Thinking about putting a clear bra on my NBP I just got. There is already some minor rock chipping in the front unfortunately how would this effect the install of a bra? Also are there kits you can buy and DIY? I'm a huge advocate of doing my own work anyone else do theirs themselves? Any information would be appreciated!!

 

i do believe i have seen kits on ebay that included the front bumper,hood,headlights,mirrors. but my advise is you bring it to a shop that does it. I had mine done by a friend that worked at a tint shop, and let me tell you it was alot more work than i thought it was. There are a couple of different brands that make PPF.
Llumar,3M is what i would stick with. And there are also different thickness for different applications.

 

ck ebay store listings for 3m clearbra
they sell everything you need and a training video too!
get some extra on the roll to practice with, and use in front of rear wheels to help with rock chips flung off front tires, and on rear bumper- protects from shopping carts.
Use touchup paint first and wet-sand down any high points if applicable

 

I would recommend a professional installation unless you are very thorough and have lots of patience. It's impossible do diy but could easily take up to 2-3 hours for the bumper. Instead of 3m I decided to go with venture shield because they don't turn yellow overtime and a bit more thicker than 3m. as for the existing chips. just do a touch up paint before applying the films. I have it on my hood, bumper, side mirrors and cargo area. So far it protected me from like 10 rock chips that I can see.

 

yea man, in this case (for the longterm durability and appeal) go with a professional. On my last TL- (07 NBP) the first thing I did was get a clear bra installed- about 3 years ago. Not cheap. About 3 months ago I saw the car (my old car, the 07) at a Golf Course here in Greensboro, same car for sure- with the clear bra on the front and it look bad, and i mean bad. I will not put on my 08, or any car for that matter- after time no matter what- it will discolor- maybe unnoticable from 20 feet ,but up close there lies a diff, and Im too anal. Its common sense, on the hoodline when you have paint that is protected, and paint thats not (especially on NBP)- the elements, rain..dirt..pollen...ect, will take an effect- - Now I just plan on really taking care of the front- wash, clay, wax...ect. GL

 

dang Editing tool, so the bra does its job and protects the paint against chips or a rock, so now you have a gash, indention, mark, hole whatever on the bra. that sucks. looks horrible. w/o the bra all u gotta do is continue to fill it with an NBP pen from Acura (use the teathered side of a match from a book of matches), for like 10 bucks until the surface is level, works great.

 

Yes there are places you can order it from.
Ebay Motors:

http://motors.shop.ebay.com/_Car-Tru..._rkw=clear+bra

You can also order it from:

http://www.lamin-x.com/automotive-s/47.htm

But like everyone said, I would shop around and have it professionally done because it's a real PIA.
And about it dicoloring, everthing does over time. They usually guearantee it for 7 years. And as long as you wax the car it will last. And when if it gets real bad, just peel it off.

 

I had clear bras installed on my wife's 06 Honda Pilot and my 08 TL. Both installed when the vehicles were new. Both still look as good as the day they were installed. Neither of the vehicles have any stone chips where the clear bra was applied. This is the first puchase I would make whenever I buy a new car. My 02 TL-S without a clear bra looked like it had been sandblasted with all the sand and sand they put on the roads here in Chicago. I would highly recommend letting a professional do the install.

 

Absolutely wrong on the 3M material. The new 3M film absolutely does not yellow! I have had the new 3M material on my TL-S for nearly 3 years. I have also had the old 3M material installed on my Civic back in 2004. That material yellowed and I replaced it with the new 3M material in 2006. To date, the film on both of my cars are as clear as the day I had them installed.

As for the existing chips. You can touch them up but the touchups will still show through the clear bra and if you happen to take the clear bra off the touchup paint will be removed with it. Not a big deal.

 

I was thinking about getting one, however they run $700-$1100 in the Baltimore area. I can repaint my bumper for $300. If someone backs into you in a parking lot and cuts the film.... You are out the price of the clear bra. I am not sure I can justify it. Am I missing something?

 

I had a 3M clear bra on my last car for three years with no yellowing. It cost me about $650 to get installed and well worth it. Now if you are already chipped up...not as sure if it would be worth it. My last car, the bra went on 4 months after I bought it and it replaced a regular bra so the nose of the car was still perfect. Since I bought my TL used, it was already chipped up and no point to spend the money for a clear bra.

 

Which color TL is the bra least noticeable on??

 

I personally am not a fan of the cut on the hood and fenders. In that case I would 3M the bumper and mirrors. I would recommend repainting your bumper before you apply the film.

 

Yes, I don't like the fact that most dealers place the clear bra right accross the middle of the hood & fenders.
When I had mine installed on my 4G I told them I only wanted the front bumper cover done and the front painted beak along with the pcs just above the headlights. So the basically followed the body creased/lines and you can't even notive it.

 

I bought mine from invisible shield. It cost about $400 and I installed it myself last October. I had a few chips and nicks from driving it for just one winter. It was pretty fun to install. However, it's a far from perfect install (but I saved $600). Even with all the stretch marks and cuts I made to it to make it fit, it's still hard to see. My car is silver and it's easier to see when the car is backed into the garage and impossible to see when pulled in forward. Maybe it casts a small shadow?

Roads here are bad in the winter and I stay off the highways and don't tailgate. I still got pits and chips. I wouldn't do it if I didn't drive it during the winter. I figure it will help balance out damage on the car if I can keep the chips off the front for 5 years. If it turns yellow, I'll take it off. No paint shop, same price.

 

I tried with the help of a friend to install the clear bra and ended up with a real mess and finally put in the trash. My experience with this DIY project was a disaster and would have been much smarter to pay someone who knows what they are doing to install it.

 

i would recommend to do it at a shop..first beacause those bubbles are pain in the ass and if it messes up you can bring it back...the shops are usually with tint shops and are cut by computer with the right fitting