I am already getting nervous about paint chips and scratches and my MCS isn't built yet. Has anyone had the clear bra or 3M paint protection kit applied to their MINI? Were you happy with the results? Who installed it? How much $? I have seen the kits at Mini-Madness for $399 but has anyone had this or a comparable product installed at the dealer? Does it need a pro install as Madness suggests?

 

DaveInDenver had it done to his silver MCS. Click here. I already have some chips on the hood!

 

it's already too late for me. i got one already . it's huge and my hook is also a little dented. well if i don't say anything no one would notice, which reminds me that i should probably touch it up. i want to prevent this from happening again, so if this 3M product is as advertised, i want it too.

bbt4
electric blue cooper s with a massive chip/dent on the leading part of hood
san francisco bay area, ca

 

my wife has a clear bra. her headlights look great in it!

 

a

 

 

I also forgot to ask if you can put the film on over stripes?

 

From what I have read and seen, the clear bra goes on first then the stripes go over it. I am debating if I should do it or not, here in Atlanta Ga, the roads sometimes are like driving in a sand pit and you can here the sand, grit and gravel pelting the cars, so I stay off major roads as much as possible and take the fun twisty roads.

 

Thanks CMINIGO for posting the link. For anyone interested see picture of my hood in that post. It's the last pic in the first post of the thread.

You need to remove the stripes before doing stonegard. I was warned about this by my dealer, the installer, and two people online. Thus, I had my stripes removed and I'm now contemplating a new stripe pattern to replace them in a week or so. The stripes pose two problems. (1) the stonegard doesn't adhere as well to the vinyl as it does to the metal (2) the ridge in the stripe can allow little airpockets to get trapped in the film (even with professional installation)

I had my hood, bumpercover, grille slats, mirror caps, and headlights done. It was a professional installation and cost $450.

I would definitely not undertake installation of a kit (say the mini madness kit) on my own. Remember you just spent $300-$400 on materials why cheap out on the installation and risk screwing it up on your own? One solution for you guys without Clear Bra installers is to get the kit and then I'd think a window tint shop might be the best place to get it installed. Just a thought.

Please feel free to ask me any more questions about this as I have had Stonegard (aka Clear Bra) on my X/ Jetta for 2 years with no discoloration.

_________________
Dave
MINI COOPER S

 

Dave-

How long is the warranty on the Stoneguard? Also, I checked out your pics of the clear bra's seam. Is it is as hard to see in person as it is in the photo? Thanks for the info. I ordered my MINI with stripes, but now I may get it without them so I can get this stoneguard applied to the MINI first.

 

a

 

I am definitly getting the clear bra stuff. I would think any minor paint irregularities should be able to be buffed out by a body/detail shop. BMW paint systems use a lot of clearcoat on the top finish. It beats a repaint of the whole front of the car which I would put in the $1,500 range or more. I would call it the lesser of two evils. I also think any deferences would be a lot less than a bunch of stone chips. I just need to find out if the dealer can put the stuff on for a reasonable fee.

 

I believe the stonegard warrenty is 3 years.

I actally had 4 patches on the roof of my Jetta until very recently (under the feet of the roof rack). On a warm afternoon, I pealed the 4 patches off and then washed the car and waxed the roof. Afterwards there was no discoloration or ghosting.

From what I've seen there doesn't appear to be anything that blocks UV (like vinyl would), thus the paint all seems to fade at the same rate.

And yes, the seam is that hard to see in real life (at least on mine with a very well done installation).
_________________
Dave
MINI COOPER S

 

I just gave my specs to the dealer and got a hard sell for the clear bra. They want $699 for it installed. It seems like a good product, and it may pay for itself over the life of the car, but I'm not sure about the price. It seems a little steep to me.

Jay

 

After visiting 5 different shops and getting estimates here is the range of the quotes

Hood Only: $200-$250 installed
Hood, Bumpercover, Mirror Caps, Grille Slats, and Headlights: $400 to $500 installed

So IMO you're right $699 is steep.
_________________
Dave
MINI COOPER S

 

Thanks for the info Dave. You have definately sold me on the clear bra. Now I guess I have to cancel my order for my bonnet stripes.

 

Rokk1: If you're getting the sport package anyway, why not have them install the stripes. They're free that way. Then you can figure out if you like the factory stripes or not and have them removed before you get the Clear Bra. The factory stripes aren't under clear coat, so they'll come right off anyway.

If you decide you like the look of the stripes, you can get other stripes installed (I'd personally recommend custom stripes) after you get the Clear Bra done.

Either way, if you are getting the sport package anyway it doesn't cost you anything to find out. Plus you get to take delivery of your car with the stripes and don't have to imagine what it will look like.

My $0.02

_________________
Dave
MINI COOPER S

 

I'd put the strips on before the bra, or "autobon" because i'm not quite sure how the stripes will stick to the bra...

 

Tollag: Schomp MINI here in Denver has an EB/W with the MINI bonnet stripes over the clearbra. I would much rather have that than air bubbles along the edges of my stripes (if the stripes are placed under the clear bra).

my $0.02

 

I think I am definetly getting this Scotchcal paint protection for my MINI. No other car I've owned has been such a magnet for bugs and road debris! I have had more crap fly at me than ever before- already got a paint chip on the hood, one on the forward edge of the top, and chips in the windshield! (I know the kit won't protect the windshield.) The kit that mini-madness offers for $399 right now has more pieces in it than any other kit I've seen for the new MINI. Click here to find a QUALIFIED installer in your area. Then call them and ask if they'll install a kit that you purchased elsewhere. Even if it is $650 total, I'll probably end up going ahead with it. This car is worth protecting!

Oh, and for answers to all your questions Click here. No discoloration to paint because it doesn't block UV rays at all. No discoloration to product. No damage to paint on car. Can easily be removed when desired. According to 3M it can go over car graphics (your bonnet stripes) with no problem, but may damage them when it is removed. 99% invisible on any paint color darker than white. Sounds pretty good.

 

CMINI,

I have the name of the guy who put on my british roof flag. He did an excellent job, and should be able to handle the protection kit just as well.

Let me know if you want his info. He is in Westlake Village.

 

Dave-

Good call. I'll go ahead and get it with the stripes and see how it looks with the factory stripe kit. And I agree that some of the after market stripe kits look pretty nice.

 

a

 

Thats a great idea. I wonder if 3M sells the Invinca shield in bulk? I was hoping to get mud guards for the front wheel wells but I don't think any are offered yet.

 

Hi,
I am seriously considering having the clear bra put on my car once it arrives. But, I have one question, the dealership I've ordered my car from puts a coating on the cars called Perma Plate. If you have the Perma Plate do you also need the clear bra?

All thoughts and suggestions are welcome!