Anyone install a clear bra for their RX?
05-10-19, 06:14 AM
#136
Lead Lap
With the way that modern cars have so much painted surface on the front of the car, it is not a question of whether you will have paint damage from stones or other debris. Instead, the question is only when such damage will happen. And paint protection film definitely provides a good amount of protection from that kind of damage. Further, with most of the very beautiful multi-stage colors being used on modern cars, trying to get anything close to a satisfactory color match with touch-up paint even with tiny stone nicks is next to impossible, which makes protecting against damage even more important.
On my ES, I have paint protection film on the full hood, full front bumper, full front fenders, mirrors, door handle cups, and door edges. Doing the full fenders, full bumper, and full hood not only gives the advantage of a larger area that is protected, but it also allows for the elimination of the lines where the film ends and where dust and dirt is likely to collect.
A complete paint protection film package is not going to be inexpensive, but it does offer meaningful protection. I've found that a good way to reduce the cost of such a complete protection package is to use it as the last item in the negotiations at the time when I buy the car. I bring the film into the negotiations only after every other aspect of the deal to buy the car has been negotiated. At that point, the dealer should be willing to sell you the paint protection film at little or no profit because they are not going to want to risk losing the otherwise already completed deal by trying to gouge you on the price for the film. By doing it that way, it should be possible to get the paint protection film at a price that is around 1/2 (or less) of the normal advertised price or the prices charged by independent installers.
A further advantage of paint protection film is that it also protects the finish from environmental factors, including bird droppings, tree sap, and bugs, that would otherwise have the potential of getting baked into and etching the paint. With the paint protection film, bird droppings, tree sap, and bugs clean off very easily and before they can do permanent damage to the paint.
It should also be noted that the quality of paint protection films has come a long way in the last 15-20 years. Modern top-of-the line films offered by companies like 3M and XPEL resist discoloring/yellowing and are self-healing, and they come with warranties that are as long as 10 years.
On my ES, I have paint protection film on the full hood, full front bumper, full front fenders, mirrors, door handle cups, and door edges. Doing the full fenders, full bumper, and full hood not only gives the advantage of a larger area that is protected, but it also allows for the elimination of the lines where the film ends and where dust and dirt is likely to collect.
A complete paint protection film package is not going to be inexpensive, but it does offer meaningful protection. I've found that a good way to reduce the cost of such a complete protection package is to use it as the last item in the negotiations at the time when I buy the car. I bring the film into the negotiations only after every other aspect of the deal to buy the car has been negotiated. At that point, the dealer should be willing to sell you the paint protection film at little or no profit because they are not going to want to risk losing the otherwise already completed deal by trying to gouge you on the price for the film. By doing it that way, it should be possible to get the paint protection film at a price that is around 1/2 (or less) of the normal advertised price or the prices charged by independent installers.
A further advantage of paint protection film is that it also protects the finish from environmental factors, including bird droppings, tree sap, and bugs, that would otherwise have the potential of getting baked into and etching the paint. With the paint protection film, bird droppings, tree sap, and bugs clean off very easily and before they can do permanent damage to the paint.
It should also be noted that the quality of paint protection films has come a long way in the last 15-20 years. Modern top-of-the line films offered by companies like 3M and XPEL resist discoloring/yellowing and are self-healing, and they come with warranties that are as long as 10 years.
Last edited by lesz; 05-10-19 at 06:24 AM.
05-10-19, 09:40 AM
#137
my 2017, purchased sep 2017 came with the 3M on the hood, like a 12-16' piece front hood edge back,, on sticker was few hundred $, then i took it somewhere to do the rest of front end
and mirrors. looks good, does the job of protecting, tho i wd never tackle the job of doing myself.if id do it again no doubt.
and mirrors. looks good, does the job of protecting, tho i wd never tackle the job of doing myself.if id do it again no doubt.
05-31-19, 01:59 PM
#139
Just a heads up on RX front clear bra. If you apply, or have someone apply, PPF to your front facia and hood, make sure that the grill surround is also protected. That gigantic silver surround is right out there, and just asking for rock dents. Yes, it doesn’t chip, it dings with an impression of the rock or whatever hits it. Mine gets PPF on the grill tomorrow, but only after one small rock ding in the lower right corner. ��
07-14-19, 10:57 AM
#140
Driver School Candidate
Just a heads up on RX front clear bra. If you apply, or have someone apply, PPF to your front facia and hood, make sure that the grill surround is also protected. That gigantic silver surround is right out there, and just asking for rock dents. Yes, it doesn’t chip, it dings with an impression of the rock or whatever hits it. Mine gets PPF on the grill tomorrow, but only after one small rock ding in the lower right corner. ��
Had suntek installed full front coverage, including a pillars and side mirrors. They did not recommend installing on any chrome or silver because it will cause it to look foggy and take away the shine.
