So, I took my brand new Mini in to have an invisible bra installed by a certified installer. It's turned into an absolute nightmare. At first glance, it was okay. It didn't cover as much as the ones that I could have ordered online to install myself, but it seemed to be a descent job. That evening I noticed some pretty hefty scratches on the air intake. After closer inspection, I noticed the same thing in other places, just not as deep. You can feel all of them with your finger nail. I wanted to get an idea of the extent of the damage, so I lifted a little of the film. The portion I lifted was scratched all around the film, as if the pattern had been cut while it was on the car. I WOULD NOT have had this done if I knew that a blade of any kind was going to be within ten feet of my Mini. I paid a lot of money for this. If I had done it myself it would have covered more of the car, would have been cheaper, and would not have been scratched. I wanted this car for a long time. Now...I just want to get rid of it. Between this, the worst tent job I've ever seen, it being keyed, and having rocks thrown at it, I'm seriously tempted to sell it and start over with a new Mini. (and next time not let anyone go near it) I don't think I've ever been so disgusted in my life. I'm not even sure what to do. He said to bring it up, and he'll look at it. He said that he can buff it out. Is that good for the car? I can't be sure how bad the damage is until I remove the film. Would it be bad to ask him to take it all off, so I can see exactly what I'm dealing with here? I kind of feel bad, because he seems to be a really nice guy. ...but I paid good money so my painted would be protected...not sliced and diced. I wish I could have my car back to exactly the way it was when I brought it to him. ...and get my money back to...not sure if he'll do that though. I think I might try to make a trip up to the dealer tomorrow to see what they think. I'm wondering how safe it is to buff this stuff out...it seems like a touchup job would be better...not sure though. I would rather order one online and do it myself, than let someone else touch the Mini. I tried to take some pics, but they didn't turn out so hot. (it was getting dark - I'll try again tomorrow) I guess that's about it...think I'll go throw up now.

 

That REALLY sucks. Definitley take it back. If they're turly certified 3M installers, they sould fix anything that they did. From what it sonds like, that is really unexceptable.

You prolly paid $400+ for that to be done. It should be done right.

 

yeah....that really sucks!!!! take that back to the installers pronto and demand they fix it.

not for nothing but, that clear bra thing is not needed. a couple good coats of quality polish and wax can prevent most scratches and a good clay bar can take them out.

just my opinion...good luck and take no ****!

 

i would take it back, get their insurance information and file a
claim to your insurance company to get the car repaired.

if the scratch can be felt it's pretty deep..possibly through
or about to go through the clearcoat. he may or may not
be able to get the scratch buffed out.

 

Oh, that guys head would be on a silver platter! Absolutely unacceptable. BTW, what city are you in?

 

two ways to look at it.

either it's already had all the bad karma it will get, so you should keep it. "lightning doesn't stike twice".

or... SELL IT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Sorry to hear of your misfortune! If possible, it's even worse that it is a brand new car that you were just trying in good faith to protect. This is a very painful and distressing violation of your trust and your new MINI.

No knowledgeable, reputable professional film installer would ever cut film on a car, period. The blade will cut into or through the clear coat, absolutely guaranteed. Have the best body/paintshop in your area evaluate the damage. The car may need to be resprayed...

It sounds like cheap advice after the fact, but it's important to insist on PRECUT film, either hand cut to handmade patterns or preferably machine cut pattern elements which are pre-tested for fit and coverage and produce a uniform finished look with straight lines, even curves and smooth edges. The attached thumb is an example of machine cut patterns.

Stephan

 

Here are some pics of the hood scoop. There's a major scratch on both sides, and there are two at the bottom where they went too far with the blade.(the last two are hard to see in the pic - they're more pronounced toward the bottom of the scoop)

 

Sorry...the picture quality isn't that great on any of these pics. I didn't realize how hard it would be to get a good picture. This last one is where I lifted the film. You can't really see it in the pic, but there's a scratch in the shape of the film that is lifted off the finish. I going to try to find a body shop to take it to. I'm not sure what else to do. Am I being too picky? Would I be out of line to ask for my money back? (at least on the labor)

 

Sorry...something happened and the pic didn't load. Here it is.

 

You are unhappy with a job that may have seriously damaged the finish of your car. You are not being too picky.

A possible suggestion which does involve some hassle but would get you where you wanted to go in the first place: Have the damage independently assessed by the best paint and body shop in your area. This will involve lifting/removing the film. Hopefully the cuts can be buffed out, but come what may, at least you will know the reality of the situation. Get the body shop to provide in writing a description of the damage and an estimate of repair cost. Speak to your insurance agent and lawyer (you may have to provide more than one estimate from more than one shop). Work with your agent/lawyer to try and get the installer to cover cost of the repair or refund your money. Have the damage repaired. Meanwhile, find a reputable 3M installer who uses machine cut patterns and can SHOW you his/her work on sport and luxury cars such as Porsche, MB, BMW, etc. (People who own these cars typically can afford quality, and want the best). If you like what you see, ask for references. If references check out, have him/her reinstall film on your car.

