When to Install Clear Bra?
03-03-16, 06:54 AM
#1
When to Install Clear Bra?
I'm taking delivery of a new 2015 RC-F this week. Should I have my detailer do the new car prep (paint protection, etc.) and then install the clear bra, or just get the clear bra installed now and detail later? The car has 55 miles. Thanks!
03-03-16, 08:50 AM
#2
Hi Cody - first, make sure your dealer knows not to wash, detail, or prep the car in any way (sounds like youve got that covered, but always worth mentioning)
If possible, it is preferred to have the clear bra installed on bare paint without any waxes, sealants, or coatings applied beneath it.
It sounds like your detailer does not also install the PPF, correct? 2 different shops?
If so, I would do this....
Option 1 - Have the detailer meet you at the PPF shop to inspect the paint (or go to the detail shop if that is what they insist). Have them thoroughly inspect the areas that are going to be wrapped in clear bra to see if there are any scratches, swirl marks, or other defects that need to be corrected. If so, have him correct the paint. Then have the clear bra installed. Then have the detailer complete the new car prep & paint protection services after the clear bra has had enough time to set (I think typically 4-7 days?).
Option 2 - Have the detailer complete the new car prep and apply paint protection to all areas except what will be coated in PPF. Then have the PPF installer do their work. Then bring it back to the detailer to clean up any mess the PPF team left as the process involves spraying soapy solution all over the car and can be a little messy.
Consult your detailer for more ideas!
That is my recommendation!
-Zach
If possible, it is preferred to have the clear bra installed on bare paint without any waxes, sealants, or coatings applied beneath it.
It sounds like your detailer does not also install the PPF, correct? 2 different shops?
If so, I would do this....
Option 1 - Have the detailer meet you at the PPF shop to inspect the paint (or go to the detail shop if that is what they insist). Have them thoroughly inspect the areas that are going to be wrapped in clear bra to see if there are any scratches, swirl marks, or other defects that need to be corrected. If so, have him correct the paint. Then have the clear bra installed. Then have the detailer complete the new car prep & paint protection services after the clear bra has had enough time to set (I think typically 4-7 days?).
Option 2 - Have the detailer complete the new car prep and apply paint protection to all areas except what will be coated in PPF. Then have the PPF installer do their work. Then bring it back to the detailer to clean up any mess the PPF team left as the process involves spraying soapy solution all over the car and can be a little messy.
Consult your detailer for more ideas!
That is my recommendation!
-Zach
03-03-16, 09:26 AM
#3
Hi Cody - first, make sure your dealer knows not to wash, detail, or prep the car in any way (sounds like youve got that covered, but always worth mentioning)
If possible, it is preferred to have the clear bra installed on bare paint without any waxes, sealants, or coatings applied beneath it.
It sounds like your detailer does not also install the PPF, correct? 2 different shops?
If so, I would do this....
Option 1 - Have the detailer meet you at the PPF shop to inspect the paint (or go to the detail shop if that is what they insist). Have them thoroughly inspect the areas that are going to be wrapped in clear bra to see if there are any scratches, swirl marks, or other defects that need to be corrected. If so, have him correct the paint. Then have the clear bra installed. Then have the detailer complete the new car prep & paint protection services after the clear bra has had enough time to set (I think typically 4-7 days?).
Option 2 - Have the detailer complete the new car prep and apply paint protection to all areas except what will be coated in PPF. Then have the PPF installer do their work. Then bring it back to the detailer to clean up any mess the PPF team left as the process involves spraying soapy solution all over the car and can be a little messy.
Consult your detailer for more ideas!
That is my recommendation!
-Zach
If possible, it is preferred to have the clear bra installed on bare paint without any waxes, sealants, or coatings applied beneath it.
It sounds like your detailer does not also install the PPF, correct? 2 different shops?
If so, I would do this....
