Does anybody have a bra on their GP, clear or not? Are you happy with your choice? I am considering getting one for my car (GP#O7O6) and wanted to know a little more about them. Thanks!

 

Does it have to be on a GP, or can it be on a Cooper or an MCS? I'm asking, as I have a Clear Bra on each of the aforementioned cars and couldn't be happier. They are almost invisible, unlike a black vinyl bra, which will damage the paint job over the years.

 

I have clear bra on mine and love it....best investment I could have made for protection

 

There's a few of the Monterey delivery GPs that had a clear bra put on - problem is the GP bumpers are different shape so the standard kits don't fit.

One owner has already ripped off the original installation and had it redone by another company!

GPMINI goes "under the knife" next week ... I'm sure there'll be pictures on GBMINI.net when it's done!

 

hi i just done my mini gp for a month ago ,the company name is star shield www.starshieldarmor.com ,they help me to custom made it ,front bumper,hood,side skirt,a pillar and headlight too,so for sure they have the kit for gp now.The clear bar is look great and hard to see .if u want them to install u can pm me and i will tell u who u can contact ,so u will have a good price .

 

I have the 3M product on my MCS and the ArmorGlove on my GP and like them both.

 

Hello. I am the forum sponsor.

The Clear Bra is Def a great choice and you will not be disappointed in the product. It stops rocks, bugs and other debri from damaging your paint. Once the film is applied just wash and wax over the film.

If you have any questions or want more information just let me know. I can also find installers for people, just send me an e-mail with your zip code.

Thanks

 

Ian - got it done? What company did you use? My car will be coming now in just a few weeks.
Thanks

 

I think the clear bra is finished, but GPMINI is still at Sublime Restoration - I was on "MINI break" in Washington DC this weekend (but without either MINI)

 

Ian and anyone who had the clear bra installed on their GP how did you find the pattern? I am incontact with a local guy although he has done several MINIs, he doesn't know anything about the GP. What is the average price to pay for such work?

Thanks.

Proud owner of these two Little Ones.

 

Lastrega. I have the pattern available for the GP. I also have Full Hood Kits available etc.... Ignore the prices as they are the retail prices below. I just cut and pasted from the site.

Hood, Mirror and Grille Kit

Part Number: P4701K
Our Price:$209.95

Standard coverage
without emblem

Installation Difficulty Rating:*


Hood, Mirror and Grille Kit

Part Number: P4701M
Our Price:$549.95

Full Coverage
with emblem


Installation Difficulty Rating:*


Hood, Mirror and Grille Kit

Part Number: P4701N
Our Price:$549.95

Full Coverage
without emblem


Installation Difficulty Rating:*


Bumper Kit

Part Number: P4701P
Our Price:$209.95



Installation Difficulty Rating:*

 

In regards to Price. Here is something quick that I posted earlier on another thread.

Hello. In FL I charge approx $550 which covers 18" of the Hood, Mirrors, Scoop, Grille, Bumper, Headlights, Turn Signals and Fog Lights. There are other areas that can be covered as well for a little bit extra. So for ball park figures a great installer with a good kit design and good film should be around $500-800 depending on the area you live in. Of course you are going to find people that charge more or less than that.

In regards to the line going across the hood, if you don't like the looks of the line then get full coverage

Design Patterns:
Good Design patterns companies are Xpel, Ultra-shield and Stongard. There are others but coverage isn't near as good and you get more relief cuts in the designs.

Film:
Without getting to involved in which films are the best etc, here is a quick run down of each film that I have installed and experienced with in the past 6 years. I use different types of films for different types of applications.

3M 3rd Generation -
Pros. Clear Coat, good warranty, great shine and long lasting, Low maint.
Cons. Can show stretch marks and has a slight orange peel.

Clear Shield -
Pros. Clear Coat, good warranty, great shine, long lasting, no stretch marks.
Cons - Tends to peel on edges slightly over time and has more orange peel than 3M.

Venture -
Pros. No orange peel at all, easy isntallation, last long as long as you take care of it.
Cons. - Tends to get cloudy if not constantly waxed due to not having a clear coat.

Avery (non Top Coat) - Same as Venture from what i've experienced.


At the end of the day, all films do there jobs, and doesn't really matter which one you use as long as the installer will back up his work and warranty.

 

Full coverage - I'd love to have got that on my MINI; don't know anyone round here that has the ability to do it (and to apply it well!)

 

We have a clear 3M bra on my wife's Pepper White Cabrio, and our only regret is not putting in on sooner. I had to fix about a half-dozen chips that she had picked up just in the first five months of driving the car.

When my Cabrio arrives next week, the clear bra is the first thing I'm having done. (The Whalen shift **** and M7 Strut Reinforcement plates are going in before I even drive it off the lot).

The only weird thing I've had happen with the clear bra is that it seems to stain easily. Whether it's bug guts or pecan juice, it stains the film very quickly (within an hour or so). I've used quick detailer spray, claybar, even fine polish, and nothing removed the stains. But the weirdest thing is that after I gave up, the stains faded completely on their own in a few days. I have *no* idea why it happened, but they're totally gone now, and the film doesn't seem any the worse for wear.

Hopefully, once I get more Zaino on the film, it won't stain as easily, but as long as the stains fade, I'm not too worried about it. Temporary stains beat the heck out of permanent chips.

Scott

 

Hello. Yes, bug guts and other acidic stuff can stain the film. Haven't heard of pecan juice though staining it.

To get the stains out of the film, simply let the car sit in the sun and get a tan. The sun bleaches out the stains in the film.

Hope this helps!

 

GPMINI is now protected ...

(click for write-up and more pics)

 

Awesome. Congrats and on the car too...... Looks great!

 

APG got your PM thanks. One thing I don't like much about the bra is the line in the middle of the bonnet. How can I get a good cover as seamless as possible? Also for the mirrors I checked several work done but I bugs me the half line across can a proctetive film go all over the mirrror caps?

Proud owner of these two Little Ones

 

I noticed you've got a GP already with the clear bra. I live in Garland, and GP #1729 will land in Charlseton, SC with my name on it on Oct 28, then on to Arlington, TX. My TX license tag will be "MINI-GP".

The first thing I want to do is get the clear bra. Where did you have it done in the Dallas area, how much did you cover, and about what will it cost me? Also, is the 3M better then ArmorGlove? And did they use a kit for the GP bumper (which is different)?

 

(beewee - congrats! be sure to check out http://www.gpmini.net/mtblog/ and let me know if you'd like to hook up to our USA GP owner mailing list)

 

lastrega, no problem. Sorry I can't find anyone else near you that I am familiar with. Let me know how it turns out though so I can put them on my good list.

If you don't like the line, then get the full coverage hood as shown above. In regards to the mirrors, thats a tuff one. The really only way to cover the entire mirror is to use bulk film. Not even sure if it is possible though. The installer would have to stretch the heck out of the film and then trim along the edge with a razor knife. Trim, i mean score then peel away. Not sure if it can be done, def not with 3M. A non top coat film would probably work to cover the entire mirror.

Or just not cover the mirror. That's what I did on my M3 mirror. I also don't like the line on the mirror...

Hope this helps.

 

Did I miss something again?"

 

Is there any coverage on the brake duct area with these kits?

That is, the non-foglight silver colored section with the aero bullet in it in place of a fog lamp.

 

Good to meet you and you'll enjoy your GP a lot! For the local options, shoot me a PM or email with your contact information and I'll be happy to discuss. Gee, maybe you'll get your GP in time for the upcoming group trip to Arkansas!