Car is being repainted...how soon can I get a clear bra installed?
11-12-2012, 02:35 PM
#41
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^painter and xpel rep both said between 30-45 days. so i'll be right around 50 days before i get it installed. right after new years is the idea.
11-15-2012, 01:00 AM
#43
Whats up with RDX owners?
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clear bras...
from what i can tell...those things are a major pain to take care of, moreso than the paint.
i've seen what a 5 yr old 3M bra looks like on an Audi. hazy, swirled, makes the paint have a crappy orange peel effect through the bra. YUCK. i'll live with the rock chips. if you plan to keep the car forever aaron, keep all this in mind. yes it'll save you from rock chips, but the care of the clear bra is almost as bad a taking care of black paint. however, it is your car so you may do what you like. you may want to research a little more on the clear bra before fully committing to getting one if you haven't already done so.
and yes there will be a cure time for your paint. depending on the painter it's anywhere from 30-90 days. many shops are in the 60-90 day cure time. no wax, no car cover.
from what i can tell...those things are a major pain to take care of, moreso than the paint. i've seen what a 5 yr old 3M bra looks like on an Audi. hazy, swirled, makes the paint have a crappy orange peel effect through the bra. YUCK. i'll live with the rock chips. if you plan to keep the car forever aaron, keep all this in mind. yes it'll save you from rock chips, but the care of the clear bra is almost as bad a taking care of black paint. however, it is your car so you may do what you like. you may want to research a little more on the clear bra before fully committing to getting one if you haven't already done so.
and yes there will be a cure time for your paint. depending on the painter it's anywhere from 30-90 days. many shops are in the 60-90 day cure time. no wax, no car cover.
http://www.autogeek.net/dp-plex-all.html
It polishes the bra quite nicely. I've only had the bra for about 6 months now, but it still looks as good today as it did when it was installed. That stuff always works well on headlights and tail lights.
Regarding the Audi, Im willing to bet the car was machine washed and they never cared for the bra properly. Its really easy to swirl the bra because its pretty soft, but its also easy to polish out. My clear bra installer said I can use a finishing polish on the softest pad I have with no pressure to polish the bra, if necessary.
Yea, it does make the orange peel look a bit more pronounced on those panels, but its a trade off Im willing to take. The bra already has 15k miles on it and its saved the front end thus far. My CL looks like dookie compared to it, as does my brothers Accord (which was purchased in 2008). Its amazing what these highways will do to paintwork.
Ive got the following parts covered on my car:
-Front bumper
-Half of the hood (if your installer has a large enough roll, have them do the entire hood so you dont have a line)
-Front edges of the fenders
-A-pillars
-Rear lower half of front fenders
-Leading edge of rear bumper
-Trunk opening
-Gas cap area
Honestly, I debated having him wrap the entire car, but decided against it. The newer wraps are thinner but protect just as well, so the orange peel isnt as pronounced.
Aaron, if it doesnt rain this weekend, Ill be at the MidAtlantic meet. You can check out the clear bra there.
Last edited by civicdrivr; 11-15-2012 at 01:06 AM.
11-15-2012, 06:06 AM
#44
3G TL/2G MDX Owner
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i would think the key is taking care of the clear bra. the nasty one i saw was on a black audi. it was due for removal and/or replacement.
it will be interesting to see how your newer tech clear bra holds up long term.
it will be interesting to see how your newer tech clear bra holds up long term.
11-15-2012, 07:13 AM
#45
Whats up with RDX owners?
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Yea, Im hoping it holds up for 5-7 years.
11-15-2012, 07:17 AM
#46
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thanks for the additional input everyone. appointment has been set for 1/2/13. that should give the paint enough time to cure and do it's thing.
i was originally going to just wrap the front bumper and aspec lip, but i may also wrap the CF hood. we'll see.
i was originally going to just wrap the front bumper and aspec lip, but i may also wrap the CF hood. we'll see.
11-15-2012, 07:19 AM
#47
Whats up with RDX owners?
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Dont forget Mirrors too (which I somehow left off of my list).
11-15-2012, 07:22 AM
#48
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^haha i'm trying to keep the cost relatively cheap. got a quote for $550 to wrap the front bumper and aspec lip. sort'of trying to tie this in with my christmas gift.
i don't think i could do the front bumper wrap myself, because of all the curves and lines...but i feel like i could wrap the hood no problem. i've worked with vinyl a million times and know the steps. the hood is just one flat piece, so i'll see if i can purchase some extra material from the installer and do it myself (unless he gives me a decent price)...crazy how expensive this thing is, but i feel like its worth it.
in the 2 or so years i've owned the TL, the front end took quite a beating. i don't want that to happen again.
i don't think i could do the front bumper wrap myself, because of all the curves and lines...but i feel like i could wrap the hood no problem. i've worked with vinyl a million times and know the steps. the hood is just one flat piece, so i'll see if i can purchase some extra material from the installer and do it myself (unless he gives me a decent price)...crazy how expensive this thing is, but i feel like its worth it.
in the 2 or so years i've owned the TL, the front end took quite a beating. i don't want that to happen again.
11-15-2012, 08:13 AM
#49
Whats up with RDX owners?
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My guy does the basic front bumper, hood, fenders and mirrors for $600. All of the extras were only $100 extra.
11-15-2012, 08:24 AM
#50
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11-15-2012, 08:46 AM
#51
Whats up with RDX owners?
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Ill get his info for you once I get back home.
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SharksBreath (11-15-2012)
11-19-2012, 03:24 PM
#52
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^hey morgan, he never got back to me.
can you reach out to him and have him contact me?
can you reach out to him and have him contact me?
11-19-2012, 03:29 PM
#53
Whats up with RDX owners?
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He may be out of town for Thanksgiving, but Ill give him a call too.
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SharksBreath (11-19-2012)
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