Option 1 - Have the detailer meet you at the PPF shop to inspect the paint (or go to the detail shop if that is what they insist). Have them thoroughly inspect the areas that are going to be wrapped in clear bra to see if there are any scratches, swirl marks, or other defects that need to be corrected. If so, have him correct the paint. Then have the clear bra installed. Then have the detailer complete the new car prep & paint protection services after the clear bra has had enough time to set (I think typically 4-7 days?).
Option 2 - Have the detailer complete the new car prep and apply paint protection to all areas except what will be coated in PPF. Then have the PPF installer do their work. Then bring it back to the detailer to clean up any mess the PPF team left as the process involves spraying soapy solution all over the car and can be a little messy.
Consult your detailer for more ideas!
That is my recommendation!
-Zach
P.s. I wish you were in Arizona; I've seen your work and it's flawless. Can I fly you out for a detail job?
03-03-16, 10:06 AM
#4
Ha, thanks for the flattering words Cody.
I don't want to sound too negative... but in my years of detailing, I have never seen a car that has been washed by a dealer and was not at least a little bit scratched up. Even at my own Lexus dealer, the cars on the showroom floor just look awful to me. I'd still recommend contacting your detailer to have him inspect it prior to applying the clear bra - better safe than sorry, but perhaps I am overly cautious
Edit: what color is the car?
-Zach
I don't want to sound too negative... but in my years of detailing, I have never seen a car that has been washed by a dealer and was not at least a little bit scratched up. Even at my own Lexus dealer, the cars on the showroom floor just look awful to me. I'd still recommend contacting your detailer to have him inspect it prior to applying the clear bra - better safe than sorry, but perhaps I am overly cautious
Edit: what color is the car?
-Zach
03-03-16, 10:15 AM
#5
Ha, thanks for the flattering words Cody.
I don't want to sound too negative... but in my years of detailing, I have never seen a car that has been washed by a dealer and was not at least a little bit scratched up. Even at my own Lexus dealer, the cars on the showroom floor just look awful to me. I'd still recommend contacting your detailer to have him inspect it prior to applying the clear bra - better safe than sorry, but perhaps I am overly cautious
Edit: what color is the car?
-Zach
I don't want to sound too negative... but in my years of detailing, I have never seen a car that has been washed by a dealer and was not at least a little bit scratched up. Even at my own Lexus dealer, the cars on the showroom floor just look awful to me. I'd still recommend contacting your detailer to have him inspect it prior to applying the clear bra - better safe than sorry, but perhaps I am overly cautious
Edit: what color is the car?
-Zach
Trending Topics
03-03-16, 07:11 PM
#8
Lexus Test Driver
Hi Cody - first, make sure your dealer knows not to wash, detail, or prep the car in any way (sounds like youve got that covered, but always worth mentioning)
If possible, it is preferred to have the clear bra installed on bare paint without any waxes, sealants, or coatings applied beneath it.
It sounds like your detailer does not also install the PPF, correct? 2 different shops?
If so, I would do this....
Option 1 - Have the detailer meet you at the PPF shop to inspect the paint (or go to the detail shop if that is what they insist). Have them thoroughly inspect the areas that are going to be wrapped in clear bra to see if there are any scratches, swirl marks, or other defects that need to be corrected. If so, have him correct the paint. Then have the clear bra installed. Then have the detailer complete the new car prep & paint protection services after the clear bra has had enough time to set (I think typically 4-7 days?).
Option 2 - Have the detailer complete the new car prep and apply paint protection to all areas except what will be coated in PPF. Then have the PPF installer do their work. Then bring it back to the detailer to clean up any mess the PPF team left as the process involves spraying soapy solution all over the car and can be a little messy.
Consult your detailer for more ideas!
That is my recommendation!
-Zach
If possible, it is preferred to have the clear bra installed on bare paint without any waxes, sealants, or coatings applied beneath it.
It sounds like your detailer does not also install the PPF, correct? 2 different shops?
If so, I would do this....
Option 1 - Have the detailer meet you at the PPF shop to inspect the paint (or go to the detail shop if that is what they insist). Have them thoroughly inspect the areas that are going to be wrapped in clear bra to see if there are any scratches, swirl marks, or other defects that need to be corrected. If so, have him correct the paint. Then have the clear bra installed. Then have the detailer complete the new car prep & paint protection services after the clear bra has had enough time to set (I think typically 4-7 days?).
