Greetings, All-
I've had my 2013 R59 since a motorcycle accident last August left me without a "wind in my thinning hair" experience; absolutely love it!

We're taking a trip (the trip that started last year and resulted in totalled bike) into Canada this summer. In washing the Roadster, I've noticed that I already have a couple of stone chips on the front bumper, and I don't want to get any more. I've searched the Interwebs for a bra for the Roadster and there are none available (don't really like the idea of grit getting underneath it, either). Is there any alternative form of protection that any of you have used? I know 3M makes some sort of film...anybody use it?

Thanks!

 

Clear Bra. Used on all kinds of cars. The stuff they use now doesn't have any of the issues the old stuff used to have. No issues with yellowing and if you get it done by someone who is really good at what they do you can't tell it's there. Our car has it on the front bumper and halfway up the hood, the side mirrors, a strip on the leading edge of the roof and some other small places around the car. The mini we had done by a guy who does excellent work. My STI had it done by just a regular tint shop and it wasn't nearly as good.

My recommendation is to figure out where all the guys take their exotics (ferraris, lambos, porsche, etc) and go there. Either look around on forums or call up the dealerships and they probably have someone they can recommend.

 

^ ditto - i use xpel

http://r56hs.com/2013/11/01/xpel-ultimate-clear-bra/

 

Thanks for the advice, I'll be looking into finding a clear bra installer around here.

Cheers.

 

Yes, I was told the same thing. So after purchasing my S Coupe I went with the clear bra. I think it is made by 3M called XPEL?

The guy does only Porsche here and stays busy with the dealerships but has his own garage. A small neat place and did a really good job. They did the hood, top of roof line by windshield, mirrors, inside door handles, door edges, top of bumper where hatch opens. Even all those places in front bumper and air holes and around fog lights too.

I am not disappointed. They did clear bra over my hood stripes as I had no choice. I think it is good for at least 5 years. Not sure but I rarely park outside, car is in garage at home and parking deck at work so only sun is while driving.

I can't see it. Some will tell you what to use or not to use. Me, all I have used to date it Griots Speed Shine. Spray on car and wipe off and water will bead like crazy. Lazy man's wax job.

Been almost a year now, no issues, no fading, no peeling, no problems. And without it I am sure the front would be all chipped up like my previous cars.

Not sure how long I can leave it on. Maybe will have it checked at 7 years? Or research at that time. I am sure I can't leave it on for 10+ years but maybe?

If they remove it might pull the Stripes, but I could de-stripe car and be fine. Car is black but not left in sun so fade should be minimal.

They still make custom old fashioned bras but they should not be on the car wet. Have to be removed, cleaned or machine washed. OK, for a trip but not 100% use. Dirt gets underneath and that is still an issue. I think I have heard Colgan is the best for those. Might have been an option if I drive only in town and use that with out of state trips only.

 

Just found an installer outside of Madison, WI; pictures of your installs look great. I'm psyched about this.

What a damn fun car to drive!

 

Boy, I just painted a few very small paint chips tonight after only 10 month of ownership. I tell you, my other car is a Volvo and the paint puts the MINI paint to shame by a long long mile. MINI paint seems to chip SOooo easily. It's very thin and very hard which is unfortunately a bad combination...

I'm so torn about what to do myself. On one hand I really don't like the clear bra line that is created and the glossy loss. I know most would think that's nothing but I have such a keen eye for that sort of thing that it might drive me crazy
On the other hand if it keeps chipping like this the car is going to look awful way too soon! Sigh . . . dilemma dilemma . . .

 

NO KIDDING, TG! BUSTER will be 1 year old tomorrow and the durability of the MINI's paint leaves something to be desired. You're correct, it seems too thin, too fragile and chips easily.

I'm looking into the Xpel product right now. I'm a bit tired of this slave relationship I've developed with my Midnight Black paint finish.

You don't have to worry about the "line" issue you described, TG. Xpel, for example, has a full clear bra for the MINI Roadster (the whole hood). I'm looking into the whole hood and lower front shirt.

 

Hmm, that is interesting. But I'd have to say goodbye to waxing and polishing for the pleasure of the hyper gloss... I also wish they made 2"x2" samples so I could apply it and see what the finish looks like.

 

When I had mine done they did the whole hood so there are no lines or breaks to see.

I really have a hard time seeing it. It works. Much better to look at than paint that has been chipped, especially on a black car.

They did put a strip across the roof and even there it is hard to see. Flying stones will have a hard time finding an unprotected place to land.

It can always be removed. But when that time comes I will have a professional deal with it same shop. I don't think I have found any post yet where someone regretted having it installed on their car.

 

Watch this and you'll get over it.

 

Yes, I've seen the video. It's pretty cool...

I bought some small pieces of 3M scotchgard film for door edges.
Does someone now if XPEL is similar, identical, or very different material?

 

Thanks for the replies everyone; more research based on your recommendations has led me to an XPEL installer outside of Madison. Car is going in on 16th, and I'll get it the next evening...takes two days to do the whole front end, plus an additional strip on top of the rear bumper.

The installer has done both the 3M and the XPEL products, and is now only doing XPEL based on consumer demand in the area, and what the dealerships are asking to be applied.

Looking forward to this.

 

It sounds like i'm going to look into this more closely. So I know how much the material cost for XPEl site. Roughly $800 for the full hood, mirrors, and bumper. But how much will it cost in labor on top of that?

 

For materials (including the strip on the top of the rear bumper, along with the front bumper, hood, mirrors, door edge guards), prep, and all labor, I was quoted $860.

 

It will probably be about $12,000 I can image it would be worth the work being done and the headache it will ultimately save. I'm waiting for a quote from a local installer. I'll let you know what they quote me, TG.

 

That's not so bad I guess... I wish all this was a little less expensive I must say
They're doing the full hood of your car, not just the bra right? I noticed the cost varies quite a bit between the two...


Thanks, that would be great!

 

XPEL report: Mabel was in the shop for a full two days. Full front bumper, mirrors, and a strip across the top of the back bumper; front two-thirds of the hood only. Headlights, too.

Looks absolutely fantastic; if you're looking to do this and are anywhere near Madison, WI, I highly recommend Tint Factory Motorsports. $940 for the whole works. I couldn't be happier!

 

Telly's coverage and pricing seem to be very different then what I recently quoted here in Illinois. I was quoted $760 for Xpel on full hood, full lower bumper and side mirrors. The completion time is 4 hours.

 

BUSTER got the Xpel treatment Wednesday. Full hood, full lower front bumper and instead of the side mirrors (since I'm thinking about changing them), I went with the headlights. Those areas are now protected and it looks great.

 

Any chance we'd get hi-res pictures of panels and details?

 

If you're nice, TG.

 

I'm always nice . . .

 

I have had the 3M product on my 2008 BMW 335ic since the day after I picked up the car. The product has worked great. I do use Plexus spray on the 3M product in the spring to get the road salt film off the product.

Finding a great installer is absolutely the key. I have seen some absolute hack jobs out there.

From what I have read I will be using the newer product on my new mini.

 

Willis Auto Campus here in Des Moines, IA, did my xPel install.

Looks very professional to me...full disclosure, I work at this dealership but first time I've ever used the product on one of my cars....

http://willisaccessories.com/product...otection-film/

Certainly not inexpensive but I wish now I'd done it on my previous MX-5 Miata as its dark blue paint really shows the paint chips. Our Chili Red R59 has < 200 miles on it so it still looks fabulous