I contacted Ryan about getting the Xpel Kit and plan to get my MCSc to him ASAP when I take delivery. He's been very helpful and his work looks outstanding on the pics he provided. Much nicer and less expensive than the dealer. And a nice way for me to support a NAM sponser!

Dave

 

When I installed the clearbra on my '05 MCS last summer, I went the other way... I got a kit from VentureShield, which is in my humble opinion, a much superior product to the 3M film. Best of all it has a LIFETIME WARRANTY, much better optical properties and the film itself is even tougher. Paid $350 for the WHOLE kit including installation. Best deal in town, hands down. Its been 7 months since it was installed and not a single issue with it.

Here is the website of my installer in Florida, ACCUGUARD:

www.accuguard.biz

 

I use to sell the venture film for 6 months and even have it partially on my work vehicle. (now as a demo to show that it gets cloudy.) I installed Venture on more than 40 cars and to be honest to date approx 12 vehicles have came back to me for warranty.

2 reasons why some installers use Venture: 1. Cheaper and 2. A lot easier to install.

Venture film does not have a clear coat finish as does the 3M film. The clear coat is necessary to keep all of the dust and road oils embedding into the film. Yes, the generation 1 3M did turn yellow sometimes, but generation 2 was perfect and now Generation 3 film is even better with no orange peel.

By the way I do sell both films as well as Avery. Just from my experience of installing over 530 vehicles 3M has been the best overall.

$350 does sound like a great deal, but it really depends on how much coverage you get and the quality of the install. As mentioned the local Mini dealer that installs the kits only covers approx 10 inches of the hood and is very skimpy on the grille, scoop and bumper. You get what you pay for.

Hope this information helps.

Bottom line - It really doesn't matter which film you get, just as long as the installer stands behind their film and their work.

Thanks!

 

My "first" MINI had no clear bra and, inevitably over time, picked up a few tiny stone chips. It may not bother some people but on an Indi Blue MINI you could see them if you looked. Anyway, one fine day a young lady pulled out of a business establishment between stopped cars and right into the path of my MINI!! CRASH!!! The MINI did great but needed a good number of parts replaced, including a new bonnet. This is what I call my "second" MINI (yup, same car). Once repaired, I went straight from the body shop (making absolutely sure the paint had cured properly) to the clear bra installer. I've never regretted that move.

 

Opps, see below.

 

I have the 3m product on three of my cars and love it. The Pooper has the full kit and works wonders not sucking up rocks and junk. We wash/wax over it and now problems after a year on one and over two on another. Worth every penny.
Also the offer for $500 installed is a pretty good deal. The Mini has a bunch of compound curves and not for the faint of heart to install. I tried on my wifes Range Rover and did a C+ job on it. Pros do it right the first time.

 

My VentureShield kit included the following pieces:

Bonnet
Bonnet Scoop
top of front bumper
full front bumper
front marker lights
front fog lights
full upper/lower front grille including slats
exterior rearview mirror caps
front door handle cups
leading edge of front roof
full headlights

The leading edge roof piece was custom cut for me and it came out perfect. The car lives 24/7 outside and under the scorching FL sun. No problems to speak of with the film and its integrity for the past 7 months.

The lifetime warranty sold me on this kit. What is the warranty on 3M film? 4-5 years? Why 3M can't offer a lifetime warranty on their film?

I am not implying that the 3M film is junk, rather, that there are alternatives to it and very competitive ones.

Glenn Anderson from ACCUGUARD installed my kit. He is a knowledgeable and respected member in the South Florida MINI community. He has installed several VentureShield kits on brand new MINIs (Lauderdale MINI) as well as member MINIs and I have yet to hear a complaint on the installation or quality of the film he uses. He also installs VentureShield in several high end cars, Ferraris, Mercedes, Aston Martins, etc.

Before I decided on a clearbra kit for my MCS I did research the great majority of kits available in the market. To be honest, I was not impressed with the apperance of most 3M kits I saw in other MINIs. Some of these kits were installed by very reputable installers in the area. When I saw a MINI with the VentureShield bra, the difference was like night and day.

In the remote event I experience a problem with the clearbra kit, Glenn will make it right. That is his long standing commitment to his customers.

So folks, perhaps the newer generation 3M film is a better quality product altogether, but remember that there are alternatives to it.

 

I agree, some of the 2nd generation 3M kits didn't look good on some colors, especially on black. Talking about orange peel.

Thats why I out sourced to other types of films and never had luck any of them. I still stock the newest Avery and Venture film but rarely use them. I know installers that swear by them.

Usually when I do custom installs like full hoods and full fenders, I use a non top coated film such as the Venture due to very easy installation.

The 3rd generation 3M film that just came out is also easy to install with no orange peel. Hopefully it will hold up as well as Generation 2.