Option 2 - Have the detailer complete the new car prep and apply paint protection to all areas except what will be coated in PPF. Then have the PPF installer do their work. Then bring it back to the detailer to clean up any mess the PPF team left as the process involves spraying soapy solution all over the car and can be a little messy.
Consult your detailer for more ideas!
That is my recommendation!
-Zach
Besides, for coatings, I had success with Polish Angel Cosmic with Polish Angel Invincible 9H primer applied before PPF installation. In fact, I asked the detailer/Canadian distributor who sells Polish Angel stuff and he said he puts Polish Angel Cosmic before PPF for his car.
http://www.polishangel.us/collection...mic-9h-coating
Polish Angel markets Cosmic as a glass coating. It has silica (SiO) and titania (TiO) in it. Some considers it as a long lasting sealant, though. On the other hand, by just reading on other forums, Gtechniq stuff won't work below PPF.
03-04-16, 05:21 AM
#9
My suggestions were only an echo of the manufacturer's exact words, but perhaps I should have been more clear as I know spray waxes are often used on the surface prior to film application.
Here is the answer from Xpel...
While I have personally never seen an issue arise from having a coating applied beneath PPF, I think it is always best to follow manufacturer recommendations in this situation.
-Zach
Here is the answer from Xpel...
Originally Posted by Xpel FAQ
Can/should Opti-Coat or similar coating be applied to the car before the film is installed?
We do NOT recommend applying sealants such as Opti-Coat or cQuartz to the parts of the car that will be covered with film. The low surface energy of paint sealant products such as these will cause adhesion problems both during installation and over the life of the product. In addition, it is worth noting that there is really no benefit to applying sealant to the paint before the film anyway, since the film will provide far more environmental protection to the paint than a sealant ever could.
We do NOT recommend applying sealants such as Opti-Coat or cQuartz to the parts of the car that will be covered with film. The low surface energy of paint sealant products such as these will cause adhesion problems both during installation and over the life of the product. In addition, it is worth noting that there is really no benefit to applying sealant to the paint before the film anyway, since the film will provide far more environmental protection to the paint than a sealant ever could.
-Zach
03-04-16, 05:41 AM
#10
Lexus Test Driver
My suggestions were only an echo of the manufacturer's exact words, but perhaps I should have been more clear as I know spray waxes are often used on the surface prior to film application.
Here is the answer from Xpel...
While I have personally never seen an issue arise from having a coating applied beneath PPF, I think it is always best to follow manufacturer recommendations in this situation.
-Zach
Here is the answer from Xpel...
While I have personally never seen an issue arise from having a coating applied beneath PPF, I think it is always best to follow manufacturer recommendations in this situation.
-Zach
Good to know Cquartz won't work below PPF. :thumb up: On the other hand, the chemistry of Polish Angel Cosmic is different than other silica-based coating as it also contains traces of carnauba.
03-04-16, 07:05 AM
#11
My suggestions were only an echo of the manufacturer's exact words, but perhaps I should have been more clear as I know spray waxes are often used on the surface prior to film application.
Here is the answer from Xpel...
While I have personally never seen an issue arise from having a coating applied beneath PPF, I think it is always best to follow manufacturer recommendations in this situation.
-Zach
Here is the answer from Xpel...
While I have personally never seen an issue arise from having a coating applied beneath PPF, I think it is always best to follow manufacturer recommendations in this situation.
-Zach
Getting Xpel installed today. Now, does anyone have any recommendations for safely removing the rear bumper applique?
03-04-16, 07:33 AM
#12
I would skip and not pay the dealer for the paint protection. Find a Detailer that does the PPF, let them do that and detail the car and apply the coating/sealant or your choice of finishes. Then you will know its done right.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Randre19
IS - 3rd Gen (2014-present)
15
12-10-13 08:19 PM