I've been wondering about the protection options for the Mini. I guess the biggest one is that Clear piece of 3M stuff that goes over the front of the bonnet. (btw, is that really clear or is it painted the color of the paint )

I have a hard time imagining that can just be removed. It seems like it will stick, take paint up with it etc... plus the paint underneath it won't match the rest of the paint anymore, having not been exposed to the elements.

So that means it's permanent. So does it really protect ? Do bug guts just wash off of it easily ? Do rock chips not chip through it ?

Also, the option leads to the question, are Mini's very much more sucseptible to dings from rocks and road debris due to their lowness to the ground ?

Do most people get that option ?

Thanks for any input.

Floyd

 

We just got the 3M film bra on my wife's Pepper White '06 MCSC, and we're thrilled with it. It is clear, and on her car, the only film edge that's really visible is the one across the bonnet. Even that one doesn't jump out at you - you have to know it's there and be looking for it to see it.

It is removable, but not reusable. So, you'll be able to take it off without damaging the paint underneath, but it will take some time/effort, along with the use of a hair dryer or heat gun.

On my wife's car, we had picked up about a half-dozen paint chips just since we brought the car home in May. I think it's because of the shape of the front end, rather than the height of it, but both factors may come into play. So, I had to repair the chips before getting the film installed.

My only regret was not getting it done sooner. When my MCSC arrives next month, the first place we're taking it after we pick it up is to the film shop to have the clear bra installed. The price for her carwas $495 ($450 after a 10% military discount), and included the entire front bumper, the bonnet up to about 1" above the bonnet scoop, mirror backs, the scoop itself, the slats in the grille, and the headlamp lenses. Since her car has the chrome mirror backs, grille slats, and scoop, we asked them not to put film on those parts, but they were more than willing to cover those parts as well if we had wanted them to.


Scott

 

it's clear. here's mine with 3M Xpel clearbra on the aero bumper.

 

Thanks.
Yea, I guess if the Mini is prone to chips due to it's shape and height, it would be good to get the film bra. You don't get the chips through the film ? So that means the plastic if harder than the paint I guess ?

Did you get this done through the dealer or a local place ? The reason I ask is that I guess it could be done from the factory since I saw it as an option. Just wondering. I guess it would be cheaper to have it done elsewhere.
I'm already planning on having the dealer install tinting on my sunroof before I take delivery ( depending on his price )

Man the options just keep adding up. If I'm not careful that little Mini is going to cost near $30k before I even take it off the showroom floor. And it's only a $20k car. hahaha.

Thanks for the info.

 

Actually, the film surface is probably "softer" than the factory clearcoat, allowing the energy from a rock impact to be absorbed and dissipated, rather than allowing the paint to chip and crack. The 3M film is 8 thousandths of an inch thick, which is about as thick as the factory primer/sealer, basecoat, and clearcoat combined.

I contacted my dealer about having the film installed, and they recommended I call the local application specialist directly. I'm glad I did, because $450 is a *lot* less than what it likely would have cost me had I gone through the dealer. Plus, the dealer would have just taken my car to the same guy to have the film applied anyway.

Scott

 

Usually the dealer cost of a clear bra is about double what you can find elsewhere. When I pick up my MINI in a few weeks, I have an arrangement with the clear bra installer to meet me there and do it before I drive off the lot.

If you do a search for "clear bra" on this forum, you'll find tons of opinions, tiips, etc.

 

Here's my bonnet with Clearbra...



The most common comments I hear are, "I wish I'd done it." and "I wish I'd done it sooner." To get the most out of it, have the dealer's installer do it before you take delivery (that's what I did), or make an arrangement like clever MLWagner79. You'll find all the other info you care to know by running a search.

 

True, but this will save you $ down the road, and you'll feel better once you see how chipped up the front bumper and bonnet can get.

 

Do not forget we can get the clear bra thru Auto Paint Guard and get a 30 percent discount. He is in the vendor directory. That is where I got mine.

Art

 

I have one on my present bonnet and it's great. Paint can chip through the bonnet, weird as that may seem, but only in unusual circumstances. In addition, one can pick up a stone chip in the 1/8" gap between the bra and the headlight trim....ask me how I know? Murphy lives!!!!

Beats stone chips peppered all over the front of your bonnet, though...I'm so glad I got one.

 

Wow. Thanks for the replies.
I'll be checking into the best way to get that now also.
Chaching chaching. ( the sound of my wallet emptying).

 

I just checked the Configurator,
They have 5 options,
Invisishield upper kit,lower kit, aero kit, fog light kit and bumper kit.
They are all listed for a total of $400.00.

Thats not a bad price from what you all are saying.

 

That's not installed though...add on a few hours of labor and it climbs in a big hurry.

 

Get the film, and get it on immediately!

 

Yes it can be removed without any traceof paint damage.

I have the VentureShield clearbra film in my '05 MCS for over a year and it has been fantastic. best money ever spent plus it has a lifetime warranty on installation and film.

 

even on dealer aftermarket paint? ie: aero kit

not that i need to remove mine................... yet.

 

Well I don't know about aftermarket paint, Kenchan. I don't have the Aero kit.

But it should be OK otherwise.

 

Notice how far back the clearbra goes on her MINI. This is the correct way to do it At least 6-7 inches from the scoop back.

Chips will still collect in areas not covered by the clear film, so if you can have your new clearbra custom fitted, I highly recommend paying a little extra and have the film go as far back as possible on the bonnet to increase its protection coverage area.

 

Any northern Virginian's or Marylanders here who know of a good place to get aftermarket Clear Bra in our area ??

I'm sold !!

 

See https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=53949

Proform in Ellicott CIty is the place that teaches the local dealers how to install it.

HPR customs in Glen Burnie was much cheaper

Some might say, you get what you pay for

 

Thanks Chows. I'm gonna look around.
If and when I find someone I'll post it on the forum. I'll also check those you mentioned and the boards preferred vendor list.

 

UR welcome. Btw, you might consider just doing the bottom half. HPR quoted me $250. I really see no point in doing the top half ... how many rock chips get that high? Dunno.

I would also have it done professionally. The money is not in the cost of the film but in the installation time.

 

I'm still waiting for delivery and also trying to decide on the clearbra or not...

I went to a dealer who automatically installs these on all their cars in inventory. I think this is probably a good investment so cars don't get chipped up in test drives, but probably a hard thing to sell in the end.

I saw the film on a Hyper Blue mini (like mine) and I have to say... I could definitely see the seam and it bothers me. I know people have said the seam is visible (probably less so on a pepper white or silver Mini), but it is still there. Also, the car was dirty... hadn't been washed recently and it looked like some wax had gotten left at the edge of the clear bra and that only accentuated the film. The dealer said: "yeah my detailer did a sloppy job."

Is it hard to wax a car with the clear bra and not get that little bit at the edge of the film?

Anyway, I am still undecided, although I definitely don't want chips in the bonnet, so perhaps I should just suck it up and deal with the seam. It's just that I notice things like that. Perhaps after one has it for a while, it becomes less noticeable?

 

Personally, I'll take the "seam" of the clear bra any day of the week over ugly looking paint rock chips.

 

Agreed!