Clear bra worth it?

SC335 · 02-20-2018, 01:35 PM

Could someone please clarify as to why you do NOT want to clear bra your vehicle after new paint? My car is having a new bumper and hood with paint. Waiting a month or two to me would increase the chances of rock chips etc which is what I'm trying to avoid by installing the bra. Thanks for any info in advance.

435MSport6Speed · 02-20-2018, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SC335

Could someone please clarify as to why you do NOT want to clear bra your vehicle after new paint? My car is having a new bumper and hood with paint. Waiting a month or two to me would increase the chances of rock chips etc which is what I'm trying to avoid by installing the bra. Thanks for any info in advance.

You can. I have after waiting three days.

Some people worry you will pull the paint off if you remove the film.

tpliquid · 02-20-2018, 04:32 PM

i had bumper painted and waited 1 week to get clear bra. took the clear bra off 6 years later paint still attached to bumper. I guess it really depends on how the body shop prep the bumper

435MSport6Speed · 02-20-2018, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tpliquid

i had bumper painted and waited 1 week to get clear bra. took the clear bra off 6 years later paint still attached to bumper. I guess it really depends on how the body shop prep the bumper

Correct. 100%.

capt_slow · 02-22-2018, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SC335

Could someone please clarify as to why you do NOT want to clear bra your vehicle after new paint? My car is having a new bumper and hood with paint. Waiting a month or two to me would increase the chances of rock chips etc which is what I'm trying to avoid by installing the bra. Thanks for any info in advance.

I got the same recommendation after my last F30 got a new bumper. Reason is the paint isnt fully cured. The body shop doesnt have the capacity or schedule to fully cure parts like the factory does. So you need to give the paint time to air out and release any trapped gasses. Was told stuff like wax, sealant, or clear bra should be avoided for the first few weeks.

jchidley · 02-22-2018, 03:06 PM

ive had great luck with chemical guys C9 carbon.

TheBreeze · 02-22-2018, 03:33 PM

New clear coat is actually pretty susceptible to contamination. That is what typically needs the time to fully cure. My body shop told me a month is a good rule of thumb before you mess with it more than a simple wash (no wax)

GingerPilotGuy · 03-05-2018, 09:03 PM

I got the xpel ultimate on the whole front end of my F30. (Full hoof, A-pillars, roofline, mirrors, and half of 1/4 panels) I love it. I commute 160km each way to work about 4-5 times a month all highway driving behind transports etc. It has already saved the front end from sand/salt blasting in the first 4 months I've had it.

Looks great and offers incredible protection.

My only issue is having to figure out weather to ceramic coat or wax the unprotected areas this summer...

Sea-Tac · 05-09-2018, 12:33 PM

100% worth it...every car I have had for the last 10 years has had it. Saved my paint many times.

maryel2013 · 08-02-2018, 12:00 PM

I've been following as I have the same problem. I'll be in Modesto, CA for awhile - can anyone recommend a paint shop, and a good place to get a clear bra installed, in Modesto or within a hour's drive?
Thank you

John in VA · 08-02-2018, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maryel2013

... can anyone recommend a paint shop, and a good place to get a clear bra installed, in Modesto or within a hour's drive?
Thank you

You might try posting on the CA regional section: https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=400

Good luck!

maryel2013 · 08-03-2018, 02:09 PM

Thank you for the link - I'll do that :-)

Sea-Tac · 08-08-2018, 04:39 PM

I have 3m pro guard on all three of my cars. never an issue.

maryel2013 · 08-09-2018, 11:05 PM

Thank you!

KingpinRCR · 09-07-2018, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt_slow

Quote:

Originally Posted by SC335

Could someone please clarify as to why you do NOT want to clear bra your vehicle after new paint? My car is having a new bumper and hood with paint. Waiting a month or two to me would increase the chances of rock chips etc which is what I'm trying to avoid by installing the bra. Thanks for any info in advance.

I got the same recommendation after my last F30 got a new bumper. Reason is the paint isnt fully cured. The body shop doesnt have the capacity or schedule to fully cure parts like the factory does. So you need to give the paint time to air out and release any trapped gasses. Was told stuff like wax, sealant, or clear bra should be avoided for the first few weeks.

ˆ
This is the only correct answer to that particular question.

danjjacob · 09-11-2018, 11:19 AM

Just make sure to change it every 3-4 years. I made the mistake of waiting 6 years and it had become so brittle it came off in a million pieces and left a visible line in the paint (silver).

