3M Clear Bra - where on car to get it applied?

[Inzane]

My wife and I have a new '05 Nissan Altima 3.5SE on order. It looks like this:

I tried asking in this thread, but no one really answered my question about 9 or 10 posts down:

http://autopia.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=54884



So I'll try again. We are getting the 3M Clear Bra film. It is costing us $150 CDN through our dealership. However I got the impression that they "normally" only do the front edge of the hood. I thought that I'd want everything on the front end covered (fascia, headlights, front corners of fenders, etc.). I was told I don't need to bother with the fascia because its not metal and will deflect stones better (but I KNOW fascias still get stone chips). And as for the headlights, the Lexan plastic is as impervious to stones as the film or better.



So I dunno... what should I do? Should I insist that they apply the film to MORE areas of the car. Or take it to another place afterwards to do the rest? And at the very least how far back on the hood should I ask for the flim to go? :nixweiss



Thanks.



Jason

 

[Ben Kenobi]

Hi Jason,



Glad you posted this again. I had my front end replaced due to an accident in January and had a new grill, front bumper cover and hood installed. I decided not to go back to my vinyl bra and read up on the clear plastic film protection. I checked around the Toronto area and went to a shop that did offer the 3M. The owner recommended the Avery-Dennison film over the 3M as it doesn't scratch as easily.



Like yourself I thought since I have new paint I'd like it all protected even though a lot of people say that same thing about the urethane plastic taking the stone hits. My feeling was I didn't want any stone chips at all so I had the hood, front fender tips, the upper and lower parts of the bumper and air dam done. All told it was around $400.00 for everything. If I were you I'd get it all done. As for how far back ont he hood I think he went back close to a foot. I can measure it later and let you know.



After it was on for a few days I washed the car and since the film was clean applied some SG. Dirt and bugs just wipe off, I'm very impressed with it. Stevet on here also has the A-D and loves it too. Hope this answered some of your questions, if you have any more let me know.



Good luck!



Paul

 

[99se5spd]

The "full" kits cover: Whole front bumper, leading edge of front fender flare (which on your vehicle i would think would be included in the bumper piece), 12-18" of hood, side view mirrors, A pillars, and leading edge of the roof, optional pieces include rear bumper and most everything under the door trim, and headlights. And pieces can be custom cut for most every part of the vehicle.



Edit: excellent choice, those 3.5 5spds are fuuun, oh and beautiful color also!

 

[imported_Bababooey]

I thought I'd chime in. I purchased an infiniti (nissan) g35 coupe about 1 year ago. Not knowing much about clear bras (brands?,yellowing?, cost?, warrany?), I didn't look into buying one. Boy did I learn my lesson. I don't know if it extends all across the Infinti lineup through nissan but the paint on the g35 is extremely rock chip prone. If you don't believe me check out the g35driver.com forum. There are countless complaints. My car look as if it has been sandblasted. I drive on the freeway a lot which might explain why the rock chip damage is a little more severe. But regardless there is a definite flaw in the paint job.

Which leads me to answering your question. 95% of the rock chips are throughout the front bumper; the lower part of the bumper having more chips than the upper area. The rest of the chips are found on the front edge of the hood above the grill. One chip on grill. I've yet to encounter a chip in the middle or back part of the hood. No chips on front fenders. One chip on lower part of rear fender next to the rocker panel.

So on one hand if money was no object, I would cover all painted parts (metal or plastic/fiberglass/urethane) facing the front of your car. I would cover the headlights like you mentioned. With regards to how much to cover the hood thats your call. On one hand covering the entire hood eliminates some of the work you would have to go through making sure to avoid polishing and waxing the edge of the clear bra. It also gives you the peace of mind that your entire hood will remain defect free for many years. The only possible setback might be from an autopian standpoint. I don't know what kind of results you get when you polish and add an lsp to a clear bra. So that might be a problem when you are trying to achieve that perfect shine. Someone with experience detailing a car wth a clear bra would have to chime in here to give you some advice. To sum up definitely protect front bumper, at least a third of the hood, and headlights. Good idea but optional would be all fenders and side mirrors and entire hood. Thats my take and I hope it helps with your decision making. And if your not set in your decision with 3M you should take a look at Stonguard and Venture (not sure if this is the right name). I've heard these are high quality films backed up by good warranties. Good luck.

 

[chrisx]

I installed the clear film on my car but that would be common sense for me as I sell and install this product in Brisbane. My film is Stoneguard (supplier spells it Stonegard) made by VentureTape in Melbourne. I would definately do the whole front of the car as that is the part of the car prone to stonechips.



Here are some pics of the film on one of my cars As you can see or can't see, it is virtually invisible. As long as you don't use anything abrasive on it, it should be fine. Just keep wax it as if it wasn't even there.

 

[billium]

I'd recommend you have whatever product you end up with professionally installed. My experience is that the "hood" only product is a do-it-yourself product, but the bumper/facia product is a nightmare, even for the pro's.



My $.02



Bill

 

[Odin Mz3]

As long as you don't use anything abrasive on it, it should be fine. Just keep wax it as if it wasn't even there.

So that mean no polish over the bra, but you can wax. Right?



I'm just curious here. I was thinking about doing a clear bra when I bought my car, but after seeing on an other car the line it make on the hood I gave up. I dont really know if it was a crappy job or it suppose to be this way. but today when I look at my front bumper all sandblasted, I regret not have done it or have bought a vinyl bra that I can put on when I'm doing highway.

 

[chrisx]

On certain colour cars the line on the bonnet will be more visible. On my dark blue car there is no way you can see it without knowing it is there, but on my lighter coloured car if the sun is behind you and the car directly in front, on a particular angle the line almost reflects the sun looking like a chrome strip on the bonnet.



I would definately get it done on the bumper as it is invisible to see (if done properly). I wouldn't recommend just anyone to install the bumper film as it is very time consuming and you need a lot of patience to get it right. I did my brother in law's car two weeks ago and it took me almost all day to do the whole front of the car. Have a look at my Impreza and see if you can see the lines. Only on closer inspection of a larger pic can you see the line and then you are looking for it.