1 Week Old+Road Debris= Clear Bra?
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 10
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From: CA
1 Week Old+Road Debris= Clear Bra?
My IS250 Nebula Grey is already showing signs of road debris damage on the front end (cries). Anyone have suggestions/2 cents on clear bra films?
I got a quote for a "custom" wrap for $2200 (ouch) for full front end+hood+lights & a quote for $850-1200 for the precut films. Supposedly custom wraps will fall flush with the car & will be tucked away so its not noticeable. Anyone have the precut wrap & still like it?
If you have the clear bra what's your preference on custom VS. precut OR another alternative?
I got a quote for a "custom" wrap for $2200 (ouch) for full front end+hood+lights & a quote for $850-1200 for the precut films. Supposedly custom wraps will fall flush with the car & will be tucked away so its not noticeable. Anyone have the precut wrap & still like it?
If you have the clear bra what's your preference on custom VS. precut OR another alternative?
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Ca
I had a clear bra installed on my nebula grey is 350 a couple weeks ago. I had it done right away, before any rock chips. I'm very happy with the results and the piece of mind it gives.
I had mine professionally installed using Suntek film. There are other films of high quality, but my installer believes Suntek is the best. Lifetime warranty on cracking and pealing. No yellowing either.
I had them do the full hood, front fenders, bumper and all painted front end areas, as well as side view mirrors for $1200 in Southern California.
I had mine professionally installed using Suntek film. There are other films of high quality, but my installer believes Suntek is the best. Lifetime warranty on cracking and pealing. No yellowing either.
I had them do the full hood, front fenders, bumper and all painted front end areas, as well as side view mirrors for $1200 in Southern California.
I paid $450 for front bumper, quarter hood, quarter fenders, side mirrors and all door handles all were precut. Had it done the second day i got the car. Its been 7months and still looks good.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 2
From: North Carolina
You typically want to clear bra prior to getting chips as the installers want the surface to be as clean as possible. There is really no way to protect completely. But the clear bra does help. I had mine installed about a week after getting the car. I've still received some nice hits, but at least the bra has kept the nicks off of the paint.
Driver
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 111
Likes: 8
From: Texas
Clear Bra
I had XPEL installed on my car as soon as i got it. i think it has a 10 year warranty. Over 3 mos my front end looks flawless. I paid 1200 for full front bumper, hood, quarter panels and rear view mirrors. I think if you already have chips you are going to have issues, but i cant say for sure. i would reach out to an installer to confirm.
The comment on coatings. I have done a boat load of research on this, and having one installed this weekend actually. Coatings WILL NOT protect against this. All a coating will do is help reduce the number of swirl marks you get from washing your car.
If the installer can wrap every section around the edges i would say to go that route but my installer installed a pre cut kit and you cant tell it is on there without looking very closely. Please note that if they cant wrap every panel, then pre cut is the ONLY way to go. Anyone that tells you that they are doing custom cuts, and that it is better than the pre cut kits is pulling your leg. I would walk away. Hope this helps.
The comment on coatings. I have done a boat load of research on this, and having one installed this weekend actually. Coatings WILL NOT protect against this. All a coating will do is help reduce the number of swirl marks you get from washing your car.
If the installer can wrap every section around the edges i would say to go that route but my installer installed a pre cut kit and you cant tell it is on there without looking very closely. Please note that if they cant wrap every panel, then pre cut is the ONLY way to go. Anyone that tells you that they are doing custom cuts, and that it is better than the pre cut kits is pulling your leg. I would walk away. Hope this helps.
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Driver
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 178
Likes: 1
From: MD
I had the 3M brand Paint Protection Film ("clear bra") installed prior to delivery. This is the third car I've had it installed on. Mine is pre-cut and I believe this is a better solution than custom for most unless you happen to be using a VERY experience installer. For a custom installation the film has to be cut while on the car. This is usually done by hand using a single edge razor blade. All but the most experienced installers will usually cut into the paint (or at least the clear coat) during a custom installation and you usually can't tell until after the film comes off. Remember the film lasts a long time but it is not permanent. It needs to be replaced every 5-6 years. So for this reason I much prefer going with the pre-cut solution.
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