[bobabimmerlife]

Hey guys,

I'm just curious as to what everybody thinks about clear bra.. Good investment or not? I don't want to get it done and regret it in a couple years.

[RoundelM3]

My opinion, based on what I've seen and heard, is that XPEL has the best film - it's durable, self-healing, and will cover minor surface pockmarks, but doesn't turn yellow or crack/peel. I have a friend who has it on his Tundra pickup and it's been on for about 7 years now. XPEL's headquarters are here in San Antonio and I've seen how it is cut, applied, and cured. Lots of expensive vehicles in their bays, so I'm not the only one who feels like it's a good investment. I'm going to have mine done soon.

[pallymore]

I just have XPEL Ultimate installed on my car today.

They did an OK job...not the perfect installation I was hoping, but it's acceptable.

I did the full front, it's really really hard to notice the film, unless you are looking at the edges real close.

[Steve33]

I know how hard it's going to be, but I'm driving from the dealer to the clear bra place once I pick my car up. I know every mile I drive is one step further from perfect the paint will be

[bkbeagle]

Originally Posted by B!MM3RG!RL

Hey guys,

I'm just curious as to what everybody thinks about clear bra.. Good investment or not? I don't want to get it done and regret it in a couple years.

Excellent investment. You will not regret it. Bang for the buck - It has to be one of the best mods that you can do for your car.

[10nelyboi]

how much are you guys paying for the clear bra ?

[bobabimmerlife]

Originally Posted by 10nelyboi

how much are you guys paying for the clear bra ?

It depends what you're putting the clear bra on. They quoted me $475 for my sedan. Bigger vehicles are $100-150 more.

[IM2C]

I had it on 4 of my cars because of the damn love bugs here in FL.

Didn't get it this time around because is just a short term lease, and I know better ways to spend $700.

P.S. Make sure you get it done by a reputable installer even if its a little more expensive.

[Jackson743]

Originally Posted by B!MM3RG!RL

There are several XPEL installers in my area. However I am unfamiliar with their work. The company I like installs 3M Scotchgard paint protection. Everyone who has had it done so far seems happy with it. Any opinions?

I had the 3M clear bra installed on my EB M-Sport the same time I tinted my windows. I love it. You can't see it and wouldn't know it was there unless you look hard or I told you. I only installed it on the bumper portion. From the BMW roundel on the top end. Not on the hood like some guys have done and paid for it too with a rock too. Small chip on the paint.

[bobabimmerlife]

Originally Posted by Jackson743

I had the 3M clear bra installed on my EB M-Sport the same time I tinted my windows. I love it. You can't see it and wouldn't know it was there unless you look hard or I told you. I only installed it on the bumper portion. From the BMW roundel on the top end. Not on the hood like some guys have done and paid for it too with a rock too. Small chip on the paint.

The 3M clear bra is great. I've seen it on cars done over 10 years ago and it's still on the car nicely. No rock chips no scratches. It's a good idea to get it on the hood. Not too late to put one on.. Might even hide the chip you have now.

[Steve33]

Are you talking about a pre-cut kit, or custom install?

[qwertyb22]

A worthwhile investment I think, saved my car from serious damage when a semi had a blow-out next to me on the highway last night! I swerved but still hit some rubber at 70+ mph. Most of the markings rubbed off and I'm left with only some minor scratches in the bra rather than damage to the actual car. Now I just need to decide if I should replace the bra to get rid of the scratches or just leave it be. Either way, its much better off than I would have been without it!

[bobabimmerlife]

Originally Posted by Steve33

Are you talking about a pre-cut kit, or custom install?

Custom install

[bobabimmerlife]

Originally Posted by qwertyb22

A worthwhile investment I think, saved my car from serious damage when a semi had a blow-out next to me on the highway last night! I swerved but still hit some rubber at 70+ mph. Most of the markings rubbed off and I'm left with only some minor scratches in the bra rather than damage to the actual car. Now I just need to decide if I should replace the bra to get rid of the scratches or just leave it be. Either way, its much better off than I would have been without it!

