Just got my car back from body shop after last years rock chip incident in KC. Repainted the hood, fenders, front bumper and head light covers. Was thinking of putting on the clear bra. What do you guys that have a clear bra think of them? They worth the money ($500.00)? Says it will cover my front bumper, hood, headlight covers, half the fenders, mirrors. Do you guys have any regrets about putting one on your car? I value your opinions so let er rip.........

 

I have the Clear on mine and love it. I don't know the brand as it was on the car when I got it. It is holding up great and is not turning yellow. It is on my headlight covers and about 2 foot of the hood.
Here is the best picture I can find of the front in bright sunlight. It is very hard to see.
It does work. Do it IMHO.

 

I had the entire hood, bumper, headlights (yes, headlights) and mirror caps of my daily driver '11 MINI Cooper covered in XPEL clear bra material. The car gets peppered with rocks, grit and sand nearly the entire way to and from work on the Ortega highway here in SoCal. The car is only a few months old but the windshield has taken a beating. The rest of the car, including the entire front end that is covered with XPEL, still looks brand new. The only chip in the front is one that I got the week before having the XPEL applied - otherwise it's pristine. Without the bra, I'm sure it would look like hell. You have to look very closely to be able to see the clear bra - I think it is the best investment I've made in an aftermarket product for a car. Had I known it was this good, I would have had Mrs. Patches' black C5 front end done in XPEL. Too late for that as it's got it's share of stone chips and will need a repaint in the future. It was expensive but much cheaper than a repaint and makes it very reassuring to follow behind drivers who love to drift off the road and spray gravel all over the front of your car.

XPEL - or any of the other similar products - can be applied anywhere on the car to protect the surface. I actually have some of the original Cleartastic material I never applied to my C5 sitting around. It's basically the same stuff. I would not even attempt to apply the set the installer did on my MINI - takes lots of practice to get that right. I got to watch the product application and it's not for the faint of heart.

Here's my MINI after the XPEL was applied several months ago - looks the same today.

 

I bought a new 4Runner a couple of weeks ago, and had the complete front end done, 3M Paint Protection Film, and I like it, thinking it will help with these damn love bugs down here. Seriously thinking about letting the guy do my Corvette too, believing the price is worth it.

 

I have the 3M clear bra on my car and it is a nice piece of protection to have on the car. Be sure you mention that you had the car repainted before they put it on - they may have some special advice for you as to potential problems should you ever want to take it back off down the road.

If you can get all that done for $500, that's a good deal IMO.

 

Big image

http://postimage.org/image/2fwngtux0/

 

I've had three different products on my '07. First was VentureShield was is good stuff. I had to replace it after the front got nailed by a flying sign on a freeway. It trashed the bra but the paint was perfect. When I had it replaced by another installer, I paid for VentureShield but instead, got some crap product called "ClearBra". It fogged up or hazed within 6 months and the installer magically closed up shop and went out of business. Its stayed on there till last weekend due to retirement, moving and etc..Last weekend, I had it replaced with Nano-Fusion. So far, it looks like a very good product and so far, I'm pleased with the results.

 

What is a fair price for getting this done. I am thinking about having it done to my C5. I don't drive it much, but when I do, I don't want to have to worry about flying debris in front of me.

 

A friend of mine installed the protection film on his 1997 C5 a couple years ago after purchasing the car and having the front bumper/hood repainted. It looks as good today as it did the day he had it applied.

He also runs the nylon bra when taking longer road trips and during love bug season. He likes the added protection and the fact he can throw the nylon bra into the washing machine when he gets home to clean it.

I am planning some paint mods/touch-ups so I'm definintely going to look at adding the 3M film afterwards.

BTW - Any recommendations on how long I should wait after the paint touch ups before applying the film?

Also, how far in/deep do they apply the film into the recessed fog light areas? Can frame screens then be re-applied?

What is the polish/wax procedure when this film is installed? Do you use the same products/applications as you do on the rest of the car?

 

1. Don't do it yourself.
2. If you're doing 3M, make sure the installer is an legit certified installer.
3. Any bra system will be crap and will fade/peel in 6months if the installer didn't do it right.

 

Most installations seem to be between $500-$900 depending on the amount of the area being covered and the type of film being used. Its hard to pin down the usual amount as there are variables. The installer themselves, make all the difference and as stated, don't do it yourself.

 

Well, the guy who did my 4Runner a couple of weeks ago, quoted me $800. for my Corvette. He's a certified 3M installer.

 

I had my 2001 coupe done in 3M for under $500, including the hatch opening, mirrors, door openings, two front license covers and gas-filler opening. Also had the 2009 Civic done, since installing and removing the nose mask is a pain on that car.
One caveat-I accidently left the hood portion of the mask on the Civic and ran it through a car wash. The film clouded up, and it cost me $75 to have it replaced.
I highly recommend getting a clear mask installed.

 

I have one on my 300 SRT8, but not the vette. If you are on the highway alot, I think it is a good investment

 

Geez, I installed my own clear bra on my Corvette and it looks great and has been there for two yrs and counting. Guess I got lucky? I just think $500-$900 for some thin film is ridiculous.

 

Well the film plus having an expert install it o that you get the best possible look... which should make it practically invisible... is much better than a leather bra. And it is much cheaper than repainting your car every few years due to rock chips.... not to mention living with he rock ships while waiting on the respray and then waiting to get your car back from the shop. But to each his own. Evidently that thin film is working pretty well for you...

 

I think he's nailed it right on the head! By the way, I'm very pleased with the Venture Shield product. Been on now for about 4 years with no problems.

 

Anybody try this Clearmask bra kit???
http://www.clearmask.com/application_tools