I've read in another forum about Clearbra and was wondering if any local (Chicagoland) owners had it installed? Just trying to get some information to make an informed decision. Thanks Paul

 

mine's using Xpel from www.autopaintguard.com i did the install myself.
took me like 4hours. im sure your dealer can install it in about 3hrs.

 

How difficult would you rate the install? My bonnet was replaced after an unfortunate incident with a deer and I am noticing that chips are appearing again. I want to install a clear bra, but I am too cheap to pay someone else to do it.

 

I only did the aero bumper but it wasn't too bad. i think the bonnet is
going to be harder because of the curvature. you need to pull/stretch
while you apply it on and the amount of solution you use/or not use makes
a huge difference in the process. that amount goes by experience... so i
think it'll be difficult for a first timer but can be done.

 

Thanks Guys,

I'm not the type to try something when I have no experience. Especially when $$$ will be spent. Let the pros do it is my motto.

 

I'd vote for the pro job, too. I watched the guys install the bra on mine (don't know who supplied the kit) and was glad I didn't have to do it. Having seeen the install, though, I was surprised at how much stretching and pulling the material could take. Once the material was centrally "tacked" to the surface using the alcohol, the guys could really crank on the film. The curves/contours around the headlights were the toughest part.

Hope this helps if you're still debating.

 

Even if you have the pro's install it for your, make sure to keep the
excess film. You can make your own protectors for your skirts and stuff
later on. ..and there's PLENTY of excess material you can use.

 

Having put my "Mini Cooper" sticker on the windshield, I wish I had paid someone to do it.

However, maybe a few of our members that have done this could host an event and coach us with this type of app. I'd like to cover my head lamps.

That's my two cents, Dustin

 

^^ i have those headlamp protectors by Xpel on mine, but honestly, if
i was to do it again i would not put these on. it's not that im not satisified
with the result, i don't think it's really necessary unless you commute on the
expressway on a daily basis behind tractor trailors and dump trucks. I
only run my MCS on weekends in light traffic. i have much larger (and more expensive)
HID's on my other car, but i don't plan on putting those headlight covers on her.

but i think the Laminex yellow fog protectors are pretty cool.
you can kind of see it on this pict where i was showing off my tow hook.
http://www.geocities.com/ken350gt/towhook.front.jpg

btw, can you see the clearbra on the aero bumper in that pict?

 

I actually live near a quarry so the comment you made about semis and dump trucks hits it right on the head. Plus, I love to do country driving and we know how debris free those roads are at times. I totally concur, living in the city, I wouldn't even have thought about getting this done.

Great pics and awesome looking car.

OK, time to start making some calls...

 

I did just my front bumper and that was hard enough, making sure it stretched right was the hardest part. If I was going to do it again I would have someone do it for me. The most stressful part was trying to not let it touch the ground while centering it.

 

Last week I applied AccuGuard's clear bra to my new MCS. I bought all pre-cut pieces and applied them to the front bumper, spot lamps, blinkers, head lamps, grill, hood scoop, bonnet, mirrors, top 4 inches of the windshield, and top of rear bumper.

Even though it was my first attempt, it was not difficult for me to do. I'd rate it at 8.5 out of 10 with 10 being easy. I planned it out, watched two install videos, talked to the guy twice that sold the stuff to me, and bought extra supplies (like mulitple spray bottles because they tend to fail for me and did). This approach probably best insures success for neophytes. A large dose of patience is very helpful. So is a very bright work lamp.

I learned as long as you keep the material wet, you have a lot of freedom to work the stuff successfully. The first headlamp was giving me some trouble. I guessed there was a trick to it and wanted to talk to the material vendor. It was a Sunday so there was no chance for that. To keep material fresh I sprayed it and the backing it came on heavily with the soap water, sprayed them heavily again once again, placed them in a zip lock bag, sprayed the interior of the bag heavily with the soap water, placed a folded water saturated paper towel in the bag, sealed the bag, and put the bag in the refrigerator for 28 hours.

The vendor told me the tricks for installing the headlamp pieces. When I had the time, I removed the bag from the refrigerator to let it warm up to ambient temperature (78 degrees F). The install went smoothly (almost like magic) and the vinyl was completely clear despite having been temporarily stored. The other headlamp sticker went on even faster.

The only hard part for me was the hood scoop. The vendor told me this is hard, explained why, and how to deal with it.

Would I do it again? Yes and without hesitation.

 

I used a heat lamp to heatup the Xpel headlight protector and actually used very little solution. only enough not to get my finger prints on the adhesive.

 

Hi Everyone,

I'm eagerly awaiting the delivery of my '06 BRG/W S this month! This website has been a great source...

