Invisi Mask

alaska511 · February 6, 2008

So my Invisi Mask showed up today. Got it for the painted bumper, the rockers, and the hood...as a bonus they sent door edge and box corners for free.

Has anybody got tips for installing this stuff??

slomo007 · February 6, 2008

Assuming you're talking about the 3m protective film? If so, I would not attempt to install this yourself. I watched mine get installed and am thoroughly amazed at how difficult it is.

If you have no other option (ie, if there is nobody near you who can do it).....get 2 spray bottles, 1 with rubbing alcohol and 1 with a water/baby shampoo solution (not sure on the mixture %). They used the alcohol to clean the surface/remove wax initially. Then they sprayed the soapy solution all over in order to make the surface slick. They then placed the film on the vehicle and massaged it in to place (this is the hard part, particularly on the hood and the bumper corners). Once you get pretty close, slightly lift the film (one area at a time) and spray the alcohol solution again in order to rinse the soap off and to make the film actually stick to the surface. Massage again until the air bubbles have been worked out.

Again, not something I would try myself, if you want it to look perfect. Heck I had mine done by an experienced professional and even it's not perfect....but still far better than I could have done.

alaska511 · February 6, 2008

Wow I had no idea since it came with an "install kit" I thought it would be no big deal. I wonder who I will find? A body shop I suppose. The film was expensive enough! Thanks, I will look into it

redsled2007 · February 6, 2008

Everything slmo007 said is true. I'll add that you MUST start in the center and work your way outwards. Other wise you'll have excess material on one side. Been there and done that!

alaska511 · February 6, 2008

Everything slmo007 said is true. I'll add that you MUST start in the center and work your way outwards. Other wise you'll have excess material on one side. Been there and done that!

Did you get yours done on your own? How did it turn out?

Bish · February 6, 2008

I agree with the comments above. I had 2 vehicles done in the past 2 months and having watched them, I'm glad I paid them to do it. I've done graphics kits on my dirtbikes but those are relatively flat surfaces. If all the surfaces are flat, I would try it myself. Lots of tacking and stretching around the corners and valleys though. There really seems to be a learned technique to these on curved surfaces.

BTW_ I highly recommend it. I can barely see the line and I've had a few rock hits that I'm sure would have left damage were it not for the 3m film.

alaska511 · February 12, 2008

Well I followed your advice and had a local shop called "Clear Auto Armor" install my 3M Invisible Mask. They were reluctant to do it, since it was not their product. He agreed after rolling out the sheets and inspecting them. Wow, they did a great job! The rockers are covered front to rear, 8 inches high and the strips cover all the way underneath, not just the part of the rocker that is showing. The bumper turned out sweet to, already has one tiny rock ding in it (barely noticeable) so I am so glad to get it done.

Going to get the hood done next, the front 12 inches...as soon as I recover from all the expenses of the last month...YOU GUYS ARE SPENDING ALL MY MONEY

Very cool though, I am glad I did it!

slomo007 · February 12, 2008

Well I followed your advice and had a local shop called "Clear Auto Armor" install my 3M Invisible Mask. They were reluctant to do it, since it was not their product. He agreed after rolling out the sheets and inspecting them. Wow, they did a great job! The rockers are covered front to rear, 8 inches high and the strips cover all the way underneath, not just the part of the rocker that is showing. The bumper turned out sweet to, already has one tiny rock ding in it (barely noticeable) so I am so glad to get it done.

Going to get the hood done next, the front 12 inches...as soon as I recover from all the expenses of the last month...YOU GUYS ARE SPENDING ALL MY MONEY

Very cool though, I am glad I did it!

Glad to hear! My bumper corner also had a small chip after a couple months of owning my truck, I'm afraid to see what an uncovered bumper corner would look like after 5 years and 100,000 miles.

I did not get the rocker panels done on mine, hopefully I don't regret that. Post some pics if you have a few minutes...would like to compare it to mine.

alaska511 · February 12, 2008

Well I followed your advice and had a local shop called "Clear Auto Armor" install my 3M Invisible Mask. They were reluctant to do it, since it was not their product. He agreed after rolling out the sheets and inspecting them. Wow, they did a great job! The rockers are covered front to rear, 8 inches high and the strips cover all the way underneath, not just the part of the rocker that is showing. The bumper turned out sweet to, already has one tiny rock ding in it (barely noticeable) so I am so glad to get it done.

Going to get the hood done next, the front 12 inches...as soon as I recover from all the expenses of the last month...YOU GUYS ARE SPENDING ALL MY MONEY

Very cool though, I am glad I did it!

Glad to hear! My bumper corner also had a small chip after a couple months of owning my truck, I'm afraid to see what an uncovered bumper corner would look like after 5 years and 100,000 miles.

I did not get the rocker panels done on mine, hopefully I don't regret that. Post some pics if you have a few minutes...would like to compare it to mine.

Will do. In reference to my OP, the hood piece didnt come, I only just pulled everything out of the box today. I will buy it from the local guys when I do that. I do recommend the stuff from invisiblemask.com though. I am just so glad I didnt try to do it myself,