evilkid500

Hey all,

I just got done installing a clear protector on the rear bumper and figured I'd share. This is an alternative to buying the Scion bumper protector.

I bought a, "3M Scotchgaurd clear paint protecting film bra" (crazy ebay name, but quality stuff) 12" x 60" sheet for about $27 shipped then I custom cut a perfect piece to cover the entire bumper from any type of damage.

I started out by making a template out of a Kohl's flyer:

I basically ripped out one page and traced an outline of the shape I needed, then cut it out, taped it on, and moved to the next section. Little by little it came together quiet nice.

For the outside edges I laid a few oversize pages on, used my cell phone flashlight as a backlight and lightly traced along the shadow's edge to get a perfect match.

After the template was all set I washed, clay barred, polished, and sealed the paint.

I ended up cutting the template in half in order to not waste so much of the clear shield. I also find it much easier to install it in smaller pieces due to the curves and slopes of the surface. After securing the paper template down it was just a matter of cutting on the line.

Here it is installed, definitely lives up to its "invisible" name in this picture.

There's a close up of it. You can see the edges of the shield if you look real hard. Also, that orange peel effect is how it looks once dry.

Let me know what you guys think! I was really happy with the way it turned out. This stuff is amazing at preventing scratches and other blemishes from daily use.

All together, from making the template to installing the shield, it took me 3 hours to complete. Not bad for a DIY'er.

That's good to know. I've seen spark plugs come out of engines with 40,000 miles on them look way worse. Were they an absolute mother to break free after 95,000 miles? The first time I read the 100,000 mile recommended spark plug change I thought it was a missprint, but maybe they actually can go for about that long.

Fee115, I tried contacting the market department too. Here is the email I got from them:

Thank you for contacting Ford Motor Company. We appreciate the time you have taken to write us.

We are happy to hear about your interest in a new 2012 Ford Edge. The 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine joins the lineup for the 2012 Edge, adding another high-tech feature to the popular crossover. We consider our customers to be our greatest asset and look forward to adding you to a list of satisfied Ford customers.

There are a variety of ways to receive a private offer. However, all of our unique loyalty offers are sent out on based on certain market criteria, which are not determined by our department. Every offer is unique and must be redeemed within the specified program dates printed on the offer. All rebates and incentives must be present and valid at the time of sale. These programs are not able be retro-fitted to any purchase or lease that was finalized outside of the program dates.

Thanks for the update Exodus!, I'm just curious as to what bugs they have worked out of the new system since they've re-programmed it. It was announced and demoed back in November, so I'm assuming Ford has been doing extensive tests and bug fixes since then. Any insight? I really hope they hit this one out of the park.

Ended up finding a 2012 that matched exactly what I wanted. Paid $38,308 out the door. Limited 302A with trailer tow and all weather floor mats. I was surprised at how great the 18 inch rims actually look. Very happy with my purchase! So far the MFT has been great. Used it a ton today, only got a little glitchy when I plugged in my iPhone with a usb cable. The bluetooth was great for music and calls.

Kc300c, that looks awesome. I can't wait to see your how-to.

Sounds awesome! What did the dealer give it to you for?

I'm in the same boat. I ordered mine on 12/10/11 and found out on 1/10/12 that my order had been canceled. The dealer did manage to find me one exactly the same as the one that I had ordered - but it had a front license plate bracket. Luckily I was smart enough to think about that, so I kindly declined. Like you, I don't want to spend $35K on something that isn't exactly what I want. I didn't want to look at that stupid front bracket every day for the next X number of years hating it. They gave me the option to order a 2013, but it would have cost me $1620 more becuase I was losing the rebates I had locked in too.

 

I've started seeing commercials for our local auto show which is offering a $1000 rebate. I called my dealer on Saturday to say that if that rebate was available, then I would order the 2013 at $620 more than my original price. He told me he didn't think that would be a problem, but was told that they don't usually order cars on Saturday, but would get back to me Monday (yesterday). Well, it's now mid-day on Tuesday and I haven't heard from him yet. I'm guessing that's not a good sign. I'm debating how long to wait before calling him back. At this point, I'm curious how long it will be before he calls me back. My Dad ordered an Explorer through this salesman/dealership last February, so we have experience with this dealership, but I'm really getting fed up at this point.

 

On my own, I found a dealership about 2 hours away that has one ordered that is basically whatt I want, but includes the towing package. If things don't work out with my dealership, I may be making a road trip.

That's nice that your dealer called you as soon as they knew what was going on. I can't believe mine didn't say a word to me until I called them on the 23rd of January. And to reply to Airbornemaikai, I'm glad to hear you stuck it out to get what you wanted, not what the dealer wanted to sell you. These dealers are so obsessed with not letting you walk out the door the first time you talk to them, but they don't give a flying crap about the rest of the buying experience. Insulting customers like that?? that's crazy. I thought we were in a recession and that it's a buyers market. Guess not when it comes to Ford dealers.

