Best way to install 3M PPF on frame?

A

AlexDeLarge

· Me ride.

Joined Oct 5, 2009

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223 Posts

Discussion starter · #1 · Mar 2, 2023

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I bought a roll for my bike, but have never applied it before.
Reading various how-tos, and 3M docs, there are several different methods for applying the film to the frame.
One uses a few drops of baby shampoo, another dishwashing fluid, while another uses a rubbing alcohol spray.
Can anyone point me to the best method of applying the film?
Thanks!

 

Cleared2land

· Magically Delicious

Joined Aug 31, 2012

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18,913 Posts

#2 · Mar 2, 2023

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I have wrapped/applied polypropylene tape from rolls (not precut) on many frames and I'm not sure you can state the best method.
1st rough cut a piece and dry fit and trim.

I use a dishwashing soap if it needs to be fuzzed with a while to position and get all edges to lie correctly. I sometimes use alcohol on smaller pieces thay can easily be set easily with little messing with.

I use multiple thicknesses depending on the needed protection or thinner on parts that are complex and have lots of curves. Patience is your friend. The learning curve is a bit challenging for some.

 

C

Cleaner

· Registered

Joined Mar 23, 2004

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464 Posts

#3 · Mar 2, 2023

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Warm water with a small amount of baby shampoo( 1 drop/quart of water). This will enable you to position the film on the frame. Do it when the temperature is warm as well. You may need to apply heat (hair dryer or heat gun) to get the film to conform to highly contoured surfaces. The heat can damage to the paint/carbon resin matrix so if you are not 100% confident, don't apply heat.

 

Cleared2land

· Magically Delicious

Joined Aug 31, 2012

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#4 · Mar 2, 2023

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I rarely have needed to use heat for application. I did a Yeti that had some convex curves that demanded lots of patience and a little heat to persuade it into conformity. That just doesn't happen too often. I found it challenging to try heat a wet piece of polyurathane.

 

J.B. Weld

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Joined Aug 13, 2012

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24,227 Posts

#5 · Mar 2, 2023

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Cleared2land said:

I rarely have needed to use heat for application.

Click to expand...

I use heat on every install but I've only done the custom kits and they cover just about every nook & cranny. Nearly a necessity on curves that are a combination of convex and concave.

 

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firebike7

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Joined Aug 21, 2008

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183 Posts

#6 · Mar 3, 2023

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I have done and I have used all three. Usually now I use a combination of water, DW soap and alcohol combined. Seems to works well and dries well.