marquis

I've read on here about the Clear Bra protective covering. I actually saw a TL with this on it at one of the dealerships here in MA. I was wondering though what the long term effects of the Clear Bra are on the body finish underneath it. I have concerns about the rest of car looking different from the clar bra'd portion over time. Won't the sun still have an effect on the finish underneath the clear bra film in the long run since you won't be able to get to it when waxing the rest of the vehicle?

żGotJazz?

Considering that this will keep a lot (if not all) oxygen from getting to the paint surface, my big concern is that the area under the bra won't age, while the rest of the car will.

Oxidation is one of the biggest causes of paint aging & discoloration.

However, the car's clearcoat is supposed to keep out oxygen as well, so this may not be a big concern.

The lack of waxing of the paint under the bra shouldn't matter.

tmurrayt591

Anybody know a good place to get the Clear Bra in CT? Anyone from CT have the clear bra?

copter

http://www.xpel.com/

an option for ya'

żGotJazz?

After reading on the X-Pel site, I don't think that I'll be going the "Clear Bra" route. They mentioned something I hadn't considered: Product yellowing.

Living under the Southwest sun with temperatures routinely in the 105+ Deg F for months on end, I think that the film may yellow over time. Maybe not in 4 years (the X-Pel warranty), but I sure plan on holding on to the TL for a lot longer than 4 years.

żGotJazz?

marquis

I'm also looking for a clear bra installer in the New England (MA) area. I emailed Jeremy, who's been mentioned in other clear bra related threads, but he's out in CA. I was hoping he could recommend someone out this way.

copter

FROM THE X-PEL SITE:

Our products are so strong that not only are they guaranteed not to yellow, crack or peel for 4 years after installation, they are also covered by an unprecedented 4-year $1000 paint protection guarantee against damage to your vehicle's finish.

And: Our covers will withstand a barrage of 1" diameter stones (about 1oz.) fired at a speed of 120 mph with no damage to the lens they protect.

Decide for yourself.............

tmurrayt591

Thank you.. I was able to find a few dealers with 20 minutes from me. I am going to give them a call and see if they have installs I can look at. I know this New England weather is killer on our paint jobs.

InAcura

Does the clear bra really look better than a few years rock dings?

VTEC=happiness

Thats a point... but after getting my first couple of decent chips in the WDP hood, I'm starting to think that I should have considered the clear bra. My alternate solution is to take the cash that it would cost to get a clear bra (about $600 I've heard) and get the hood repainted a couple of times throughout the time I own the car.

Then again, being a lease, the chips aren't gonna be my problem in 40 months.

joero130

It may depend on your location, but I was able to get a clear bra and the backs of the side view mirrors done for $325 in CO. $600 seems a little much!

edmiller9999

I believe you can find the clear bra nationally at Victoria's Secret. I think they provide the product, but not the installation. You can install it yourself, but the best way to do it is with a helper. I personally have installed many standard bras, but I find the uninstall process to be a lot more fun. Normally, the uninstall process is a two-hand job, but the inexperienced may need the help of the owner. After you've removed a few you might be able to pull off the "one-hander". This skill will typically impress your partner, although some owners may take this as a sign of being over-qualified for the task at hand. Removing the bra can be a very gratifying experience providing unobstructed access to some key front-end components.

Reinstalling and uninstalling the clear bra can provide hours of enjoyment for both parties.

For your reference, you might recall the band "Berlin" from the 80's. Their lead singer, Dale Bozzio, was an early adopter of the clear-bra.

Ed ;-)

tmurrayt591

How long has everyone been waiting for their paint to cure before installation of the ClearBra? I am taking delivery at he end of this month and the car delivery date is the 22nd. I would like to get car protect asap because the first scratch always hurts.

Also has anyone had their rocker panel protected?

Majorhouse

Great post, however Terri Nunn was the singer for Berlin. Dale was with Missing Persons.

Both were hot!

edmiller9999

Oops, you are correct. As an aside, I remember reading an article somewhere that described Terri's appearance as a cross between Pia Zadora and Benji. Ouch!

HacksawHilliard

Absolutely! It'll look brand new compared to the rock dings.

