R50/53 Clear Bra Questions
So for those of you who have the clear bra on your MINI, what do you think of it? I noticed I have two rock chips that are really bad and some other small chips. I have priced the clear bra on the net but the best price I have found is from the MINI dealer. Have any of you out there installed it yourself? How noticeable is it installed?
I got the Invinca-Shield deluxe kit plus side mirrors for $156.80 + shipping. It also included video instructions, some lintless cloths, a plastic tool and the solution that you mix with water (I used purified water that contained <5ppm, not tap). They had a 20% discount for MCO members at the time, but I don't know if it's still going on. There are also other ones out there, Stoneguard, Clearguard, etc. I believe they all use the 3M product. The main difference between them is the number of individual pieces each kit contains. The more pieces there are, the easier it is to apply; however, you get more seams.
Most people don't notice it, until I point it out. It also helps if you have a lighter colored car which makes it practically invisible. I think I did a good job, for a beginner.
Do a user search in the Interior & Exterior Mod section - DIY Clear Bra Install.
Take your time! Do it in separate sessions if needed.
The MINI paint is water based, which is good for the environment but chips easier. I got 2 chips within the first 2 months, so I wanted to get the bra on before I got any more.
I bet the clear bra I installed, even though a professional could have done better, will look A LOT better a year from now, than if my MINI, shall I say, was...braless
Most people don't notice it, until I point it out. It also helps if you have a lighter colored car which makes it practically invisible. I think I did a good job, for a beginner.
Do a user search in the Interior & Exterior Mod section - DIY Clear Bra Install.
Take your time! Do it in separate sessions if needed.
The MINI paint is water based, which is good for the environment but chips easier. I got 2 chips within the first 2 months, so I wanted to get the bra on before I got any more.
I bet the clear bra I installed, even though a professional could have done better, will look A LOT better a year from now, than if my MINI, shall I say, was...braless
Question, do those invisasheilds, what happens when you wax, do you get a line where the sheild stops and the unsheilded part begins? just seems like the covering would create a line that would be hard to clean? let me know if anyone has had this problem.
Yes you have a line, if you use a lot of wax and fail to remove it. I have the invinca-shield product and had mine installed by them. Cost $250+ for the deluxe MCS kit and 3 extra pieces.
After I wax mine I take a q-tip and run it down the lines, you could also use your finger nail and a good buffing towel, just be careful.
I normally do not wax the bra with the paste style waxes, I'll use the spray and shine stuff, you know the the lub for the clay bar.
Got 20,000 miles and 10 months on mine and love it.
And now picture time:





Most people don't notice it until they have checked out the car for about 15 minutes them they say, "Oh man, you've got a scratch, no wait what is that?" then the discussion starts.
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After I wax mine I take a q-tip and run it down the lines, you could also use your finger nail and a good buffing towel, just be careful.
I normally do not wax the bra with the paste style waxes, I'll use the spray and shine stuff, you know the the lub for the clay bar.
Got 20,000 miles and 10 months on mine and love it.
And now picture time:





Most people don't notice it until they have checked out the car for about 15 minutes them they say, "Oh man, you've got a scratch, no wait what is that?" then the discussion starts.
_________________
I didn't consider paint protection when I got my MINI, but did want the bonnet stripes. Which raises a question...
Do I need to remove the stripes, for which I paid good money, to install a clear bra? Or, can I install the clear bra over the stripes (which are, themselves, an additional layer over the paint)?
Anyone have any experience with a clear bra over racing stripes?
Do I need to remove the stripes, for which I paid good money, to install a clear bra? Or, can I install the clear bra over the stripes (which are, themselves, an additional layer over the paint)?
Anyone have any experience with a clear bra over racing stripes?
Tracy Diamond Racing-
Diamond Shield Protection-3M Paint and Headlight Protection-Official 3M Installer
You will be able to install over the top. But, I would suggest having a certified installer do it.
Just because they should warranty the installation of the product for 5 years. Also you will have to fit the clear bra around the vinyl that already exists on the car.
Maybe just pay to have the hood piece installed and you install the rest.
A current customer of ours is going to install the clear bra first and then the stripes because it would be easier to install the strips over the top.
I recommend a certified installer because if you mess up the hood around the strip, upon removal of the clear bra the stripe will come with it. Which means if you mess it up it will cost you a new clear bra piece plus new stripes. If a certified installer messes it up the replacement costs for both would be covered by the certified installer. :smile:
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Diamond Mini
Diamond Shield Protection-3M Paint and Headlight Protection-Official 3M Installer
You will be able to install over the top. But, I would suggest having a certified installer do it.
Just because they should warranty the installation of the product for 5 years. Also you will have to fit the clear bra around the vinyl that already exists on the car.
Maybe just pay to have the hood piece installed and you install the rest.
A current customer of ours is going to install the clear bra first and then the stripes because it would be easier to install the strips over the top.
