Has anybody had a stongard kit profesionally installed on their TT and had it turn out to look like crap? I had mine installed by a Stongard authorized detail shop in Campbell, Ca. and I can't believe how bad it looks. It has too many bubbles, creases, and stretch marks to count. Some of the edges are not sealed and it just looks like hell. When I pointed out all of these things I was told that as it dries out most of these imperfections will go away. I don't think so. The front end of my new Amulett TTR looks like it has been repainted very poorly with a spray can. I paid this guy $250 to install the $500 kit plus another $45 for a hand wash before doing the job, $800 total, and now I think I'm going to have to take it all off and start over hopefully with an Invinca Shield kit. This is in addition to driving 250 miles one way from my home in Redding, Ca. to the closest authorized installer Near San Jose. I wanted to put an Invinca Shield on it myself because the one I put on my 180 TTQ turned out beautiful. But at the time the company was changing hands and no one was answering the phones. I was also told that the Stongard required more stretching and skill to apply because they don't use relief cuts to simplify going around corners. I am going to call Stongard as soon as they open Monday morning and let them know how extremley displeased I am with their product and installer.

jcb

i had stongard installed on my TTr aug. 2 at the same place.... i had several bubbles that all but 1 have since disappeared and the remaining 1 is approx 75% smaller and should be gone within a day or 2 .... also there were some "fluid " looking areas but 80% of them have gone away. i didn't have any creases. i did have a few very small edge areas ( 1/8 -1/4 " ) that popped away but was told to lay them down and now there is only one 1/4" area that is pulling away and that looks like it will be fine within a day or 2 ? my TT is silver so perhaps it doesn't show the "fluid" as much as amulett. i can only say that since getting it installed everyday it looks better- less of that fluid look ( i think you refer to this as painted with spray can).<p>2001 TTR 180 FWD
Silver/Ebony
SF Bay Area

The bubbles should go away in a few days. The edges you should be able to press down and they should stick. I had a few that were up around the grill and now lie flat. A few came up under my hood and before I left the installer made sure he tacked them down. I also had 4 or 5 bubbles under the door handle film and those went away, for the most part, in 5 or 6 days. The warranty states 4 weeks for the film to stabilize and bubbles to be gone. Now creases may be a different story. I would ask Stongard. Some stretching was apparent on my car but that is necessary for certain contours. Mine is really not noticeable. Slight "orange peel texture" also is supposed to diminish. If you had to drive 250 miles after installation and the car was not allowed to "set" that could have been an issue. I tried to be patient and make sure everything was down before leaving and stopped along the way to check.

The appearance is subjective and my green may hide the film more than the red of your car. Only you can judge based on your other car. I don't think the film is different between vendors but understand completely your frustration and time to have the install done. I would try and seat any edges and be reasonable on a few bubbles but if you indeed have more than a few and creases then I'de make quite evident your displeasure with Stongard and let us in on what they plan on doing about it.<p><img src="http://www.goodmangraphic.com/images/ttmini3.jpg">
2000 180Q on Mt. Hood

I've installed both InvincaShield and Stongard kits and the film <b>is</b> the same between the two and if installed correctly, there should be no bubbles, very minor excess fluid and minimal stretching. The stretchmarks, and fluid will go away after a couple of days of sun. You can stick down the edges with a strong mixture of rubbing alcohol(2/3) and water(1/3) and a squegee. Do this soon before the film cures or it won't work.<p>Lake Silver/Ebony 180FWD w/InvincaShield
17x8.5 Zender Monza Elegance-235/40x17 Yokohama AVS Sports
<img SRC="http://www.mint.net/~kentech/auditt/ttsig.jpg" BORDER=0>

I know these kits can be applied with no bubbles or wrinkles. I did my first TTQ myself and it turned out beautiful with the invinca shield kit. This prof. installation looks like a 10 year old kid did it. Anybody thinking about having your Stongard installed by Rick Walters at Detailworks in Campbell, Ca near San Jose be forwarned he does very poor work. I spoke with a rep. from Stongard and he is going to look at my car a week from Friday as he passes through Redding on his way to southern, Ca. He says it will be corrected. We will see.

jcb