I have never installed a clearbra but I want to in the TL since I am having the whole grill painted and members here saying the paint is easily chipped when hit by road debris. Two questions, one, where online is the best place to buy a full clearbra and two, if I let the dealer do it, what company do they usually carry and whats a fair price to pay for a full kit. Thanks,

D

P.S I searched online and the 2 I see most common are Venture Shield and 3M Scotch.

 

I recommend going to a third party, the dealership is pricey and don't always do the best job. Good luck with it.

 

You can find a full package on EBay, 3M - just search for Clear Bra. One merchant, chipgardman, is a 3M vendor and has excellent pricing - I've bought from him in the past.

 

I second Bleu... Chipgardman (Steve) is the man... I have pruchased three kits in the past along with my new 4G and for coverage and price he is the cheapest and turn around is great on all orders. I purchased a full nose, hood, fender, A-Pillars, mirrors, roof in front of sunroof along with rear trunk area for $280.00 delivered... He through in some extra material for door handle cups...

 

I am new to the idea of a clear bra, but I have noticed paint chips on my new TL. How does it work with washing and waxing? Do you take it off and put it back on?

 

Clear bra is a sticky-back film that is put on, stretched and cut to fit a particular part. It is not removed. I wash and wax the part just like I do the paint. It can scuff and pit when a rock or debris hits it but it is much more durable than the paint clear coat. Everything is a tradeoff. As it ages it can collect dirt around the edges and begin to peel on the corners. I use a soft weapons cleaning brush (toothbrush should work too) to clean the edges when I wax, just like I do to remove wax from pin stripes and trim. I think the pros outweigh the cons. I am definately getting my next car's entire front end done.

 

for those that purchased from steve at chipguard, what pieces did you get and what price did you pay?

is the front bumper 1 pc or 2?

 

What do people know about Ventureshield bra? I was talking to the dealership today when I went to pay for the car and they told me they could do the full job(full hood, both quarter panels, both bumpers, both mirrors, front grill and rear strip) for $600 which to me is a great deal but they don't use 3M. Any negative feedback for Ventureshield?
Another thing, my salesman was trying his hardest to talk me out of it and told me that there was a customer who had a clear bra but one day he hit a car with a trailer hitch and left a big hole in the bumper. He said, if he ended up not putting a new clearbra and there was an evident color difference on the car. This was a 3M product though. Kinda scares me a bit.

 

i'm thinking to order the kit from chipgardman, but how easy/difficult is it to apply...... can anyone who has done it themselves give me some feedback before i go ahead and order it
thanks!~

 

Last I checked up on the difference, the Ventureshield was thinner, more durable and, more resistant to yellowing and peeling than the 3M but that was a while ago.

 

To all interested in the kit that I bought from Steve at Chipguard... Here is what I got for $280.00 delivered... Two piece front bumper kit... Head and Fog Lights, and Acura "beak" cover... Hood and Fenders, Mirrors and Both Pillars and piece in front of the sunroof... And last but not least the trunk lip "area on rear bumper once trunk door is opened" along with the trunk decorative piece "Silver" area of trunk... I was given this price because I had purchased two other kits for previous 3G models... TL and Type-S... As for the question the pimp asked... The bumper area is two pieces... Seam is right around the front license area... The complete kit was cut out of 8 MIL 3m material... Bluestar... Can be difficult to apply... Would not suggest to try if it is your first time... Check to see if there are any installers in your area that could intall the kit for you... I had my first two install for $200.00 each and it was well worth the investment... This will save you money buying the kit from Steve and then have a local installer put it on... My 4G kit was installed by myself and a cousin who is in the sign business... He does alot of vinyl applications along with tinting and the only area that ended up being difficult was the mirrors.... If you talk to Steve tell him Brian from PA refered you and maybe he will honor the price... He completly "Weeds" the cut patterns and he did leave me some extra material for door "wells".. If you guys have any further question shoot me a line via PM.. Sorry for the length of the reply but I wanted to try and answer as much as I could... This product is great if you do a lot of highway driving...

 

I had my front end done (Bumper, hood, front fenders) and mirrors with Xpel for $275.00. The installer even came to my house to do the work. Whichever one you choose, I highly recommend letting a professional do the install....this stuff is difficult to get it done right.....if done improperly, you'll get bubbles, peeling, and it just won't look right. When done by a pro, the clear bra should blend almost seamlessly with the car and should be invisible until you get very close to the car.

 

That price seems very reasonable. I sure wish that I had done it after having my grille painted. My painter didn't like the idea and discouraged me from doing so. However, I already have a chip from a rock in the grille that has removed the paint. Once I get that fixed, I surely will be getting the install. I agree that it has to be done professionally. I have it on my Lingenfelter Z06. It has been on for over 5 years with "NO" problems whatsoever.