I recommend a certified installer because if you mess up the hood around the strip, upon removal of the clear bra the stripe will come with it. Which means if you mess it up it will cost you a new clear bra piece plus new stripes. If a certified installer messes it up the replacement costs for both would be covered by the certified installer. :smile:
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Diamond Mini
Trending Topics
Hello. I am currently the sponsor that sells the clear bra's on this Mini Site.
My web-site is currently being re-built. If anyone has any questions Please E-mail at flyinrye95@yahoo.com or call me @ 813-505-3868.
I currently offer discounts on the Xpel, Invinca-shield, and stongard kits. All kits come with a 4-5 year warranty.
The complete kit for a MINI is $155 Shipped. The invinca-shield kit covers a little less than the x-pel kit but is a lot easier to install for the customer. Invinca also has other pieces that cover rear bumper, rocker panels, roof, etc.
Xpel kit is $295 Shipped and comes with headlight protection and has more protection overall. Down side is, i would recommend an installer to do the install. I will be more than happy to also find an installer for you.
Let me know if you guys have questions.
Thanks
Ryan Burroughs
http://www.autoclearguard.com
My web-site is currently being re-built. If anyone has any questions Please E-mail at flyinrye95@yahoo.com or call me @ 813-505-3868.
I currently offer discounts on the Xpel, Invinca-shield, and stongard kits. All kits come with a 4-5 year warranty.
The complete kit for a MINI is $155 Shipped. The invinca-shield kit covers a little less than the x-pel kit but is a lot easier to install for the customer. Invinca also has other pieces that cover rear bumper, rocker panels, roof, etc.
Xpel kit is $295 Shipped and comes with headlight protection and has more protection overall. Down side is, i would recommend an installer to do the install. I will be more than happy to also find an installer for you.
Let me know if you guys have questions.
Thanks
Ryan Burroughs
http://www.autoclearguard.com
I have a friend who put it on two of his cars. Had to remove it from one and the PAINT CAME WITH IT! The guy that put it on his car claimed no liability. Said my friend had "Cheap paint" on his car! Excuse me? I think bras in general are stupid!
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AlanB DS/W MCS
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AlanB DS/W MCS
>>I have a friend who put it on two of his cars. Had to remove it from one and the PAINT CAME WITH IT! The guy that put it on his car claimed no liability. Said my friend had "Cheap paint" on his car! Excuse me? I think bras in general are stupid!
>>
>>_________________
>>AlanB DS/W MCS
No offense AlanB, but do you have your car yet, if so more then a few weeks, if so go look at the front, I'll wait..................................
You back? How many dings, stone strikes and “white marks” do you have? When I was battling with the SE Regional Warranty Rep , (don’t ask how it turned out) about the windshield issues that many of us are having, I said something like, “with all the strike marks my glass has a crack is bound to run across one of them”. He said yea you got a lot, but look at the front of the car and see all the rock ma…….. Oh, you’ve got a clear bra.”
I don’t have any and now have a warranty against them for the next 5 years. Pretty cool, huh.
I didn’t think much about these types of products when I first heard about them, even went as far as to compare them to the old living room furniture we had at my Italian Grandmother’s house. You know wrapped in plastic and you’d stick to it during those lovely Long Island summer days.
I have since ordered a heaping helping of crow, the first bite sucks but you get used to it.
Now if you want to talk about the vinyl type bras, I’m with you there. On the Mini they look like a nursing bra, what with the headlights sticking out and all.
>>
>>_________________
>>AlanB DS/W MCS
No offense AlanB, but do you have your car yet, if so more then a few weeks, if so go look at the front, I'll wait..................................
You back? How many dings, stone strikes and “white marks” do you have? When I was battling with the SE Regional Warranty Rep , (don’t ask how it turned out) about the windshield issues that many of us are having, I said something like, “with all the strike marks my glass has a crack is bound to run across one of them”. He said yea you got a lot, but look at the front of the car and see all the rock ma…….. Oh, you’ve got a clear bra.”
I don’t have any and now have a warranty against them for the next 5 years. Pretty cool, huh.
I didn’t think much about these types of products when I first heard about them, even went as far as to compare them to the old living room furniture we had at my Italian Grandmother’s house. You know wrapped in plastic and you’d stick to it during those lovely Long Island summer days.
I have since ordered a heaping helping of crow, the first bite sucks but you get used to it.
Now if you want to talk about the vinyl type bras, I’m with you there. On the Mini they look like a nursing bra, what with the headlights sticking out and all.
I do not know what is going on with the dates, but I have had my MCS since July 2002. My post on the bra thing was 6/18/03. (P.S. I have windshield issues too, but I just thought that was the poor state the roads are in!)
Re: Bra - I don't want a saran wrap bra! I want a good old fashioned black leather "wonderbra" .... I saw a great looking, form-fitting bra on a british website but couldn't locate the product &!%#$@# can anyone help out?
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