Is dealer-applied clearcoat useful, or a rip-off?

[RedMiniBirmingham]

It seems like the standard finish applied to Coopers should be sufficient to protect the car.

[SilverRocket]

IMO, you need it. The paint is pretty soft.

According to my MA, it is UV cured so if you can manage to keep it unscathed for the first couple years, you won't have any problems w/ pitting/chips. How the heck you're supposed to do that I have no idea.

[srmach05]

Not to be contrary, but for the amount of money the dealer charges (at least the amount mine does) I think it's a rip. You can get your mini's front-end clear-braed for much less, and IMO it is more effective.

[SilverRocket]

Maybe we're talking about different things. I thought the OP was asking about the InvisiShield clear bra.

It would cost more than the $740 my dealer wants for it to repaint the panels that have significant chipping on my 2 year old R53. Sounds like there are cheaper options for third party or self install, but to me at the price I'll be paying, it seems worth it.

If you're talking about some kind of spray on clear coat (my dealer(s) have never mentioned this as an option) then I have no opinion and sorry for the confusion.

[Guest]

Originally Posted by SilverRocket

Maybe we're talking about different things. I thought the OP was asking about the InvisiShield clear bra.

It would cost more than the $740 my dealer wants for it to repaint the panels that have significant chipping on my 2 year old R53. Sounds like there are cheaper options for third party or self install, but to me at the price I'll be paying, it seems worth it.

If you're talking about some kind of spray on clear coat (my dealer(s) have never mentioned this as an option) then I have no opinion and sorry for the confusion.

$740 is a lot for a clear bra. You can find them in the aftermarket for half that.

The OP is talking about "Paint Sealant", which does absolutely nothing to protect you against rock chips and the like. Here's an interesting article CNN did that references it, it's basically useless.

[SilverRocket]

Originally Posted by rustyboy155

$740 is a lot for a clear bra. You can find them in the aftermarket for half that.

Apparently so, I just don't know where and if they will wind up doing a good job of it. The dealer installer could suck as well, but it sounds like they at least warranty the work for 3 years.

My bad for the misunderstanding, I'm clueless today

[RJKimbell]

No Dealer quoted charges so I'll add Mine...$895 for Molly to be adorned with the 3M Clearcoat +$45 for the Foglights!! IMO well worth it...I don't her leaving the Dealership without being protected!! She's coming HOME tomorrow!!!

[RJKimbell]

Originally Posted by RJKimbell

No Dealer quoted charges so I'll add Mine...$895 for Molly to be adorned with the 3M Clearcoat +$45 for the Foglights!! IMO well worth it...I don't her leaving the Dealership without being protected!! She's coming HOME tomorrow!!!

I'm very happy how the ClearBra came out...Molly will be protected from those dings and chips in her paint!! Foglights did NOT get done due to them getting so hot, Dealer warned of melting and yellowing.

[glnr13]

what are we talking about here? the clear bra they offer or the extra clear coat that the dealer offers?

clear bras protect nicely but that edge/line is too obvious for my taste.
and the extra clear coat bs they sell is bs.

[Paul!]

Originally Posted by RedMiniBirmingham

It seems like the standard finish applied to Coopers should be sufficient to protect the car.

Just to be clear, are you talking about a clear-bra, the thing that typically covers the front of the bonnet, or something else?

If it's a clear-bra, it's definitely worth having one, but shop around. Talk to a local club to find out who has the best prices, service, and material (there's a few different types out there, and they're not all equal).

If it's some type of clear coat that goes over the entire car, like a spray or something, it's probably some type of BS dealership snake-oil, and I'd avoid it.


-Paul!

[COOP310]

I'm not sure that I would want the dealer messing with the finish of my car.

Plus, your MINI already has a clear coat. Why pay for someone to tell you that they applied another. (I doubt that they really send your car out to a paint shop for another clear coat)

[chpsk8]

I'm hoping this is the clear bra stuff like the 3M clear bra. $740 sounds like a lot. It works great, but shop around there are much better prices.
If your talking about a seal coat like xzylon then it's really a rip. There's a couple places online that sell an entire bottle of the stuff for under $100. I tried it as a free sample on my truck and was sold although you really need to put it on every 2 years and not "lifetime" as it's touted. I bought a bottle and was able to do three vehicles and have half the bottle left. Water beads like it's been freshly waxed and the application is on 18 months now. I'm an autopian and this stuff really is shangri la.

[chpsk8]

duplicate post

[MLPearson79]

$740 is not too bad for clear bra, depending on the market, especially considering that if the dealer installs it (or has it installed, anyway - most "dealer" clear bra is farmed out to other local installers), they will warranty it, which is better than most clear bra installers who do it for much less will do. I paid nearly $1000 to get clear bra with a good warranty. It was worth it, because the one time I had to use it (a chip through the clear bra about 1/2 cm from the edge of the film), they replaced the entire bonnet piece AND touched up the chip at no charge.

So $740 for a good clear bra install with a good warranty is not too bad. Most people wish they've gotten it done later, when their bonnets are peppered with chips. If you can afford it, go for it.

The dealer "clear coat", which is basically a coat of synthetic wax, is a rip off unless it's free. You can buy a full bottle of synthetic wax, which will provide a car's lifetime of applications, for $20.

But clear bra, yeah...highly recommended.

[javelina1]

for $895, they better wrap the whole car! Not just a bra, but a garter and stockings too.

the dealer paint sealant is a rip. go get a can of wax.... the 3M bra on the other hand does work. These little guys sure get beat up, when driving on the freeway. all sorts of nicks and such.

go with an after market install. the dealership just marks it up.

[Ivygirl702]

My dealer didn't give me an option for the clear coat, they automatically put it on. And it is on the whole car. And they gave me some extra that was left over.

[glnr13]

Originally Posted by Ivygirl702

My dealer didn't give me an option for the clear coat, they automatically put it on. And it is on the whole car. And they gave me some extra that was left over.

in a can or sticker?

[Ivygirl702]

Originally Posted by glnr13

in a can or sticker?

I think its in a container [can or something] of some sort. It's in a box, but I haven't opened the box yet.

[Pete Moss]

Originally Posted by Ivygirl702

My dealer didn't give me an option for the clear coat, they automatically put it on. And it is on the whole car. And they gave me some extra that was left over.

Who is the dealer that does this and how much did it cost you?

[Ivygirl702]

Originally Posted by Pete Moss

Who is the dealer that does this and how much did it cost you?

Brecht in San Diego -- $795

[Auto_Pilot]

My clear bra was just installed by the guy who does the installs for East Bay BMW...but my MINI wasn't his first. He did a good job. And he did do the fog lights...so we'll see if they turn yella.

[chpsk8]

If its in a can, then it's like the stuff I used. Dealer applies its north of $500, in bulk $100 gets you enough to do half a dozen cars.

[caulyne]

I'm pretty happy with the clear bar. $795 installed in Scottsdale with the warranty.

[MCS06]

Very happy with the clear bra here. Only wish I had gotten it at the time I ordered the car. Approx. $500-$600 installed at the dealership. But, hey, it's only money right??

[Ivygirl702]

I finally opened the box and it's 3 bottles. One is the clear coat [to apply similar to wax], one is a wash "formulated for paint that has been treated with the clear coat". The last one is something to clean the dashboard/interior.