Again all films have pros and cons just as long as you have protection and the installer will warranty their work.

 

I haven't seen the Gen III 3M film yet. I would give 3M strong consideration if they ever offer a lifetime warranty on their product.

Choice is good and glad to hear 3M has improved their product.

 

My M3 has had 3M Clearbra for over two years with no issue, the same installer did my MINI when it was 1 day old. I've taken one chip on the hood with it that nicked the film. I paid $350 for each car, he's a friend of a friend, but I think full cost is around $450-500 so much better than dealer. As far as brand of film, I guess I don't really care what the warranty is. If I keep my car long enough for the film to wear out (which it will if it does its job of absorbing rock chips instead of passing them on to the paint), I will just have the job done over when the film starts looking pitted. I don't think by its very nature that a Clearbra is a lifetime deal.

 

For some pics and a description of the "wrap" method:

Link

Done over two years ago (75K miles), still looks great. There have been a couple of rock hits that made a small pock mark in the film, but it still beats what it would have done to the paint if the film hadn't been there.

 

One week ago I removed the Invincashield (was on 18 months) from the bonnet in prep for a repaint due to another problem. I now have a rock ding - metal bending - where the shield was. I'm convinced.

 

I have an '06 arriving in about two weeks. After 3.4 years of chips on my '02
I will have a clear bra installed before the new one ever leaves the show room. Yesireebob!

 

A few questions:

Once the clear-bra has been installed, is there anything one needs to do regarding its maintenance?

Is the clear-bra invisible (i.e., one won't notice it on my MINI)?

Would I have to change my exterior car-care habits? i.e., zaino, claybar...

thank you in advance...

 

No can do. I wanted to have the entire hood done, but the installer couldn't find the material in large enough sheets.

 

The clear-bra is not invisible. You will know where to look and how to see it. Most people who I talk with don't know I have a clear-bra on my MCS until after I tell them. They don't look that close.

Exterior-care habits: wash, claybar, and Zaino with the rest of the car.

Until they start making chip-proof paint what is the alternative?

 

Hello. There is very little you have to do with the clear bra's once they are installed. If the film is 3M and hopefully the new 3M film, all you have to do is wash like normal and apply a nice polish wax over the film every couple months to keep it feeling smooth. The 3M film has a clear coat finish just like your paint. If you happen to scratch the film, you can use rubbing alcohol to get rid of the scratch. If they edges get dirty, use rubbing alochol again with a soft cloth and wipe the edges down. Thats really all that needs to be done.
If you have any questions or need installers in your area, send me an e-mail with your zip code.

Thanks
Ryan
www.autopaintguard.com
ryan@autopaintguard.com

 

Thanks Bolar. I have checked out some pics online regarding the clear-bra and confirmed that it is barely visible. I can live with that more than the constant stress of dealing with paint chips.

 

thanks Ryan... I have sent you an e-mail.

 

You will be happy with your decision. After installing my bonnet stripes I felt lucky and installed my own clear-bra. It was a lot of work but I'm happy with the results. Two winters so far and the front still looks good.

 

Just a reminder if anyone is going to NV for the Mini Vacation at the end of March I am doing a group install. If interested just e-mail me.

Thanks Guys.... Motor On!!!

 

A couple of questions based on responses in the thread:

- If the clear bra should be installed under boot stripes and such because of the gap in the jump from the stripe to the paint, doesn't that mean that the stripe will now have a potentially unsightly ridge running across it? Or is the ridge too slight to make a difference?

- Assuming I'm following the detailing steps in the agranger/BradB "My Detailed Detailing Process" thread, should the clear bra be installed after the paintwork cleanser and before the Zaino?

 

Please give Ryan at Auto Paint Guard a call if you are coming to AMVIV next month and want to get a clear bra install done. He needs several more people to sign up so that he can make the trip worth while. I have an interest in this only because I want him to come and do my car. If he doesn't get enough cars I'm out of a clear bra install and that's not a good thing for me .

Mark Finn
SCMC VP
AMVIV Coordinator

 

If the stripes are over the bra then yes you will have a slight raise in the stripe going over the film. Right after the install and for the next couple days I recommend continually pressing the water and air out from underneath the stripe. This will make it adhere perfectly. The slight raise shouldn't be to noticeable.

The paint should be clean with no wax on the surface before applying the clear bra. After it is installed then wax over the surface.

Thanks Guys.
Ryan

 

Ryan came over on Sunday (very nice of him) and installed the kit on my new MCSc. He was very meticulous and did an excellent install. I am very pleased with the results.

On the dark silver you can see the lines at certain angles but you have to really be looking for it to be noticeable. I'm glad I made the decision to get it done.