Anyone Have A Clear Bra Installed?

[Matt M PA]

I've been toying with the idea of having the front of my SHO wrapped with the protective vinyl. I'd like to avoid stone chips, etc.

My concern is that I'll get nicks and tears in the vinyl as opposed to the paint...either one looks bad. I've never had a car with a clear bra installed....so I'm hoping for some real-world opinions-observations

 

[SHOVNST]

All I’ll say is I’m not a fan of them. Short term yes, but long term no way...


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[bpd1151]

I have had it installed on my entire front end, as well as all the lower rockers and lower front spoiler for years now.

No issues to speak of, and it has kept all those areas looking as good as new.

I'd recommend it.

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[OmaHahn]

I have my entire front end - 3 years now and not a single issue! You can't even tell it's on the car except on the hood you can see a very tiny line that goes across the hood. It's never tore, nicks, chips, nothing - and I drive on roads that are heavily salted & sanded/rocks in the winter months! My guy also guarantees his for lifetime! Highly recommend!

 

[Bronco2fan]

My son was telling about this product like the invisible bra, but supposedly self heals. I'll have ask and see what it's called. As far as the bra goes, most high end vehicles come with it nowadays. I know when I get the Road warriors front resprayed I'm gonna do something to protect it too.

 

[Matt M PA]

Thanks very much guys! I've spoken to a couple different companies that install these...and one comes to your location.

The concern they both had was about the Duragloss Enviro-Shield coating that I put on the car. I've sent a email to Duragloss about how to remove it prior to putting on the bra.

Bronco2fan...a few of the different ones, like Xpel apparently heal from scratches, etc...

I'll keep everyone in the loop as this progresses...

 

[Bronco2fan]

Thanks very much guys! I've spoken to a couple different companies that install these...and one comes to your location.

The concern they both had was about the Duragloss Enviro-Shield coating that I put on the car. I've sent a email to Duragloss about how to remove it prior to putting on the bra.

Bronco2fan...a few of the different ones, like Xpel apparently heal from scratches, etc...

I'll keep everyone in the loop as this progresses...

Yeah, XPEL.. Good sh**. Lol.

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[Bronco2fan]

Yeah, XPEL.. Good sh**. Lol.

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Invisible mask. Com too. They actually have pre cut item for the SHO . Lots of selections .

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[Matt M PA]

The one installer I spoke to uses either 3M or Xpel and didn't recommend one over the other.

I'll check out that site....I've done some vinyl...not sure if I want to tackle the install...

 

[mval]

the one thing that will effect a clear bra is if it's constantly exposed to the elements, not garaged. i bought my friend's '09 chally as a dd so my sho could become show car. he had it on 4+ yrs no issue. i have to keep it outside or get divorced & 3yrs later it started cracking. as am going to be selling her come spring, i had to take it off, not easy on you or the paint. still 7 yrs of protection is a good investment & if i had her garage probably wouldn't have happened.

 

[markathome]

I've had Avery nano-fusion on my SHO for 8 years, 95k miles now. Still looks good.

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[XPEL]

I've been toying with the idea of having the front of my SHO wrapped with the protective vinyl. I'd like to avoid stone chips, etc.

My concern is that I'll get nicks and tears in the vinyl as opposed to the paint...either one looks bad. I've never had a car with a clear bra installed....so I'm hoping for some real-world opinions-observations

Want to start first off by thanking everyone for the kind words about XPEL.

Matt M PA,

Paint protection film is the best way to avoid stone chips to your paint. Here are a couple things to keep in mind no matter what brand of film you choose.

- Think about your coverage. What are the High Impact Areas of your specific vehicle? For most sporty cars, this includes the full front end, and the rocker panels. The full front end is the entire hood and fenders, front bumper, headlights, and side mirrors. Adding protection on the rocker panels helps keep the stones thrown up from the tires from damaging your paint.

- Find a reputable installer. You'll want to track down multiple installers in your area and ask to see examples of their work first hand. Not only will this let you gauge their workmanship, but also their customer service quality. Both things are extremely important.