I've also been reading about the benefits of getting a clearbra on another thread. I'm in the N 'burbs and am looking for someone to install it.

Ords, can you tell me what you ended up doing? I'm looking for the most cost-effective solution, and I figure the dealer is not that! Thanks!

 

If we could find someone to do this (for those of us who are too chicken or inept ourselves) we could arrange an install party and have a whole bunch of them done (and save money to boot). Anyone else up for this?

 

Sem,

This is one thing I've held off on. Sadly, I probably will be paying a price later on for not doing it. However, according x-pel there are three dealers in the metro area.

If there was enough interest, perhaps our esteem Vendor liason could approach them to see if some discount could be arranged.

I also would suspect purchasing the kits through NAM would be the way to go due to the discount they offer.




Body-Skins Inc.
Mobile Service
South Elgin, IL 60177
847-530-8443
E-Mail Dealer



Philip Sanders
9821 S. Aberdeen
Chicago, IL 60643
773-858-2861




Capital Auto Body
2838 N. Elston
Chicago, IL 60618
773-342-3100

 

Anyone have any idea how much it might cost to have this done across the entire front?

I would be happy to approach these three shops and see what kind of discount we could score for bringning a) a certain number of immediate customes; and b) the business for the Club generally.

Any idea of the cost at sticker -- both for materials and labor?

 

Prices vary wildly, I've seen them from $300 to $1100, caveat emptor

 

Thanks for the responses, folks! Here's the info I've got so far:

I took up Ryan's kind offer to NAM members on another related thread (he's with Auto Body Paint Guard) to look up installers in the Chicagoland area, and he provided contacts at Capital Auto Body and Body-Skins.

I talked to Rick at Body-Skins - a really nice and friendly guy - who gave me a quote of about $420 for a full set (bumper, hood and mirrors) using that 3M material, with a 5 year warranty. He'd come to your location to do it in a few hours and would need about a week's notice for an appointment.

The guy who picked up at Capital Auto Body today initially didn't know what I was referring to when I asked for a quote for a "clear bra" and took my number down to have another rep call me back. No one has contacted me yet.

Also, since I've yet to get my car, I contacted my MA re the "Invisishield" on the MINI website. Apparently, this product has been replaced with "Roadblock" at the dealer. Full protection (hood, front fenders and side mirrors) goes for $695.00 (ouch) installed. My MA provided the following info:

- Latest urethane technology from leading companies such as Avery Denison. Setting the standard for durability & finish. (originally developed for Desert Storm-now endorsed by Ferrari of North America.
- Configured to the exact specifications of your vehicle. Covering virtually all the forward-facing painted surfaces of your vehicle.
- Certified installation by Autobahnd’s own technicians.
- Convenient, on-site by Autobahnd’s own technicians
- A limited lifetime warranty as long as you own the vehicle.
- Preserving the pristine factory finish.
- Enhancing the look and value of your vehicle.
- Autobahnd Roadblock guarantees the Roadblock Paint Protection Film against defects in material and workmanship for as long as the original purchaser retains ownership of the vehicle.

My MA has assured me that "Roadblock" does not discolor over time addressing my concern that my white mirror caps may yellow, as I've heard may be possible with other products. Further info can be found at http://www.autobahndint.com/

I'll try to find out more about the limited lifetime warranty, but to me this warranty may be worth going for the extra cost as Body-Skins' warranty taps out at 5 years....

 

I hear good things about Body-Skins. alot of STi buys had their cars
done there with great results.

as far as MINI's... not sure. like i mentioned earlier, the bumper is not
extremely hard to do, the bonnet is. ive seen pro's mess it up pretty
badly and had to redo it. if you have aftermarket paint on there, be
very cautious when working with clearbra as it could peel the paint off
the panel once attached completely.

i would leave the bonnet alone and just do the bumper, HID's, and
maybe the side mirrors. i only did the aero bumper, HID's, and the
yellow colored Laminx fog lamp covers and happy with it. i have barely
any chips on the bonnet or the side mirror caps.

 

Avery are a bunch of ******, I'd stay away from them on principle, not that I know anything about the product

 

kenchan, I have to disagree with your advice. I'd definitely do the bonnet, too. My MC was only 3 months old when I had the clearbra installed and I already had two small chips on the bonnet. Interestingly enough, I had none on the bumper yet.

It's worth the investment, sembemomma... $695 for full protection is a fair price for a good film and qualified installer. Have them throw in guards on your door edges, too. Saves you from chips if you should door ding somebody.

 

^^ your call!

 

Hey kenchan, You probably don't have to worry about chips on your bonnet because the stones can't get through your 9 layers of Prima Epic wax or whatever high tech stuff you're using these days.

 

that's very possible.