I've been reading up on the Clear Bra installation. And, I have watched a cool video that shows the entire installation process. The clear bra is typically applied to the bonnet, but can also be applied to the grill, mirrors and roof.

Looks really cool. Since I'm expecting delivery of a new Mini soon, I'm considering it. Is this something that Mini dealers typically offer? Has anyone gotten this option? How does it look? How much does it cost? I know you can buy the kits online and install it yourself, but I'm not going to do that, so how much is the installed cost?

 

Not sure about NJ, but I was quoted between $600-700.

 

I think it's a must. Here's a pic from my R53 that didn't have it:

 

Best bet is to get a quote from the dealer and your local detail shop. Detail Shop will most likely be cheaper. Get one that has done these before as it can be tricky to do it right. I blacked out all my chrome and then had it installed ont he entire hood, front quarters, mirrors and above the rear hatch entry. I do not like the line you get if you only go 1/3 of the way up the hood. It catches dirt and is noticable as the car ages. I think I payed more than that as they covered a lot more area. I track the car and works great. They also have a sheet for the windshield. I ended up replacing my windscreen as it got a chip/crack right at the edge of the glass and frame. I had to have the interior tint and the protctive screen replaced with the new windscreen which was another hit. My Maserati only has it on the lower part of the hood and I hate the line. I will replace it with a full hood covering eventually. This stuff reqlly protects the finish from rock chip and road rash.

 

Had had clearbras installed on two of our 5 MINIs. It is a MUST if you want to keep your new MINI looking new for years.

Most dealers do have installers, but don't assume they offer the best film at a competitive price. Shop around.

Good film and a good install, going halfway up the bonnet should run you no more than $700. Full bonnet, expect to pay $1,000.

Worth.
Every.
Penny.

 

I have a Clearbra, it goes 1/2 way up the hood, it also covers the front bumper, headlights, fog lights, rearview mirror caps, door handle cups, door edges and the top of the rear bumper.

I don't think covering the whole hood is necessary, I haven't had any rock chips on the uncovered parts of the hood in two and a half years of driving.

Dave

 

Do it, my first MINI (black) didn't have it and what a mistake! My new

one, 2012 R58 JCW (black) does have it and it's money well spent. Just

make sure that besides the hood you get the bumper and mirror caps

done also.

 

The only reason I got mine done at the dealer was because I was having trouble lining up an appointment to get mine done post-purchase and given the time of year, there was a good chance that the car would be pelted with sand/gravel. The dealer charged me about 25% more than a detail shop but I was willing to pay the premium to guarantee that the front would not be damaged prior to clear bra application.

 

Don't do it...factory installed on my R56 three years old now it there are black spots all over it and it completely destroyed my paint underneath.

 

Factory installed ? Wonder what kind of film they used.

OP, don't let that post change your mind, 99% of posters I've run across here on NAM who had the clearbra were very glad they did.

 

Oops, I meant Dealer installed. Not sure on the brand. Got my mini at the palm harbor,FL dealership in feb 2009.

 

+1 ^
They are excellent protection - I even scrapped the front end of a Z on a cedar fence... clear bra took all the damage ... cost $250 to replace a portion v. $2K for paint....

dealer wanted $1000... got him down to $700 which was $50 more than a local guy but was much more convienient for the dealer to install before I picked it up

 

I have had a lot of experience with the process and there are some inherent problems that should be considered before installation. Not suggesting it is not a good process but only expressing caution about expectations.

At the end edge of the clear bra, over time, dirt will collect and is impossible to clean. You most likely will develop a black line at the edge. Regardless of quality of material or installation, it will be subject to damage. It will show impact marks and although the paint may be protected, the clear material will not be.

Whereas with painted surfaces you can touch up the paint and do paint-less dent repair, you cannot when covered with clear material. Even the best of material over time will crack and craze from exposure, drying out, and damage from impact.

If not covered, the painted surfaces can be eventually re-painted using the $700-1,000 you spent on the clear-bra to offset the cost. When covered and you eventually need to take corrective action, you will need to remove the clear-bra and then repaint.

In my opinion, the product is somewhat over-sold and the customer given greater expectations than can be delivered. At the end of the day, you are simply substituting one finish for another, neither of which is impervious to damage. The clear-bra does complicate any corrective repairs.

 

Getting the clear bra is the way to go!! Sure it is a disposable item (of sorts), but it does work....the low front end of the mini can get sandblasted and covered in rock chips....and the best paint is the factory paint.
Comes down to you can get **** about a tiny line where the bra ends, or over 300-400 rock chips....easy choice for me!! For a daily driver, the bra is the way to go.....if you polish your car for hours...then you need to pick what is the lesser of two evils based upon your level of OCD!!

 

Check out this video of a clear bra installation. They use one piece to cover the entire hood, so there would be no seem or edge to collect dirt and create a visible line.

