3M Clear Bra Installed - 56k Beware

R

roaringmouse

New member
Finally protected the paint on my Chrysler 300C. I had the 3M clear bra installed yesterday. It took the installer about 8 hours to install. So far it looks great. Needs to sit in the sun but with the Hurricane passing by I don't expect to see the sun for a few days. My Magnesium Pearl paint hides the film well.





I had the following installed:





3M Clear Bra X-Pel - http://www.xpel.com/



Hood and Fender Kit Number: P0819

HoodandFenderP0819.jpg




Grille Kit Number: P0819A

GrilleP0819A.jpg




Upper Bumper kit Number: P0819B

UpperBumperP0819B.jpg






Lower Bumper kit Number: P0819C

LowerBumperP0819C.jpg




Headlamp and Fog Lamp Kit Number: H0819







Invinca-Shield 840-1 accessory kit

http://www.invinca-shield.com/asp/genkit.asp?kit=840-1

840-1Kit.jpg






Invinca-Shield Custom pieces for plastic chrome strip on top of the rear bumper (to protect from scratches caused by load/unloading trunk) and plastic chrome mirrors.



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Eight hours! Wow! I guess mine was a simple installation......took about an hour. What was the cost if you don't mind me asking?

It looks good. I'm glad I did mine.
 
Blake said:
Eight hours! Wow! I guess mine was a simple installation......took about an hour. What was the cost if you don't mind me asking?

It looks good. I'm glad I did mine.
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Total for parts and labor $840. My installer commented on how much material was needed to cover the compete front of my 300C. He said most of the cars he does run $300-$500. Plus I had the extra Invinca-Shield kits.



Now that the clear bra is installed, I can strip off the Klasse twins and get my first experience with Zaino.
 
I have a good friend that's been in the business for about a year..His first 6 months were definately a learning experience. He is getting a very good reputation with the Ferrari crowd and some of the high-end dealerships are using his service. He also gives me some very nice refferals. Last month he asked me to learn the skill in applying the film (he'll pay the fees). I'm seriously considering it....Mainly because I think it's an excellent product when it's applied properly and he is a fantastic guy.
 
andriver said:
Very nice. How long is it warranted?
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This is the warranty info from X-Pel



Our products are so strong that not only are they guaranteed not to yellow, crack or peel for 5 years after installation, they are also covered by an unprecedented 5-year $1,000 Paint Protection Warranty against damage to your vehicle's finish.
 
Terry said:
I have a good friend that's been in the business for about a year..His first 6 months were definitely a learning experience. He is getting a very good reputation with the Ferrari crowd and some of the high-end dealerships are using his service. He also gives me some very nice referrals. Last month he asked me to learn the skill in applying the film (he'll pay the fees). I'm seriously considering it....Mainly because I think it's an excellent product when it's applied properly and he is a fantastic guy.
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I would jump at the chance. This film is too expensive to learn my trial/error. My installer used a hair dryer and a small steamer to heat and mold the film for a perfect fit. I had intended to try the install my self and now I'm glad I didn't.



Jeff
 
Excuse the noob questions, but...



Can you remove it?

Is it like having really nice furniture but keeping it covered in plastic? If you can't remove it what's the point? It will get nicked won't it? So what makes a difference if the clear film stuck on your car is nicked up or the paint is nicked up from road debris?
 
mine took a bad rock hit, and it makes my black WRX when perfectly clean look crappy... I don't know if I can give the installer a ring and try to get it fixed... I mean, it did it's job!
 
roaringmouse said:
Total for parts and labor $840. My installer commented on how much material was needed to cover the compete front of my 300C. He said most of the cars he does run $300-$500. Plus I had the extra Invinca-Shield kits.



Now that the clear bra is installed, I can strip off the Klasse twins and get my first experience with Zaino.
Click to expand...



How much was all the PPF parts? I guess the installer charges just 300 - 500 for labor? I swear buying those kits cost a freaking load! I want to learn.... but that's in the future. Takes alot of work and talent.
 
I had two choices. One was a glue on stone deflector which I did not want and the second was a "Clear Bra". The installation took about an hour on my vehicle and I only had the leading portion of the hood and what would be the header panel (incorporated into the hood) as well as the backs of my mirrors covered. Cost was $200 professionally installed and it will save me a lot of stone chips. If I had to do it again I'd do the same thing. The 3M material is very durable and guaranteed not to yellow or peel.
 
That looks great. I do these kits in Australia (Brisbane) and some cars take longer due to the different shapes and curves. If you are thinking of getting the bumper done definately get a professional to do it. If you are thinking of doing the bonnet and mirrors then someone with no experience should be able to pull it off. I started doing this late last year and have done several cars and the more cars you do the better you get. Of course every car is different so there is a learning curve for specific cars.



I'm glad I had one on my car when it was hit by a tyre tread that was on the motorway until a semi drove over the top of it and flicked it onto my car. If I didn't have the film on the car then the bonnet, front guard and bumper would need to be repainted due to the scratches it would have caused. Have a look at some of my pics on my webpage and see if you can see the film on either the Outback or Impreza RS Hatch. When I did my RS hatch it took me about 6 hours to do the full kit. Cars here



I think this film is really picking up in popularity just the cost is puting a lot of people off. Especially now in the last few years where the film is UV resistant and clear.
 
chrisx said:
Cars here



I think this film is really picking up in popularity just the cost is puting a lot of people off. Especially now in the last few years where the film is UV resistant and clear.
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I don't see why you would want the film to be UV resistant. The rest of the vehicle would fade and the paint under the film wouldn't. It wouldn't look right.
 
I thought about having this installed, but have too many concerns. Most relevant to this forum is that we like to experiment with different products and processes on our paint, and this stuff will keep that from happening on portions of the car. If I apply Souveran to a vehicle with the film, it would seem that those parts covered by film wouldn't have the same appearance.



A great point was raised re: rock chips happening to the film rather than the paint. Seems like it would be easier to just touch up paint blemishes, rather than deal with peeling/"whiting" film from damage.



People always think I'm nuts because I haven't put a bed "protector" on my 98 Ranger, but it's a similar idea. The protectors are permanent (spray on), and the ones that aren't shift around and ruin the paint underneath. Either way you're paying money to protect something that will never see the light of day again. :nixweiss
 
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