I'm thinking of installing my 3M paint protection film around the bonnet stripes so there's no overlap.

Has anyone does this before? I've read others going fully over or under the stripes, but not cut around it.

I've worked with the clear film before, tricky but looks do-able...

 

Mine was applied over the stripes, then cut along the edges. I got replacement stripes which are FULLY laminated with clearbra material... net is that these nest exactly into the "cutouts" in the bra and it looks seamless from more than a foot away.... and no lines across my stripes, either. And the stripes are much more durable.

 

Sounds clean, but im worried about cutting along the edges while the film is on the car. I might etch the paint surface. I was thinking of installing around the already installed stripes and trace over the film with a water color marker peel back the film a little and use scissors to dot he cut and lay it but to but on the stripes.

Sounds good in theory....

 

I wouldn't cut while you are applying. You'll end up with finger prints, or the material will not work well when it is in your hands for a long period of time, unless someone else is doing the cutting.

The best way to make a template from something that does not exist is to use masking tape. Get the wide roll of masking tape, lay it out, cut that how you want the piece to be shaped. Then... do your cutting. Then... apply it to the car.

My opinion, just go over the stripes. I understand why you are trying to do this, but I don't think the results will be aesthetically pleasing.

 

IF you have an appropriate film scorer... the film is lifted off the surface where it crosses the edge of the stripe... so you can score it along the edge without worries of scribing the paint... but I woudn't do it with a regular Xacto or razor blade.

 

Will the clear film peel off the bonnet stripes if I do peel the film back while re-adjusting the film during the install?

I'm thinking of doing it in 3 pieces and with the backing still on the film when I get close to the edge of the stripes to minimize finger contact.

 

If you do wet application w/ slip solution, no fingerprints and easy to reposition and won't stick to the stripes unless you want it to...

 

You could have a competent sign shop cut the material to your exact size with a Roland Vinyl Cutter then apply it yourself.

 

Hi Mini Fans,
I know, I know. There are may threads on Clear film, bra over film, bra under film etc. I've managed to read quite a few. I also have read a few others who had there stripes done with the film custom cut on the bonnet stripes themselves.

So all you Professional film installers, I need a little help...
I plan to buy either a 3M or invisishield clear bra. I plan to cut the film where the stripes meet and end so the film will cover the paint-cut-stripes-cut-and paint again. I'm just basically disecting the film into pieces so there is no "step" on stripes- I know you guys understand, kinda hard to describe in words.
Anyway, My question is when I start measuring the angle and the width on the bonnet stripes for cutting, do I allocate some extra curvature on the film to compensate for the slop on the hood and stripes? Meaning, can I just cut the film with a straight edge and when installing stretch and manipulate the film to the curve of the hood and stripes? Sorry for the long wording, but I think you guys get what I mean..

 

Don't try and measure. It will not work. See my post above.

 

Little confused on the masking tape part. Can you elaborate on the template?

Thanks sorry I'm a little slow this morning

 

You'll want to go with a 2"x whatever, or a 4" by whatever masking or painters tape - something that gently lifts off the side of the car without being too adhesive like duct tape. You'll want to tape over the area you wish to cover with the clear bra. Next, take a marker and mark what you need to cut out. Remove tape, cut out the excess, then re-stick onto the car in the designated area. If it fits correctly and doesn't need any further trimming, you can line it up with the 3M product of choice and cut away.

Cutting while it is on the car, for the length you desire (more than 2" of trim in a corner for instance) will be difficult. It is all about being able to work with the material. Do a few easy spots before cutting around the stripes if you can. Otherwise, I'd just go right over the stripes.

If you do have a solid black car, imperfections in the installed film will show up more so than a white or red car.

Best of luck!

p.s. - make sure to check out http://www.tintdude.com/ for some hints on working with the material. This is mainly a forum for professional installers, not hobbyists.

 

Thanks alot
i might also consider just doing the whole hood.

We'll see, "Oreo" doesn't come in until next month.

 

not sure I understand all this effort just to expose more of the stripes; for one thing, y'll have 4 more exposed leading edges that could peel up with repeated washings and detailings. Anyway, I could hardly discern the step-on-stripe factor on my CR R53 with black stripes--it just did not bug me that much--and it was nice to not have to worry about water spots, cosmoline and bird poop stains, and other environmental hazards on those part of the stripes covered by the clearbra material. I plan on doing this again with MCS #2. And dont cover the whole bonnet; that just looks dumb dumb dumb.

 

Your right it does expose more edges and makes the install tricky to boot.

I guess I'm worried that dirt will eventually find its way through the little space transitioning from the paint to the stripes as some describe.

I think it will be more noticable on pepperwhite too. Can the little space be tacted down completely with you fingernail or an edge of a credit card?

 

another method is to apply the stripes over the cb material; lots of Nammers have done that. Still I like the protection the cb affords over the stripes, lots of road hazards out there.

Also I would think any of the non-metallic colors like PW or CR would not show the seam as obvious as the metallic colors

 

True, i feel dirt that found its way through the little gap would be more apparent on Pwhite. Not sure just my thought. Anyways, I'm having the stripes done as a factory option. No choice now

Speaking of Stripes, does anyone know if the factory black bonnet stripes have a silver lining on the sides?? Or is it just straight black.