This year at MITM we have the opportunity to have a clear bra installer come to Copper and install quality 3M Clear Bra and Window Tint on participating MINIs.
Ben Long at Ace Automotive Specialties, Inc has offered to attend this year's MITM if the demand for clear bra is sufficient.
Having used Ben for the clear bra on my Honda I can personally recommend his work and products. Ben is a 3M Certified Instructor for clear bra installers and does many MINIs a year. Several MINI5280 members have used Ace for their clear bra installations and Ben is well known in the Denver area.
Visit the Ace website at: www.AceClearBra.com to see more about the company.

So what say you MITM goers - been meaning to install that clear bra to protect your paint? You know you should put your new stripes on over your clear bra right? Well MITM could be the perfect place to get both a clear bra and new stripes.

Ace can do 4 or 5 MINIs each day so a maximum of 15 or 16 MINIs can be scheduled depending on what is to be covered (bonnet, bumper, aero kit etc.)

Sign-up List - Be sure to call Ben (clear bra) or Chuck (tint) for appointment time:
MINIMaybee (NAM & MA) - Bonnet & Bumper - MCc (Thursday)
cheri0627 (NAM) - Bonnet - MC
MININIGEL (MA) - Bonnet & Bumper - MC
BluByU (NAM & MA) - Bonnet - MCS (Friday)
TGS91 (NAM) - Tint - MCS
DougW (NAM) - Tint - MCS

 

I might be interested in window tint, but I don't see any details about their tint product on their site.
I'll give them a call tomorrow and ask some questions, then decide.

 

I'm gonna have Way wave his magic wand over mine but I am also looking at getting tint job. Got a great installer here but convenience and of course price could sway me

 

Tempting. Monty's has taken it's fair share of dings and is due to be replaced. Any hint as to cost? Can't make a commitment quite yet due to an ailing dog that has sabotaged the last month's worth af Mini adventures.

 

Feel free to call Ace and chat.
I've got one interested on MotoringAlliance and a possible here.

 

I just got off the phone with Chuck (the window tint guy); he told me that he has a trip planned, and he definitely will not be available for the event.

 

For a minute there I thought it was me - but then I remembered that I can't even put on a sticker straight or without wrinkles.

So sounds like only clear bra for MITM.

 

Ace Automotive needs to update their site to include a picture or two of a MINI

 

OK so this is the offer Ace Automotive Specialties has made us for MITM:

For 18" wide bonnet only (wide enough to go over headlights) $299 plus headlight film for free ($79 is the usual charge for the headlights).
For the bumper only $249 plus headlights for free.
For both bonnet and bumper $498 with headlights for free.

Now Ben has said he can go over stripes or cut around them. I recommend you take your old stripes off, get your clear bra on and then get your new stripes put on over the clear bra. Since your clear bra will last longer then your stripes, this will allow you to replace or change the stripes at will.

So what do you think now? Anybody want to sign-up for a clear bra install?

 

If you want to see an install, Ben sent me some pictures I have loaded in to my Flickr account:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/maybeefamily/sets/72157621003590661/

 

Wow, that's a good price for what looks like a great job. Kinda wish I was going to MITM...

 

Come up for a day, two days or just come and play for the entire time.

If you do two days, 1/2 day could be doing the install of a new clearbra.

 

I'll (hopefully) be motorcycling across the country in the opposite direction during that time. But if my plans change...

 

I am interested in getting the clear bra. Does it really take half a day? When would sign up actually happen?

 

Ben did my Pilot in about 3 hours. It was cold and it is bigger then the MINI. That said he does remove headlight rings and grilles so he can tuck the edges. I'd guess 3 hours for bonnet and bumper.
So let me go to the top of the thread and start a list. cheri0627 you will be second in line (sorry I'm first since I'm keeping the list).

 

So mine would be a replacement clear bra. How much does that add to the price?

 

I would take the old one off before. That way you can polish it up and get it all sparklie. I can ask if you like or you can email Ben and ask.
Should pull off pretty easily with a little heat (based only on my stripe removal).
BTW you will need to update your sig on August 10th.

 

Remember - Stripes over clear bra. Ben for the clear bra and Mike for the stripes.

 

I have a roll of the pre cut clear bra for the "02/06 BMW MINI Cooper S with Aero Kit" KIT # 332-A. My MINI has a clear bra on it now, but it is all distorted and needs to be replaced. Would Ben use this to do a new job on my MINI, or would he use his stock only? Help I am so confused, Chuck (or Ben) what do you think?
Rich

 

I think a well placed phone call or email is in your future.
BTW - Nice MINI! Now change your siggy.

 

What is Ben's e-mail address, and Teena is helping me with a new siggy

 

I called and talked to Ben and he helped me make up my mind. He explained that the kits are actually much hard to install then a custom, and with the custom you get better coverage and protection, so I am signing up for Friday to have it installed. I will leave my old on and remove that up there Thursday night, Ben recommends a steamer to heat up the film and pulling it off at a 90 degree angle, he also said no wax, he will get it ready, so just clean. So Chuck put BLU BY U down for Friday sometime.
Rich

 

Done - Here and on Motoring Alliance

 

Anyone else? Good chance at a good price.

 

If you look at the title you will see I added Window Tint install. That's right the ACE tinter will not be going on vacation and will instead be able to provide window tinting installations.
Again - contact Ben at info@AceClearBra.com and schedule a time for either clear bra and/or window tinting. I will be talking to ACE soon to get a price on the tint.