That sucks. Sorry to hear. If the scratches are noticeable it would bug me forever..

[Rover]

A very worthwhile investment. Have it put on forward side of rear view mirrors....and on top side of back bumper., just below trunk lid.

On my 2001 3 series...I did not have the plastic front bumper clear bra'd. It chips just as easily as the painted metal parts.

I've also had the head lamps clear bra'd. No heat retention issues result.

[Jackson743]

Originally Posted by B!MM3RG!RL

The 3M clear bra is great. I've seen it on cars done over 10 years ago and it's still on the car nicely. No rock chips no scratches. It's a good idea to get it on the hood. Not too late to put one on.. Might even hide the chip you have now.

It definitely would have saved me from a chip, but I just don't like the look of a noticeable line across my hood.

Oh well, you can't account for everything.

[bobabimmerlife]

Originally Posted by Rover

A very worthwhile investment. Have it put on forward side of rear view mirrors....and on top side of back bumper., just below trunk lid.

On my 2001 3 series...I did not have the plastic front bumper clear bra'd. It chips just as easily as the painted metal parts.

I've also had the head lamps clear bra'd. No heat retention issues result.

Do you have regular side mirrors on your car or caps as with the sport line?

[Steve33]

Originally Posted by B!MM3RG!RL

Custom install

How much are you getting covered for $475? Two places here have quoted me $1600-1800 for full front (Bumper, fenders, hood, mirrors) and rear splash...

[Medal]

I'm getting my car 335 done next weekend:

Full paint prep
opti-coat including two sets of wheels
3m ppf of full hood, bumper, both full front quarter panels, side skirts, side view mirrors, behind both back wheels on the rear bumper, and the area at the top of the rear bumper that gets a lot of traffic from stuff going in and out of the trunk, and finally: the door handle cups.

Then once all ppf is on, they will opti-coat the 3m ppf and treat the windows with a opti-coat-like product.

Total was $2k after some negotiating.

I'll post pics after it's done...if it's nice out anyway...suppose to rain

[Z4]

Originally Posted by Medal

I'm getting my car 335 done next weekend:

Full paint prep
opti-coat including two sets of wheels
3m ppf of full hood, bumper, both full front quarter panels, side skirts, side view mirrors, behind both back wheels on the rear bumper, and the area at the top of the rear bumper that gets a lot of traffic from stuff going in and out of the trunk, and finally: the door handle cups.

Then once all ppf is on, they will opti-coat the 3m ppf and treat the windows with a opti-coat-like product.

Total was $2k after some negotiating.

I'll post pics after it's done...if it's nice out anyway...suppose to rain

I would suggest opti-coat the car before putting the ppf. In case you take off the ppf in the future, you still have the opti-coat on the body under the ppf. You don't need opti-coat which is a paint protection on top of your 3m ppf which is also a paint protection.

[Handozizle]

It's definitely worth it as long as you have it done by a reputable installer. FYI, i have the XPEL partial kit and it's awesome!

[bobabimmerlife]

Originally Posted by Medal

I'm getting my car 335 done next weekend:

Full paint prep
opti-coat including two sets of wheels
3m ppf of full hood, bumper, both full front quarter panels, side skirts, side view mirrors, behind both back wheels on the rear bumper, and the area at the top of the rear bumper that gets a lot of traffic from stuff going in and out of the trunk, and finally: the door handle cups.

Then once all ppf is on, they will opti-coat the 3m ppf and treat the windows with a opti-coat-like product.

Total was $2k after some negotiating.

I'll post pics after it's done...if it's nice out anyway...suppose to rain

That's a lot of protection you got going there. I'm not sure if it's necessary to do both the opticoat and ppf but if you're doing it, I agree you should do the opticoat before the ppf...