They applied 5 coats on mine and said that it is good for at least 5 years....so I figured I am ok on the bugs for now but still want the protection for rocks and such. Thanks!

 

What brand would you recommend for metallic grey? Specifically, Acura's Anthracite Grey Metallic.

 

Hello. I would go with 3M for that one. Just make sure you have an experienced installer putting the film on to make it look perfect.

Hope this helps.

 

I have a question- My dealer installed clear bra (installed 12/04) is starting to yellow- probably because I don't clean my car enough. It is only visible on my mirror caps, but it looks pretty bad b/c they're white. I've washed the area, windex'd it, and washed it again to no effect. What's next? Rubbing alcohol? Clay? Mild abrasive (ie: baking soda)?

 

it may b ur mirror caps 'n not teh clear bra!

 

Nope- the caps are whiter than an actor's teeth. It's definitely the clear bra material that's discolored- not just differently colored, mind you, but dirty looking.

 

I don't think you can undo the yellowing with any product. I wouldn't try if I were you.

Take it back to the dealer and show them. Clear bra film is generally guaranteed against yellowing so an install of new clear bra material would be in order, IMO.

Also insist that the entire car be redone, not just the mirror caps. Even though the yellowing might not show when on top of non-white, it's still there.

Oh, and I wouldn't mention that you used Windex on it.

 

Hello. Are you sure it is 3M?
You might want to try Plexus cleaner. Or just get the film warrantied. They should replace everything for free if it did turn yellow. If you need help let me know.

Thanks
Ryan

 

I wish it was not so expensive. I have a hard time spending $500.

I am really on the fence about this. :impatient

 

u cant go wrong, 500bux is not so bad now that i look at teh front of my MINI after a couple years
i would do it now if i could!

 

Does anyone know of a Northern New England (NH or VT) business who can install Clear Bra or other protective films? The dealer in MA wanted $1200 to put the 3M film on my vehicle. That seems a bit pricey from the research I've done on this site. Also, I have an Astro Black. I saw a dealer installed clear bra on a used Astro black on thier lot. There was a visible 'bra line' is this because of the body color? I don't want to motor around with bra lines if I decide to get the protective film.

 

$1200 is not out of line if you have an experienced installer from a reputable company. That's in the ballpark of what I paid two weeks ago at ProForm. They did the entire front end, 18 inches up the bonnet. Covered every millimeter except for the chrome, of course. Also did the side mirrors and put strips on the edges of both doors.

If you want completely invisible bra and no visible line across the bonnet, then don't get a clear bra. Take your pick, that line you can only see if you're within a few feet of the car, or an unknown number of paint chips.

 

What!! MINI of Peabody charges $600 for Autobahnd (who are some of the best!)

But...give a call to Julian at Sublime Restorations who knows the autobahnd guys personally, and he is happy to have them do it in his shop. Tell him your interest and wondering if he can come in a little cheaper than MOP. Tell him I sent you.

On a black car, you are going to see the clear bra line from within a few feet away, there's nothing you can do. People don't notice it without specifically looking for it, and it doesn't show in photos (see mine).

 

Hello. In FL I charge approx $550 which covers 18" of the Hood, Mirrors, Scoop, Grille, Bumper, Headlights, Turn Signals and Fog Lights. There are other areas that can be covered as well for a little bit extra. So for ball park figures a great installer with a good kit design and good film should be around $500-800 depending on the area you live in. Of course you are going to find people that charge more or less than that.

In regards to the line going across the hood, if you don't like the looks of the line then get full coverage

Design Patterns:
Good Design patterns companies are Xpel, Ultra-shield and Stongard. There are others but coverage isn't near as good and you get more relief cuts in the designs.

Film:
Without getting to involved in which films are the best etc, here is a quick run down of each film that I have installed and experienced with in the past 6 years. I use different types of films for different types of applications.

3M 3rd Generation -
Pros. Clear Coat, good warranty, great shine and long lasting, Low maint.
Cons. Can show stretch marks and has a slight orange peel.

Clear Shield -
Pros. Clear Coat, good warranty, great shine, long lasting, no stretch marks.
Cons - Tends to peel on edges slightly over time and has more orange peel than 3M.

Venture -
Pros. No orange peel at all, easy isntallation, last long as long as you take care of it.
Cons. - Tends to get cloudy if not constantly waxed due to not having a clear coat.

Avery (non Top Coat) - Same as Venture from what i've experienced.


At the end of the day, all films do there jobs, and doesn't really matter which one you use as long as the installer will back up his work and warranty.

 

I didn't even know this was an option. Which brands of film come on rolls wide enough to do the entire bonnet with one piece?

Scott

 

$1200 is well, more than four times what I paid. Caveat Emptor!

 

For 1200, i'll do pretty much half the car including a full Hood Piece.

Yup, the hood is 40.3 inches wide. There is film out there that covers it. 3M, Venture, Avery and not sure if Clear Shield has it.

It's a fun experience doing a full hood.