IS - 3rd Gen (2014-present) Discussion about the 2014+ model IS models

Clear Bra?

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Old May 14, 2017 | 12:06 PM
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Default Clear Bra?

For anyone who's done a clear bra, particularly on an ultra white or caviar black f-sport model, I was thinking of getting an IS in one of the two colors sometime in the near future and was wondering how has the clear bra held up? has there been any noticeable discoloration over the years? Also, what areas did you wrap and how much did it cost? so far I'm thinking the mirrors, full hood, full bumper, headlights, and potentially fenders
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Old May 14, 2017 | 01:41 PM
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I have ultra white and I have 80% of the car clear filmed. Where I live, there are more gravel than tarmac so it is a must. The only areas that I did not get filmed are back half of the roof and back of trunk lid. The films I used are XPEL.. if you do plan on getting an ultra white, DO NOT use 3M clear film, that brand of clear film will yellow badly over time on white cars.

you can look at my built thread for pictures, you can't see the clear films at all, since the installer wrapped around all edges so even when the car's dirty, you won't be able to tell there was film on it at most areas.
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Old May 14, 2017 | 01:56 PM
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I have a 2017 with ultra white and just recently did a clear bra. Front bumper, 24in of front of hood, partial fenders, partial mirror,door handles.. Paid $650. I drove 500 miles after i brought the car and found a small rock chip so i went and purchased the bra. They used 3M clear film. Hopefully it doesnt go yellow. 7 year warranty so crossing my fingers.
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Old May 14, 2017 | 04:56 PM
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it's NEVER a bad idea. as for life...it depends on what it's exposed to. my '07 vette had one from the get-go. replaced it year six as it was a daily-driver and had taken a few hard hits in the front. paint was fine underneath. it sat in the sun every day at work and didn't yellow.
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Old May 14, 2017 | 06:28 PM
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Ultra white, 17k miles. DID NOT get a clear bra. Totally regrets. But I was quoted upwards of $1000 for a full front wrapped... in CA, Bay Area.

There's about a dozen or so tiny rock chips in my front bumper. I touched them up so they won't be too noticeable.
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Old May 14, 2017 | 10:35 PM
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thanks for the replies everyone!! what brand of ppf did yall use? suntek? xpel? i heard that suntek has more chance of yellowing and showing on a white car, also how has the grill area held up without the clear bra?
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Old May 14, 2017 | 11:12 PM
  #7  
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Originally Posted by jche12
thanks for the replies everyone!! what brand of ppf did yall use? suntek? xpel? i heard that suntek has more chance of yellowing and showing on a white car, also how has the grill area held up without the clear bra?
I hear xpel is pretty good.

There's nothing you could do to prevent rock chips on the mesh grill. If it gets very damaged, highly unlikely, it can be replaced for like $150.
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Old May 15, 2017 | 02:30 PM
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Another one here with regrets of not getting a clear bra. The paint is just too soft/thin especially on the front bumper. If you have a new car, get one.
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Old Nov 10, 2017 | 04:17 PM
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Hey guys,
I plan on getting Xpel Ultimate Clear bra for my 2018 IS 350 F Sport. The installer has 4 levels of coverage:

Partial Package- 20-24 inch Partial Hood, Partial Fenders, Mirrors and Full Bumper kit

Full Package-60 inch Full Hood, Full Fenders, Mirrors and Full Bumper kit

Premium Package- Same as the Full Package with the added benefit of Rocker Panels, A-Pillars, and 1/3 Roof

Ultimate Package- For those seeking to protect nearly every square inch of their most prized possession…the Ultimate Full Body Vehicle Paint Protection



I was thinking of doing the Full Package. Are there any extra pieces i might need that's not covered by the Full Package? Note, i'm in the Los Angeles area.
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Old Nov 11, 2017 | 01:06 AM
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Originally Posted by jche12
thanks for the replies everyone!! what brand of ppf did yall use? suntek? xpel? i heard that suntek has more chance of yellowing and showing on a white car, also how has the grill area held up without the clear bra?
If anything, I heard the converse: Xpel yellows more than Suntek. If you're in SoCal, WrapArmor just posted their November sales so I would hit them up. Say Mason sent you.
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Old Nov 11, 2017 | 06:43 AM
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Xpel Ultimate really has held its own for the last four years of my car ownership with the IS. I absolutely love their film. My cars look brand new still.
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Old Nov 11, 2017 | 02:12 PM
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Xpel Ultimate has held up on my car for four years as well. I recently had my bumper replaced and painted so I had to add ppf behind my rear wheels (I had just replaced it the weekend before I got rear ended) and trunk protection.
Unfortunately Xpel doesn't have a pre cut film for the rear wheels so I had to go with another film.

If it were me, I would go ahead and add protection behind the wheels if it's in your budget.
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Old Nov 13, 2017 | 08:48 AM
  #13  
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Originally Posted by skiracer
I was thinking of doing the Full Package. Are there any extra pieces i might need that's not covered by the Full Package? Note, i'm in the Los Angeles area.
Regardless of the coverage, 3M offers an optional paint protection guarantee. If any road debris gets through their film and damages the paint, 3M will pay to remove the film, repair the paint and replace the film (up to $3,500 per incident).
Let me know if you'd like a referral to an installer that offers this coverage.
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