Clear Bra Question
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 75
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Clear Bra Question
When it comes to keeping my car clean, I'm very fanatical. As soon as I get home from driving around, I clean the front bumper off and free it from all the bugs that are plastered on it. It's a black car, so I'm always worried that too much washing will leave those dreaded swirls, and not enough washing of the front will have the bugs leave their mark when I eventually wash the entire car.
My question is this.
With the 3M Clear bra on the front bumper, can I wash that thing as much as I want and not worry about any swirls forming in the paint? It might be a dumb question, but I just want to be sure.
Thanks.
My question is this.
With the 3M Clear bra on the front bumper, can I wash that thing as much as I want and not worry about any swirls forming in the paint? It might be a dumb question, but I just want to be sure.
Thanks.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland Florida
I have the full boat on the 3m material..front, hood, splash front and rear, rockers etc. Well worth the $$. Just be sure you keep your wash mitt or whatever clean, rinse it out often, and use ONLY a soft towel for drying. I made the mistake of using a paper towel to spot-clean a small bug spot, and got surface scratches in the film. And no, they don't come out.
PS; the scratches can only be seen if you stick your face right up to them, but I still know they are there.
PS; the scratches can only be seen if you stick your face right up to them, but I still know they are there.
Last edited by bj33813; Mar 9, 2007 at 05:50 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Time is a great teacher. Unfortunately, it kills all its pupils.
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Or do what I do. I use an electric leaf blower to dry the car and then go over it with a micro fiber towel and detail spray to clean up any residual water spots. The less you touch the paint, the less chance of creating swirls. 
If you want to do it this way, make sure that you use and electric leaf blower as opposed to a gas one as you will coat the car in oil if using a gas blower.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,488
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From: warner robins georgia
I have the clear bra, but I'd invest in a PC polisher. It's the single best thing for polishing areas (when the time comes and you get small scratches) without leaving swirl marks.
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Pro
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 547
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From: Dayton Ohio
Or do what I do. I use an electric leaf blower to dry the car and then go over it with a micro fiber towel and detail spray to clean up any residual water spots. The less you touch the paint, the less chance of creating swirls. If you want to do it this way, make sure that you use and electric leaf blower as opposed to a gas one as you will coat the car in oil if using a gas blower.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
From: Plant City FL
I have the full boat on the 3m material..front, hood, splash front and rear, rockers etc. Well worth the $$. Just be sure you keep your wash mitt or whatever clean, rinse it out often, and use ONLY a soft towel for drying. I made the mistake of using a paper towel to spot-clean a small bug spot, and got surface scratches in the film. And no, they don't come out.
PS; the scratches can only be seen if you stick your face right up to them, but I still know they are there.
PS; the scratches can only be seen if you stick your face right up to them, but I still know they are there.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,064
Likes: 0
From: Warwick RI
Or do what I do. I use an electric leaf blower to dry the car and then go over it with a micro fiber towel and detail spray to clean up any residual water spots. The less you touch the paint, the less chance of creating swirls. If you want to do it this way, make sure that you use and electric leaf blower as opposed to a gas one as you will coat the car in oil if using a gas blower.
Saw them hanging on his wall and ask him what do you do with does. Could of knocked me over with a weed wacker.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,488
Likes: 0
From: warner robins georgia
I have the full boat on the 3m material..front, hood, splash front and rear, rockers etc. Well worth the $$. Just be sure you keep your wash mitt or whatever clean, rinse it out often, and use ONLY a soft towel for drying. I made the mistake of using a paper towel to spot-clean a small bug spot, and got surface scratches in the film. And no, they don't come out.
PS; the scratches can only be seen if you stick your face right up to them, but I still know they are there.
PS; the scratches can only be seen if you stick your face right up to them, but I still know they are there.
check out this thread. someone said that alcohol could remove small scratches from the 3M material.
http://www.clublexus.com/forums/show....php?p=2229135
this is also the last paragraph from xpel, and it says the same thing.
Care Instructions
No special care is necessary for your kit once it is installed. You may wash and wax the product, just as you do the rest of your vehicle. You may experience a wax build up along the hood lines and other kit edges. Use a Q-tip or a soft brush to gently wipe away excess wax. Swirl or light scratches can be removed by gently wiping undiluted Isopropyl Alcohol onto the material and allowing it to evaporate. A layer of wax should be applied to the film as soon as possible after installation to close the pores in the clear coat. This will prevent bug acids and road grime from staining the kit. When using high-pressure sprayers, do not place the nozzle directly against the edge of the kit, or lifting may occur. Avoid picking at the edges or corners. Irreparable lifting of the material will result.
Last edited by rbridges; Mar 10, 2007 at 07:36 AM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland Florida
PSIMMS:
I had mine done when I lived in Orlando by Dave Duncan 407-275-0558, or 321-663-9457 cell. but got his name from the Xpel site as an recommended installer, and he also does the local Ferrari dealer too.. I do know there are several here in Lakeland that do it as well as window tinting tho...maybe check your YP for window tinting ? And has to be many in Tampa area as well.
Rbridges: Thanks for the tip..I'll give it a "whirl" (bad pun).
I had mine done when I lived in Orlando by Dave Duncan 407-275-0558, or 321-663-9457 cell. but got his name from the Xpel site as an recommended installer, and he also does the local Ferrari dealer too.. I do know there are several here in Lakeland that do it as well as window tinting tho...maybe check your YP for window tinting ? And has to be many in Tampa area as well.
Rbridges: Thanks for the tip..I'll give it a "whirl" (bad pun).
Last edited by bj33813; Mar 10, 2007 at 08:39 AM.
