3M Dealer Highlights They Have Not YET Passed The Large Missile Test!
We understand that 3M passed the 4.5 LB Missile Test using their clear Ultra 600.
This is an interesting pass, since this film is only infrequently installed. Why?
7/20/08
Our 3M Dealer friend in Cleveland has curiously posted that 3M will be doing some "testing" so that they might actually pass the 4.5 LB Large Missile Test.
Golly; looks like the Shark got caught?
Leaving aside the pithy Shark analogy, the inference in his article is that 3M will likely pass using a 3M tape system. Perhaps that will happen? I rather doubt it!
BUT. . if you happen to read their website and literature. You'd never have guessed that at this moment in time they do NOT MEET AND HAVE NEVER MET THE STANDARD WITH THEIR ULTRA FILM!
THEY DO NOT MEET THE STANDARD!
VISTA DOES! VISTA Large Missile Test PASS
Whether they used a tape or a wet sealant like the industry standard DOW 995. They just don't pass!
Here once again is my logic:
And there is nothing fishy about it!
That choice should be VISTA Window Film and Advanced Film Solutions!
Call Toll Free: 877-575-3456
This is an interesting pass, since this film is only infrequently installed. Why?
- Ultra 600 is a clear 6 ml film with no solar properties. There are no energy savings features to this film.
- Ultra 600 is only available in 5 feet widths so larger windows will require a seam.
- Ultra 600 exhibits unusual haze; more so than their S20, S25NV, S50 and S35 along with their prestige ultra films which DO NOT PASS!
- Make certain when you compare apples to apples that the film they are proposing that passed is the Ultra 600 rather than a thinner solar alternative that did not pass!
7/20/08
Our 3M Dealer friend in Cleveland has curiously posted that 3M will be doing some "testing" so that they might actually pass the 4.5 LB Large Missile Test.
Golly; looks like the Shark got caught?
Leaving aside the pithy Shark analogy, the inference in his article is that 3M will likely pass using a 3M tape system. Perhaps that will happen? I rather doubt it!
BUT. . if you happen to read their website and literature. You'd never have guessed that at this moment in time they do NOT MEET AND HAVE NEVER MET THE STANDARD WITH THEIR ULTRA FILM!
THEY DO NOT MEET THE STANDARD!
VISTA DOES! VISTA Large Missile Test PASS
Whether they used a tape or a wet sealant like the industry standard DOW 995. They just don't pass!
Here once again is my logic:
- We live in Florida where Hurricanes are a fact of life!
- VISTA has passed this level of performance and 3M Ultra Films, along with their Prestige Ultra Films have not!
- Our Vista Films are NFRC Certified. Their Films are not!
- Our VISTA Films were tested and passed on both annealed and tempered glass. The same windows in most Florida homes!
And there is nothing fishy about it!
That choice should be VISTA Window Film and Advanced Film Solutions!
Call Toll Free: 877-575-3456
Hmmm, when was the last hurricane in Cleveland, OH? This poor guy needs to deal in reality not in uncertainties.
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He's a good kid trying hard to promote his brand with his heart rather than with his head! The 3M tape anchoring system training has been doing their road show recently. They were in Florida last week and as you might expect, I received many calls, samples and questions.
The issue of their continued failure to meet the ASTM 4.5 LB Missile Test level obviously was brought forward by concerned dealers. The expectation that perhaps this tape system would strengthen their test windows so they might pass and equal the efficacy of the LLumar/VISTA DuPont Mylar 8 ML Films on annealed glass.
The response from the anecdotal information provided by several sources who attended their sessions, was that a) they still do not have a pass on ultra films including all S series and Prestige Ultra. b) that they "are configuring some new testing and that dealer's will "like" the results.
Now do I believe that their tape system will pass the impact and wind cycling 9000 cycles after the missile impact using that VHB Tape? My experience leads me to conclude that that answer is a resounding--NO!
The Tape will fail during the vacuum and pull away from the frame. Certainly it is aesthetically pleasing, easier to apply than DOW 995 or DOW 995 and Bond Kap! Surprisingly it isn't any "cheaper" than a wet seal application in terms of material cost (obviously the labor is less expensive.)
So they have designed a nice looking anchoring system (reminds me of the Pentagon system!) that meets absolutely no objective performance criteria, or legitimate wind storm debris testing. Their GSA and FM approvals are no doubt Dow required (that's a big hint!)
You would hope that the goal would be safety. That form and function would unite into a cohesive system that passes the testing. That hope sadly remains unfulfilled.
It occurs to me that the better solution would be an easier to apply Dow 995 that came on a roll and could be applied like a bathroom caulking system. I assume that the viscosity of the DOW makes this impractical?
In terms of how we VISTA Dealers compete against an empty gun barrel, this is a case of "much ado about nothing."
Their Cleveland dealer is simply trying to fool with bluster as he did when he claimed that 3M doesn't need to adhere to NFRC standards or documentation since they are 3M!
Plus he spelled "precedent" incorrectly
Mike Feldman
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I believe that he means well. When you are under the ether it can make you believe crazy things...
My favorite so far was the illustration referencing the "Ironmen from Florida" (I wonder who that was pointed towards!) and the "Rooster" video. A lot of irony there... When desperation and frustration from a lack of being able to produce accurate and relative facts eludes a window film professional, they then have to turn to anecdotal phrases, questions, or illustrations to keep their head above the water.
Your clear presentation of facts separate us from speculative presumptions. Consumers & dealers need more of this valuable information. Nice work!
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I liked the ironing board pictures as well!
Thanks for your comments.
I understand more than most how consumer's feel about competitors arguing. They hear noise.
I try to keep it logical. Fact after fact.
If they spent as much time improving their solutions as they do being coy, they might have passed this missile test back in 2000 when the test requirements changed! Seven years of dancing and their feet are still moving?
Mike Feldman
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