Have a one week old TL-S and was wondering what the pros and cons of installing a clear bra....anybody know any installers in San Francisco?

 

the only con to them is waiting to do it and getting a rock chip !!!
get 3M brand and ask for the 8 mil- they have 6 and its good but they also have 8....
5 years and you can remove it with no ill effects- like on lease return

Look up tint places in the phone book and call them- maybe a web search will reveal someone near you

The new cars are more difficult on the scale of installs, so a place that has done a few before yours and is familaiar with the product at the least-

Good luck

 

i got the LEX bra. took her 3 hours to do it at the dealership. really clean job. i definitely recommend it. You're not scared anymore of rocks flying around on the road.

 

Seems like the two major "brands" are the 3M/Scotchgard and VentureShield. If I recall the differences, they are

* 3M: 5 year warranty, clearcoat-like surface, can have a slight orange peel appearance, easier to fit to complex curves (stretches more)
* Ventureshield: lifetime warranty, no clearcoat, has less (or no) orange peel appearance, harder to fit to complex curves

I went with the 3M because I wanted the clearcoat; it's been great after a year. Almost impossible to see it's there, and has saved me from numerous flying rocks. Had it installed by CS Specialties (ClearProtectionProducts.com) at my house; they're located in the San Jose/Stockton areas and did a professional job.

 

kfhughes, how much did the install run you if you don't mind me asking? I just need a ball park figure; since I commute a lot it may be a worthwhile investment.

 

IIRC, it was around $600. I got the half hood, full front (non a-spec), and mirrors. There was a problem with the hood-- a 3/4" imperfection in the hood that wasn't noticeable until after everything was done -- and they redid it no cost.

 

Thanks for your help. I may have to take the plunge next paycheck I'm getting rock chips from 280N and 85N.

 

Definately go for it. I had the 3M Xpel on my '05 TL and it looked perfect after two years when I got my '07 TL-S. My '05 TL was just over 2 years old and didn't have a single chip on it. The clear bra can be washed and waxed just like paint. It is pretty amazing. And yes, I got it again for my TL-S.

 

How much would it roughly cost for just the hood?

 

What color car do you have?
I know on black cars the clear bra is very visable

 

i have a 07 NBP and i have debated for the last 3 weeks (since i bought the car ) to do it or not. I believe that i have done all the research that I can, and this forum has been great..pictures and testimonials and it seems that everyone is for it. I am having it installed thurs. for $610. That is 16 in inches up the hood, complete front w/ bumper and side mirrors and head lamps with fog lights as well. I looked at the difference bt 3M and Llumar- 3M has more of an orange peel effect, and they are both 8 mil, however the pushing point for Llumar was the LIFETIME gurantee on any defect. So, if you are debating whether to do it or not, i quote 01tl04tl " the only con is waiting to do it".

 

another good way to look at this is in a couple years you can get those pieces painted for about the same price

 

I think I would rather have original paint than a body shop paint job. I paid $550 for extended hood, full bumper and both mirrors. I doubt you can get all of that replaced for $550.

As an aside, when I traded in my '05 TL, they upped the trade in value because of the clear bra. I got closer to the 'private party price' at the time.

 

Pros:
good protection from rock chips, scratches, nicks, etc.
easy maintenance - just put wax/sealant like the other parts of the car
Much harder to see than a regular vinyl bra

Cons:
Expensive
If you look closely, you can see the line where it ends, especially on the hood.
It's not perfectly clear so if you're really anal you might not like the look.

Here are some pictures of the clear bra installed on my NBP '05 TL: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2059734

I got mine installed by Jeremy from Invisiguard which is a local, Bay Area business. He'll come out to your house and install it. He's a good guy and does great work! Here's his #: 707-328-5865

 

Yakuza70, did you install the clear bra on the bumper also? how much did you pay for the whole install?

 

Vietnastee,

I had the entire front nose of the car, including the front bumper and about 1/3 up the hood. He also did the side view mirrors, door trim on all four doors, and on the top of the rear bumper to protect it from loading things into the trunk.

I don't remember the exact price but I think it was $700??

 

anyone know a good place to get it done around north jersey

 

check out this review of a 3M clearbra...

http://www.automotivearticles.com/12...r_Bra_3M.shtml

The guy uses a pellet gun to shoot the 3M bra on a S2000 mirror with no damage!

Amazing stuff.....I believe that the clear bra is a must have on our cars!

 

Yakuza70, did you zanio over your clear bra?

 

Nelson

Clear Image Inc.
Paint Protection Specialists
973-207-7000

This guy is amazing. Let him know you heard about him on the Acura Forums if you use him.

