What does the clear bra look like? opinions?

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Old Apr 24, 2006 | 01:32 PM
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What does the clear bra look like? opinions?

I have a quote of $450 to the complete front of my new 06 RL. Was wondering what it looks like though? Any pics of your RL with clear bra on it?

Any advice on what I should look for? Any specific areas? I went XPEL tech website and the dealer is coming to my house to do it. Was hoping some of the people who have had this done could let me know the pluses and minuses...

Thank you!
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Old Apr 24, 2006 | 02:26 PM
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Originally Posted by atomarchio
I have a quote of $450 to the complete front of my new 06 RL. Was wondering what it looks like though? Any pics of your RL with clear bra on it?

Any advice on what I should look for? Any specific areas? I went XPEL tech website and the dealer is coming to my house to do it. Was hoping some of the people who have had this done could let me know the pluses and minuses...

Thank you!
That is a very good price if the bumper is going to be as well. I had this done on 3 of my cars and if done right, it is very hard to see unless you look right down on the hood. There will probably be some imperfections, but nothing that really matters. It is money well spent, especially if you drive on the highway
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Old Apr 24, 2006 | 02:43 PM
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Yes, the price includes the bumper. That's good to know that you can barely see anything. I hate to see scratches on my car and like the idea of it being clear.

Just did not want the clear bra to make my car look dull or take out the shine of the vehicle.

Thank you for the feedback!
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Old Apr 24, 2006 | 02:50 PM
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If done correct, it looks great. Make sure it is the new 3M film. I have had it on the FX35, RL, IS350 and our RX330. I won't get a car without it now.
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Old Apr 24, 2006 | 03:13 PM
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I will make sure it's 3M but are there different types of 3M film?
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Old Apr 24, 2006 | 03:16 PM
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Yes, there is an older one and the new one. The new one, on the back of the paper portion, the lettering will be in a pink color, not the normal 3M red color. It looks more clear when on the car and doesn't have the common orange peel problem
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Old Apr 24, 2006 | 03:41 PM
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I have mine done to plus headlights and fogs
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Old Apr 24, 2006 | 05:46 PM
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i had an installer come to my house but it did not go right due to the my garage was not a controlled area (temp, dustless, heated. etc) so it went on with dust under it and the guy could not get it to stick perfect. so i did not except the job. i went to a shop that did it inside,it came out perfect. i paid alittle more but it was worth it. so go with a shop in doors to do the job unless you have a heated and very clean garage...
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Old Apr 24, 2006 | 09:19 PM
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Originally Posted by vp911
If done correct, it looks great. Make sure it is the new 3M film. I have had it on the FX35, RL, IS350 and our RX330. I won't get a car without it now.
Vik, does the clear bra show dirt (or wax residue) around the edges of the film when it is dirty? Also, is the film removable without lifting the paint in the event that it needs to be replaced?
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Old Apr 24, 2006 | 09:23 PM
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Originally Posted by acurafox
Vik, does the clear bra show dirt (or wax residue) around the edges of the film when it is dirty? Also, is the film removable without lifting the paint in the event that it needs to be replaced?
Yes, the wax residue, but if you use a cotton ball with a small amount of rubbing alcohol it comes off without problems. Dirt, yes, but once you wash it, it's gone.

Yes, the film is designed to just pull off without ruining the paint.
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Old Apr 25, 2006 | 02:45 AM
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Around 50 pics of my Celestial Silver / Ebony Leather RL,
after claying, and two coats of Zaino Z-2 Pro with ZFX:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slidesho...e&conn_speed=1

(you don't have to sign-in)

20% tint all around, 3M ClearBra on entire front end, A-pillars, front edge of roof, and entire rear bumper

Randy
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Old Apr 25, 2006 | 04:37 AM
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Have it on my Porsche.
Hope you don't need to replace body panels.
I have it on my hood, and quarter panels. (No need on the front buper, it's just a giant grille, haha)
I had my hood fixed from hail, and my quarter panels from beng key'd (different times)
Not worth it. For my quoted $250/panel, it's a waste of money.
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Old Apr 25, 2006 | 05:57 AM
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Is everyone getting the clear bra on the bumper or not? I guess the bumper is at least 1/2 the cost of the total install?

Let me know. Thanksd.
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Old Apr 25, 2006 | 08:03 AM
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heated

I understand clean but what does heat have to do with applying the product?