I did check with multiple dealers before I ordered, they all said the same thing, "you'll have to order that". I have been watching the inventories online like a hawk. Nothing within a 200 mile radius :-(

I'll probably just go with the 2013 and see if I can hash out a deal with out factory rebates.

Thanks for the input Akirby!

The dealer should not have waited 3 weeks to tell you that. You can always have them look for one in stock somewhere that's close to what you wanted if you really want a 2012.

Yeah they did offer to get me a similar one without the trailer tow, which I wanted. They said they would install an aftermarket trailer hitch, but 60% of the reason for me wanting the trailer tow package was for the additional cooling.

I feel like if im paying 40k for a car I'm going to get exactly what I want. Why compromise and regret it in a month?

Is any one else in the same boat as me? I ordered a 2012 Edge limited with the 302a on December 29 2011, only to find out 3 weeks later that the 2012 has been discontinued and I'll only be able to order a 2013. Problem is, I lose my rebates from the year end (3k total), and we don't know for sure what the 2013's will change (if anything). I've read on here that the color options will change to the same ones on the 2013 escape. I haven't decided if that's a good thing or bad thing yet.

On the other hand there's the reason for getting the 2013's out so quick; the new generation 2014 edge. Think it's worth waiting to see what's going to be new? A quick search only reveals that the V6 is most likely dissapearing from the Edge all together.

Just curious to see what other prospective Edge shoppers are thinking. I'm a little ticked I couldnt order a 2012 in 2011 because I was too late haha.

I seem to make more "soccer-dad" jokes than anyone else.

Haha, I'm sure those will be coming too. Shhhh don't give them any ideas!

I'm a 24 year old guy and just ordered a blue limited. I'm coming from a small coupe and wanted and SUV for snowboarding, buying cool stuff, towing my bike, and going shooting. The Explorer, as beautiful as it is, was just too big. Luckily for me there's a mini version of the Explorer with almost the exact same technology in the cockpit, called the Edge! The 2011 re-design is what really sold me, I had been eying a new car for about two years and that just convinced me to pull the trigger. The girlfriend, of course, loved it on the test drive.

I do think it's a car that every women loves at first sight, so a lot of women drive them. But when you take into account the awesome engines available, ability to tow (jet ski's, motorcycles etc..), and the technology in the thing, it is most definitely a man's car.

My friends have already started in on the minivan jokes, and I haven't even taken delivery of it yet!! A few of them just got 2003 Lancer Evo VIII's and have nothing but problems so far... I'd rather just skip that whole, "I'm single, young, and have the world by it's balls - look at my huge spoiler and hear the roar of my 5" exhaust!!" stage and get a vehicle that's going to be awesome to drive, yet practical in any situation. The Edge is easily the perfect car to meet that criteria. I have a feeling once my friends sit in the Edge, or drive it, the minivan jokes will come to a sudden halt. We will see....

Current DD until the Edge gets here:

Here is the summer toy:

I too just ordered a 2012 with the year end rebates "locked in". I was under the assumption that the 2013's were exactly the same as the 2012's (of course no one can know for sure), but after looking at all the screens for the new my ford touch update, I noticed every screen showing climate mentions air conditioned seats. Maybe a new option on the Edge limited? Or maybe that's just a screen shot from the Explorer. It'd be pretty hard to decide whether or not to give up over $1000 in rebates for a/c seats lol.

Can anyone that has had a clear shield, of any kind, on their car for an extended period of time comment on whether the paint color changes at different rates? What I mean by that is, when you take the clear shield off, can you see a difference in the way the paint looks that was under the shield vs. paint that wasn't?

From what I've read, the 3M 8 mill car shield is a more quality version of the ZAGG Invisible shield you'd use on your phone. I put invisible shields on everything I own, and holy cow do they work as advertised when installed correctly.

My phone however, isn't a clear coated auto paint that gets exposed to all elements of the outdoors constantly. That's why I'd like to hear what other people's experiences are with these on their cars.

Friday, Dec 17th, 2010.....just picked up my '11 Limited (with 302A and a few other fun options....20" wheels/tires, lighted sills.... .......and I only have about 300 miles on it. I just ordered a magnetic drain plug.....and will install when it arrives. I'll do it on a cold engine and do it quickly so I won't lose much oil at all.....will top it off if needed. It is amazing how much metallic debris these plugs catch.....especially on a brand new engine.

I just ordered a 2012 Edge Limited. What size is the drain plug / where did you order it from? I too want to get a magnetic plug on it asap. Thanks!!