Anyone with Clear Bra experience?
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 409
Likes: 17
From: TX
I'll be getting my ES done in a couple of weeks with 3M film. The full kit with bumpers, fender, hood, and mirrors will be done for $500 by a shop that has a certified 3M installer. I am wondering if anyone has done the leading edge of the roof in front of the moonroof as my 2008 ES had some chips from road debris in that area. they will do this area for an extra 100 bucks but I am not sure if it's worth it.
PTmobile, what experience have you had with those other brands that you mentioned? Why do you think they are better? I have never had any problems with 3M products.
PTmobile, what experience have you had with those other brands that you mentioned? Why do you think they are better? I have never had any problems with 3M products.
Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 162
Likes: 1
From: DFW, Texas
I'll be getting my ES done in a couple of weeks with 3M film. The full kit with bumpers, fender, hood, and mirrors will be done for $500 by a shop that has a certified 3M installer. I am wondering if anyone has done the leading edge of the roof in front of the moonroof as my 2008 ES had some chips from road debris in that area. they will do this area for an extra 100 bucks but I am not sure if it's worth it.
PTmobile, what experience have you had with those other brands that you mentioned? Why do you think they are better? I have never had any problems with 3M products.
PTmobile, what experience have you had with those other brands that you mentioned? Why do you think they are better? I have never had any problems with 3M products.
As far as the leading edge of the roof it is pretty cheap insurance for the car. For $100 though they should do the A pillars as well which is just as important.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 69,222
Likes: 4,220
From: Maryland
My film is Ventureshield (I realize "3M film" is different, even though 3M owns Ventureshield), the peel matches the paint. I did have some staining with a bird bomb, but an online trick of heating it with a hair dryer removed it.
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,279
Likes: 1,034
From: Illinois
Suntek and Xpel Ultimate are both MUCH smoother films (3M has a lot of orange peel) and both films are self healing. So bug etchings and light scratches will heal themselves when the car is parked in the sun. I wont touch 3M... either installing it or removing it. IF you have to take 3M off the vehicle you can plan on almost all the adhesive remaining behind on the paint. Once bug season starts you will see the bugs etch the film and there isn't much you can do to correct it. You can lightly buff it but it doesn't always get the bug etchings out.
As far as the leading edge of the roof it is pretty cheap insurance for the car. For $100 though they should do the A pillars as well which is just as important.
As far as the leading edge of the roof it is pretty cheap insurance for the car. For $100 though they should do the A pillars as well which is just as important.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 409
Likes: 17
From: TX
Thanks everyone. I'll discuss with the shop next week as I know they offer films other than 3M. I was thinking about the A pillars as well so that may actually be a better option than the roof edge.
I live in Houston and bug season is brutal here. It will ruin a car's finish if not removed quickly.
I live in Houston and bug season is brutal here. It will ruin a car's finish if not removed quickly.
Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 162
Likes: 1
From: DFW, Texas
They were the first to come out with film, BUT, they haven't improved their film for as long as I can remember. With that said later this year they are supposed to come out with their own self healing film. But they have said that the last two years now and still nothing to test out. Sure they are a big name but their film just isn't a good product.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,897
Likes: 11
From: SF Bay Area, CA
I've had no problems with my Ventureshield by 3M. Installed by an indie that asked me to come back to check the install. One bubble that was taken care of. From their web site and looking at the install it looked like self healing to me, but I'm just a happy user.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Lexus NX 350h: A Fuel-Sipping Secret Hot Hatch???
Michael S. Palmer
5 Best & 5 Worst Lexus Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
Top 5 Hottest Lexus & Toyotas in 2026 (Hardest To Buy)
Brett Foote
2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles
Michael S. Palmer
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4
Joe Kucinski
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 162
Likes: 1
From: DFW, Texas
It isn't self healing. I installed Ventureshield for 8 years before coming back to Texas. The film doesn't hold up well here to bugs... and we get a lot of them in the spring and summer. If it was self healing I would still carry it. But it will easily get swirl marks in it.... that are there for good.
Rookie
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Houston, T
Question: I live in houston and have front parking sensors. The dealer and the installer indicated they will not touch ClearBra products for cars with sensors. The $425 the dealership charged was for front hood and mirrors only. The bumper essentially where we need it the most is unprotected . why cant they poke holes in the film to make it fit cars with sensors???
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 409
Likes: 17
From: TX
We'll I decided to go with the Avery Nano Fusion. I am at Invisishield in Houston now getting the film installed. This product has a reputation for being one of the smoothest films available. It also has a lifetime warranty and has little to no problems with yellowing.
I'll take some pictures once it's fully dried and post them.
I'll take some pictures once it's fully dried and post them.
Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 162
Likes: 1
From: DFW, Texas
Avery Nano Fusion used to be the smoothest film out. About a year and a half ago they had manufacturing issues and stopped producing it for 9 months. Since it has come back out it just isn't the same film. I stopped carrying it due to the increased texture and the fact it tears easily. Its a shame... it was a great film. Keep us posted in the durability of the product. This summer will be a good test with the bugs.