i'm thinkin about gettin the 3M clear bra on my car after i get her clayed and paint my front bumper...for those who have it...how do yall like it and is it worth it....if so...where in SO CAL can i get it done for a good price and good job....

 

I got my clear bra installed when I bought the car back in May 02. 48k mostly highway miles later and 2 1/2 years or so and I'm quite happy with it. My front end has only 3 small rock chips, all of which were very high up on the hood where the bra doesn't cover. For someone like me who drives as much as I do on the freeway, I think it was worth every penny.

 

Yes! it protects the paint from rock chips. I like it cause I don't have any chips. Don't know how long you need to wait after a paint job tho. I also got cover film for my headlights and roadlamps (much thicker). Keeps the lights from getting nicked, scratched, and maybe broken. Clear bra is the best way to protect paint...strap-on bras can get dirt under them and rub on the paint and are a hassle to put on and take off. good luck.

 

how much does it cost? I'm in So Cal also and want it cause i do a lot of highway driving
thanks

 

Mine was on the car already, I think it can go from $250 up to $500? but lots of places do it now, including window tint places.

 

One thing I regret not getting was what 123456SPEED mentioned, and that is the headlight covers in addition to the front end and side mirrors. Definitely get those too. My headlights have become quite knicked over time from the rocks.

 

Anyone in SoCal, I can give a good installer for XPel products. PM me.

I had my entire front, mirrors, trunk area, and door handles done for $480. They install usually at your house as a mobile service.

Next to my alarm, it's the best investment EVER for this car.

 

what kind of alarm you have niteqwill?

 

Python 680XP, two-way paging capability and whole mess of sensors.

 

THis Sounds Good. I definately thinking about getting my, Front Bumper, Entire Hood, mirrors and Maybe Headlamps But in regards to head lamps does it dim the lights at all. and as far as keeping car looking Clean and Shinny can you still do this? Also can you wax,clay bar the bar or you wont need to. Also does this ever peel or is it like a extra clear coat on your car. Someone please elaborate.

 

I have it and love it. Just keep it clean. Bug crap will stain it.

 

Has anyone really had the whole hood covered with 3M or any comparable product? If so, please give us your opinion. Most of the time, installation is only on the front of the hood. I would love to have it installed on my whole hood (just like rolly7007), but am wondering if anyone else has done it. Any thoughts or opinions are welcome.

 

The kit itself from www.xpel.com will run you around $400 (hood, fender, mirrors, bumper)

Expect to pay $200 - $400 for installation.


$600 installed would be a fair price.

 

Well, I have 3M tape all over the front bumper, part of the hood, and on my kit's front lip (double layered here!)...It was not cheap but with all the pebbles/sand we get through winter here (city loves to dump sand on the roads when it snows), it was the best mod I bought for my car...

 

One of my headlights developed a leak and the dealer installed a new one. I wanted to protect it so I got an Xpel kit and installed it on both headlights...you guessed it, now the other headlight has moisture in it when I washed the car the other day, damn, the Xpel stuff is not that cheap. cheaply assembled headlights??

 

PS - I'm selling the XPEL CL roadlamp pieces in Black market.

 

I may have some questions on this alarm because after my headlight theft incident I am definitely considering the two way paging capabilities. How much did the whole setup cost? You can PM me if you prefer.

Thanks

 

you can also go to www.ultrashieldusa.com to find more installers in your area and answer to some of your questions on the clear bras

great product to keep you chip free. i have been doing for about 3 years now and no complaints from customers, a lot of repeat business.

contact me with any questions you may have or for kits info.

thanks, mark.

 

I love mine. Only thing I have against it is the edges on mine are starting to peel up a little after two years on the bumber where the pieces come together. I have a few chips that made it through but they are much much more minor than if it wasn't there.

 

Do you have a 3M film?

You are right, you can put a piece of plywood in front of the car to protect it, but somethings may still come through and damage the car

 

Mine is 3M.

 

I thought you can put on the clear bra only if the car is Brand new, or is freshly painted?

 

You can but a clear bra no matter how old the car is, but the more chips the less it makes sense to put it on.

You can not put the clear bra on a freshly painted car. It has to cure for about 28 days. Otherwise, you may have issues with the paint. Even though the paint will cure on the surface in few days, the gases are still trapped deeper in the paint and have to realese before bra application.

 

uhm, ive heard its more like 90 days..so.

 

4 weeks should be fine. if you wait longer it will not hurt. actually, i have shops that will guarantee the paint is fully cured and the film can be removed if necessary with no damage to the paint even if installed after 7 days. not sure what kind of painting/curing process they use, though.

take care, mark.

 

It is absolutly worth it.

It will save you even more chips.