Rocketsfan

Anyone use Invinca-Shield? I know it's 3M-based. Not sure which is better? I've heard at least 3-6 different names : Invinca-Shield, Xpel, ClearBra... etc.

Rocketsfan

I had a black Nissan Maxima and after about 6-7 years of owning that car, I can't help but say "yes"... it's better to have the clear bra.

That being said, I'm still trying to talk myself into buying the XPel product... I just looked at one dealer in the Dallas, Tx. area that is apparently asking $850 for it. This includes the mirrors, bumper, and hood.

RockBlocker

Maybe I can help answer a few questions here for everyone.

1. The product will not effect the paint under the film. If you WERE to remove it the paint will be the same and there qont be a faded area.

2. The product shouldnt really but anything is possible. WE offer lifetime guarantee on the film for cracking, fading and yellowing for as long as you own the car.

3. There is an installer in New Britain that can take care of the New Englanders. His name is Tony DeFranco and his number is 860.829.1400.

4. You dont have to wait for your paint to cure when the car is brand new. It has already cured and will be ready for the install.

5. A clear bar is a lot better than rock chips in the front end for not only you, but it will yield a better trade in value when you sell it. 50,000 miles and no chips. That is saying a lot.

6. We offer the new TL full kit for $320.00 You will be hard pressed to find a better price.

If there anymore questions I can answer let me know. I will do my best to answer

shingles

Clear bras are a good thing. Most companies, atleast xpel and stongard use the 3M raw material. The difference is that the cuts are a little different.

I've installed them on several cars... S2000's, Accords, G35's, RSX's... It is a very worthy investment.

I have the Stongard kit on my S2000... can you see it?

NBP04TL4ME

Rockblocker,

Is there a link you might be able to post listing other dealers nationwide. I'm in Eastern Ma and New Britain is a bit of a ride. Anybody in RI or within a 100 miles of Boston? In New England I think this would be a great thing to have.

Thanks,

Rob

NBP04TL4ME

Marquis,

Which dealer and how much $$

RockBlocker

Nope I cant see it? Nice job Shingles.

You are right most companies use 3M raw material and design their kits according to what they see fit. A few are venturing using other films such as Venture Shield, Avery or LLumar.

copter

Installation pic

gbriank

How much it the going rate to have this done (covers hood, fender, mirror and front bumper)? Thanks!

RockBlocker

I can get you one for $300 plus shipping. Let me know if you want one

gbriank

Are you speaking of the 3M version? I am being quoted over $900 by a local shop ($242.96 for Hood, Fender and Mirror; $314.96 for Front bumper; The rest is labor and 8.25% tax). Is this a rip-off?

Anyone in Dallas had this done? Recommendations?

copter

I paid $800 and got everything you see below....

MARK1

I INSTALLED A 3M CLEAR BRA MY SELF, THE KIT COMES WITH THE HEADLIGHT PROTECTION TOO. THE TOTAL COST ABOUT $250. AND YES IT CAN BE DONE. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I'VE DONE THIS, AND THE RESULT IS GOOD, YOU CAN'T EVEN TELL ITS THERE.

marquis

Saw it at Clair Acura.

I don't remember how much they were charging just for that though, since they had thrown so much other junk on the car at hugely inflated prices. I'd never buy a car from these guys.

RockBlocker

gbriank,

That seems high. You can get Sonny at Formula One in Houston do to the clear bra AND tint your windows for $900. Yes it is the 3M material we are speaking of. You can get the full kit-> hood, fenders, mirrors and bumper for $300 which looks to be less than just the bumper piece you were quoted.

copter,

Correct me if I am wrong, but from the pic it looks like they used bulk material and cut the excess off? Is this right?

Rocketsfan

gbriank,

I'm in the Dallas area and looking to get this done, too. Where did you get that quote? Was it from Modern Armor? Their website is quoting $849.95.

copter

I found this image on the web... They said it was one of the TL's they used as a template for the pre cuts...

gbriank

rocketsfan: Winslows

RockBlocker

Oh I see. May I ask who designed and installed the kit?

copter

I can't remember.. I thought it was X-PEL but its not..

RockBlocker

I doubt it was Xpel since they are based out of Texas and they use special paper for the template. Thanks anyways.