New Clear Bra Install *Pics*
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
New Clear Bra Install *Pics*
I Had a partial front end clear bra on my car and had a full front end bra done at Pleasant Details in Mt. Pleasant SC. They also allowed me to do some touch up on the front end with the Dr. color chip system I had purchased while the car was on a lift surrounded by flourescent lights. Not very forgiving at all. I could have been there all day. I didn't get any pics of that process though. But I am giving a huge thumbs up on the Dr. color chip. Worked great. Then the car was completely swirl removed and waxed and polished. Sad to say it needed it bad. You can see it in the first pic. Then the clear bra install. It is the complete hood, front fenders, headlight covers, headlight lenses, liscence plate filler, turn signals and mirrors. all of the edges are wrapped over the egde so the is no visible seams. The emblems were removed and put on over the bra, as opposed to my last kit that was computer cut to go around them. All of it was cut by hand for a perfect fit. Top notch work! Some removal pics and install. And a forum member dicount to boot. Took only three days, and that is with a one day cure in the sun at the shop so it could be monitored. I almost forgot that my car was actually black. Enough talk. Here you go!
Came off just by pulling. Easier than I thought.
A small cutout to allow it to go in the curve. right on the body line. Hard to see.
Came off just by pulling. Easier than I thought.
A small cutout to allow it to go in the curve. right on the body line. Hard to see.
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That's a very good investment in your car. I have the same stuff on mine and it really does protect the car from chips/bugs/etc.
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Interesting. Great pics.
So the swirl marks were on top of the original clear bra? Does the new bra have better cut-off lines than the original? The original lines seemed to have a sharp cut-off that is easily seen. Might be due your car being black.
Also, you mentioned the Dr. Color Chip work. Was the original clear bra applied over a chipped up front fascia?
So the swirl marks were on top of the original clear bra? Does the new bra have better cut-off lines than the original? The original lines seemed to have a sharp cut-off that is easily seen. Might be due your car being black.
Also, you mentioned the Dr. Color Chip work. Was the original clear bra applied over a chipped up front fascia?
#9
Instructor
Thread Starter
I will send a PM to those interested in price for now until I get ahold of the shop. I don't want to post their price without their permission.
The swirl marks were mostly on my whole car, from not using a nice DA that I have yet to still get. I have used my buddies Porter Cable 7424xp on his Black truck and with the swirl remover meguires kit, his all but disappeared, after many hours of effort though. There were some swirls on top of the bra, because the bra was waxed just like the rest of the car. They came out a lot easier than the rest when I did my car awhile back. This new stuff, Xpell is the brand, their website lists prices for individual pieces, although when bulk ordered by the shop it comes out cheaper. As for care of this one, I was told to just wash it like normal and then apply Rejex, a "rain-x" style applicator to the bra, and even the rest of the car. I have used it before on the wheels and it is great. Depending on how often your car is driven, washed and waxed, it is supposed to last a few weeks per application.
As for the original lines, that was only a partial kit, that went up the hood as far as you see. When your car is clean, not like mine there, it is a lot harder to see, but there is a line. You have to make sure when waxing to go back with a q-tip and remove excess wax from the edge to prevent a white build up that makes it way more noticable.
This new kit is a full kit and all the egdes of the film extend to and over the edges of the panels, so no line is visible anywhere, except for the small cutout in the fender cove, which is required because the kit, if stretched into the full bend, will turn whiteish, like stretching a piece of tape too far. The only other spot it has an edge is the front license plate cover. It was trimmed to go around the "CORVETTE" letters so as not to trap air behind the kit. But it is not even noticable unless very close to the car.
As far as the old kit I had, yes, it was just applied over any existing chips. There were not a lot and they are all minor, so there was no effect on the sealing of the kit. This time, the shop was more than generous in allowing me to come in and touch it up prior to install. They are actually in the process of adding a touch up to chips as part of their install of clear bras.
I will go out today and get some pics of the front plate cover and better pics of the edge wrap to add to the thread. If you have any specific requests, let me know.
Hope this helps more.
Interesting. Great pics.
So the swirl marks were on top of the original clear bra? Does the new bra have better cut-off lines than the original? The original lines seemed to have a sharp cut-off that is easily seen. Might be due your car being black.
Also, you mentioned the Dr. Color Chip work. Was the original clear bra applied over a chipped up front fascia?
