Hi All,

If anyone is looking for a really good stripe and/or clear bra installer in the Orange County, CA area then I've got one for you! His name is Bob Montgomery and his company's name is APEC (Automotive Protective Exterior Covering). You can reach Bob at (949) 636-0855 (please tell him that Mike from FHR sent you ). He's done clear bras on two of our MINIs now (soon to be three) and he does an outstanding job every time. We are very happy with his work and his product (and his prices are very reasonable and competitive too). He can also do stripe installs as well. He comes to your house or place of business and it takes him around three hours to do the install.

Here are some shots of my wife's new 2005 PW/B MCS. Bob just finished doing the stripe install and the clear bra on it today (note that the stripes are OEM MCS stripes that should have been installed at the factory but weren't ):














Please note that the bra is still wet in the photos as it was just installed. It looks even better (i.e. more invisible) after it drys for three days.

The clear bra covers the entire front end of the car including the headlights, running lights, fog lights, grill (upper and lower slats), hood, scoop, bumper, and the faring. He also covers the door handle cups and the mirror caps upon request.

The bra covers far up the hood (as high as the front headlights) and offers great protection from stone/rock chips, etc. We have a loaner MCS right now and I can't believe how easily the front end gets chipped up without the bra on it (I'm sure it's due to the low height of the MINI and all of the huge SUVs we have running around here in So Cal ). I wouldn't be without one on our new MINIs.

 

Is the bra on top of the stripes or the stripes on top of the bra?

I've had the clear bra for over 2 years now and love it, thinking about stripes now.

Oh, and no matter how high you put the bra, the first chip will be no more then 2" above the transition point and I'll go out on a ledge here and say that it will happen within 3 weeks.

Sorry that's the law, Murphy's Law

Looks good and love the PW!

 

The bra was installed over the top of the stripes. I didn't want the rocks chipping up the new stripes. Although, I assume that you could install the stripes over the top of the bra if you wanted to (since you already have a clear bra and it would be easier to do it that way).

I'm sold on them for sure. They're expensive no doubt, but in the long run, I think its cheaper than painting the front end.

Yes, isn't that the truth. Our first 2005 MCS (Which we no longer have) had the clear bra installed and two days later it got a chip in the paint in one of the small places that the bra didn't fully cover (it was in the fold section on the top of the bumper). I asume that there'd be a lot more, but the bra stopped them from happening (i.e. you only see the ones where the bra doesn't stop it). Life's funny that way now isn't it.

Thanks!

 

Bump just in case anyone is interested...

BTW, I had a small problem with one of the pieces covering one of my Xenon headlights and Bob came right out and fitted a new one (no questions asked). I can't recommend him enough.

 

. We are very happy with his work and his product (and his prices are very reasonable and competitive too).

What was the price if I may ask? if you do not want to post please PM me, thanks

 

It's hard to say the price as I believe it varies based upon what pieces you're getting installed (and the type of car you have etc. - e.g. the Cooper S is much harder to cover than the regular Cooper is due to it having the hood scoop, etc.). I can tell you that his prices are very competitive and I'm sure that he'd consider matching a price if you found it cheaper somewhere else (within reason I'd imagine).

The best thing to do is give him a call and ask what he'd charge you. I have a MCS and he did a complete covering (including all of the bits I mentioned/listed above). If you want to know what I paid, please send me a PM and I'll tell you. I don't think that it would be fair to Bob to list the price I paid here without talking to him first.

 

Bump... Just as an FYI.