Hello everyone ,

I just got my clear bra from x-pel and my black bonnet strips in. I'm really excited about putting them on. I haven't every put any graphic or tint on a car before. But I'm going to do this job myself because I want to learn. My question is should I put the bonnet strips under the clear bra or over the clear bra? Does anyone have the pros and cons for either case? Any tips for a first timer putting both of these things on the mini? Any help or advice will be great.

Help please and thanks

tony

 

I installed my stripes and clear bra myself as well. Just give yourself plenty of time and have some patience.

I put my stripes under the clear bra because I figured the clear bra would then protect the stripes as well. I ended up with very small air gaps where the bra meets the edge of the stripes. Just could not get the bra to stick in those areas because of the "thickness" of the stripes. Maybe others have figured out how to do this but I couldn't. Not that big a deal though. It's not really noticeable unless you're looking for it.

I thought about installing the stripes over the clear bra. My only concern there would be that you'd end up with a really visible crease where the stripes cross from the clear bra to the hood. And while the stripe wouldn't be protected by the bra in this case, it would also be really easy to replace them when/if they get damaged.

There are pros and cons of either method. Whichever you chooose, good luck!

 

When I had clearbra installed my installer specifically warned me about bubbling along the stripes if they were put under the clearbra. They agreed to try it anyway, but it turned out they couldn't do it without bubbles. So since they had already warned me this may happen, I had them remove the stripes and then install the clear bra.


I had new stripes put on over top of the clear bra and the transition line wasn't pronounced.

The thing I liked about the stripes over top of the clearbra was that I could change my stripe design without needing to replace $200 worth of clearbra in the process. Also, I wound up deciding later on that I didn't like stripes on my MINI, so the stripes were still easy to remove at that point.

One negative of putting the stripes UNDER the clearbra not mentioned yet is that while most impacts to the stripes are frontal, some stone chips can happen behind the clearbra (my clearbra extends back 24&quot. Thus, if you could still wind up with stripes that were damaged on the back half and you'd need to spend money on more clearbra to fix that.


If I were in your shoes, I would put the clear bra on first, then apply your stripes.

 

Here is the scoop

Clear bra first - let it cure for 48-72 hours in direct sunlight to remove any excess water and give time for any shrinkage.

Install the stripes over the bra - there may be a slight ridge where the two meet, but this is only visable under close inspection.

When you decide the change your stripes (and you will) you won't be stuck removing your clear bra or trying to cut your stripes out.

Matt@cooperflags.com

 

I would place the stripe under the clearbra as the bra is a service item.

You will want to wait for the stripe to completely dry (2-3 days in the sun will do)
before adding the clearbra.

my tip: wet your hands at all times when handling the clearbra. do not rub
the clearbra with your fingers to get the bubbles out. Use a squeegee only.
otherwise it will swirl the surface.

Goodluck. It took me about 3.5hours to do the clearbra. :smile:

 

How is a user installed / aftermarket clearbra a service item?

The 3M vinyl stripes don't need to dry (not a wet installation).

 

man...........over or under....can't decide........i'm leaning toward over because I might want to remove the bonnet strip...............man.........anymore tips for a first timer installer of the clear bra?..


i donno.......

 

:smile:
I know a few people that did the union jack like that!!

 

Installing a clearbra is not exactly the time of job I would encourage a first timer to do. It is very easy to make a mess and damage the pieces so take plenty of time to do it...don't rush to get it done.

 

if i don't do it i will never be an expert at it. ...So I'm going to take my time....use soap solution and becareful..............

 

I did mine and I was a newbie at it too. :smile:

If you do one, you'll know what to do next time and then gain more
experience and by the 5th or 6th one, you might be able to make
some money installing your friends?

 

oh yah, after you install the kit, keep the excess. There's plenty to make a few
other pieces for perhaps your other car? :smile:

 

I have the stripes over the bra for similar reasons as mentioned before.

Another tip is make sure the weather is relatively warm when you do the bra. :smile:

 

The guy that put on 3 different sets of bonnet stripes for me did it exactly that way. He was very good. :smile:

 

I hope it won't be to difficult.........BTW I will take my time I will assume it will take like 4 to 5 hours...........................help

tony

 

I will start tommorrow and put the clear bra on............around 2pm.....I'm gettting off early to do this. I hope this won't take more then 5 hours.....Then sunday I will put my bonnet strips on......

Question: What solution do I use?

Soap and water? how much soap? how much water?
Alchol and water? how much soap? how much water?

which one is easier to use?

thanks

tony

 

I believe it's an alcohol and water mix, but I'm not sure on the ratio. I seem to recall that it's 3 to 1, but not positive.

Whoever you got your clearbra material from should be able to tell you.

 

Tony- check this out before you start:

http://www.autoclearguard.com/instructions.htm


Since I was a nooob, I didn't use the alcohol solution.
It makes the soap solution to dry faster, but since I had to position, reposition,
and reposition again a few times (because I sucked at it the first) I didn't want
the bra to dry.

 

Another comment: Put the front of the car on ramps or jack stands. Your back will thank you. :smile:

 

ok.........i'm getting stuff ready for the install at 12:00 today.........i will wait for my car to cool down then give it a wash....then wash the front with dishwasher soap to remove the wax............then let the fun begin.,...i hope it doesn't take like 5 hours or so......................

 

Have fun! :smile:

Another thing - be sure to have some extra lights handy.

 

so Tony... aren't you going to let us know how everything went with your install?

 

update on the install:

well guys...............i did put on the clear bra on...only the bonnet one because it started to rain this weekend. It took a long time for me...........about 4 hours...........doh!........but I got it on.........now I got the bummer left which won't take too long since I know what i'm doing now.............BUt it looks good............now I will put the bummer one on this weekend...........

tony...............

 

Tony- good job. btw, did you still have to cut around the emblem or
was it pre-cut as they (autoclearguard) shows it on their site?

 

yeah it was pre cut.................that was a relief........hahaha