I had much the same experience with my installer. I asked what he uses on his vehicles, since he had the 3M and some other brand, and without hesitation, it was the 3M. That's what I went in there wanting anyways, but I thought it was worth asking. Same with the tint...he had like 5 brands, including the Madico Ceramic stuff, and he once again said 3M on his cars - it's thinner, tougher, blocks more light, looks better and has a lifetime warranty.

I got my TSX back with the clearbra installed...I'm chomping at the bit waiting to wash and wax it. I have to wait at least 6 more days so the clearbra is fully set before doing it though. He said I can rinse the car off in the meantime...and of course use the cali duster (man I love that thing).

 

I too went with the 3M tint based on my installer's recommendations. So now I have the 3M clearbra and the 3M tint and I couldn't be happier.

 

T_in_Maine & Ronin317

did either of your installers say specifically whether they had used the autobahn though?? I know you are saying they used others but im curious if they have had hands on with both the 3m and the autobahn. Thanks for all the feedback thus far.

 

The guy I went to said he has used 'everything out there' and 'nothing tops the overall quality and durability of the 3M'. He didn't specify Autobahn...but this guy has been in business for a good 15 years, he's got contracts with all the local dealers including the largest in Pittsburgh (Cochran), and does cars for the entire Steelers team...that all ads up, and it's enough for me. Not that Autobahn doesn't make a good product, I have no idea, but I'd assume that if their product was that superior, it would be widely known. 3M is going to be around, they're a leader in coatings and protective films and plastics and a whole bunch of other related industries worldwide. So I'm happy with that...once again, not to slam AutoBahn, because if he offered it and said "yeah, here's my new bright yellow LOADED and NISMO'd Z, and I used X manufacturer on it" I'd have gone with that. His Z was protected with the same stuff as he put on my TSX...see what I'm getting at?

Two other things, and I'll end this increasingly long post - my company is working on a device that has an LCD...we went with the LCD that had the 3M coating on it for scratch protection. Why? because the brand x crap from china that looks the same just isn't. (I'll reveal the device later when we're ready for launch...let's just say it's an iPod accessory and it frees you from being tethered to a PC for content).

The other is this - I always go with a place and installer I trust. I talk to the guy, BS about some unrelated stuff, get a feel for it. I did the same when I designed the kitchen in my home and was looking for someone to do the construction. I ended up going with the genuine guy, looked at what he recommended, asked what products and brands he uses personally (cause he installs whatever the customer asks for...so he's used them all from cabinets to fridges...), and went with what he uses. I have not had a single problem in 3 years. Not one. My neighbor, who was doing stuff at roughly the same time with the same guy, ignored his recommendations on the appliances...and has had nothing but problems.

So I leave you with this - a bunch of people have chimed in now and said the 3M is great, yet no one has had any experience with the autobahn - telling, isn't it? even if it's $50 more or whatnot...it's worth it.

 

yeah, i hear ya ronin. I wonder why the dealerships don't use the 3m though. they prob got some agreement with the other company for cheaper or something.

 

I dunno...I swear I saw a 3M sign at the dealer where I purchased my TSX. I'm quite sure it's regional...

 

All, check this out:
Just found it and its possibly a great and inexpensive alternative to an expensive clear bra and a paint damaging leather bra.

http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?&SKU=20264

 

lame.

 

Yeah must be a regional thing, i contacted another dealer in NC and he said they don't do any clear bra's because of the liability, they only back the OEM bra. He didn't have anyone to recommend either.

 

mos def then, because I'm looking at my "ask us about" sheet from the dealer, and "invisible paint protection" is on it.

 

Oh yeah, on another note, i meant to also mention that same dealer from NC I spoke with recommended THIS website by name for information on clear bra's.

I have been thinking about it this morning and even though the 3m seems to be getting praise over the other, i think i still might go with the dealer autobahn roadblock. I mean, if its guaranteed for life(no questions asked if it rips, chips or fades) then i don't see how its a bad deal. Plus I know the dealership isn't going anywhere and I can always get a hold of them. Any other thoughts?

 

The lifetime warranty might be thru the manufactuer, not the local dealer (so they'd need to remain in business). The local shop probably only deals with warranty repairs as long as they are still affiliated with the manufactuer.

You'd need to take both into account when evaluating the 'lifetime warranty'.

Jeff

 

tru...my dealership also told me that its a lifetime warranty for bubbling,lifting,fading,etc...the only thing it won't cover is if you get into an accident...
jwhite: good point..i will look into that...
iv'e had my car now for 2 weeks and i am still contimplating on if i should get the clearbra..the bumper on my 04' was riddled with rock chips and dried up bugs..i swore that i would get the clearbra on my next car based on that...i'm almost positive that i will get it (possibly as soon as tomorrow)..i guess its just the high price thats giving me second thoughts...
BTW..i know and have the number for the installer that the dealership uses...do you guys think that i can save a few dollars by going straight to the installer and skip the dealership?

 

Well, I decided against the 3m and I'm going with the dealer recommended Autobahn Roadblocker. The company who does these bra's has been in business for over 10 years or so I'm told. Also, I spoke with my insurance guy (state farm) and the bra IS covered if I get in an accident. The combo of a lifetime warranty and it being insured sealed the deal for me.

 

Is the 3M stuff not covered by insurance?

 

That all depends on your insurance provider. I have Erie Insurance, and they cover aftermarket accessories up to a certain point. From my understanding, they won't cover, say, an aftermarket body kit. However, if that body kit was the dealer installed one, they would. In the case of the clearbra, it's covered because it's a protection piece that will help hold the value of the car. If I went and JDM'd my emblems and shit, and they get broken in an accident, forget it, because it's cosmetic.

But it all depends on the carrier.

 

I'm sure Ronin is right. Sorry, I didn't mean for my post to be misleading in a way that the 3m is not covered. Actually I do not know if it would be covered or not. I just called my insurance guy, asked him about the bra, explained to him its purpose and that it would be dealer installed. He said he didn't know right off hand and I had to wait til the next day. He called me back the next morning and said it was covered.
I am scheduled to have the bra put on tomorrow @ 4 so hopefully i can have some pics up sometime sunday.

 

ok so i was just doing research and made a few phone calls about the 3m product...unfortunately for me...nobody does it here locally anymore...i cant find any other place that does...so i guess i'd have to go with the dealership...my local dealership uses the roadguard with the lifetime warranty...dammit..i know i need and want this but its just the high price thats keeping me from jumping on it right now..

 

rza: what color is your car? i finally decided to get it done...they're doing it tomorrow...i was wondering if its more/less noticeable on certain colors..

 

Alabaster Silver Metallic. (pretty much the best color ever made - napoleon)

 

sweet..post some pics when you get it done and i will post some of mine also so we can compare or if anybody else was curious on how it would look on certain colors..most iv'e seen was on CGP and NBP...
BTW PWP > * ...but we don't wanna go there