Clear Bra
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: Bay Shore New York
Clear Bra
I am interested in applying the thin film on the front of the car to protect it from chips and whatnot.
Does anyone have experience with applying the film?
Do you have photos?
Which brand did you buy?
Does anyone have experience with applying the film?
Do you have photos?
Which brand did you buy?
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Lakewood CO
I did not apply it but had it professionally done, just like tinting it's easy if you know the tricks, which I don't. I'll try to get pictures up but on my white vette you can only notice it barely if your on the side by a door and looking towards the nose other wise it's undetectable. I believe it's 3m film. FYI it's also good at not letting the bug bodies sticks. I highly recomend the stuff it, ask a tinter you know and trust who'd they'd get to do it.
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On my daily driver, I went with the 3M clear bra - nice product. But I can tell you that after watching them install it on the car, there is no way I would try and do it myself. There is definitely an art to getting it on there nice and smooth and making sure it fits just right.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 3
From: DFW Texas
ClearMask.com ClearMask is a great film that doesnt have any orange peel to it, is very durable, and comes with a lifetime warranty. As an installer I can tell you its also one of the easier films to install out there, so if you have an installer lined up you can always buy the kit and have them put it on. Feel free to PM me your email address if you would like some photos of Corvettes I have installed this film on. I also use VentureShield Ultra for full hood and full fender aplications. I can send you those photos as well. Appearance wise they are the same I just beleive ClearMask is more durable.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,814
Likes: 105
From: Dearborn Heights Michigan
On my daily driver, I went with the 3M clear bra - nice product. But I can tell you that after watching them install it on the car, there is no way I would try and do it myself. There is definitely an art to getting it on there nice and smooth and making sure it fits just right.
Same here.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,977
Likes: 256
From: St. Louis Missouri
3M makes a great product. If you want something that covers the curvy portions of a C5 a little better, there is a product called ArmorCoat that is applied with a paint gun. It's basically a heavy/durable clear coat. It requires no cutting, no maintenance and lasts for the life of the vehicle.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 951
Likes: 2
From: Rochester MN
I did my car myself... It wasn't that hard to install but I did miss some dirt and got some bubbles.. I'm working on the bubbles over time but the dirt is under it...
Wash the car several times and maybe clay bar the area for the bra might not be a bad idea... I used...
http://www.invisiblemask.com/site.ht...FQ_yDAodakcmnw
My installer wanted a grand to install.. It was about $250 for the invisiblemask
and I thought I could screw it up 3 more times and still break even...
Wash the car several times and maybe clay bar the area for the bra might not be a bad idea... I used...
http://www.invisiblemask.com/site.ht...FQ_yDAodakcmnw
My installer wanted a grand to install.. It was about $250 for the invisiblemask
and I thought I could screw it up 3 more times and still break even...
Last edited by k0ts; Aug 26, 2009 at 02:19 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 145
Likes: 5
From: Melbourne FL
The Clear film I used was Venture shield their website is http://www.ventureshield.com
North American Headquarters:
30 Commerce Road
P.O. Box 384
Rockland, MA 02370-0384
USA
Tel: 866-211-8273
Email: sales@invisiblepatterns.com
I had a guy professional install it. Cost me about $650 to have the whole front end, about 2feet up the hood, the mirrors, and the rocker panels up to the rub rail. I am trilled with the results.
North American Headquarters:
30 Commerce Road
P.O. Box 384
Rockland, MA 02370-0384
USA
Tel: 866-211-8273
Email: sales@invisiblepatterns.com
I had a guy professional install it. Cost me about $650 to have the whole front end, about 2feet up the hood, the mirrors, and the rocker panels up to the rub rail. I am trilled with the results.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 3
From: DFW Texas
PM me your email address and I will send you some photos of some cars I have installed film on. I also will attach a couple of shots of ClearMask AR and 3M side by side. I think after seeing them you will not go with 3M. The amount or orange peel in the film is simply not acceptable for the majority of my clients.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
I can only wish I had put it on my '99 long ago as it was black. When I gave it away to my son last year, the front was pitted so badly, it looks gray. On my MR '07, I put on the VentureShield right away and its paid for itself many times over easily and then some.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: Hamilton NJ
I did my car the other day, I install wraps and tint and used the same procedure I used when doing those, with lots of patience and time. It's not hard if you have an extra hand and just be careful when squeeging it down, always go from the center out to avoid water pockets.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,742
Likes: 43
From: Color my life with the chaos of trouble.
This really doesn't make sense to me. I am (was) considering this as well. My 02Z was recently painted so now would be a good time. However, most places are asking $600-$1000+ to install plus another $250 or so for the product itself. At that price, you could completely redo the entire nose and hood a few times.