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I heard some people say if I want to get rid of rock chips, I should do 3M clear bra film on my front bumper.
So is any one here experienced clear bar ? Is it good ? Will it hurt the paint when I remove it ? Is it nook nice ?
I'm not going to knock you for not using the search function, but someone after me will I can guarantee you.
Anyway, the 3M bra will NOT get rid of existing rock chips. The ideal situation is to have it installed the same day you get your brand new car so that the paint can be protected. Luckily I was able to take advantage of this on my 07 Redline. The installer I had put it on is about 90 miles from me, that was the most nerve wracking drive ever. Now that it is on I've been driving around with the gravel from winter road conditions in Oregon pelting it and not a single rock chip to be found. I swear by this stuff, but like I said, it's not a solution to existing chips, just protection from new ones.
However, the same installer had me bring in my dad's Black 07 Lexus IS 350 that had been on the road for about 6 months and had accumulated quite a few chips as well as a clear coat scratch from a branch that fell in front of him while driving. The installer used touch up paint EXTREMELY carefully to fill in the chips and polished the heck out of it, THEN put the clear bra on and it looked like a brand new car. Upon close inspection you can see the small divots left where the rock chips were, but no color change because of the nice job with the touch up paint.
There's my story. 3M FTW, just make sure you have a good installer that will recondition your bumper and mirrors a bit before they install the clear bra. Don't think about it, get the clear bra on TOMORROW
Edit: I missed your question about hurting the paint when you remove it. I've worked with this clear film in the bicycle industry in the past, it will not be something you want to remove by yourself. The adhesive gets pretty messy when you try to take it off. Definitely would need to be done by a professional, but there should be no reason it would hurt or your paint. But for that matter, there should be no reason you need to get it taken off since this stuff basically heals itself from small marks once it sits in the sunshine for a few hours.
Here's a picture of the nose of my car. It does have the clear bra on it believe it or not. It has a seam where the bra ends about 14" up the hood.
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RDX Antenna Mod
Last edited by Redline_Burner; 01-13-2009 at 11:22 PM.
In that case, put the clear bra on. No BS. You should be able to get it installed for between $700 - $800. Worth every penny. I've seen people pay more, but you should be able to get it for this. There's a warranty included, my mirrors are wrapped and so are my door edges to protect from zippers and buttons chipping the edges.
+1 I got mine installed when I first bought my car (I did mine by myself). Not a single scratch, chip, or dent on my front bumper, headlights, hood, fenders, or mirrors. Very good investment.
i personnaly install this film made by 3M in many new car dealers. but there's 2 generation of this product. you can ask for the new one, 'cause it's clearer and garanteed of "yellowing" for 10 years (if well installed and washed) than the older version. the maintenance is so easy, just polish your film while polishing your car and the result is instantly seen. while polishing, it's clearing. when a film is becoming yellow, it is because it's dirty, not old.
BUT 800$ is too expensive, i'd do a 350z front bumper, hood and headlights for like 500$ max here in canada !
BUT 800$ is too expensive, i'd do a 350z front bumper, hood and headlights for like 500$ max here in canada !
That's cool that you can do it for that cheap. But like was said at the beginning, this is most definitely a repost. And from the research I did before having mine installed I know that $800 is at the low end of what people have been paying for a professional installation of this product.
I had mine done, well worth it.
As for hurting the paint... as long as the paint was not damaged prior to the bra going on, you should be fine.
If you already have rock chips, there is a chance that the paint may come up with it when removed.
I had the piece on the hood redone.
As for the residue, there were hardly any residue left over. The residue was mainly around the edge where the bra wrapped over and it was very easy to clean off.
BTW, mine is Venture Shield, not 3M.
$550 for bumper, hood, fenders, headlamps, and mirrors.
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2008 Magnetic Black Touring 6MT
I have my entire hood, front bumper and entire front fenders covered.
I had the roof, headlights and mirrors also done. The windshield is next...
It won't do anything for existing chips but will sure help resist future chips.
EDIT:
I went with 3M and paid $1,300 but remember, no halfsies here, the entire hood
and related panels are covered. The doors and rear quarter will be done with the
windshield down the road. I had to choose between that and the iPad 3G.
If you are considering paint protection for your car I would encourage you to visit our site at http://www.xpel.com.
Our facebook page http://www.xpel.com/facebook will also show several examples of clean installs as well. If you are looking for a dealer in your area just visit our home page and enter your zip code.
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XPEL Technologies Corp.
San Antonio, Texas 78232
Phone: 210-678-3700
3M clear bra film