- Should you do pre-cut patterns or a custom fit? I'll start by saying that not all patterns are created equally, so be sure to find a reputable pattern software if you decide to go that route. Which is also what we would recommend. Using a pre-cut pattern takes a lot of the guess work out of the install and minimizes the amount of blade time / trimming on your paint.

Hope this info helps, let us know if we can answer any questions.

 

[Matt M PA]

XPEL..thank you for your thoughts. I had decided on partial hood and fenders, front bumper and mirrors.

After speaking with 4 different vendors in my area, I'm not feeling "warm and fuzzy". The first, which I did feel good about works remotely and had concerns about my garage and the ability to get it to a working temperature. I assured them that this was a non-issue, but they declined and suggested I travel to them for the installation. It's too just too far to make that work. His quote was under $800. I thought that was very fair, nice people and it would be done by now had they been able to work at my place.

The second I spoke to was a tint shop that also does PPF. They quoted in the neighborhood of $1200-$1300 for the "better" film. The third was another tint shop that has someone come in to do the PPF. Same quote. They told me the film had a 5 year warranty and I should look the product up on-line to get more info. When I checked, the PPF actually has a 10 year warranty. That, and some bad reviews on-line didn't help. Finally, I stopped at a shop that does vinyl wraps, etc. They were upfront, and when asked about using a kit or bulk material...they said that they cut on the car. They said that the material they use only needs to be scored and "torn". I'd rather not have it cut in place. They also were in the same neighborhood for cost.

It's very possible that one or all of these could have done a great job, I am not commenting on their work as I saw none or was offered to see a completed job.

I understand that there's an art to installing PPF, and I know one needs to pay for the expertise. However, looking on-line at costs to buy a cut kit with good material, it sure looks like an installer is easily charging $800 for the install...plus making a profit on the materials.

So...I decided to order a kit on-line and give it a try. I've done other vinyl in some sizable sections...I figure it's work a try.

 

[Bronco2fan]

That's all very good info and it seems like you researched it all as far as you could. Did you by chance ask the Ford dealerships if they have a similar products available and cost? Or they have a recommended shop that does theirs ? Just a thought I had, Let us know how it turns out for you and what product you used. I'm having mine done after I get the Road Warriors nose repainted.

 

[Bronco2fan]

To XPEL, I would like to thank you for your honest answers and info. You might want to think about posting some work you've done or more info on your product as I'm sure there's more of us who would like to see that. Or if you only sell the product and don't install, samples would be nice to be able to order or vendors who do install your products. And we do have a classified section if you qualify for that for group buys. Just saying.

 

[Matt M PA]

Bronco2fan...I sure tried to get all the info I could. I was disappointed that the one installer had concerns about working at my place.

I work with the Ford dealer where I got my car. I didn't specifically ask, but I've never heard of it being done there. Ford does install PPF on certain models, like Fusion...but not Taurus.

I will surely keep you all updated as it progresses...I assume I'll have the kit next week.

I ordered from invisiblemask.com. I got the 3M Scotchguard Pro. I ordered the partial hood/fenders/mirrors, bumper and trunk opening/top of rear bumper. I also took advantage of an insurance offer that allows you to buy a replacement piece at 60% off. My total was under $400.

Since picking up another stone chip this week, I'm doing all I can do avoid the highways until I can get this on. Will I get it right? We'll see. I've done some clear vinyl on other cars for years in wear areas...even installed the nose patches on my former Superbird....so I think I can probably do a respectiable job.

 

[Bronco2fan]

That's a lot of products for a good price. I hope it isn't too difficult or time consuming for you. Remember, lots of pics, before and after lol. Good luck.

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[Matt M PA]

Well guys, as promised an update. The package arrived today and I worked with it. The kit came with a link to an on-line video, two bottles for your solutions, a knife, a squeegee, and a syringe (without needle ) to measure the soap (I assume) and the vinyl. Nicely packaged. I was a bit annoyed to see a pamphlet inside that mentions the 10 year warranty...but also disclosed that unless its installed by a 3M certified installer...there's no warranty. Would have been nice to know that before I ordered. I also saw that the kits don't fit without stretching and that this was normal.