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GSFRX350 (07-15-19)
07-15-19, 08:51 PM
#141
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GSFRX350 (07-17-19)
07-17-19, 06:12 PM
#142
It's much harder to do well on the silver parts but can be done as shown.
08-12-19, 03:46 PM
#143
I just had 3M Pro Series installed on my 2019 RX350 F-Sport. I went with the entire front clip, headlamps, fog light, door cups, A-Pillars, rear bumper, front edge of roof, specialty cut pieces for the door jambs while getting in/out of the vehicle.
Tomorrow morning I’m getting 3M Crystalline Film installed in every window in the vehicle, including the panoramic sunroof.
Tomorrow morning I’m getting 3M Crystalline Film installed in every window in the vehicle, including the panoramic sunroof.
08-12-19, 08:09 PM
#144
Driver School Candidate
I also did the chrome later because it scratched so easily. And you are correct, no haze so far. It's what the installer told me. While doing this I also had them cover the front Lexus emblem and the front camera with xpel also because I read on the forum about some rocks may chip the camera lens or housing. They did this for no charge when I did the front chrome. I tinted the front windows at 24% and pano roof at 40% only for the heat reduction but did not want it too dark because of the factory tint. Did not do the back windows because I have the luxury package which also includes sun blocking pull down shades. Make sure you also add the clear film to the front side mirrors, since they catch a lot of bugs.
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xxx350L (08-12-19)
12-06-19, 12:15 PM
#145
2018 RX 350 F-Sport, Caviar
I got the dealer-installed bra on the front of the hood and around the grill. I had a dark blue 2015 RX with no bra and the little stone chips really showed, starting right away, and my attempts to touch it up with matched touch-up paint was unimpressive, at best. My car is now 19 months on the road and dozens of car washes, and it still looks great. I found at least one little "dent" in the bra, where it stopped a stone, so I'm a fan.
I got the dealer-installed bra on the front of the hood and around the grill. I had a dark blue 2015 RX with no bra and the little stone chips really showed, starting right away, and my attempts to touch it up with matched touch-up paint was unimpressive, at best. My car is now 19 months on the road and dozens of car washes, and it still looks great. I found at least one little "dent" in the bra, where it stopped a stone, so I'm a fan.
12-07-19, 06:15 AM
#146
I had a Clear Bra installed on my last 2008 RX400h. It definitely protected the front from paint chips but eventually started to break down around the edges with cracks and chips. This was especially evident on the mirrors and curved surfaces. It also collected a small rim of dust and dirt on the perimeter edge which made it easily visible. After 10-11 years, the front of the car didn't look any better than a car with no protection. I would have liked to remove it for resale of the car but I was afraid that it would have pulled paint off with it. I certainly was not brave enough to remove it.
When I bought my new 2020 RX 350, I had absolutely no interest in spending money on a Clear Bra again. It seems like a better idea at first than it turned out to be for me.
When I bought my new 2020 RX 350, I had absolutely no interest in spending money on a Clear Bra again. It seems like a better idea at first than it turned out to be for me.
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LRX05 (02-03-20)
12-07-19, 08:27 AM
#148
Intermediate
I had a Clear Bra installed on my last 2008 RX400h. It definitely protected the front from paint chips but eventually started to break down around the edges with cracks and chips. This was especially evident on the mirrors and curved surfaces. It also collected a small rim of dust and dirt on the perimeter edge which made it easily visible. After 10-11 years, the front of the car didn't look any better than a car with no protection. I would have liked to remove it for resale of the car, but I was afraid that it would have pulled paint off with it. I certainly was not brave enough to remove it.
When I bought my new 2020 RX 350, I had absolutely no interest in spending money on a Clear Bra again. It seems like a better idea at first than it turned out to be for me.
When I bought my new 2020 RX 350, I had absolutely no interest in spending money on a Clear Bra again. It seems like a better idea at first than it turned out to be for me.
12-07-19, 10:50 AM
#149
Intermediate
for me, secret to success is to have all edges turned in under the sheet metal so the edges are not exposed (where possible, ie, hood).
Only a great installer can do this.
Also, need to use product like Turtle ICE liquid wax monthly. After 4 years, no issues, except one/eighth inch tiny tear where a rock obviously hit. (and protected paint).
Only a great installer can do this.
Also, need to use product like Turtle ICE liquid wax monthly. After 4 years, no issues, except one/eighth inch tiny tear where a rock obviously hit. (and protected paint).
12-07-19, 05:04 PM
#150
Lexus Test Driver
for me, secret to success is to have all edges turned in under the sheet metal so the edges are not exposed (where possible, ie, hood).
Only a great installer can do this.
Also, need to use product like Turtle ICE liquid wax monthly. After 4 years, no issues, except one/eighth inch tiny tear where a rock obviously hit. (and protected paint).
Only a great installer can do this.
Also, need to use product like Turtle ICE liquid wax monthly. After 4 years, no issues, except one/eighth inch tiny tear where a rock obviously hit. (and protected paint).