Just had the 3M clear bra installed, as well as the mirror backs etc, should I wait before I begin waxing the vehicle? The dealer told me to just wax around the 3M film....obviously not waxing the film. I have also read that this film can take 60-90 days to fully dry, I would hate to get any paint sealer "under" it. Any advice/suggestions?

 

I wax/seal right over them. I treat them like regular paint in every way except that when I buff up to the seam I lift the PC over it, and when I wax/seal I make sure not to get any caught in the seams (because it's kind of a paint to get out). Remember, the bra is exposed to the sun and environment just like paint - just be careful when waxing near the seam and you'll be ok.

 

Thanks - That makes sense....being exposed to the elements, so it should get the wax/seal also.

 

Keep strong petroleum products off of it. Pure waxes and polymers are ok, avoid polishing also.....

 

I would recommend to let it cure before applying any type of product over it. 3M has a layer of clearcoat so you should be fine. After the film cures, you can apply sealant/wax of your choice over the PPF. You can even use a claybar should you choose to do so. And as advised by exceldetail, petroleum products are a no-no. One little trick I was shown, you can use painters tape (3M) and cover the seam to prevent wax buildup.

 

The painters tape trick is a great idea. I must use it when next time.

 

How long of a cure time do you recommend? Thanks

 

If it gets exposure to the sun, 3 days should be suffice.

 

My install was done just when it was getting cold and my installer said to let it go for about 2 weeks before any wash or wax application. I noticed some bubbles/airpockets when I got home and after the two week period, it was gone. It's basically like window film, letting it sit for 7-10 days before cleaning.

 

I've had my clear bra for almost 2 years and have been zainoing it the whole time with no ill effects- save for the zaino that gets caught in the seams.

 

Seems like a lot of folks like the Zaino product (not familiar with it). Is their any special reason why?

 

^^^ Zaino is well liked by it's users (like me) but there are many products that do a good job. Search and you'll get lots of information both for Zaino and for some other products. Specifically check the recent thread about "what is best".

 

Keep the 3M film clean. It will stain from dead bug goo. I wipe mine off if I see anything on it. Meguiars Quick wax, Turtle Wax Bug and Tar and Orange Citrus cleaner all work well. I use orange cleaner when there are tons of dead bugs then follow up with a coat of Quick Wax.

Remember, keep it clean. Espeacially since your car is white.

Paul

 

I'm a 3M certified installer, just a few words of adive. 3M film is meant to be treated like paint since it has a layer of clearcoat on it. just take care of it like the rest of the car. the curing process depending on weather shouldnt take more that 1 month. you can wash you car the day after it is installed, it doesnt effect it. like Hawhyen51 stated, be careful when waxing especially with dark colors, b/c you can get buildup at the seams. the easiest way to clean it up is just take a cotton swab, dip it in rubbing alcohol and swab away along the seams. anyways, 3M has a 5 year warranty on the film against yellowing and cracking...your installer should have mentioned that to you. also to keep in mind if you do get PPF installed on another car in the future. make sure your getting 3M film all over the car. there a few companies out there that claim to use 3M film on the whole car, they dont. what they do is put 3M on the Hood, Fenders, Headlights/Foglights, Mirrors & they use a similar film "Avery Dennison Film" which is the easiest out there to install. since it has no clearcoat layer on it, you will get no stretch marks when installing it. since it has no clear coat layer on it and you wax it, it will yellow.

take care.

 

06BlackOn Black, good info on PPF especially the use of different film from manufacturers. Great to have another individual with the background and experience regarding PPF. And BTW, welcome aboard.

 

How do you keep from having a strip of your car's surface that goes without ever getting waxed or do you go back and carefully get the area that was covered by the tape later?

 

Yea, I'll go back over it after removing the tape. I usually have sufficient product left on the applicator to do a quick swipe of that area.

 

Thank you very much for pointing this out. I had a guy that wanted to do the job with Avery Dennison because he claimed he could work with it better and cut it right on the car. He even thought it had a clear coat until I started to question him.

I working toward a 3M product install. Again, thanks for the tip!

 

Sorry to bring this thread back up but is it ok to claybar and apply Klasse AIO over the clearbra? Everyone mentions wax and sealant is ok but just want to make sure the other steps are also ok.

 

Should not be a need to clay it. ?????

 

No problems claying, and AIO'ing it; treat it just like paint like everyone said.