Clear Bra Advice
#16
It is smaller than the dimensions it covers, and it is supposed to be stretched during application. Hang on, I'll post a vid...
EDIT: here ya go..
https://youtu.be/1pFBLCsN3K0
EDIT: here ya go..
https://youtu.be/1pFBLCsN3K0
#17
Pole Position
I'm in Canada and bought the OEM 3pc front end clear film kit from a local guy. This one is made by Scotchguard 3M, but I DON'T recommend it because the fender pieces don't fit perfectly.
You can see the gap in the below pic, and no, I couldnt get that part perfect without the top V part overhanging. I was thinking WTF, this is OEM, its supposed to fit. Not good.
In Canada, they charge $275 for this kit, lol.
You can see the gap in the below pic, and no, I couldnt get that part perfect without the top V part overhanging. I was thinking WTF, this is OEM, its supposed to fit. Not good.
In Canada, they charge $275 for this kit, lol.
The following users liked this post:
Lex_Giorgio (11-19-17)
#18
Instructor
I'm in Canada and bought the OEM 3pc front end clear film kit from a local guy. This one is made by Scotchguard 3M, but I DON'T recommend it because the fender pieces don't fit perfectly.
You can see the gap in the below pic, and no, I couldnt get that part perfect without the top V part overhanging. I was thinking WTF, this is OEM, its supposed to fit. Not good.
In Canada, they charge $275 for this kit, lol.
You can see the gap in the below pic, and no, I couldnt get that part perfect without the top V part overhanging. I was thinking WTF, this is OEM, its supposed to fit. Not good.
In Canada, they charge $275 for this kit, lol.
Thanks for posting up the results, you actually want to cover those edges since that's what prone to chipping most of the time
#19
Former Sponsor
I'm in Canada and bought the OEM 3pc front end clear film kit from a local guy. This one is made by Scotchguard 3M, but I DON'T recommend it because the fender pieces don't fit perfectly.
You can see the gap in the below pic, and no, I couldnt get that part perfect without the top V part overhanging. I was thinking WTF, this is OEM, its supposed to fit. Not good.
In Canada, they charge $275 for this kit, lol.
You can see the gap in the below pic, and no, I couldnt get that part perfect without the top V part overhanging. I was thinking WTF, this is OEM, its supposed to fit. Not good.
In Canada, they charge $275 for this kit, lol.
#20
Pole Position
The film is great; thick and very strong, but if it isnt 3M, isnt that a misrepresentation? Im quite surprised. Ive always liked Lexus and this is my first one, but all these little disappointments Im noticing, from misfitting accessory items, crappy pedal positions, early rust, and needlessly high dealer servicing costs, ive made up my mind that I will trade it in once the warranty ends next spring.
#21
Former Sponsor
The film is great; thick and very strong, but if it isnt 3M, isnt that a misrepresentation? Im quite surprised. Ive always liked Lexus and this is my first one, but all these little disappointments Im noticing, from misfitting accessory items, crappy pedal positions, early rust, and needlessly high dealer servicing costs, ive made up my mind that I will trade it in once the warranty ends next spring.
There are a lot of independent companies that may make their own patterns for specific uses.
#22
P.S. I ordered a pre-cut cut kit from invisiblemask.com. Have only done the front bumper, so far. I would grade myself a 9/10. One tiny finger that is unnoticeable, otherwise it was edge to edge. It takes some patience, and I did practice laying down a bit of film from a $20 roll of 3M off Amazon. I would recommend that little bit of extra practice ahead of time - it goes a very long way.
All in all, I'm very happy, since all-in for the front-third of the car (fenders, hood, bumper, side mirrors + free door cups and door edge guards) costs $700 for this vehicle. The range of quotes I got locally were $2100-$2400. If you want to go to a rock bottom installer working out of their garage, probably get it for $1400. 2-3x markup (or more) is not worth the marginal improvement getting it done by a pro (assuming they'd even do a good job...).
FWIW, there is the option to repurchase the same kit at 40% of original cost if you choose the 10% insurance at checkout. I did choose that, but honestly I am happy with the results. With this install under my belt, if I chose to do the install over again, it would easily be 9.5/10, and still wildly cheaper than having it done by someone else. Like I said, just do your research and practice a little with a cheap roll of film off the internet. You can flash your ECU with the savings
Will post pics when I get a chance.
#23
Or you can just save all your money ($2,000?!) and not get this at all. I don't understand the logic in such films unless you are regularly racing on the track or drive behind other cars on gravel roads. Cars are meant to be enjoyed. You can't do that with plastic all over the front half of the car. Reflection is dulled and you can see the lines. And after you remove it years later, the part that is uncovered dulled and faded at a different rate than the covered part. You should see my friend's corvette I just ripped the film off. His car looks hideous now. =(
#24
Or you can just save all your money ($2,000?!) and not get this at all. I don't understand the logic in such films unless you are regularly racing on the track or drive behind other cars on gravel roads. Cars are meant to be enjoyed. You can't do that with plastic all over the front half of the car. Reflection is dulled and you can see the lines. And after you remove it years later, the part that is uncovered dulled and faded at a different rate than the covered part. You should see my friend's corvette I just ripped the film off. His car looks hideous now. =(
#25
Pole Position
I had Xpel on a Subaru BRZ for over 3 years (full front end). Edges were tucked so you couldn't see the lines, it was ceramic coated after installed so there was no "dull" look to it, and by the time I sold it in there wasn't a single stone chip on the front. Yes it was expensive, but I think I recouped much of the cost in resale value. This time I only did the front bumper of the IS (mainly because it's a lease), but it doesn't have a single mark on the front end. Something I'm pretty OCD about. To each their own though right?
#26
Or you can just save all your money ($2,000?!) and not get this at all. I don't understand the logic in such films unless you are regularly racing on the track or drive behind other cars on gravel roads. Cars are meant to be enjoyed. You can't do that with plastic all over the front half of the car. Reflection is dulled and you can see the lines. And after you remove it years later, the part that is uncovered dulled and faded at a different rate than the covered part. You should see my friend's corvette I just ripped the film off. His car looks hideous now. =(
On a side note, regular car care should be enough to prevent any fading, whatsoever, on modern cars. Clear coat tech has improved greatly since the days of Turtle Wax. I honestly can't say I've shared your friend's experience. I've had XPEL on my other car for 5 years, now, and the vehicle literally still looks brand new. (This time, I went with 3M Pro Series, since I did the install myself, I've heard it's easier to do than XPEL - it's also cheaper).
#27
Pole Position
I'm not sure how much, if any, UV-protection these films have. By design, it's an ultra-thin clear coat laid over polyurethane. They accept coats of wax just like regular clear coat, so the usual paint maintenance should be enough to protect from sun damage. Or in other words, I would expect any fading to happen uniformly, regardless of areas that have film on them.
On a side note, regular car care should be enough to prevent any fading, whatsoever, on modern cars. Clear coat tech has improved greatly since the days of Turtle Wax. I honestly can't say I've shared your friend's experience. I've had XPEL on my other car for 5 years, now, and the vehicle literally still looks brand new.
On a side note, regular car care should be enough to prevent any fading, whatsoever, on modern cars. Clear coat tech has improved greatly since the days of Turtle Wax. I honestly can't say I've shared your friend's experience. I've had XPEL on my other car for 5 years, now, and the vehicle literally still looks brand new.
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