Has anyone put a clear bra for there front on there TL? if so how does it looK?

 

No, but don't settle for anything less than 3M material, DO NOT use Venture Shield, that stuff is shitty, had it on my RDX and it scuffs really, really, easily couldn't even use a microfiber cloth on it lightly to clean off the bugs with a bug spray remover. Plus 3M material by an experienced installer could be buffed out if they know what they're doing.

 

I have 3M Clear bra on the front of my TL-S. I also had it on my '05 TL. I will never buy a new car again and not have it. My car is 18 months old now and still doesn't have a scratch, mark or nick on the whole front end. I am very impressed with it.

Pictures of front with Clear bra:

 

Here are some tips: find an installer who doesn't use templates (should be easy to do from the list at 3M). Have them put it on the door edges and the back bumper--across the back bumper (in addition to the usual leading edges and backs of your mirrors.) This will keep you from getting scratches on your bumper when parallel parking.

 

My installer used templates for the hood, front bumper and side mirrors. He then offers to do custom cut pieces across the back bumper, door edges, etc. My installer cuts his own templates and has the ability to adjust things to his liking...like creating a bikini cut (curve) across the top edge of the hood piece. This is less noticable than a straight line across the hood.

 

I just had the ClearShield bra by Solorgard installed on the hood, front bumper, front half fenders, mirrors and top of rear bumper by the trunk. I've read the 3M product and Solorgard product are very similiar products and carry the same warranty.

 

if u got a clear bra . how much did they charge u and where did u put it

 

So this is custom, not template. Templates are produced as pre-cut by 3M, but the templates suck.

 

should cost $350 - 400 with all the extras.

 

dont have it, wish i did, wont buy another car without it....i learned about it after i had the car for a few weeks, then continplated it for a few more weeks, by then my frontend was nicked up in a few places and i felt it was too late....there are a few cons to having it, but i think the pros out way the cons so i would get it....

 

3M clear bra is about $500-525 for 24" hood, bumper, 1/2 of the front fenders and 2 side mirrors. It is extra for headlights, back bumper and sides of door.

By 'custom' (like on the bumper), I mean he cut it at my house with an Xacto knife. My installer has been doing this for about 5-6 years and said that 3M is constantly improving the software and template fits in it.

 

Yeah 500-600 dollars seem right. I was contemplating whether to get it or not when i first purchased my Tl-S. First week i noticed a paint chip and slight dents by the front bumper. Too late then. So i'm just driving w.o. clear bra. Perhaps next new car. Plus with 600 dollars, you can repaint your front and back bumper.

 

You could hardly see the clear bra on that color. Nice. I'm not sure what kind of clear bra on my 05 since i'm the second owner, but you can see the clear bra is there. It sure is nice to have clear bra on the car. I had a dark color car and you can see all the rock chips. Clear bra protection is a MUST if you hate seeing rock chips plastered all over.

 

$500+ is a ripoff. Call some other installers in the area or ask for a discount. My dood did EVERYTHING discussed for $300 (talked down from $400). HTH.

 

Seriously, the templates suck donkey schlong. Avoid them.

 

whats the website to get a clear bra...........or a link to it???

 

look into getting a bikini cut. Mine has a curved cut along the top, makes it harder to see. My guy also did the mirrors and door edges.

 

WOW, $300 is a great deal. I was quoted between $600 - $1000 in S Florida.

 

im getting the clear bra seemless for my front bumper, hood, headlights and fenders for 700$. It should be done this wednesday.

 

You won't find 3M clear bra 24" kits (rather than 18" kits) in any major metro area for $300. In the Chicago area, they go for about $550 for the TL (hood, bumper, fenders and side mirrors). Some cars cost less and others cost more depending on complexity. My installer said that a Boxster is a tough car to do since some of the pieces are very large. He also told me that when he installs them for dealers, he may give them a $50-100 discount (because of quantity), but then they mark it up to $700-1000.

 

Yes, dealerships mark up everything. This is not new information.

The best installers buy the film in bulk and usually work for the dealerships (like carguyrob's). They don't use kits but cut the stuff on the spot. Make sure you are getting authentic 3M product! The kits are all garbage because you are stuck with pieces from the 3M factory, which is always just a little bit off. That is why the bulk guys are better--you get more coverage. I have seen kits AND custom jobs, and custom >>>>>> kits. Plus, when you are asking for custom you can do stuff like I suggested--get your whole rear bumper coated, too.

I haven't measured my clearbra but I can tell you that if rocks don't hit the area of the car that is covered in protective plastic, they hit my windshield. So it's really not necessary to cover the whole hood with the stuff unless you are trying to shield your car from, i don't know, falling bird crap? I definitely wish I could use the stuff on my windshield though...it's not approved for that use, however.

BTW, I've never seen those white marks left by rocks hitting the plastic on my 3M bra. I have seen them on other cars (not sure what brand they are using--you can't really tell once it's on the car). Take that for what it's worth.

carguyrob -- stop mentioning the kits, dood. Just stop. Your prices are at the highest end and the kits are not the way to go.

 

BTW, carguyrob, you can buy your beloved 3M kits on ebay for like $100.

 

lmk im looking for a good installer in the ft.lauderdale area

 

Just call around on the 3M list. I have to admit that I didn't realize that I was even getting a good deal when I got my bra on. Actually, I ended up driving a good way to get the installation done by a 3M qualified guy because the list was not up to date for my area (2 local installers were no longer in business). The nearest dood was over 200 miles away. So I just stayed with a friend. It took the installer 4 hours to put it on (he did it at his home on his carport) and we let it dry for 5 more hours before I drove it home.

I cannot tout these things enough: they are amazing. Rocks, bugs, bumping bumpers while parking, etc. cause NO damage to the car.

Also, I researched these things way too much and was considering doing the install myself. I watched all the install videos from 3M and did everything except practice installing on a car. I'm happy I got a professional to do it now.

 

Aw man that is the perfect solution to my problem. I have the rock chips and marks all over the front of the hood n stuff. Damn i guess its a little too late now since i have an older car.

 

sounds good guess i will look around after i get my wheels

 

Wait is this the same thing as paint sanitization? I ask this because my grandfather bought a new SUV and i guess they offered it to him and he took it back the next week and the procedure seemed the same.

 

Sounds like you are talking about that polymer crap they spray on the paint.

Clearbra is straight forward. It's clear plastic stuck on the car at leading edges.

 

I certainly hope by clear bra doesn't look like this in 5 years. I snapped this pic this morning at my work parking lot. I walk by this Lexus GS400 every morning and just shake my head in disgust.

Now, this is a BAD clear bra...Not sure how old it's, but it's been this way for the last 4 years.

 

My installer said that the material used by 3M is constantly being improved. He said he has seen 4-5 year old clear bras that still look nearly perfect. My '05 TL was 2 years old and the clear bra look exactly like it did at day one. And if you are ever unhappy with the clear bra, it can be removed without hurting the paint. The guy told me it is just a matter of warming it up with a heat gun and it will peel right off.

 

To remove clearbra: Leave car in sun until the paint gets hot. Peel up at edge and use a heat gun to release the adhesive while pulling aggressively on the plastic sheet. It will come up and will probably leave some bits of glue residue. Remove them with whatever adhesive removal chemicals you like to use. Paint should be unharmed.

And I agree with carguyrob, this lexus probably has an off-brand (non 3M) clearbra. Don't be a cheapskate! Get the real thing from a real installer.