My cooper is three weeks old, I have not waxed it yet (maybe this weekend)I was wondering if it was too late to put a clear bra on ( wish I got sooner) and should I wax the car before I place( actually te dealer) the clear bra on.

 

The clear bra cannot have any wax under it.

You should wax the car now, however. It's good to protect it right away.

When you install the clear bra the installer will clean the area with alcohol cleaner which will remove any wax and dirt and prep the area for the clear bra. This is standard procedure.

It's never too late for the bra, but the sooner the better before you get a chip!

 

Do it! I got a clear bra 2,000 miles in, and now it is protecting me while covering touched up chips I had already gotten. I feel much better driving on the highway now.

mb

 

I got 3M film installed at the local UltraShield shop and am extremely pleased both with the coverage of the kit and with the appearance. [Kudos to Steve & Leslie at UltraShield of Charlotte! The install was top-notch.]

My last car had no such protection and the punishment it took was visible. My advice: do it now, before the next rash of chips happen.

 

1

 

I am going to get clear bra installed, especially since I got a recent paint chip. Any ideas for chip cover-up before I put the bra on?

Thanks,

Rob

 

How much did you pay for the bra?

 

Has anybody applied the 3M clear bra to painted arches and side skirts? I just had all of my trim painted, including bumper trim, and purchased a 12" bulk roll of clear guard. I'm a little nervous about applying it because of the curves but don't want to pay a professional.

 

I thought about applying the clear bra myself but after watching the installer work for almost 7 hours am glad I didn't. I asked him how many he's installed and he said lots, but it was his first Mini. He worked hard for his money that day since he said it should take him 4 hours. I'm just glad I didn't try to do it. I think it's all the compound curves to fool with that makes it more difficult, I guess.

 

It IS NOT a DIY job, mine looks great and no chips !!!

 

Does your car have bonnet stripes? If so, the installer will need to remove those to apply the clear bra and then you will need to put the bonnet stripes back on over the clear film. That's my understanding and that's why my hood kit has been sitting in the box one year later.

 

Funny, I've watched installers locally apply the film right over the bonnet stripes. My installer at PRO-FORM will be doing just that tomorrow morning.

He's worked and created new patterns for the MCS, when the stock 3M/Expel product didn't meet his expectations for contour matching and fit. Broke out the micrometer, and created a new cut template.

Cheers,
Matthew Z.

 

Can you have your car professionally waxed after the Bra is installed? Is a car wash a problem?

 

From my research on NAM I found that most people recommend pulling off the bonnet stripes. The installer that was going to do mine informed me that the stripes should come off. Makes perfect sense because the clear film should go on the paint and not over stripes. If your stripes ever get damaged and you want or need to change them then guess what's coming off..your clear film.

Good luck.

 

From what I read it's supposed to be just like the rest of your car.

I remember seeing a red mc in SF late last year with a clear bra and the rest of the car's paint did not match the paint under the clear bra. So I think it needs some waxing.

 

Absolutely. Car wash is not an issue.

 

I successfully did my side skirts (painted) and front lip piece with the 3M stuff this weekend. It went on pretty well, just had to be patient and use lots of water. Kept working with it until the pieces were exactly in place and all of the bubbles/wrinkles were gone .

Cutting the stuff to fit/match the parts is the most difficult part as opposed to actually applying it (although a little tricky with the large side skirt piece).

 

I watched the installer do his thing and he installed right over the stripes. Now it might of been a mistake but it does what it's suppose to. He did have to cut through the film along the stripes so they would set flat. At first he hadn't and you could see a very small area along the stripe that wouldn't sit flush on the paint. After cutting (this along added 1 1/2 - 2 hr's to the install) they looked great. He also said if the film has to be removed the stripes might come off with them. But if I have the stripes over the film, they would come off anyway. Plus they protect the stripes from damage.
I live in C. FL and on my way to work for the Mouse, I travel a road that a lot of trucks travel, sand trucks, cement trucks, and dump trucks. The clear bra was a good choice to help protect the car.
As I mentionde in another post that the install was about a 7 hr job, by someone that knows what he's doing. Not a job I would want to take on. I'm including some pictures of the job after the fact. Yes, you can see it to an extent but the alternative was not an option (the old black bra, or no protection at all).
I have uploaded 3 pictures and drew a line around the seam, otherwise it's very hard to see. In person it's easier to see, especially from certain angles. But from others you can't see the seams. I also had the mirrors done, and under the door handles.
He brought a computer and a machine to cut the film. He pulls up the car on the computer data base, loads the film into the plotter like cutter and cuts each piece of film to spec. Was interesting to watch. Installation was something I'm really glad I didn't attempt to do. Well worth what I paid.

 

Old tread but I though I would ask anyways... has anyone clearbraed the ENTIRE front of the mini maybe even the entire mini? just asking cuz my aerokits is getting well beatup and since its black that crappy line and me wont get along. What would be the disadvantages to that besides having a plastic coated car....

-Josh

 

Our local Ultrashield installer frequenty custom cuts a clear bra application. I have see more than one install on aero kit cars that virtually do cover all the exposed areas. He also often extends the side and bonnet coverage. Custom pieces for the rockers and any part of the car are easy to get done.

The latest version of the 3M film has also been drastically improved. Clearer and no "orange peel" look. Very nice.

Contact an installer in your area and see what they are willing to do for you.

 

There are precut kits for the bonnet or bonnet and front bumper.The side skirts should be easy enough to do.I installed strips over clear bra at top edge I had to slit the strip to make it lay down,with heat you cant see slit.

 

I had the LLumar P6 installed on the hood (bonnet), grille, mirrors, fendors, side kick panels, and inside door jams. It took almost two days. They did a great job. It does take a "skilled technician". I did this a couple of monthas after getting the car. I wish I had done it right away. It cost me $965.11, but after watching the guy do the work, I feel that price was well worth it.

I had to repaint some areas beforehadn as they did have chips. Then I had to wait for three weeks for the paint to cure before installing the clear bra.

I had mine done at A Shade Darker in Santa Rosa, CA. I also had them tint the windows. They have done work for several of our REME members and they all seem satisfied.

 

The bonnet and front bumper were replaced on my car after an incident with a deer. This also took care of the rock chips collected from 2 years of driving in Chicago. I am considering installing a clear bra before a new batch of chips is hatched. Any idea on how long to allow the new paint to cure before the protective film can be applied?

 

I was told three weeks. This was from the body shop, not the clear bra people. I had every little ding, scratch, and chip removed before installing the clear bra. I'd ask your body shop how long. I did not drive my Mini for that long.

 

Hello Guys. I'm the Clear Bra Sponsor for NAM, past 3 years.

I sell the Xpel kits which have the most coverage fon the market. The film I use and recommend the most is the new 3M film which has NO ORANGE PEEL at all. The film is also a lot easier to install. I sell other types of films upon request such as Avery and Llumar.

The kits I have are the following.
Hood, Scoop, Grille, Mirrors (18" of coverage); 1 piece bumper; Headlights, turn signals and fog lights (thicker Film); Rocker panels, fenders, and some aero parts. Opps and door cups as well. I have other stuff as well if interested.

I sell the kits at a discount if interested and can also give you all of the information and mini videos to show you how to do the install yourself. However, the installs are not for everyone. If you are not up to the challenge I can find you a certified installer in your area.

If you happen to be in the Central Florida area, I do complete installs that come out perfect for $500.00 which includes Headlight coverage as well. (the local dealership charges $995.)

If anyone would like to see the new film on several cars just shoot me an e-mail.

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