Stephan

 

was somebody on the corner of main st. selling crack and clear bras for mini coopers?

 

Hell, here (Reno) they try for $900!...on sale...650...

I would definately take it back and have them redo it...no matter what!

I went for a Colgon removable 2 piece bra for $109 that I only put on when going on a trip....rock chips are a fact of life and I have seen 3m products dinged too (remember speed + size of object)...Can think of lots of better things to Buy w/$900! Bunch of robbers out here!

 

ouch. that was really crappy work.

 

Oh your poor MINI :( That makes me sad.

Definitely stand your ground. Your MINI is your baby; don't settle for anything less than a perfect fix and reapplication!

I would be the hugest b*&%$ ever to whoever did that to my car!

 

Wow, that is terrible. When my 3M (xpel) was installed, the installer stretched the material in some places and also didn't completely clean the area ahead of time so left dirt trapped under the film. I took it back and made them completely re-install the film...the whole point of getting the 3M installed is to keep the front end free of blemishes. They did a perfect install the 2nd time and I'm now happy that my MINI is protected and yet still looks great. Hopefully you can get this situation straightened out, but don't let it ruin your MINI experience....just get them to fix it and enjoy your motoring.

 

I would send him a certified letter ASAP outlining the damage. I would then go to a body shop and have an estimate done then file a small claims suit for the cost of repairs if he refuses to pay. It's a shoe-in. How ironic - you had the clear bra installed to AVOID paint damage and the moron damaged the paint worse than any stone chips while installing the clear bra.

 

wow, those are really bad scratches. absolutely unacceptable!!!

 

I agree with Stephan's suggestion. I recommend that you take LOTS of digital pix, using the date function; that you be there when the film is removed to record exactly what is found, to document the report you need to send to the unprofessional installer.

You are not being picky! Customers buy these films to protect the finish on their vehicles, and to have someone cut into it the way this person did is just not acceptable.

Let us know what happens. Good luck with it.

 

Is that pic the clear bra that you have installed? It seems to cover everything...even the emblem. If this is what have, where did you get it?

 

it looks like not only are there scratches but it's a crappy install too... lots of bubbles under it etc etc.

I for one wouldn't be very nice at all getting this fixed. I mean I would be as nice as I had to be to get people to work with me but when the choice comes between my car and the installers behind... the installer gets thrown under the bus without any hesitation.


gl let us know what turns out.

 

I've done some reading, and I've called a couple of auto body shops. I was sick today (no fun), so I didn't get to take it to a pro to have it looked at. ...but I plan to tomorrow. From what they said, if you can feel it, the scratch is too deep to be repaired. (so far, all the scratches can be felt - not sure about what hides under the bra) Meaning, if I want it to look anything like it's only 3 weeks old (which it is), the entire front end will have to be "refinished." My other option is to get a touchup job...which will not look that great. I don't want a half-crapp job on my new Mini. (Maybe I'm a jerk...who knows?!) I feel like it should look like it did when I took it in to get the bra installed. Last time I talked to the guy who did it was Friday...I've decided not to talk to him until I've had it looked at by a pro. My big question is...if the front panels have to be repainted (and I'm almost positive that at least the hood scoop will), how will it look? Will it be noticeable? It's Asto Black; has anyone else had an Astro Black panal redone? If so, how did it look? Did the colors match? I guess I'm wondering if touchup is better...or total respray. I'd rather this not be noticeable...and I assume that Astro Black will be a hard color to match.

 

Some MINI dealerships have a body shop in-house. Do you know if yours does or not?

 

I am so sorry to hear about your new MINI. I had some paint issues dealt with on my AB under warranty by a a MINI certified body shop. The paint match is dead on. They did a great job. My situation is different than yours but I hope it helps you know that a good job can be done in matching up the AB paint.

 

Dear MiniSuperCooper,

The thumb I attached to my post is of the kit I had installed on my car by Clear Armor:

http://www.cleararmorinc.com/

specifically, I have the MCS Premium and Light Kits:

http://www.cleararmorinc.com/product...del=Cooper%20S

Clear Armor is based in the San Francisco Bay area.

Depending on where you are located, you might also consult:

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3..._the/Consumer/

...for more information and the names of professional installers. It is important to keep in mind that 3M simply makes the film, while a company such as Clear Armor cuts the film into car model specific patterns and installs it on your car.

As well as the many installers already mentioned in this threat, a simple Google search turned up several other companies your might want to check out:

http://www.autopaintguard.com

http://www.clearmask.com/

http://www.stongard.com/

Cheers,

Stephan