clear bra
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 348
Likes: 1
From: Southwest Suburbs of Chicago Ill.
St. Jude Donor '14
clear bra
Has anyone without experience installed there own clear bra? If so how did it go and would you do it again. This would be using a pre cut kit. Thanks in advance: confused:
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 254
Likes: 2
From: Beachwood (Cleveland) Ohio
Doug
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,652
Likes: 2,106
From: Left Coast, San Diego
I am having mine done this weekend. There is no way I would take a chance of screwing it up.....which I would do!
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 189
Likes: 3
From: Orange County California
2. Find local shop that provides professional installation,,,
3. pay the man and enjoy the benefits,,
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 835
Likes: 9
From: Odessa FL
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
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 129
From: Fairview Heights IL
That's what I had done to my Red at Funfest 2013 last September. The professionals first removed the faded, 7-years-old and worn out 3M film that had lost all its gloss. They used a fabric steamer to soften both the film and its gum adhesive. The old stuff came off like giant pieces of Scotch tape. After claying the surface underneath, it was just as shiney and perfect as it was when I picked Red up from the Museum in Aug 2006. Then they applied freshly cut XPEL sheets over the entire nose, mirror fronts, and rear bits of the wheel wells. It looked (and still looks) gorgeous -- every bit as glossy as a good Zaino polish.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 122
Likes: 3
From: Mississippi
I installed a clear bra on my wife's new genesis coupe. It was a learning process and not easy. It turned out good but not perfect. But now that I've done it and understand how to heat and stretch the material to get it to fit, i could easily do it again and have it look near perfect.
My recommendation, if you've never done it before... you don't want to learn on your vette.
My recommendation, if you've never done it before... you don't want to learn on your vette.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,942
Likes: 272
From: McKinney, texas DPD Sergeant
I think I would have to disagree with this. I've seen three booths at events like Mid-America Motor Works Funfest where they custom cut everything from bulk film rolls on CNC laser tables. It's fast and the pieces are exactly the right size & shape.
That's what I had done to my Red at Funfest 2013 last September. The professionals first removed the faded, 7-years-old and worn out 3M film that had lost all its gloss. They used a fabric steamer to soften both the film and its gum adhesive. The old stuff came off like giant pieces of Scotch tape. After claying the surface underneath, it was just as shiney and perfect as it was when I picked Red up from the Museum in Aug 2006. Then they applied freshly cut XPEL sheets over the entire nose, mirror fronts, and rear bits of the wheel wells. It looked (and still looks) gorgeous -- every bit as glossy as a good Zaino polish.
That's what I had done to my Red at Funfest 2013 last September. The professionals first removed the faded, 7-years-old and worn out 3M film that had lost all its gloss. They used a fabric steamer to soften both the film and its gum adhesive. The old stuff came off like giant pieces of Scotch tape. After claying the surface underneath, it was just as shiney and perfect as it was when I picked Red up from the Museum in Aug 2006. Then they applied freshly cut XPEL sheets over the entire nose, mirror fronts, and rear bits of the wheel wells. It looked (and still looks) gorgeous -- every bit as glossy as a good Zaino polish.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 129
From: Fairview Heights IL
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,823
Likes: 2
From: Anthem AZ
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 0
From: Rowayton Ct.
So, first I bought pre-cut pieces from Cleartastic. When they arrived and I read the instructions, knowing that I have almost zero aptitude for fine hand work, I got Expel put on by the pro's. They did a great job, and, for me, it was the right decision.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 348
Likes: 1
From: Southwest Suburbs of Chicago Ill.
St. Jude Donor '14
Here is why I ask... I can go with expel order bumper, full hood, full fenders, and mirrors for around 700.00 material only I install... Or go with 3m partial hood, partial fenders, front bumper, and mirrors for 600.00 installed.... The reason this is tuff decision is my vette budget is very limited right now because I bought this car and my original budget was for a ç5.. And I ended up with this c6.. Which I have no regrets doing..
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
The guy who installed my GS fender stripes said that all clear bras will eventually turn yellow and he would not recommend one to anybody. One man's opinion?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 3
From: DFW Texas
That's not what he said and I will disagree with your point. He stated the plotter cut the material which is precut kits. Custom cutting is a DIFFERENT skill set but not better in any way. A lot of custom installers have a hard time with kits because they actually have to make the material fit perfectly where as custom cutting they stretch a large piece and cut everything by hand. MOST custom installers cut the paint up. You just don't know it because the cuts are along the film lines.... so unless you remove it you wont know its cut. I have done both types of installs and both are very different. A good precut kits with wrapped edges is just as good as a custom cut. its all coming out of the same material.
By the way who is your guy? I am pretty sure I have been out to your place before... if you are who I think you are.
By the way who is your guy? I am pretty sure I have been out to your place before... if you are who I think you are.