Clear Bra Paint Protection Film

TexasDobbins · 05-27-2016, 03:07 PM

Hey amigos,

First post on the forum with my first mod. I got this '12 F30 335i on Monday from CarMax here in South Texas. First mod I do to all my cars is paint protection film. The car has 42k miles on it so I had to do a few small touch ups but nothing major.

I had them protect the entire hood and fenders, front bumper, mirrors, headlights and rear luggage area. I pulled a few photos from their install. My other two BMW's were Silver Metallic and Black, so I'm loving this Melbourne Red. Now it'll look good for years to come with the films 10-year warranty. They used XPEL ULTIMATE film.

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They made a video of an M4 getting fully wrapped [u2b]https://youtu.be/ZLfvm1gPAOY[/u2b]

Pretty cool stuff, I'd highly recommend it to anyone.

CruzM3 · 05-27-2016, 03:46 PM

Nice choice in brand but be careful the headlights have a protective coating on them already so if you remove the film it will take it off. I was told not to do the headlights.

TexasDobbins · 05-27-2016, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruz28/40

Nice choice in brand but be careful the headlights have a protective coating on them already so if you remove the film it will take it off. I was told not to do the headlights.

I've heard that with Porsche headlights, but never with BMW. I appreciate the heads up as I'm sure these lights aren't cheap to replace.

mbfanos · 05-27-2016, 07:02 PM

How much did they charge you?
I was cheap, so I only did the bumper. My hood is full of rock chips now. I hate myself

TexasDobbins · 05-28-2016, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbfanos

How much did they charge you?
I was cheap, so I only did the bumper. My hood is full of rock chips now. I hate myself

Retail on that is about $1,895. It's a bit to stomach at first but well worth it.

ahero4eternity · 05-28-2016, 01:12 AM

Had my bumper and fenders done with the same. Didn't do the hood because I plan on replacing it.

jdang9 · 08-21-2016, 09:59 PM

I want to do the protection film for my car too. Anyone know any good place with a fair price in VA (I could go anywhere between Richmond to DC).

n1lul · 08-23-2016, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdang9

I want to do the protection film for my car too. Anyone know any good place with a fair price in VA (I could go anywhere between Richmond to DC).

Check out Raja. Forum name - SpeedandTechM He is popular with the M guys. Look at the F80 Mid-Atlantic forum. I am getting my 340 coated and Expel on my front bumper in a couple of weeks.

TexasDobbins · 08-23-2016, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdang9

I want to do the protection film for my car too. Anyone know any good place with a fair price in VA (I could go anywhere between Richmond to DC).

Check out the XPEL locator -- http://www.xpel.com/locator/search/c...United_States/

John in VA · 08-23-2016, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n1lul

Check out Raja. Forum name - SpeedandTechM He is popular with the M guys. Look at the F80 Mid-Atlantic forum. I am getting my 340 coated and Expel on my front bumper in a couple of weeks.

I've heard good things about Raja, too. Brian Lewis at SpeedFreak Detailing in Chantilly also offers excellent service:
http://www.speedfreakdetailing.com/
https://www.facebook.com/SpeedFreakDetailing/

Dargofinch · 08-31-2016, 08:08 AM

Had mine done yesterday on the hood, fenders, front bumper and mirrors for...free.

Working for the company that manufactures the film, my car was part of a test for a new paint protection film developed by the lab.

just need to bring my car every 6-8 weeks to inspect the condition of the film.

beanbaguk · 09-12-2016, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustDobbins

I've heard that with Porsche headlights, but never with BMW. I appreciate the heads up as I'm sure these lights aren't cheap to replace.

No they're not! I had my right unit replaced at a cost of €1,500 + tax (21%), so all, the cost was US$2042 plus labour!

Short of the long. A 10km/h shunt cost my insurance a bill of US$7,500!!!

n00bim2015 · 10-07-2016, 10:28 PM

I still laugh at clear bra for sports cars. to spend hundreds to thousands of dollars to protect from minor rock dings while sacrificing look of the front of your car in certain lights. also does not protect from large rocks or people clipping your car.

shaking my head.

Whatsnext · 10-08-2016, 10:43 AM

Xpel has pending lawsuits right now and in AZ dealers stopped using them until it gets resolved, if it gets resolved. I am going to install Suntek again which seems to be the better option over the 3M clear which seems to yellow in time. Going rates in AZ is $500-$700 for front bumper, partial hood, mirrors, door cups and door edges.

goj · 10-28-2016, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruz28/40

Nice choice in brand but be careful the headlights have a protective coating on them already so if you remove the film it will take it off. I was told not to do the headlights.

No they don't. At least not a film.

TexasDobbins · 01-04-2017, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n00bim2015

I still laugh at clear bra for sports cars. to spend hundreds to thousands of dollars to protect from minor rock dings while sacrificing look of the front of your car in certain lights. also does not protect from large rocks or people clipping your car.

shaking my head.

To each their own. I think you just need to see the right film in the right light. The XPEL looks better than actual paint does.

Needbmwpartzz · 01-04-2017, 09:31 PM

Sure this helps but I'm sure a respray could be had for a similar price tag......but I understand the protective nature.
I just think it's a waste

:

cncmastr · 01-04-2017, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Needbmwpartzz

Sure this helps but I'm sure a respray could be had for a similar price tag......but I understand the protective nature.
I just think it's a waste

:

Respray is always a gamble.

