There has been several discussions on NAM surrounding the issue of putting InvisiShield (or similar protection) over the bonnet stripes and/or putting the bonnet stripes over the InvisiShield.

While discussing the InvisiShield install with the MINI Dealer I was informed their installer will NOT put the InvisiShield over the bonnet stripes or put the bonnet stripes over the InvisiShield. Instead... the InvisiShield must be cut around the bonnet stripes.

Why?...the Dealer's reasoning is that in the event that bonnet stripes required replacement the InvisiShield would not have to be removed at the owners expense.

Does this sound legitimate and what is the impact of having additional InvisiShield seams and a reliance on the bonnet stripes to provide protection of the bonnet?

Thanks in advance

 

Stripes go on top of clear bra. Never cut, never under, always on top.
$35 stripes
$600 clear bra

Do the math dealership

 

Thanks for the reply...


The stripes will be on the MINI (Factory Install) The dealer says they have never heard of stripes over the clear bra/InvisiShield and refuses to undertake the install unless it's the their specifications... which is to "cut around" the stripes.

 

but the problem is that bonnet stripes do not cost only $35 to install it is more like $125.00.

The reason the clear shield is cut around the stripes is because if they ever have to replace the clear shield then they do not have to replace the stripes.

I have had to have some of the clear shield replaced on one of my ohter cars due to an accident and if there had been a stripe on top of the clear shield then both the stripe would have had to been replaced as well. Not a good deal.

So clear shield cut around strips is the way to go.

 

I have my stripes over the film. Reasoning: stripes are what, like $80? What if you decide you want a change, or don't want them on any more? If they're under the film then you're stuck having to replace that too, and if they cut the film, the cuts may not line up to where new stripes would go.

Much less expensive to replace stripes than the film.

 

You do not want them cutting the clear bra on the car, i.e. around the stripes. This is a great way for them to cut into the paint when cutting around the stripes.

If the dealer will not do it the way you want there are others who will do a clear bra the way you want for $600.

I am also in the stripes over the bra camp.

 

FYI--- Lamin-X makes a clear bra kit SPECIFICALLY for those who have stripes. It is perfectly cut and does not cover the stripes. I saw the kit on a local mini and looks flawless. That is what I am going with!

http://lamin-x.com/ecommerce/os/cata...ab9f21e4f8ad68

 

My last mini had the film over the stripes, looked good and the installer said if their was ever a problem, he would replace the stripes himself at his cost.

My current mini came with the film already installed. It was cut and lined up against the stripes so that neither are on top or the other. I HATE IT! There is a very tiny space (fraction of a millimeter) between the two, but it gathers dirt and grime. Also, the front of my strips look horrible after taking hits from so many little rocks on the freeway. Little pock marks everywhere on the stripes. I think some of them might even go all the way through to paint too!

 

For what they make in profit for the clear bra they could easily replace the striped 5x!
Stripes OVER the clear bra. Go find another installer.

 

I have the clear film over the stripes. It actually makes the stripes look better. They also do not smudge and streak. I would not have the dealer do it either. I had the full bonnet done for 700.00 along with the mirror caps,

 

They installed yours wrong then. Stripes always go on top of the clear bra and cutting the clear bra for stripes will lead to exactly what TWON is having issues with now.

 

Hi - been lurking on the clear bra vs. stripe issue. I think I'm in the camp of getting the bra on first, then stripes over it. Still deciding, though and have some time (not sure if that's good or bad, actually ) since my Clubman doesn't get here until mid September.

Another issue, or maybe it's a non-issue, but is new paint from a new car an issue? That is, is there any 'curing time' for paint to fully 'dry'? Also, would like to here opinions/thoughts on the various products and whether uv protection on clear bra material is good or bad- I've read some products let uv in, some block 90+%. I'm thinking uv block is bad since the portion of the paint unbra'd (is that a word?) will age differently than the part under the bra with uv protection.

Thanks.

 

The factory paint is oven-baked after application, and is already a few weeks old by the time the car is delivered, so it's done off-gassing by the time you get it. I'd wait a month before having film applied over a repainted panel, but there's no need to wait on a new car.

I have my vinyl graphics on top of the clear bra and think that's the way to go, especially since my graphics aren't conventional stripes, and when I replace them, I'll probably replace them with something completely different, so even if I had the film cut out around my current graphics, the cutouts likely wouldn't match up with whatever graphics scheme I do next.

Another thing to consider - let's say you have two 6" wide stripes, and the clear bra covers the first 18" of the bonnet. If you put the stripes *under* the film, there will be four 18" seams where the film will have to "bridge the gap" between the top surface of the stripe and the surface of the paint. Some stripes are thicker than others (especially the "chrome-look" stripes), and you might end up with an airspace in the seam that never comes out. But if you put the stripes *over* the film, then there will only be two 6" sections where the stripe will have to bridge the gap between the top surface of the film and the paint.