F55/F56 My Clear Bra and Bonnet Stripes Solution
#1
My Clear Bra and Bonnet Stripes Solution
Since my previous thread morphed into a discussion about Plasti-dip Glossifier, I am starting a new thread about how my clear bra and bonnet stripes solution turned out.
My new Moonwalk Grey Metallic Cooper S had black bonnet stripes that were spotted and looked terrible when I picked the car up. My dealer replaced the stripes and I was undecided how to protect them going forward after seeing what could happen to them. This was of special concern since I was about to have clear bra installed and having to remove the stripes if they got damaged in the future would be all the more expensive.
I am extremely pleased with the way things turned out. I had 24" Xpel installed on the hood, fenders, headlights, mirrors, A pillars, door handles and the top of the rear bumper. Since covering the entire hood would add an extra $500, I had the installer apply Xpel on the remaining portion of the bonnet stripes that were uncovered.
The end result is a single seam that goes across the width of my hood that is pretty much invisible. Applying the film to the bonnet stripes also had the added effect of "evening out" imperfections in the vinyl material itself. It also made the entire length of the bonnet stripes glossy like the rest of the hood instead of leaving the uncovered portion of the stripes a matte finish as would be the case if they were not covered.
I am super happy with this solution for protecting the car and the bonnet stripes. There are 2 images below, 1 in the sun and 1 in the shade for comparison sake. I hope this post helps others faced with the same challenge.
My new Moonwalk Grey Metallic Cooper S had black bonnet stripes that were spotted and looked terrible when I picked the car up. My dealer replaced the stripes and I was undecided how to protect them going forward after seeing what could happen to them. This was of special concern since I was about to have clear bra installed and having to remove the stripes if they got damaged in the future would be all the more expensive.
I am extremely pleased with the way things turned out. I had 24" Xpel installed on the hood, fenders, headlights, mirrors, A pillars, door handles and the top of the rear bumper. Since covering the entire hood would add an extra $500, I had the installer apply Xpel on the remaining portion of the bonnet stripes that were uncovered.
The end result is a single seam that goes across the width of my hood that is pretty much invisible. Applying the film to the bonnet stripes also had the added effect of "evening out" imperfections in the vinyl material itself. It also made the entire length of the bonnet stripes glossy like the rest of the hood instead of leaving the uncovered portion of the stripes a matte finish as would be the case if they were not covered.
I am super happy with this solution for protecting the car and the bonnet stripes. There are 2 images below, 1 in the sun and 1 in the shade for comparison sake. I hope this post helps others faced with the same challenge.
#2
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#5
I'm sure that it doesn't snow much in Florida where D.D. is from.
#6
Just to clarify, the clear bra is applied on top of the stripes? Or did they cut out the clear bra around the stripes?
Can you take a close up of the stripes edge? I alway assumed that if clear bra is applied on top of the stripes, it would leave a slight air gap as the stripes are 1-2mm thick.
I'm also thinking of some sort of paint protection. I live in Canada so lots of grit on the road in winter.
Can you take a close up of the stripes edge? I alway assumed that if clear bra is applied on top of the stripes, it would leave a slight air gap as the stripes are 1-2mm thick.
I'm also thinking of some sort of paint protection. I live in Canada so lots of grit on the road in winter.
#7
Just to clarify, the clear bra is applied on top of the stripes? Or did they cut out the clear bra around the stripes?
Can you take a close up of the stripes edge? I alway assumed that if clear bra is applied on top of the stripes, it would leave a slight air gap as the stripes are 1-2mm thick.
I'm also thinking of some sort of paint protection. I live in Canada so lots of grit on the road in winter.
Can you take a close up of the stripes edge? I alway assumed that if clear bra is applied on top of the stripes, it would leave a slight air gap as the stripes are 1-2mm thick.
I'm also thinking of some sort of paint protection. I live in Canada so lots of grit on the road in winter.
He explained that once the car was in the sun for a couple of hours that the moisture would evaporate and that I could run my finger along the seam a few times to help the film bond better along the seam. I did as he suggested and the gap is really not visible against my Moonwalk Grey Metallic paint. I estimate that the gap is about 1/32" (.79mm) or less in width. The white stripe border is 1/8" (3mm) wide for comparison. The photo below is a macro shot taken from about 2 - 3 inches from the stripe for your reference. I hope this helps you.
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