TexasDobbins · 01-04-2017, 10:24 PM

I agree. And a real proper respray will cost you more than clear bra and it'll affect your resale value.

05-27-2016, 03:07 PM	#1
TexasDobbins #MelbourneMadness 17 Rep 61 Posts Drives: Melbourne Red F30 335i Join Date: May 2016 Location: San Antonio, TX iTrader: (0)	Clear Bra Paint Protection Film Hey amigos, First post on the forum with my first mod. I got this '12 F30 335i on Monday from CarMax here in South Texas. First mod I do to all my cars is paint protection film. The car has 42k miles on it so I had to do a few small touch ups but nothing major. I had them protect the entire hood and fenders, front bumper, mirrors, headlights and rear luggage area. I pulled a few photos from their install. My other two BMW's were Silver Metallic and Black, so I'm loving this Melbourne Red. Now it'll look good for years to come with the films 10-year warranty. They used XPEL ULTIMATE film. They made a video of an M4 getting fully wrapped [u2b]https://youtu.be/ZLfvm1gPAOY[/u2b] Pretty cool stuff, I'd highly recommend it to anyone. __________________ Michael #MelbourneMadness - '12 F30 335i Melbourne Red Mods: XPEL STEALTH Full Wrap, VOSSEN VFS/6, Wagner DP, VSRF CP, JB4, XPEL PRIME XR Window Tint
	Appreciate 1 nissanite45.50 Tweet Quote

05-27-2016, 03:46 PM	#2
CruzM3 Captain 284 Rep 703 Posts Drives: 2018 M3 "Velocity Edition" Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Düsseldorf, Germany iTrader: (0)	Nice choice in brand but be careful the headlights have a protective coating on them already so if you remove the film it will take it off. I was told not to do the headlights. __________________ 2018 M3 ZCP "Edition Velocity" 2018 X3 30i (wife’s) 2017 340i w/ MPPSK & Many M Performance Parts (sold) 2016 328i (sold)
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05-27-2016, 07:02 PM	#4
mbfanos Second Lieutenant 55 Rep 261 Posts Drives: 330i G20 Join Date: May 2014 Location: California iTrader: (0)	How much did they charge you? I was cheap, so I only did the bumper. My hood is full of rock chips now. I hate myself
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-28-2016, 01:12 AM	#6
ahero4eternity Major 452 Rep 1,425 Posts Drives: bmw Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: usa iTrader: (4)	Had my bumper and fenders done with the same. Didn't do the hood because I plan on replacing it.
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08-21-2016, 09:59 PM	#7
jdang9 New Member 2 Rep 7 Posts Drives: BMW 335i 6MT M Sport Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	I want to do the protection film for my car too. Anyone know any good place with a fair price in VA (I could go anywhere between Richmond to DC).
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-31-2016, 08:08 AM	#11
Dargofinch Enlisted Member 22 Rep 41 Posts Drives: 2021 BMW 228i xDrive GC Join Date: May 2015 Location: 10,000 lakes iTrader: (0) Garage List 2021 BMW 228i xDriv ... [0.00]	Had mine done yesterday on the hood, fenders, front bumper and mirrors for...free. Working for the company that manufactures the film, my car was part of a test for a new paint protection film developed by the lab. just need to bring my car every 6-8 weeks to inspect the condition of the film. __________________ 2021 228i xDrive GC (F44) \| Alpine White / Black SensaTec \| M Sport \| M Sport Steering \| Convenience Pkg \| Lighting Pkg \| Shift Paddles \| Illuminated Boston Trim\| Extended Shadowline Trim\| Panoramic moonroof
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10-07-2016, 10:28 PM	#13
n00bim2015 Private First Class 45 Rep 195 Posts Drives: BMW 428i Gran Coupe M Sport Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: DFW, TX iTrader: (0)	I still laugh at clear bra for sports cars. to spend hundreds to thousands of dollars to protect from minor rock dings while sacrificing look of the front of your car in certain lights. also does not protect from large rocks or people clipping your car. shaking my head.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-08-2016, 10:43 AM	#14
Whatsnext Private First Class 47 Rep 158 Posts Drives: 2012 335i/2016 Jaguar F Type R Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: AZ iTrader: (0)	Xpel has pending lawsuits right now and in AZ dealers stopped using them until it gets resolved, if it gets resolved. I am going to install Suntek again which seems to be the better option over the 3M clear which seems to yellow in time. Going rates in AZ is $500-$700 for front bumper, partial hood, mirrors, door cups and door edges.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-04-2017, 09:31 PM	#17
Needbmwpartzz Colonel 851 Rep 2,793 Posts Drives: 2009 bmw 328i x-drive Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Kitchener/Waterloo iTrader: (0)	Sure this helps but I'm sure a respray could be had for a similar price tag......but I understand the protective nature. I just think it's a waste:
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01-04-2017, 10:24 PM	#19
TexasDobbins #MelbourneMadness 17 Rep 61 Posts Drives: Melbourne Red F30 335i Join Date: May 2016 Location: San Antonio, TX iTrader: (0)	I agree. And a real proper respray will cost you more than clear bra and it'll affect your resale value. __________________ Michael #MelbourneMadness - '12 F30 335i Melbourne Red Mods: XPEL STEALTH Full Wrap, VOSSEN VFS/6, Wagner DP, VSRF CP, JB4, XPEL PRIME XR Window Tint
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