LiquidBlue_F30 · 03-05-2019, 12:57 PM

I'm having the full hood done next week. The cost is high so I'm breaking it up. Next month I'll do the bumper, fenders, and mirrors. And then end with the rocker panels. After all you want to be proud of your vehicle and who wants to keep making payments on a car that is littered with chips and scratches?

02-20-2018, 01:35 PM	#23
SC335 Second Lieutenant 32 Rep 250 Posts Drives: 2016 435i GC/2015 X5 35i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (4)	Could someone please clarify as to why you do NOT want to clear bra your vehicle after new paint? My car is having a new bumper and hood with paint. Waiting a month or two to me would increase the chances of rock chips etc which is what I'm trying to avoid by installing the bra. Thanks for any info in advance. __________________ 2016 435i Gran Coupe 2015 X5 35i M-Sport 2008 335i Coupe - retired
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02-20-2018, 04:32 PM	#25
tpliquid Second Lieutenant 95 Rep 228 Posts Drives: f31 330i wagon Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: anaheim iTrader: (1)	i had bumper painted and waited 1 week to get clear bra. took the clear bra off 6 years later paint still attached to bumper. I guess it really depends on how the body shop prep the bumper
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02-22-2018, 03:06 PM	#28
jchidley Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: car owner Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: socal iTrader: (0)	ive had great luck with chemical guys C9 carbon.
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02-22-2018, 03:33 PM	#29
TheBreeze Lieutenant 255 Rep 494 Posts Drives: 2016 F80 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Cary, NC iTrader: (7)	New clear coat is actually pretty susceptible to contamination. That is what typically needs the time to fully cure. My body shop told me a month is a good rule of thumb before you mess with it more than a simple wash (no wax)
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03-05-2018, 09:03 PM	#30
GingerPilotGuy New Member 6 Rep 25 Posts Drives: 2017 328d xDrive Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Ottawa, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW 328d [0.00]	I got the xpel ultimate on the whole front end of my F30. (Full hoof, A-pillars, roofline, mirrors, and half of 1/4 panels) I love it. I commute 160km each way to work about 4-5 times a month all highway driving behind transports etc. It has already saved the front end from sand/salt blasting in the first 4 months I've had it. Looks great and offers incredible protection. My only issue is having to figure out weather to ceramic coat or wax the unprotected areas this summer...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-09-2018, 12:33 PM	#31
Sea-Tac Major 1453 Rep 1,487 Posts Drives: 2108 X3 xDrive30i Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Bellevue, Wa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 X3 xDrive30i [0.00] 2016 328i xDrive [0.00]	100% worth it...every car I have had for the last 10 years has had it. Saved my paint many times.
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08-02-2018, 12:00 PM	#32
maryel2013 Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 2013 328i X-drive Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Southeast MO / Central CA iTrader: (0)	Looking for recommendation in CA I've been following as I have the same problem. I'll be in Modesto, CA for awhile - can anyone recommend a paint shop, and a good place to get a clear bra installed, in Modesto or within a hour's drive? Thank you
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08-03-2018, 02:09 PM	#34
maryel2013 Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 2013 328i X-drive Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Southeast MO / Central CA iTrader: (0)	Thank you! Thank you for the link - I'll do that :-)
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08-08-2018, 04:39 PM	#35
Sea-Tac Major 1453 Rep 1,487 Posts Drives: 2108 X3 xDrive30i Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Bellevue, Wa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 X3 xDrive30i [0.00] 2016 328i xDrive [0.00]	I have 3m pro guard on all three of my cars. never an issue.
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08-09-2018, 11:05 PM	#36
maryel2013 Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 2013 328i X-drive Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Southeast MO / Central CA iTrader: (0)	Thank you!
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09-11-2018, 11:19 AM	#38
danjjacob Private 22 Rep 84 Posts Drives: 435i xdrive Msport 6MT Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: CO iTrader: (0)	Just make sure to change it every 3-4 years. I made the mistake of waiting 6 years and it had become so brittle it came off in a million pieces and left a visible line in the paint (silver).
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03-05-2019, 12:57 PM	#39
LiquidBlue_F30 Enlisted Member 21 Rep 34 Posts Drives: BMW 320i XDrive Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: United States iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW 320i XDrive [0.00]	I'm having the full hood done next week. The cost is high so I'm breaking it up. Next month I'll do the bumper, fenders, and mirrors. And then end with the rocker panels. After all you want to be proud of your vehicle and who wants to keep making payments on a car that is littered with chips and scratches?
	Appreciate 0 Quote