Clear-bra - Is It Worth it in the long run?
#16
the guy here in Nr\orthern Cali is doing high end cars and he is using 3m product...i did couple cars from him and its been great. 350 for bumper , hood, mirrors.
#17
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#18
Think twice before putting on a clear shield on a WHITE car. The film tends to discolor after a couple of years, and several customers of mine asked for it to be removed or reinstalled.
#19
The older 3m used to yellow the new stuff isn't supposed too. ~ Some of the cheaper brands also yellow. I've used both. Mine has a 5 yr warranty also......another reason to allow the dealer to install it.
#20
MultiTasking Mom
my cousin has a tungsten silver ES with clear bra installed by dealer (when it was new). it yellowed fairly quickly (within 3 yrs) and has a matte look to it which bothers me because paint finish is supposed to be glassy and shiny. so when the front end looks matte, it almost looks like it has body work done on it or something. it's not a full hood cover either so you can see the line very clearly.
i have no idea what kind of film it is, but it was installed by a very large LA dealer and they claim it is guaranteed for life, although i don't know if they will stand behind that or not.
either way, the bra does its job regardless of how it looks. but personally i don't pay for clear bra because i don't get too many chips and i lease so it's not a long term investment for me.
#23
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yes - self install.
I installed on our previous bmw x-3. The headlights were difficult - not doing those this time. If you are patient it can be done. Motor skills help too. Willing to help anyone in the area give it a try.
I installed on our previous bmw x-3. The headlights were difficult - not doing those this time. If you are patient it can be done. Motor skills help too. Willing to help anyone in the area give it a try.
#26
MultiTasking Mom
Tom59, that looks really nice! can't see the line at all - is it a full hood?
what i meant to say in my earlier post was that it turned hazy after a few years and essentially developed a matte finish (originally it was clear and perfect). she doesn't know what kind it is, but i suspect it was not super high-end because it was "thrown in" as part of the sale
what i meant to say in my earlier post was that it turned hazy after a few years and essentially developed a matte finish (originally it was clear and perfect). she doesn't know what kind it is, but i suspect it was not super high-end because it was "thrown in" as part of the sale
#27
No , half hood...... This guy does Bentley's and Porsche's and some other really high end cars. So his reputation is stellar. It's pretty obvious how good he is.
The older films used to be a little thicker and they showed more after waxing. They also yellowed or discolored is more like it. Having a long warranty makes me feel even better. 5 yrs ....
I also did the door jams myself and soon where your finger nails scratch the inside of the door handles. I need to make a pattern for that.
Mine has a full bumper and if you didn't know it was on there....you would swear it wasn't done. Mirrors are done also and I didn't know that until last week when I zaino'd her.
The older films used to be a little thicker and they showed more after waxing. They also yellowed or discolored is more like it. Having a long warranty makes me feel even better. 5 yrs ....
I also did the door jams myself and soon where your finger nails scratch the inside of the door handles. I need to make a pattern for that.
Mine has a full bumper and if you didn't know it was on there....you would swear it wasn't done. Mirrors are done also and I didn't know that until last week when I zaino'd her.
#28
I'm looking at the clear bra for my new HS also. I'm trying to weigh all the options and costs before I jump in.
The clear bra is nice in the fact that it is almost invisible, and you do not have to remove it to clean it, especially in the winter months.
But as a cheaper alternative, Colgan Custom does make a front end bra for the CT, as well as the HS, for around $155.
The model no. BC4841BC
The site:
http://www.colgancustom.com/
The clear bra is nice in the fact that it is almost invisible, and you do not have to remove it to clean it, especially in the winter months.
But as a cheaper alternative, Colgan Custom does make a front end bra for the CT, as well as the HS, for around $155.
The model no. BC4841BC
The site:
http://www.colgancustom.com/
#29
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#30
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Like mentioned above don't cheap out on it. I have seen a few that after 3-4years the front of the car looks a different color. I have it on my Z. If you just run your hand across it you can feel alot of spot that would of been paint chips.
A friend of mine has a black S2000 and it almost looks like someone slightly sandblasted the front, same with my old SRt4.
I say well worth it. Don't use thick waxes etc or they will cake up in the edges.
A friend of mine has a black S2000 and it almost looks like someone slightly sandblasted the front, same with my old SRt4.
I say well worth it. Don't use thick waxes etc or they will cake up in the edges.