Installing Paint Protection Film

betterthansx

betterthansx

New member
I am a relative newb but I would like to think that I am fairly capable. I know most of the detailing basics and have done well with them thus far.

I just ordered a new car and started getting quotes for a clear bra. Most places are charging a lot of money, so like I do with everything, see how hard it is to do myself.

I found a website Car Protection Pro - Automotive Clear Bra Kits and they have the pre-cut kits for my car (2016 Ford Focus ST).

Are there better websites to use?

Is there one product I should stick with? I have heard good things about the 3M Pro Series.

I have YouTube'd this like crazy and like Larry Kosilla's video on the black Lambo.

He mentions using a water/baby soap mix. What sort of dilution should you use? I would assume it isn't much.

The process itself looks easy enough. Just time consuming. Which I am fine with if it saves me $1000.

Would it be wise to tackle this myself? I plan to coat and seal the paint before doing the clear bra for that extra bit of protection when shifting the clear bra around on the paint.

I am just curious if anyone has done this and has actual feedback that ISN'T a Pro. Also which product is a decent quality.

Thank you in advance!


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I've never done one myself but I can tell you that I wouldn't put any products on the paint before putting the clear bra on. I think you may be able to get away with coating (allow ample time for it to fully cure first) but I wouldn't seal as you want the clear bra to adhere to the paint, not the product sitting on the paint
 
Clear bra is one of the most attention to detail crafts I have ever tried. Fair warning, if you have trouble installing phone screen protectors this is not for you. Not to mention the material is expensive.
 
Practice on something easy first, like putting vinyl tint on the windows in your house. It is a flat surface and you would think it would be easy, but it takes time and patience. I have not tried putting PPF on my car because I lack the patience to finish that task. You can buy the window tinting kit at Home Depot. It comes with all the tools and the soap solution is already pre made. Getting those little air bubbles out will make you crazy, but it is a good place to start and not very costly.
 
I'm getting ready to clear bra parts of my STi. You'll need 4-6 drops of Johnson and Johnson baby shampoo mixed with water. And also a diluted mix of 4 caps of 70% Iso Alcohol w water.


Its definately a task you'll want to practice before or have expirence with tint/vinyl.
 
Ask any installer and they will tell you it takes a few years to get good at installing PPF and that you should expect to drop a lot of $$$ on wasted film learning. I'm looking to get into once my new shop is done but I will be attending training at Xpel first.
 
Listen to Rasky.He knows what he is talking about.:rockon

Even if you get good on flat surfaces like windows, its the curves that are going to give to trouble.
 
I used the same vendor. Scotchgaurd pro. Total of 13 pieces. I corrected the paint then Applied. Advice: do it in cool weather. In a garage. Buy an olfa cutter to "weed" edges. It took me 13 hours. Watch lots of videos. Good luck. My car is black and it didn't come out perfect but very good.
 
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