So the swirl marks were on top of the original clear bra? Does the new bra have better cut-off lines than the original? The original lines seemed to have a sharp cut-off that is easily seen. Might be due your car being black.
Also, you mentioned the Dr. Color Chip work. Was the original clear bra applied over a chipped up front fascia?
As for the original lines, that was only a partial kit, that went up the hood as far as you see. When your car is clean, not like mine there, it is a lot harder to see, but there is a line. You have to make sure when waxing to go back with a q-tip and remove excess wax from the edge to prevent a white build up that makes it way more noticable.
This new kit is a full kit and all the egdes of the film extend to and over the edges of the panels, so no line is visible anywhere, except for the small cutout in the fender cove, which is required because the kit, if stretched into the full bend, will turn whiteish, like stretching a piece of tape too far. The only other spot it has an edge is the front license plate cover. It was trimmed to go around the "CORVETTE" letters so as not to trap air behind the kit. But it is not even noticable unless very close to the car.
As far as the old kit I had, yes, it was just applied over any existing chips. There were not a lot and they are all minor, so there was no effect on the sealing of the kit. This time, the shop was more than generous in allowing me to come in and touch it up prior to install. They are actually in the process of adding a touch up to chips as part of their install of clear bras.
I will go out today and get some pics of the front plate cover and better pics of the edge wrap to add to the thread. If you have any specific requests, let me know.
Hope this helps more.
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Looks like they did a great job!
#13
Melting Slicks
#14
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[QUOTE=01Z0Sixx;1580373135]I will send a PM to those interested in price for now until I get ahold of the shop. I don't want to post their price without their permission.
PM please....great looking car...love the black!!
PM please....great looking car...love the black!!
#15
Burning Brakes
Looks like they did a great job. Happy to hear you like the results. I am always looking for other installers to refer business to. I will add them to my list. I can tell from the photos you psoted that they did a good job and were very meticulous with your vehicle.
As far as prices go one thing to mention to everyone is prices vary GREATLY between installers, locations, and types of film used. So what this individual paid would be very different to what you may pay.
As far as prices go one thing to mention to everyone is prices vary GREATLY between installers, locations, and types of film used. So what this individual paid would be very different to what you may pay.
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As for the original lines, that was only a partial kit, that went up the hood as far as you see. When your car is clean, not like mine there, it is a lot harder to see, but there is a line. You have to make sure when waxing to go back with a q-tip and remove excess wax from the edge to prevent a white build up that makes it way more noticable.
This new kit is a full kit and all the egdes of the film extend to and over the edges of the panels, so no line is visible anywhere, except for the small cutout in the fender cove, which is required because the kit, if stretched into the full bend, will turn whiteish, like stretching a piece of tape too far. The only other spot it has an edge is the front license plate cover. It was trimmed to go around the "CORVETTE" letters so as not to trap air behind the kit. But it is not even noticable unless very close to the car.
This new kit is a full kit and all the egdes of the film extend to and over the edges of the panels, so no line is visible anywhere, except for the small cutout in the fender cove, which is required because the kit, if stretched into the full bend, will turn whiteish, like stretching a piece of tape too far. The only other spot it has an edge is the front license plate cover. It was trimmed to go around the "CORVETTE" letters so as not to trap air behind the kit. But it is not even noticable unless very close to the car.
Also, do they recommend a good polish/wax before you apply the film or does that make the install more difficult?
Last edited by MSG C5; 03-25-2012 at 01:18 PM.
#18
Melting Slicks
I just got the car last year, something hit the front hard enough to cut a small piece of clear bra before I bought it...but it is very minor and if it had been paint it would have been much worse. I need to re-do the mirrors as the edges are not as tight as they were years ago I'm sure.
If you already have chips, you'll have air bubbles if you get Clear Bra installed. It should go on new cured paint (at least a few weeks of curing) and it lasts for many many years. Amazing stuff...
#20
Instructor
Thread Starter
Thanks for the information. So the new kit covers the entire hood? It looks good. Did you cover any of the side areas, rockers or fenders behind the wheel wells to prevent tire debris damage?
Also, do they recommend a good polish/wax before you apply the film or does that make the install more difficult?
Also, do they recommend a good polish/wax before you apply the film or does that make the install more difficult?
Thanks. if I didn't get anyone a PM, let me know.