Originally Posted by christopher1
i had an installer come to my house but it did not go right due to the my garage was not a controlled area (temp, dustless, heated. etc) so it went on with dust under it and the guy could not get it to stick perfect. so i did not except the job. i went to a shop that did it inside,it came out perfect. i paid alittle more but it was worth it. so go with a shop in doors to do the job unless you have a heated and very clean garage...
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Old Apr 25, 2006 | 11:55 AM
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Originally Posted by atomarchio
Is everyone getting the clear bra on the bumper or not? I guess the bumper is at least 1/2 the cost of the total install?

Let me know. Thanksd.

On my TSX I do not have it on the bumper. That is where your greatest cost is. I did not notice any chips on my bumper, and the bumper gives a bit, so it seems to be more resilent(sp) to chips. I did get the whole bumper done on my Miatia. If you get a good price, get the the bumper done. If not you can get by with the hood fenders and mirrors. If you have to use touch up paint on the bumper it is not noticable there. Just a thought.
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Old Apr 26, 2006 | 03:43 PM
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I am having it done tomorrow on my 06 RL. Entire front including bumpers for $450 and it is the 8mm 3M product. Said it takes 2-3 hours. The guy is coming to my house but he's guaranteed the price to include labor and product for 5 years if there is a problem. Will let you know how it goes...thanks.
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Old Apr 29, 2006 | 07:20 AM
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Had the clear bra done yesterday? So far am I pleased but had one question for the rest of you who've had it done already. Is it supposed to go only 1/2 way over the hood? They offer a 5-year warranty. Anyone filed a claim?
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Old May 9, 2006 | 04:35 AM
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just bought a TL yesterday and am investigating the clear bra. Went to a site, clearbra . net that sounds really good, as far as the film covering the entire hood and NO exposed edges. Can anyone give insight into why they all wouldn't prefer to cover the entire trunk and eliminate that exposed edge? This particular company is not local to me, nor does it look like they are using the 3M product, though I didn't read thoroughly. Thanks for help
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Old May 9, 2006 | 09:58 AM
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I have it on my NSX and it works great. Most folks don't notice it until you point it out. I feel much beter driving down the highway knowing I have some protection.........Steve
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Old May 9, 2006 | 02:20 PM
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$450 is an excellent deal! I paid $595 for the front bumper, headlights, hood, and side mirros on my TSX, which is smaller and requires much less time.

All I can say about the clear bra are positive things. It works wonders and I can't imagine what the front end of my car would look like without it. Acura paint is very thin and weak but the bra does a nice job at protecting it. I highly recommend it.
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Old May 18, 2006 | 08:42 AM
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I took my first highway ride last week and now I have two large paint chips on the hood. Two small chips and one of my headlights and the bumper also took a hit. Talk about weak paint the only safe place for this paint is in my garage. I am also looking into getting this clear bra. How did you find someone in your area to do this job? I ordered a kit off of ebay but it is impossible to install, I ended up trashing the whole kit. The adverage person can't get the bubbles out or if you heat it to much to go around cornors it distorts.
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Old May 18, 2006 | 10:12 AM
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Please note that a clear bra does not protect against STD's.
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Old May 19, 2006 | 10:58 AM
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Originally Posted by paulgo
I took my first highway ride last week and now I have two large paint chips on the hood. Two small chips and one of my headlights and the bumper also took a hit. Talk about weak paint the only safe place for this paint is in my garage. I am also looking into getting this clear bra. How did you find someone in your area to do this job? I ordered a kit off of ebay but it is impossible to install, I ended up trashing the whole kit. The adverage person can't get the bubbles out or if you heat it to much to go around cornors it distorts.
I got mine done at my Acura dealer. Try your local dealer. If they don't offer it go to a couple of high end car dealerships they should be able to hook you up.......Steve
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Old May 19, 2006 | 08:10 PM
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There are several companies that offer clear bras now. My local detail shop claims the 3M product is inferior to the ClearShield product (made in Germany). They are doing all my leading edges for $599 except lights. They claim the HID lights get too hot and would lessen the life of the ClearShield. Make sure the shop is super clean, free of dust and offers a guarantee. This shop is also doing my window tint for $219 for 4 drs and rear window.
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Old May 19, 2006 | 08:55 PM
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I have had the 3M product on my cars for the past 5 years. The older 3M film had a problem of slightly turning yellow and it stood out on a white car, of course that is what I had and you could see it. On my black car, it was great, could not see if but the slight line on the hood, I will not have a car without it going forward, unless there is something better on the market. It sasved me a ton of money when I turned in my lease car, the hood was perfect and you could see where smalls objects had hit the film and done minor damage to the film but nothing to the paint.
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