 

I just pulled the clearbra from the hood of our white CM. The seam halfway up the hood was driving me crazy. I'm still deciding whether I will have the entire hood done, or just leave it be. It just didnt make sense to hate the look of it while the car is shiny and new, as a trade for it looking better years down the road. It's tough to maintain that foresight!

Having the lower bumper done is great, because it is nearly invisible without looking for it - and that is the area that will take the most punishment.

We paid roughly $1000 to have the bumper, 1/3rd of the hood, headlights/foglights, mirrors, a-pillars, front roofline and rear hatch "step", along with tint for all the windows.

 

Not sure why some of you are having dirt build up to the point it's visible on your cars. If you clean the edge of the clearbra periodically, it will never become noticeable. Just take a soft q-tip with some detail spray (I use Griot's Speed Shine) along the edge of the bra every couple months.... good to go for years. Just don't push on the edge and lift it up even a little or you'll get stuff under the film.

 

The edge of the films start to yellow over time even when taken care of. The UV changes it as it ages and there is nothing you can do about it short of replacement. I think dirts tens to work its way under that edge over time too. This is on my Maserati that only see rain if it gets caught out.

 

Mine was perfect after four years and not sure how much longer... I sold that MINI.

I bet if we took a poll among people who had a clearbra over 3 years, 95 percent would say they will put a clearbra on their next car.!

 

+1

I didn't have it on my '05 and it was my 2nd biggest regret with the car (the 1st being no MFSW). Touch up paint sounds good in theory but unless you're a professional the repairs are still visible and will number in the hundreds after a few year's motoring in these northern climes. Every chip shows up on the paint, whereas only the most severe rock strikes actually cause visible damage to a clearbra.

Yeah, eventually when you tire of the Milky Way constellation of chips on the bonnet and bumper cover you could theoretically take a saved clearbra investment and partially cover the cost of professional repainting. Problem is, a second coat of paint will never be as hard and durable as the factory paint and you'll end up with a front end that is even more susceptible to chipping. Touch up painting then becomes as routine as cleaning the windshield.

I had it on my '11 MCS and loved it. Never had any problem with dirt build-up around the edges. I have it on my current Roadster too. Never again will I do without.

 

The clear bra on my 8.5 year old VW looked nice right up until I traded it in for my CMS last month.

 

In case anyone is interested in an update for future reference . . .

I recently took delivery of a new Mini, and was considering the clear bra protection. I had shopped around for prices from the dealer, as well as other "Authorized" installers. I was interested in covering the complete bonnet (not just the front section), as well as the front bumper.

The dealer offered to do the front and back bumpers for $795. He didn't recommend doing the bonnet. He said he could also do the fill bonnet for $1395.

I found a guy detail shop in NJ that quoted me $900 to do the front bumper, partial bonnet and mirrors.

I ended up buying from a detail shop here in NYC who did the front bumper, full bonnet and mirror caps for $950. Did a nice, neat job. It was comforting to go there and see them working on a Porsce 911, a Bentley and a Mazzeratti.

So if you're interested in doing the same, here are some numbers to use as a guide.

 

I had it put on the wife's car, but I knew how much it would cost if it was done by a detail shop. I also knew how much the product cost and had experience putting the material on a couple of Jeeps. When the question was posed whether we wanted it or not, my answer was, not more that $xxx and it is done tomorrow. Dealer didn't flinch much. Next day, picked up the car with the clear bra on the front bumper, bonnet, fenders, mirrors and rear bumper. Drove the car 1800 miles home, have three little rock chips in the windshield, but not a mark on the paint.

 

I am also a fan of the clear bra. I had one on my C6 Corvette for almost 7 years and just sold it. It took a lot of abuse and as you know the fronts of those cars look like a shotgun blasted them after years of freeway driving. Over those years I took quite a few hits from debris flung my way any nothing got past the clear bra. It was a little beat up in spots on the bumper but considering it was almost 7 years old and 77,000 miles that is to be expected.

They are supposed to go 6 years or so before they start to yellow with the 3M film. My car was always garaged so I am sure that helped. It was still clear when I sold the car but was starting to get a little cloudy - probably needed replacement in the next year. I am certain when it is peeled off and replaced the paint will look like new underneath.

On the Vette I had the bumper, fenders, 1/3 the hood and back of the mirrors done for $700. Worth every penny in my opinion and I will do the same with my Mini. The secret to keeping the edges clean is use a little quick detailer to avoid wax/polish/dirt buildup and you will not be able to see it. I prefer all the Zaino products but that is a topic for another thread. Most people never even noticed the clear bra unless I pointed it out to them.

The place I go specializes in wraps and clear bras, etc., and will do the Mini with the 3M film for $700 for the partial hood, bumper, fenders and mirror backs.

 

I had my dealer to the bonnet, lower bumper, door handle scoops, rear bumper top. $600. I priced it elsewhere too, about the same price. It looks nice. I don't mind the bonnet line, but my sister doesn't like it - guess she prefers scratches!