First, I need to say that I feel like Thomas Edison when he was asked about how many unsuccessful tests he made before coming up with a practical light bulb. It was in the thousands. He was asked about these failures and replied that "they weren't failures, I now know for sure those ideas don't work.

I got the right type of soap for the slip solution, made up the alcohol solution and went to give it a try. I started with the rear bumper piece, and was surprised how much fitting that part needed to correctly fit. I expected some amount of fitting, but it didn't have the right curve to fit without being stretched. I wasn't thrilled with how that went, but chalked it up to inexperience. I have done tons of smaller pieces of vinyl without an issues....

Next, the mirrors. On the first, I seemed to get the hang off it and actually got it on half-decent. The other side, didn't got as well and I bailed on both. Strike 1.

The fender pieces seemed to go better, but just didn't seem to fit as I expected. If I lined it up along the edge of the fender near the hood, the lines didn't match up on the wheel side. I suppose this an instance of the "stretching" mentioned. Strike 1.5.

The hood piece also didn't want to line up. At the edges of the grill, it was obvious that again we'd need to stretch the vinyl to make it fit and it was short on both sides of the hood. I could not get it to pull enough to go edge to edge on the hood. Strike 2.

The bumper. Again, very hard to make fit due to the stretching and the BLIS sensor cut-outs were way off. I finally got it pulled far enough so that they would look through the holes in the vinyl, but it wasn't centered. I tried starting the middle, on one side...nothing seemed to be the trick to get it to fit the same on both sides around the accent lights and BLIS sensors. I wound up having to trim a bit make it half-decent. Strike 3.

Due to all the stretching, working, etc....I would up with larger water/soap bubbles than I've ever had when working with vinyl. On the hood...it was all flat... an hour later it lifted and was now too dry to get the raised section to go down.

I plan to drop an email to Invisible Mask. Seems to me that they market as a "DIY" product, supply the tools and instructions....yet the warranty touted on the site isn't valid when you install it yourself. I also think that a DIY product would not need so much fitting and perhaps they could adjust the templates so that it's a bit easier to fit for a DIY. I'm not expecting or asking for anything back, etc...

So, how did it end? I pulled it all off. The fit wasn't what I'd like, and the amount of water bubbles under the vinyl were too big to get better. I know I'd never be pleased long term.

I'm sure it's my lack of skill and/or experience that caused this, and only reaffirms what I always say...but don't often heed....it usually pays to hire a pro for specialized things.

So...I'll make an appointment and get it done by s pro next week.

 

[Bronco2fan]

Well that's certainly a shame. I was hoping you'd be wowed by how it fit and worked so I wouldn't be disappointed when I ordered mine. Were you able to save the pieces or have to scrap them? I'm guessing you didn't take pics of any pieces you tried to install? Can the pro just re-use yours are do you have to order more or going a different route? Thanks for the update and I hope you find something that's to your liking. I too am to much of a perfectionist for my own good.

 

[Matt M PA]

Yep...wasted time and money...a bad deal no matter how you see it. I could re-order the pieces that I got with the replacement warranty, but I don't know if a pro would be willing to use someone else's supplied materials. I know I wouldn't. Frankly, I'd rather not pass the word that I tried and screwed it up. I'm afraid that I am best moving forward to use the installer's product as they have to stand behind it. Of the shops I visited, I think I know who I'll be calling tomorrow.

No way to save the pieces...once they start to dry they come and stretch, etc. I'd bet they loose their "tack" too.

I can sreport that the texture and shine of the vinyl was fine, and I know that I want it on the car.

I absolutely hate having anyone work on my cars, way too much OCD. I actually was thinking of not doing it to avoid that.... In the end, of the two local guys I spoke to; one cuts the kit on their machine and the other cuts bulk material on the car. I've very uncomfortable with have anything cut on the surface of the paint...