I printed off the xpel installation instructions and with Sue spraying the alcohol solution and me placing the strips, and then both of us smoothing out the bubbles, we were done in a couple of hours. With practice it could be done quicker, but we went real slow being the first time working with this material. The hardest part was that since it is clear it almost disappears as soon as you put it down, so a bright light over the work area is a must to see it good enough to line it up and get the bubbles out. To smooth out the bubbles I used a soft flat silicone spatula that I took off the handle. It is soft enough to conform to the curves but just firm enough to push out the bubbles. I did learn that you have to be careful to not push too hard, the material will stretch a lot if you are too agressive.
The job is done and looks great, which seems strange to say since you can hardly see it, which is the whole idea. Time will tell how good it works, but from other members comments I have confidence it will do the job.
I hope this isn't too wordy, but I thought some of you might be interested to know this can be a do-it-yourself job if you careful, patient and have some aptitude working with your hands. Personally, I wouldn't try a large area with compound curves or lots of contours and would leave that to a trained installer, but the relatively flat area for the hardtop base was not difficult.

[Lonestar]

Re: Protective film for hard top 2005 T-Bird

I certainly agree that with care you can cut bulk material to make the strips but what I am hoping for is that someone with a computerized cutting machine can, based on a template, kick these things out in bulk in short order.

Before I put on my hardtop I put some silicon (the Ford stuff) on the gasket the sets on the sail panels. When I take my hardtop off the clear protection strips (been using strips made from 3M material since shortly after purchasing the car) are stained as a result of, I suspect, the silicon. Thus I remove the protection strips when the top comes off resulting in the need to have a stash of strips. What would be wonderful is to find either a lubricant for the gasket that will not stain the strips or a material that is not stained by silicon.

[scoops]

Re: Protective film for hard top 2005 T-Bird

I've ordered this...
http://www.autosportcatalog.com/inde...d=6070&cid=105
Was told it is 9/16" wide, so I think it will be just wide enough to protect the heavy contact area under the h/t seal while not too wide to be exposed when h/t is on - no trimming. I expect to remove it when top-down weather returns, so I wanted to try something on the cheaper end of the spectrum. Will give feedback after it arrives and I apply it. Should be better than nothing, just hope it doesn't end up being a pita to remove next spring.

[Leroy]

Re: Protective film for hard top 2005 T-Bird

I use a professtional grade masking tape and put it on about 3/8" wide along the edge of the rear deck where the hard top seal meets the paint. If you put it on any wider it will show. When I remove the top I just pull the tape off and throw it away and put new on the next time I put the top on. Too reduce the top seal from rubbing on the paint, I replaced the Ford seal that is about 3/8" in diameter and is a hollow rubber tube, with a solid 1/2" styro-foam seal. The top fits alot tighter and doesn't rattle on rough roads or RR tracks any more. Leroy

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[4LOWBIRDS+7]

Re: Protective film for hard top 2005 T-Bird

I DON'T DRIVE MINE ON RAILROAD TRACKS, TOO HARD TO STAY ON THE RAILS.

[Vegas Retrobird]

Re: Protective film for hard top 2005 T-Bird

I DON'T DRIVE MINE ON RAILROAD TRACKS, TOO HARD TO STAY ON THE RAILS.

Huh?????

[Lindy]

Re: Protective film for hard top 2005 T-Bird

...I suspect, he's referring to not driving over bumps? At least, in my expierience, I noticed that when crossing in-and-out of drive-way, diagonally, and slowly, there tends to be a bit of creaking from the shifting of the hard top, due to the normal flexing of the auto-body (I once read a Motor Trend comment, that praised the new TB for having minimal body-flex). So far, my 02 TB has almost nil paint-wear, despite this. The flex usually only happens on a drive-way approach that is steeper than code, which happens from shifting concrete. In such a drive-way you can enter straight away, but may risk bottoming the front trim.

--Lindy

[NebraskaBird]

Re: Protective film for hard top 2005 T-Bird

Leroy, can you show what you are talking about with some photos??
Also I have installed the chrome deck protection, does it really work or will I need to add some form of addtional protection??
Alan

[mike02redbird]

Re: Protective film for hard top 2005 T-Bird

I use a professtional grade masking tape and put it on about 3/8" wide along the edge of the rear deck where the hard top seal meets the paint. If you put it on any wider it will show. When I remove the top I just pull the tape off and throw it away and put new on the next time I put the top on. Too reduce the top seal from rubbing on the paint, I replaced the Ford seal that is about 3/8" in diameter and is a hollow rubber tube, with a solid 1/2" styro-foam seal. The top fits alot tighter and doesn't rattle on rough roads or RR tracks any more. Leroy
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I first debated if I wanted a top or not, my wife thought it would be a good ideal to have one, I drove it home from the dealer (about 10 min.) then I took it off. Then all of the talk on the forum about scratches on the deck started. So my top has been stored covered up with the cover and two of my wife’s quilts (don’t tell) for over 7 years.
The bird does look good with the top on I just do not want scratches plus I am sure I would drop it on the car or something just as bad, so there it sets....
I am on my second hard top relay and I use painters tape to protect the edge.

[Prairie360]

Re: Protective film for hard top 2005 T-Bird



Please see my gallery. Installed the 3M Paint Protection System this past summer (2009).
I think you might want to check out this thread http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22703&referrerid=4062.

[Leroy]

Re: Protective film for hard top 2005 T-Bird

NebraskaBird, I can't get any pictures at this time as my top is on the car. But if you look at the picture that Prairie360 sent in of the 3M tape on his car, I do the same thing only with masking tape about 3/8" wide along the edge all the way around the rear deck. If you have installed the metal protection you shouldn't have to worry about any scratches or marks. I'm not sure if the stick-on metal strips show after the top is on though. Leroy

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[scoops]

Re: Protective film for hard top 2005 T-Bird

I've ordered this...
http://www.autosportcatalog.com/inde...d=6070&cid=105
Was told it is 9/16" wide, so I think it will be just wide enough to protect the heavy contact area under the h/t seal while not too wide to be exposed when h/t is on - no trimming. I expect to remove it when top-down weather returns, so I wanted to try something on the cheaper end of the spectrum. Will give feedback after it arrives and I apply it. Should be better than nothing, just hope it doesn't end up being a pita to remove next spring.

Was able to catch a few minutes of sunshine this weekend and get this applied. Actually measures only 3/8" wide, though, so I had to hold roughly a 3/16" gap away from edge to keep the tape over the heavy contact line. Very easy to apply. Was able to stretch it around the body edge easier than I expected. Looks like Prairie360's pic. I haven't put the h/t on yet - want to allow tape to get fully adhered plus it's still warm enough outside for a top-down cruise.