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Where to get a Clear Coat Bra

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Old 03-13-2009, 02:31 PM
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Where to get a Clear Coat Bra

Where is the best place to get a clear coat bra for my new TL? Will the dealer do it?
Old 03-13-2009, 03:39 PM
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your best bet is to go to 3m's website and look for authorized retailers and installers of the product
Old 03-13-2009, 04:18 PM
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Originally Posted by csmeance
your best bet is to go to 3m's website and look for authorized retailers and installers of the product
This is arguably even better than 3M:

http://www.xpel.com/
Old 03-14-2009, 06:23 AM
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If you got someone who can install it I got a great guy out of Wisconsin (Chipgard) who is very reasonable on the kit. Hood, Fender, Mirrors, Pillars, Roof, Full bottom front spoiler and rear bumper top... Because I have purchased two other kits from him my price was 280.00 deliverd... If you know someone that can do it offer them a couple hundred bucks to install and you are way a head of the game.... He sells only the 3M material which is 8 MIL in thickness. I will be ordering this weekend for my 2009 TL Tech SH-AWD Mayan Bronze/Ebony... Talk to you soon
Old 03-14-2009, 08:06 AM
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Originally Posted by S2000 Driver
This is arguably even better than 3M:

http://www.xpel.com/

My Xpel installer charged me $350 for the entire front end, hood, front fenders and mirrors. He also came to my house to do the install.
Old 03-16-2009, 09:38 AM
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Originally Posted by PetesTL
My Xpel installer charged me $350 for the entire front end, hood, front fenders and mirrors. He also came to my house to do the install.
Tip of the hood or full hood?
Old 03-16-2009, 10:03 AM
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Originally Posted by GearDriven
Tip of the hood or full hood?
There's never an option for a full hood bra.
Old 03-16-2009, 10:07 AM
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Originally Posted by GearDriven
Tip of the hood or full hood?
Front 1/4 of hood.
Old 03-16-2009, 10:47 AM
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Originally Posted by S2000 Driver
This is arguably even better than 3M:

http://www.xpel.com/
What are the arguments? I'm curious because I want to get this done.
Old 03-16-2009, 11:04 AM
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Originally Posted by PetesTL
Front 1/4 of hood.
I'm looking at xpel's site, and their full coverage kit appears to do the entire hood.
Old 03-16-2009, 11:17 AM
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Personally, I wouldn't get one of these. You can still see chips (they just stir up a white clear nick in the 3M) and there is a line that is visible where it is applied. I would rather use touchup paint every nick and get my bumper repainted for $200~$300 after 3~4 years.
Old 03-16-2009, 11:57 AM
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Originally Posted by CleanCL
I'm looking at xpel's site, and their full coverage kit appears to do the entire hood.

I wouldn't do the entire hood.....it's not necessary and it'll look real ugly.
Old 03-16-2009, 03:02 PM
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Originally Posted by PetesTL
Front 1/4 of hood.
Originally Posted by PetesTL
I wouldn't do the entire hood.....it's not necessary and it'll look real ugly.
Doing only part of the hood looks worse, IMO.
Old 03-16-2009, 03:22 PM
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Originally Posted by CleanCL
What are the arguments? I'm curious because I want to get this done.
Here is some info posted at xpel.com:

http://www.xpel.com/products/paint.asp

http://www.xpel.com/media-new/pdf/tds_xpf_premium.pdf

...and here is info posted at 3M:

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...arBuyers/Home/

I do not see any evidence that the 3M film is thinner than the xpel product. However, the 3M site appears less forthcoming on technical specifications than the xpel site.
Old 03-16-2009, 03:41 PM
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I could see the front bumper area being valuable...since the hood is fairly horizontal and whereas the front bumper is full on flat. It's nice to pull off your xpel in a few years and still have fresh, nice paint underneath.

Oh and...

Originally Posted by AsianRage
There's never an option for a full hood bra.
Thank you for your horribly wrong insight.
Old 03-16-2009, 04:42 PM
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Originally Posted by CleanCL
Doing only part of the hood looks worse, IMO.
In that case, go condom the entire car.
Old 03-16-2009, 05:08 PM
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Originally Posted by PetesTL
In that case, go condom the entire car.
Then you'll "practice safe driving!"

Old 03-16-2009, 05:37 PM
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Hm, given the angle of the hood, I think I'm just going with the bumper/grill coverage.
Old 03-17-2009, 12:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Stash
Personally, I wouldn't get one of these. You can still see chips (they just stir up a white clear nick in the 3M) and there is a line that is visible where it is applied. I would rather use touchup paint every nick and get my bumper repainted for $200~$300 after 3~4 years.
Thats what I do currently as well.
Old 03-17-2009, 03:47 PM
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Originally Posted by CleanCL
Hm, given the angle of the hood, I think I'm just going with the bumper/grill coverage.
thats my plan when the spring finally comes and i can have a solid week of nice weather..3M bra the front bumper up to the top of the grille..the nose of this car is lower than my old accord and I'm trying to be extra careful
Old 03-17-2009, 07:01 PM
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I've seen a lot of clear bra on many different cars and I think these guys are THE best. I've used them on my old cars and I couldn't be happier. They travel all over the country (and overseas too).

http://www.premiermobilegroup.com/

And no, I'm no way related to them whatsoever.
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