Clear bra cost for the GS?
#31
the reason why i choose 3M scotchgard PPF (paint protection film) aka clear bra is because it has a clear coat on the film and which you can wax over it and as well it won't start turning yellow over time period.
at first i thought the same as why spend so much more money on 3M product whereas as i can get other PPF cheaper and do the same job but then i read and saw first hand what happens to the PPF over time versus 3M PPF.
anyways there is a reason why premium luxury brand companies choose 3M PPF over any other brand films.
at first i thought the same as why spend so much more money on 3M product whereas as i can get other PPF cheaper and do the same job but then i read and saw first hand what happens to the PPF over time versus 3M PPF.
anyways there is a reason why premium luxury brand companies choose 3M PPF over any other brand films.
By the way clear bra is the term for what it is... it is associated with all brands... not just 3M.
#32
Best investment for you car. Especially if you live in an area that has snow & moronic city councel who opt to dump rocks & sand on the road instead of plowing the roads to clear the snow...
#33
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
You can see the line across the hood, but you get used to it and it doesn't look unnatural, it follows the contours of the hood and looks like its supposed to be that way. I too would have gotten the full hood and full fenders but the cost was prohibitive.
I am very **** about my car, and I do not regret my decision to do the clearbra the way I did at all.
As for 3M being "lower end" and "full of orange peel", mine is 3M Ventureshield and the peel matches the peel of the paint perfectly. The product itself has no peel whatsoever, its totally smooth I saw it before it was installed.
VERY few installers here use anything other than 3M. I did find one Xpel installer, but he wanted $1,200 just do do 1/3 the hood and fenders and no headlights which was too much.
As for warranty...are you really going to keep your car longer than 5 years? And if the film does yellow after say...7 years you can always remove it...or even replace it depending on the cost differential upfront (Xpel would have cost me $500 more than the Ventureshield).
Food for thought.
I am very **** about my car, and I do not regret my decision to do the clearbra the way I did at all.
As for 3M being "lower end" and "full of orange peel", mine is 3M Ventureshield and the peel matches the peel of the paint perfectly. The product itself has no peel whatsoever, its totally smooth I saw it before it was installed.
VERY few installers here use anything other than 3M. I did find one Xpel installer, but he wanted $1,200 just do do 1/3 the hood and fenders and no headlights which was too much.
As for warranty...are you really going to keep your car longer than 5 years? And if the film does yellow after say...7 years you can always remove it...or even replace it depending on the cost differential upfront (Xpel would have cost me $500 more than the Ventureshield).
Food for thought.
#35
I have the same concerns with my Starfire Pearl. I was quoted $1,499 by a very well know installer that does most Porsche dealers in So Cal. $1500 gets me Xpel Ultimate for the full hood, full fenders, full bumper, front of mirrors, door edges, and top of the rear bumper (similiar to the lexus rear bumper appliqué). The best part is he wraps all edges so you see no lines, plus Xpel has a 10 year warranty for parts and labor. The lines are my biggest complaint so I am considering it, but $1,500! Damn! I have another quote for a different installer for a 3M partial hood, partial fender, full bumper and mirrors for $499, I just don't want to regret not getting the full treatment down the road.
I have it installed on 2 vehicle by independent shop and the third one at Lexus dealer all for $500/each. They all have paperwork for lifetime part & labor warranty. The oldest had been 4 years and still looking good.
#36
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
#38
IMO, the difference between Xpel and 3M is minimal. As a matter of fact, I think 3M might even own Xpel now? The key is how good the installer is. My last car had a clear bra and my new one will too.
#40
I think you are right ... let me clarify ... XPEL makes the patterns. My last car used XPEL pattern and 3M material. The 3M worked fine on my daily driver in Southern CA. The film never yellowed.
I always recommend having installers put the film in the door handle pockets too. The paint in there would otherwise get scratched up bad by fingernails.
I always recommend having installers put the film in the door handle pockets too. The paint in there would otherwise get scratched up bad by fingernails.
#41
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Yeah the installers have a laser cutting machine, they use rolled product and the computer program to cut the patterns out of the film. So I suppose you could use Xpel patterns and 3M films.
Right, 3M owns Ventureshield but Xpel is still different. All things equal I would have chosen Xpel probably but the 3M was way cheaper and I liked this installer a lot.
Thanks!
Right, 3M owns Ventureshield but Xpel is still different. All things equal I would have chosen Xpel probably but the 3M was way cheaper and I liked this installer a lot.
Originally Posted by bnlexus
You got your money worth, Steve. Looks good! They did a good job.
#42
Driver School Candidate
For those of you who would like to see pics:
http://proshield.smugmug.com/Cars/EX...686016&k=Riasb
Go to the last page of the album, that's my car. The did an RX and an ES before also and they're in there.
http://proshield.smugmug.com/Cars/EX...686016&k=Riasb
Go to the last page of the album, that's my car. The did an RX and an ES before also and they're in there.
#43
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
It took about 3-4 hours probably...
They might do a group discount, give them a call and see.
As an update, I had a bird bomb etch the surface of the Ventureshield material on my hood, tried Plexus and some light polish and it would not come out. I found a tip online that a hair dryer would make blemishes disappear like magic. I was skeptical but tried it, and it worked 100%! Pretty cool material...
They might do a group discount, give them a call and see.
As an update, I had a bird bomb etch the surface of the Ventureshield material on my hood, tried Plexus and some light polish and it would not come out. I found a tip online that a hair dryer would make blemishes disappear like magic. I was skeptical but tried it, and it worked 100%! Pretty cool material...
#44
I went to Proshield for my RX350 upon Steve's recommendation. Dave took his time took his time and did a great job. I am very pleased with the results. He works on many high end cars and was finishing up working on a GTR when I arrived. I got the premium with the wear and tear package and it took about 6 hours. Highly recommended!
#45
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Cool! Glad you were happy...