I have searched around NAM and other forums, and I have found a mish-mash of information regard clear bras...sorry, protective paint films.

Since I never installed one on my 03 MCS, and I regret not having done so, I would like to get one installed on my soon to be stateside Clubman. Probably the entire hood, front bumper, and wing mirrors. Possibly the leading edge of the roof and A-pillars.

Anyway, it seems that 3M and Xpel are the go to options out there...but for as much good as I've read about each, I've read an equal amount of negatives. Frankly, my head is spinning & overloaded with information. At this point, I am not even sure if matters which film I would go with...they both seem like quality products, with their own drawbacks. So I guess it would come down to price...

Anyway I am curious what people are here are using, and what their experiences are with each.

Also, if any NAM members in the Chicago area have had a clear bra installed... Who did you use? How were the results? Would you recommend them?

I contacted my dealer, and a few installers that I found online for pricing...but it would be nice to have recommendations from fellow NAM members.

My other option is a DIY. I've watched quite a few how-to's, and while it doesn't look particularly easy, it's not something I find to be particularly intimidating. Have any NAM members done the install themselves?

 

You know I'm pro-3M from the Waiters thread.

4 years on my CR 06 Justa when I sold that MINI. Not a single blemish under the film. I had no problem with yellowing although some did with the 3M film before they improved it several years back, so that would not be an issue. Only drawback I experienced was some slight orange peel effect. So minor only the most discerning eyes (mine) would notice it.

In the last two years, we've had 3M installed on the 12 Countryman and the 06 PW Justa (after a front end paint job). Too early to give any feedback on those but so far, so great.

Whether you go with 3M or Xpel, you've made a great decision already, just to place a clear bra on your new MINI. You'll be so glad you did!

 

As soon as my MINI comes in Im also getting it installed.. But I think im going with the 3M brand.. Ive always like there products in general.. And they have been around forever!!

 

From what I have found, the 3M seem less expensive as well...at least the kits. I've seen people having the clear bra installed for less than the price of the kits from Xpel. So I will be interested to see what the installers I contacted some back with in terms of the product they install, and their pricing.

 

I'm leaning 3M as well...for the reasons you have stated. Built up credibility does mean a lot.

Are you going with a dealer install? Another installer?

 

I do feel 3M is the safe bet when it comes to these type of things.. They really make some good products. From tapes to adhesives they are the leader in my book.. So when it comes to these clear bras you would think 3M would be a good decision. This is right up there alley.. But Im thinking on having my dealership install it... But im also getting a quote from a near by installer.. I will let you know what they charge just so it gives us a better idea on the price range..lol

 

Not sure you need to do the front edge of your roof. I have half hood and after 35k have a couple tiny nick on the top half of the hood (so full hood could definitely be a good choice), nothing on my black roof front edge glass piece - but I have a R57 so it may be finished differently than an R56/55 painted roof.

 

Yeah,the whole bonnet is a must. Plus, since I'll have sport stripes, I don't want them half-covered...half the stripes will look great, the other half will be getting beaten up.

As for the leading edge of the roof...based on all the DIY videos I've watched, I have no doubt I could do that piece myself if I found I needed to. Hell, I still think I could do the bonnet myself - even if CR&PW&JB thinks I should be institutionalized . It's the front bumper that I'm more concerned about from a DIY perspective though...that thing looks like it would have me learning all kinds of new naughty word combinations.

That alone has me wanting to find an installer with a fair price. I would think in the Chicagoland area I could find one or two.

 

Having watched pros do installs before, I would love to be an observer with a six pack watching you attempt to install your own clear bra.

Not saying you couldn't do it. But it would take quite a long time and I would be very entertained. Of course, being the nice guy I am, I would share my six pack with you. You drink Guiness ?

 

Guinness...of course! Your thinking is flawed though...more than just a six pack would be needed!

In return, I'm sure you'd pickup some colorful new words to throw around when not in the company of young children, the elderly, anyone with heart problems, or the general public...so basically you could use them when you're alone in your MINI.

 

I drive around the Baltimore, DC area. There are not many words in the category you speak, of which I am not already familiar.

Yeah, given how many hours this job will take, I'm thinking six cases might be more like it.

 

Oh, but I can put together a fantastic string of expletives.

Well...I suppose after six cases, I wouldn't not care how well the install went.

 

Yeah... sometimes we just have to let go of our emotions and put a string of them together. I can't think of many things that would evoke such emotions more than trying to install a clear bra.

 

I received a message from my dealer yesterday, after I contacted them about the clear bra install...

$950 to do a 3M install on the front 24" of the bonnet (not full bonnet), front bumper, and wing mirrors. I think I'll just go looking for other installers in the Chicago area...

 

Tip: Please have them cut around your stripes...I had mine done on the CM back in December 2010 and it still looks fantastic w/ no blemish anywhere.

 

What do you mean by cutting around the stripes?

 

he means cutting the film at the edge of the stripes so as not to cover the stripes.

Pro: you don't get the shine of the clear bra on the half of the stripes that are covered. Trying to explain best... the lower half of the stripes covered by film will have a slightly more shiny appearance than the top, uncovered half.

Pro: you won't catch as much dirt and grime on the edge of the clear bra, it's bound to happen at the area where the clear bra meets the stripe if you do cover the stripes.

Con: lower half of your stripes and the paint under them are vulnerable to stone chips.

Best option: full bonnet clear bra and cover the stripes.

If you don't want to spend the extra money on that, then I think it's a personal decision whether to cover the stripes on the half bonnet bra or not to cover them.

 

I work for a tinting company and we sell a lot of clear bra. We have used 3m before but now we use "SUNTEK" they have the best clear bra by far. And it comes with a great warrenty.

 

If I had to change the stripes, I wouldn't have to lift up the clear bra either...My clear bra does cover half the hood and all of the bumper...I didn't get the mirror caps done because I didn't think it looked good...you can always pop off your mirror cap and put a new one on.

 

Sorry, but I have never heard of the clear bra. Maybe I should consider it? But my car has that Resist-All on it. Not sure if a clear bra can be added. They did not mention that at the dealer.

I guess the process takes a long time? And it is not just a Mini thing.

Thanks

 

You can still add a clear bra on top of that spray on stuff.

Install will take about two-three hours, depending on the experience level of the tech. And no, definitely not just a MINI thing.

 

The best tip I have from having clear bra installed on two cars (2008 STI and 2010 JCW Cooper) is to find a good installer. The guy we had install the clear bra on the mini primarily works on high end cars. In fact, the car before ours was a full clear wrapped gallardo. He was very reasonably priced and he was doing it out of his garage. The clear bra on the mini is almost impossible to see and looks much better than the clear bra that a tint shop installed on the STI.

If I recall it was around $700 for bumper, half hood, roof strip, door edges, bumper by hatch and side mirrors.

 

Clear bras really protect your car. I have a half hood bra on my Maserati and hate it. I will be coming off soon and replaced with a full hood. You see the line on he hood with a half job.

I have the whole front and quarter panels done with it and other wear areas. I have flat black stripes with red outline and they had to be applied over the clear bra. If they went under it would no longer look flat. My car is Midnight black and imperfections in the film where easily seen. You just live with it as it s not perfect like paint. The car was in an wreck and it all had to be replaced. It was 2 years old and the replacement stuff is crystal clear and no imperfections. Technology has moved forward they new stuff is killer.

They also do a protective film for the windscreens that I would recommend. Protects the glass from breaking. I recently took a 100 MPH bird impact dead center on the windscreen and another at 135 on the roofline edge of the windscreen. It should have shattered but came out perfect.