After getting a few rock chips (one particularly bad one on the hood) I finally decided to get a 3M clear bra put on. This is after two months of ownership and I regret not doing so immediately. Had both the front and rear bumpers done, the fenders, 1/4 of the hood, and also the fog lights at Detailing Dynamics in Long Island. They wrapped the edges wherever possible and did a fantastic job. As you can see, there's some orange peel effect with the 3M material.













Here's some eye candy which were also in the shop:

 

ah yeah, orange peel.... should have gone with venture tape. same price and much better

but regardless, good protection there!

 

Sweet looks great I'll have to find a local installer and check in the venture tape option. Anyone know how many different manufactors there are for the clear brs systems? Any good installers in NJ?
Thanks Ernie

 

As you can see, there's some orange peel effect with the 3M material.

Im not sure which version they used, but 3M came out with their latest version this month. it comes on different backing and has less orange peal. I used some last week on a F430 and could see the difference from the older version.

If it makes you feel any better, all factory paints have orange peal, some are better than others. looks like a nice install though on a nice color.

Christopher

 

Looks good. Should serve you well this winter.

 

OK , a buddy of mine had this done on his Subaru. I checked it out, and I'm really not convinced doing this makes sense, so somebody help me out.

He paid $560 for the clear bra, just up front. Covers pretty much everything in the front that gets paint chipped, except the windshield. For that, he's got a cover that from a distance, is invisible, but get anywhere near the car, and you can see the dirt starting to accumulate along the edge of the material. But, he's got no paint chips. Some marks in the clear bra where it's been hit by stuff, but no paint chips.

So, what's the benefit? Until you remove the clear bra, I'm thinking the front doesn't look that much better than one with some paint chips. And I can fill in paint chips so you can't tell they are there without looking closely.

Or maybe he got ripped off and it's not $560 to get this done...

 

Got this info from another thread:

Films on the Market:

3M - 1st generation film had many fading issues, which prompted an upgrade in early 2004. The film still uses the same urethane, but a clearer adhesive. The old film also received many complaints about "orange peel" texture that made the film very visible on darker colored vehicles. 3M's new film is clearer, but still retains some orange peel texture. 5 Yr Warranty

Avery - Film has been known to fade in a few years and have yet to upgrade their adhesives. This company is not showing much advancement in the paint protection industry.

Clearshield - Film's quality is very similar to 3M's 1st generation film. Tends to yellow in 2-3 yrs. Similar to 3M's 1st gen film, 90% of the adhesives will remain on paint when film is removed. Orange peel texture is almost identical to 3M's old film. 5 Year Warranty.

Llumar (CP Films) is one of the clearer films on the market. Film's quality does not reject environmental oxidation, bird droppings, and other chemicals as well as 3M and Venture. The film is not OE approved and has not been tested by any independent laboratories. Lifetime Warranty

Venture - film's clarity along w/ its patented acrylic adhesives make it the clearer film. Excellent customer service and film looks great on all colors - even black. The film has been tested by Nissan against 3M. The test results showed 3M's film punctured when a 9lb prove was used while Venture's did not break until 20lbs of pressure was applied. Film is approved by Ferrari, Nissan, Infiniti, Dodge, GM and several others. Lifetime Warranty

I would have gone with Venture but Detailing Dynamics only uses 3M. I also wasn't able to locate another reputable clear bra installer in the NYC area. Nonetheless, the job that DD did was great and I have no complaints at the moment besides the orange peel effect, which isn't their fault. Perhaps it will look even better when the clear bra fully adheres after a few weeks.

 

I just called DD up and they said it's not the newest film as they haven't received it yet. Is it a huge difference?

 

There are variables you have to consider. What color was your friend's car? Who was the installer? From my experience, the film looks better on lighter color cars. And the experience/capability of the installer can make all the difference. I know that some installers wrap the film so there aren't exposd edges, negating the outline of dirt problem on the edges.

All I know is that I had major problems with paint chips on my old GS. Filling in the chips with touchup paint made the car look bad, since it wasn't a perfect match. After the second repaint of the front end, I was very happy I installed the bra. Yes, up close you could tell it was there, but most people wouldn't notice unless looking for it. And I hear that the quality of the material has improved since I did my install 3 years ago.

If it weren't for the fact I intend on switching cars in a couple years, I would have installed the film on my current GS. If someone plans on keeping their car for many years, I feel it's a worthwhile investment. Just my 2 cents.

 

It's a white car. The film is cut around the front running lights too. Everywhere there's an edge, like at the cutouts around the running lights (they're in the front bumper) the edge collects dirt.

I think that's one thing that makes me reluctant as well -- I'm on the 3 year plan. However, on the way to work this morning, my brand new GS was getting pelted by all the road crap from gravel trucks (grrrrrr), and I'm thinking maybe the clearbra would be worth it.

The problem I've had in the past is cracks in the windshield from pebbles on the road. Get me a fix for that, and I'm a happy camper.

 

I feel your pain. I absolutely hate those gravel trucks Try my best to get as far away as possible, but sometimes they are impossible to avoid.

Hmm, if you're only keeping the GS for 3 years, not sure it's worth the $600 investment. But if you decide to get the bra, I hear the CL vendor is very good. That's where I plan on taking my next car.

 

agree, experience is important. i have clear bra on my white sc430, and when the car is clean (and if you clean and wax your car correctly) it's pretty hard to see that line on the hood

when it's dirty though it's more apparent

 

Here is how i look at it. You get to enjoy driving your car without worrying about paint chips. The paint protection doesnt enhance the looks on any car, but protects your original paint. Its doing its job while being somewhat invisable. Another thing to consider is the new waterbourne paints that most new vehicles wear. It chips much easier than the older solvent based paint.

The other choices are: Lots of touch up that looks horrible.
Re-spray whole nose that wont match, and will chip easier.
Leave it.

 

Not entirely. It has a little less orange peal and easier to stretch, but that is for the installer. You still got a great film and a quality installation. Be sure to maintain that bra. Im sure DD has given you instructions in regards to maintence.

 

That's exactly how I feel. I was worrying about getting chips every single time I took my car out but now that I have my clear bra on, it gives me peace of mind and I can actually enjoy driving without constantly thinking if I'm going to end up with more chips on my hood or bumper.