My mini should be coming in around the first week of Oct, and I'm wondering if there are any good clear bra shops nearby so I can take it there right away before there are any chances for paint chips. Preferrably a place w/ lifetime warranty and good pricing. Maybe get tinting on the rear windows as well if doing it as a package would save $$. TIA!

 

bump....anyone?

 

I don't think you will find a place that will give you a lifetime warranty on a clear bra. Typically it's a 3 year warranty.

I got my bonnet protected with a clear bra spray paint job...same 3 year warranty.

I would buy the 3M film online and then take it to a respectable graphic installer. I know that Modern Image in Huntington Beach Does a great job with installing and you can some cool graphics too.

I went to DP Tinting in Santa Ana - that's where Crevier MINI goes. I went directly and saved money but I got the spray paint which cost $900. The normal 3M bra was $350. I swapped out the 3M film because I didn't like the eggshells, bubbles, and I could see the lines whenever dust fell on it. DP Tinting can give you a discount if you roll things together - I got a discount for getting my windows tinted and clear bra put on.

Good luck,
Lex

 

I took Geoffrey to Sticker City in Sherman Oaks about a week after I picked him up from South Bay MINI. I tried looking for installers closer to my area (I'm in West LA) but the majority of them were mobile installers and required you to have a garage for them to work in. I had originally contacted a company called Envisage Design Labs that was based in Torrance but they didn't get back to me quick enough. Their website no longer exists, but a google search resulted in a link to transparentbra.com. I just want to add that I don't have any experience with them nor do I know if they have a shop or if they're mobile installers..

Geoffrey has the VentureShield clear bra (front bumper, bonnet, headlights, and fog lights). Total including installation was $640. Sticker City included a 5 year warranty as well. If you want to see pics, there are some in my gallery. I'm sure I can dig up some closeup ones as well if you'd like.. just let me know.

I'm 99.9% sure you're getting an R56 and I just went to their website (stickercity.com) and they don't show kits for the R56s, so if you're interested you may want to give them a call @ (818) 905-7059 and see if they have R56 templates.

Some words of advice:
Make sure the installer uses a template or a pre-cut kit. I've heard horror stories of some installers cutting the film while it's on the car.

 

YIKES!

Thanks for the good info and warning! I'll have to call them up to ask them about templates for the R56 (yes, you're right, I'm getting a R56). How are you liking your clear bra so far? Are you having any of the issues that Lex (above) had? (eg. bubbles, eggshells, lines too visible, etc)

Actually, I just looked at the pics in your gallery. Is the clear bra a partial on the bonnet with the line right behind the headlights? I'd appreciate some up close pictures if it's not too much trouble, especially at the edges.

Thanks much for your help!

 

I like my clear bra.. I don't think the lines are too visible, from my experience they only get visible if the car's dirty or if I get lazy and don't tape off my car when I wax and I end up getting wax buildup along the edge. There are a few bubbles (like two REALLY small ones) but no eggshells. Lex had the 3M film, and mine is the VentureShield one so I don't know if that had anything to do with it. I was given the option of either 3M or VentureShield, but when Eric at StickerCity showed me the two films, the VentureShield one was much clearer.

The clear bra does not cover the entire bonnet. It goes pretty much up to the headlights, like you mentioned. I'm at work right now so I can't upload the closeup pictures but I'll do that when I get home tonight.

 

Sweet, thanks Leslie!

 

Here's a headlight one I found.. I'm having some difficulty sorting through all my MINI photos.



I can try to take a few more photos as soon as my camera battery is recharged.

 

Thanks so much for your help Leslie! I appreciate the pics!