Mr.Skytech

iTrader: (13)

I am looking for a good/reputable installer for the 3M clear bra. I have spoken to 3 of these installers but 2 of them want me to leave my car there and then come back. With other clear bras on the market and since 3M bought out its competitor i don't want them using anything else. I don't trust strangers with my car. The prices are up there for this mod also so I do want to see what i am getting.

I am in the NY metro area so an installer in NY is what i need.

TLsMD

I will tell you from seeing others cars..dont do it.
Looks horribile and just because they say it wont change colors.....*IT DOES* you will always see a difference dont let them tell you, you wont.

Wooty Woo

I haven't had any problems with my 3M Clear Bra :/

jasonwdp10

I was deciding between VentureShield vs 3M. 3M is thicker, but it supposedly yellows more easily and doesn't bend as much. VentureShield is thinner but is easier to apply and doesn't yellow as much. I've had VS on for over a year and it looks exactly the same as it did on day one. Just got back from driving to/from vegas (from LA) and there are no chips or anything. just fyi!

Mr.Skytech

iTrader: (13)

I know that I will see the line but the 3M comes with a 5 year warranty
that says "It won't crack, peel, or turn yellow."

It's the only one on the market that has this type of warranty.

There is another user here (redhot) that did it to his black car and it turned out slammin but the installer is out there in PA.

check out his ride. - https://acurazine.com/forums/4g-tl-photograph-gallery-296/2012-tl-sh-awd-advance-clear-bra-tint-818385/

Mr.Skytech

iTrader: (13)

I dont want to get Venture shield. I have heard horry stories and there is a youtube comparasin test. When i find it i'll put it here.

TLsMD

i have heard stories with all of them..

maddogtheta

I have 3m on my TL, you can notice the line on the hood, but it's worth it to me to protect my paint from rock chips, although if I could do it again, I would have protected my whole hood...

potmilkz

personally, i wouldn't do this shield... just because if someone was tap your car, and actually crack the bumper or break a tab... then there goes 300-500 bux down the drain on top of that you have to get a new bumper as well.

Brew0360

I have 3M on the front, A-Pillars, side and rear underbody. I can tell you that it have saved me from a lot of rock damage. It's a personal preference, but if install correctly and maintained correctly, you only notice the clear when you are right up on the car.

KB1Spec

iTrader: (4)

Too bad you are in NY because one of my friend does 3M Clear Bra in L.A. area. Did a lot of cars so far.

fleming23

The dealer here has one of the SHIELD TLs on the showroom floor and has 3M on the front, mirrors, etc. You can definitely see the line and on this particular vehicle it made the paint look strange in a few places. I don't know how to explain it but when I was looking over the vehicle while they were prepping mine a couple of places just caught my eye as not normal. I really wish there was a better option because I would pay the price to have it done correctly.

jspagna1

You have a dark car so you won't notice any color change. You only notice a color difference with white cars. That being said, I have had the clear bra on my wife's car since Nov 2009 and it still looks as good as the day I had it put on.
As for the hood, I would not do it at all or have the whole hood done because even on a dark car that is where you will see the line especially if you get wax in that area.
I did not do the hood at all on my wifes white TL and have not one chip on it yet. I only had the front bumper cover done the nose and the 2 pcs just above the headlights.

TLSC

Have you checked into Avery Dennison's NanoFusion? It has a lifetime warranty. When I looked at it compared to the 3M, it had hardly any "orange peel" and most people dont even notice it on my car.

Check it out and ask your installer to show you a sample on a car. Or ask them to put a small square piece on your bumper to see the difference.

I agree on not doing the hood unless you dont mind seeing a line...

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Skytech, also pose your question in the Regional Section. Some of the NYC locals there might have good suggestions.

Mr.Skytech

iTrader: (13)

This is why i want the 3M.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOU-64j4OTA

hatepotholez

Look into Avery-Dennsion's nano fusion line of clear film

Thermoguy

I have it and would recommend it to anyone. I wish both of my cars had a clear bra. After a bad winter storm, my Yukon has tons of rock chips that just kill me when I look at it. I only have about 8000 miles on my TL and you can see lots of little spots that would have been rock chips without it. Just wish they make a stronger paint so you didn't need this stuff... Also, why don't they put it on the grill - I already have a couple chips on it!

By the way - you can only see that the clear bra when you are closer than about 5 feet. From greater than 5' you can's see it at all. I would rather see a clear bra over a bunch or rock chips!

Road-Rager 1

I have the AD nanofusion and it's by far and away the best stuff on the market! No orange peel, no yellowing, no fading, extremely pliable and a lifetime warranty (including installation cost)! Definitely a no brainer!

Mr Marco

Shrink line is visible on every 3M I've seen. I think it may be worth the money if you can afford to R&R it every couple of years.

ZCL

A simple buff and your paint is fine. Don't be scared.

scfa

Couple things I'd like to add/clarify.