 

Clearbras and their various similar counterparts are a pretty good investment to protect the most commonly hit parts. Some advice, it's a MUST that you get it installed by a trained installer. Ask to see some samples pictures, and make sure its computer cut. (There will always be some trimming by hand ( ) so ensure your installed is an expert.

Aside from the visible lines there are no cons as far as paint protection is concerned.

 

got it on mine...completely satistfied with the worksmanship of the clearbra, the bug acid, and road debris just rubs right off. The only con is waiting to have it done!!!!

 

Yup, I have Z2 pro and ZCS on there right now. A clear bra has clear coat on it so you can treat it just like clear coated paint although I have never tried to polish it.

 

I had the 3M bra installed on both my 05 S2000 (2 days after I bought it) and my 07 TLS (the nest day). All my new cars will have the latest product insatlled ASAP after purchase.

 

Folks,

If I get the clear bra, how does it accept washing, waxing and stuff like that? Does it have to be treated differently then the rest of the car? I have Zaino, and I don't want it to be useless on a clear bra.

How visible is that line where it ends? Does it look silly close up? I remember not getting it at the dealer because I didn't like the look of the line.

 

Nevermind, this was answered earlier in the thread and I contacted Zaino and they said it will work fine. No I just need to determine if the line bothers me that much.

 

I would not use a cleaner wax or any other aggressive cleaner on the clearer. Just a good car formulated washing solution and a spray on wax.

 

any of you here who would know where i can get a clear bra for the bumper in toronto... because i tried FX auto and they would only do the hood...

 

I would not use a cleaner wax or any other aggressive cleaner on the clear bra. Just a good car formulated washing solution and a spray on wax.

 

I would like to get a clear bra for my TL.

 

I'm researching the clear bra, protective film etc. options for my 07 NBP as well.

Has anyone had any experience with the Full Kit Pro from RockBlocker? They claim that their kit covers the hood (not sure how much, I'm contacting them for pictures of actual installation, or at least diagrams of the pre-cut pieces) fenders, mirrors and front bumper.

http://rockblocker.com/store/38500.htm

 

Rockblocker can chime in here, but I think I can answer this.

The kit you're purchasing is a same computer cut template most shops use, including mine. And I'm sure RB should be able to show you the template screen shot of the different versions.

But what you're getting is the material precut for your car. Depending on kit (usually a Standard and Deluxe) you'll get the top strip for the hood, top fenders peices, full bumper, & side mirrors.

Basically, check out some pics of a car with a full clearbra/clearshield kit - thats exactly what you'll be getting. You'll just be sticking it on yourself.

 

Give Richard at Thornhill Tints a call. They did my tints - excellent job - and also do clear bras. I have not made the leap yet, but we did discuss the front and back bumper. They do the tints and bras for BMW, Lexus, Mercedes and Acura dealers, so you know his work is top notch.

 

Is there any point of getting this on a 3 year old TL?

 

Absolutely no point. You'll only magnify all the existing imperfections. Get it repainted instead.

 

As an aside, when I traded in my '05 TL, they upped the trade in value because of the clear bra. I got closer to the 'private party price' at the time.[/QUOTE]

Hi,

Just wondering, ccould you tell me where you got yours done?
I'm from Champaign, IL and we don't have anyone who does paint protection installation.

Thanks

 

Hi,

Just wondering, ccould you tell me where you got yours done?
I'm from Champaign, IL and we don't have anyone who does paint protection installation down here.

Thanks

 

the only con Ive seen by far is the discoloration after some time it yelows

 

I'll add my recent experience with my clear bra. Yesterday while driving down the freeway a piece of tire was kicked up onto my hood at 75 MPH. When I got home, I inspected the damage. It did actually hit the part of the hood covered by the clear bra. There was a very small area that touched the non-clear bra part. I have the Venture Shield bra. The tire scuffed the hell out of the bra and discolored it a little. I washed the car and tried various cleaners and scratch-x to try and get it out. It's a little better, the discoloration is gone, but the scuffs are still there.

It's very noticable when you get up close to the car. I don't know how the 3M bra would have faired with the clear-coat, but I guess I can say I saved my paint job. The slight area where it hit the non-clear bra looks ok after an application of scratch-x. But since it is so noticable I am going to have to get 2 pieces re-done.

 

I just got my clearbra installed. I too just got a WDP TL Type S in the Bay Area. I went with the Ventureshield and I got the deluxe kit about 500. It took 3-4 hours to install. I believe 3M recently acquired Ventureshield, since they couldn't keep up with the ventureshield products.
Check out this place called www.Omegawerks.net. he does an awesome job. PM me if you have any questions.