3M Clear Bra
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Corpus Christi Texas
3M Clear Bra
I recently bought the product for my 09 Convertable and had it installed here in Corpus by a recommended shop. The installation was far from what I expected, bubbles, rough places, overlaps, etc. Has any one had experience with this. I am now out about $400.00 bucks with a crappy looking front end.
Instructor
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: O'Fallon Missouri
What parts of your car were covered?
It sounds like your installer screwed the pooch. If you have overlaps, that isn't good at all. The clear film products are only as good as the installer.
Sorry you're having this problem.
It sounds like your installer screwed the pooch. If you have overlaps, that isn't good at all. The clear film products are only as good as the installer.
Sorry you're having this problem.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Corpus Christi Texas
Yep, too late too smart. I have located an installer here in Corpus that has experience. I found him on line by Googling "clear bra installers". They have installer s all over the nation. Thanks for your response.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Not sure what you're saying: do you now have a new installer who can do it right? or are you asking who else has had this happen and what's the remedy?
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 127
Likes: 12
From: Tampa Florida
That is definitely not normal. I have had 3M on my 2006 for almost 5 years and never had one bubble. It costed me almost $1000 which I thought was too much but have had no problems in 5 years. And overlap is a definite sign of a bad install. It will cost you to re-do it at the new shop, but it will be worth it. 5 years as a daily driver and not a single paint chip on the front end of my 2006. I just wish I had it installed on the rocker panels, several chips down there.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 334
Likes: 2
From: Sugar Land Texas
I've had this product on my 2010 Grand Sport for over a year now and have not seen one single bubble. Like the earlier comment, I too paid $1,000 and it was installed by Les Stanford in Deerborn. I then drove it 2,300 miles to Texas. I love my "invisible" bra it has really protected my front end and mirrors. Dennis Tap at Les Stanford Chev in Deerborn can fix you up with a great installation. 
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 703
Likes: 1
From: Berwyn IL
I have the whole nose covered in 3M, but full hood in Venture Shield because 3M didn't make a wide enough roll for a full hood. I also had the bottom of the doors and rockers and up the rear quarter in front of the rear wheels -- up to the gas filler. He covered the mirrors and the door opening pockets also. It took him a full eight hours to do it. It cost me $1500, but no issues in three years. There are a couple of dings on the nose in the clear material, but the paint is fine 27K miles later.
Like others have said -- the quality of the installer is everything.
Like others have said -- the quality of the installer is everything.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 847
Likes: 4
From: Atlanta
I put up a lengthy post recently, couple of weeks ago I guess, sharing my experience with a local 'authorized' XPEL installer. I covered the complete front clip, mirrors, door grab area, roof, rear wheel area and rockers, oh and even a strip across the rear lip where you load in the back. He showed me a couple of different types of film, basically smooth and slight orange-peel. Both were 8 mil. He said the smooth film was very new; he has used it but it is less forgiving than the standard. And he said on a black car, which I have, just too difficult to get it to come out perfectly (by his standards), particularly with the larger pieces such as the hood and with the nooks and crannies of the front bumper.
Anyway, mine has not stood the test of time, yet, but no bubbles, no overlap, wrapped the edges in many places. He has a plotter and pays for the software that actually cuts the film to spec; not everyone invests the money to get the plotter and software. He told me some just cut if after its on the car.
Sorry about your issues. I was extremely impressed and pleased with mine. Cost was $1350.
Anyway, mine has not stood the test of time, yet, but no bubbles, no overlap, wrapped the edges in many places. He has a plotter and pays for the software that actually cuts the film to spec; not everyone invests the money to get the plotter and software. He told me some just cut if after its on the car.
Sorry about your issues. I was extremely impressed and pleased with mine. Cost was $1350.
Last edited by funymuny; Sep 27, 2010 at 03:35 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Racer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 388
Likes: 2
From: Raleigh NC
Mine has only been on for a month now but I am extreamly pleased with the quality of the install .... used Avery Nano on bumper and fenders, Avery Venture on hood, as I wanted it completely covered with no lines and Nano is not yet available in a width that is wide enough. Check with the local Vette club guys for local install shop, and I am sure others
on this forum will chime in if they are located near you. Bubbles overlaps are an indication the install shop is inexperienced, and they will not be in business long so forget about any warr. you may have expected.
on this forum will chime in if they are located near you. Bubbles overlaps are an indication the install shop is inexperienced, and they will not be in business long so forget about any warr. you may have expected.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 847
Likes: 4
From: Atlanta
The fellow doing mine does installs for the local Ferrari dealer. Not sure if that means he was good, but I liked mine. That he invested in the plotter and software cost to take advantage of the precise cuts said a lot to me.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,248
Likes: 767
From: Lindenhurst, IL
I have a clear bra on my Vette, covering the front bumper & 1/3 of the hood & fenders.
It has looked flawless from day one. No bubbles, over-laps, or flaws of any kind.
The installer obviously makes all the difference.
Have you complained to the installer about your displeasure?
I would. Try to get at least a partial refund.
I'd expect him to have some sort of warranty, no????
It has looked flawless from day one. No bubbles, over-laps, or flaws of any kind.
The installer obviously makes all the difference.
Have you complained to the installer about your displeasure?
I would. Try to get at least a partial refund.
I'd expect him to have some sort of warranty, no????
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Corpus Christi Texas
Thanks for all of the replys. I am going to a differant installer this morning to see what he has to say and then I will decide what to do. I will let you know what I found out.
4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
This is an older thread, but interested in how things worked out. Also looking at installing the clear bra in Corpus and would like to know who to avoid, etc. Thanks.
4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Corpus Christi Texas
3M Installer
The guy's name is Chris. He works out of his shop out in the country but not far from Corpus. His number is 361-533-0693. The name of his company is "Chip Terminator" Give him a call, I think you will be pleased with his work.