I have 3M installed on my TL and MDX. TL is about a year old, the install was just ok, nothing to do with 3M. For the MDX i went with Clear Choice Detailing, as mentioned above. Glen is awesome, very detailed and a great guy, I highly rec'd.

Regarding the issue if your car gets hit. With 3M insurance companies stand behind it and will replace it as part of your claim. Also with 3M which really helped sell me is it comes with a 5 year warranty. This includes them paying the installer to re-install if there is an issue. This to me really proves that they stand behind their product.

Re: waxing, yeh its a pain, adds time but it can be removed easily from the seams. After a few times you get the hang of it and its no biggie.

The key is finding a top notch installer, you want someone that ONLY installs clearbras and not the local tint shop, detailer or car wash place. You want someone that all they do is clear bra's day in and day out. This is a very tedious process and you want someone that has been doing it for awhile.

Another thing to think about is resale. When you go to trade in your car the dealer buying it will know that once they remove that film its basically perfect, not a chip, scratch nothing. I have friends who have gotten 1k over book for their trades and one of the reasons was the bra.

Would I do it again, absolutely. Good luck in your search.

omaralt

i just dont understand why you want to do it if your leasing...

Mr.Skytech

iTrader: (13)

The main reason to clear bra is because I am leasing. I don't want to get f$&@ at the end of the lease.

Ok so I went with the 3M clear bra. My installer had a 60 inch 3M roll and it was enough for the whole hood. The fenders were done as a one peice also. I didn't want any seems at all. There is a new post in the photography section of the install.

jspagna1

Man, that's alot of clear bra. How much did that cost you? Had to be $700+ ?

omaralt

again i think it's stupid on a leased car since a few rock chips are normal wear and tear and you will not be penalized for it; but whatever it's your money..

the bigger issue is that you say he had 60inch 3m roll? lol buddy you got jacked, 3m does NOT make a roll that wide, i believe their widest is 45ish or something (definitely under 50 inches).

RedHOT

Maybe its venture shield... 3M owns them now right?

TLsMD

3m does not make a roll that wide, I think you got raped man..
sorry

TLsMD

what he said

B.G.

x1000.. i have no idea why u would clear bra a leased car Thats like renting a car from enterprise then heading over to discount tire to get some rims thrown on it....but hey, its your loot!

scfa

Did you actually see it come off the roll for the full hood or just the bumper sections? He could have mix and matched between 3M and VS. Or perhaps when 3M bought VentureShield they added the 3M logo to the back.

Best bet, call 3M and ask them if they make 50 + inches. I know as of last year they didn't because I considered doing a full hood and was told I would have to go with VS and I said no thanks.

I'm sure you paid good coin and you should expect the product you paid for.

Mr.Skytech

iTrader: (13)

OMG you guys are funny.
Ok yes they own Venture Shield but the two rolls are made in two different places. 3M bought out venture Shield because Venture makes awesome hospital tape. 3M wants that market. Why would a company buy an inferior company? Just for their crappy clear bra? No way, it's a bigger deal than that.
For the millionth time, yes I saw the roll come out of a factory sealed 3M box and then we took the roll and put in on the car.
Because "Wear and Tear" is NOT specific I want to protect it as much as possible to avoid a lot of sales man crap. I have heard horror stories at time of a lease return. There is a saying in Spanish that says "If it isn't yours take even more care of it."

Here is the link to the pictures I posted on the install. I was there the whole time.

https://acurazine.com/forums/4g-tl-photograph-gallery-296/complete-3m-install-lots-detail-pictures-56k-just-dont-826539/

Mr.Skytech

iTrader: (13)

No one notices the ASIMO doll on the mirror?

jspagna1

Came out real nice. I didn't know you were leasing. To much of an investment for a lease vehicle. Not feasible for just a 3 year lease.

TLsMD

So this is 3m scotch guard ...

rhafikjaan

http://www.tintmax.com/ prices are not bad and i have seen them apply the clear bra on exotics

Elegant TYPE S

iTrader: (2)

I've had both .. Venture Shield and the 3M. Both suck ass in my opinion. It really depends on a few things here:

1. Installer
2. Color of Car (Dark colors are the worse w/ Black being the worst)
3. How anal of a person you as the owner are


The Venture shield yellows too quick and the 3M one does too .. .just take longer. Waxing like somone states is a bit more involved.. but not impossible. After a while .. you also start to get the "Orange Peel effect" as one user posted above in this thread stating that from different angles it makes the paint look weird.

What I plan on doing next is.. whenever I need my bumper resprayed... I will just go to a shop that specializes in armorcoat. This is clear coat replacement that is spray on and much harder and so it resists the rock chips better than any of these films. Plus no cut lines or orange peel effect and its treated and maintained just like normal oem paint.

Higher end cars are now using this and so is Nascar.

http://armorcoatusa.com/

KB1Spec

iTrader: (4)

Anyone used Solarguard Clear Shield? My friend who is an installer uses those for his client's cars. He installed on a few white colored car and seem like there isnt any yellow discoloring or fading.