Where are most of you getting this installed? Front bumper? Hood?
What can I expect to pay? Won't it "age" and turn yellow?

 

I had the front bumper, front 1/3 of the hood and front fenders, and the side mirrors done at the same time. Am advised by the installer that it shouldn't "age", and because it does not block UV, sunlight/time will fade the paint at the same rate as the uncovered section. Given the problems people seem to be having with the paint job [see other posts about chipping], I think the last point is purely speculative. I paid about $600 installed-- not cheap, but cheaper than repainting the front end on a regular basis [I hope!]. Good luck!

 

Hi Stabber,

I am an Authorized Dealer, and Installer for the 3M Clear Bra. NO, it absolutely will not turn yellow. It has a 5 year warranty, and I offer a lifetime warranty on the installation. I have been doing this for 6 years now, and I have NEVER seen the film turn yellow, or crack, etc. I do Installs in Delaware all the time if you are interested, I would be more than happy to help you out, Below is some more information I posted on a previous post. Hope it helps you with your decision. Good Luck with your New Z!!!


Previous Post:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Should I put a Clear Bra on My Z???
Well.......It all depends on how much you value the front of your car looking perfect for many many years to come.

I hope that I may be able to help some of my fellow Z Owners. I can't begin to tell you how incredible this film made by 3M is. It is extremely durable, yet lets the beauty of the car still show thru, hence the name (Clear Bra).

I am a Mobile Installer for Invinca-Shield (aka Clear Bra). As many have stated in this forum the product is only half of the ball game. The most important part is by far the installation. I see botched jobs on a daily basis. You have no idea the type of damage that can be done to your car by an unexperienced installer. The installers often have to use razor blades to trim the film, and they not only destroy the film, but they actually cut thru the film, and then THE PAINT!!!! YES, I SAID THE PAINT!!!!

I have been installing Clear Bra's for almost 6 years now, and I have to say that unfortunately the new 350Z does not have the best paint in the world, especially on the front of the car. This product can, and will protect your car better than anything else that you can put on it. Unless of course you like driving around with one of those ugly black bra's that you can't even use in the rain, and have to keep taking on and off to wash your car.

Here is some information for those of you who might be interested in getting this installed on your new Z.


There are several kits with various options that can be done on a 350Z. The most Basic is the "Standard Kit" for $171.00. The second is the "Deluxe kit" for $408.00. Then there are assorted "Optional Pieces that can be installed. The Full "Optional Pieces Kit" is $142.00. Please see the 2 links below.

http://www.invinca-shield.com/asp/genkit.asp?kit=3244

Basically what you are looking to do is cover areas that would be most susceptible to stones, bugs, salt, and sand. Obviously it is in my best interest if you buy every option, but I honestly wouldn't recommend it. It's really total overkill. If you were to have the entire optional pieces kit installed it would cost $142.00.

The only other options that alot of people order is #8 Cab Top for $42.00 which protects the front portion of the roof, #10 Upper Mirror for $10.00, and #11 Lower Mirror for $11.00. If you click on the link below, you will see a diagram with all the prices for everything on your car.


http://www.invinca-shield.com/asp/genkit.asp?kit=3244-1

Just to let you know about how I do business. First, and foremost I am an automotive enthusiast, so I am probably one of the most picky people you will ever meet. I do every car with the same precision that I would do my own vehicle. It is in my own best interest to do an exceptional job for you. I get the majority of my business from referrals from happy customers, in addition if I do not do a perfect job the first time, I will only have to come back to do it all over again.


If I can help any of you out there, please let me know. I would be not only happy to do an install for you, but to answer any questions you may have regardless if you would like to have this installed on your car or not. This seems to be a very hot topic right now in the automotive forums, and again if I can answer a question for anyone, please feel free to contact me.

I am a mobile installer in the following states: NJ, NY, PA, CT, DE, and Florida. I occassionally do work out west, but not on a very regular basis.

Thanks Again,

Frank O'Grady
Car Crafters

Phone: (732) 778-2895
E-Mail: carcrafters@comcast.net

 

Frank, this is either a blatant untruth or you have not been installing 3M film very long. 3M WILL indeed begin to yellow on white or close to white colors(including chrome silver) after about a year. We have installed for over 30 members of this board and we inform every one of our customers with lighter colors of this condition inherent to 3M. There are other films on the market that resist yellowing much better than 3M, but even they will have a slight tint variation over time on white cars due to the the natural evaporation of plasticisers from the urethane. Im glad that you are willing to offer a lifetime warranty in spite of this, but please, let the forum members know all the facts and let them make thier own decisions.

Jeremy
Invisiguard@sbcglobal.net

 

Do your homework on whoever is doing the bra.

When the dealer did mine, they said they have been doing clear bra's for over 9 years. Well after the fact I found out, I was the first Z to be done, and I also found out the installer was only doing clear bra's for 3 months. The previous 8.9 years the dealer was contracting it out.

Needless to say, the installer did not know what he was doing, overstrectched the material, and the worst part,

He RAZORBLADED my entire front end, headlights, and both mirrors. The sad part is, the dealer wouldn't give me a new car.

$2500 later and a paint job, I went and did my homework and got the best person in town to do it. Great work so far.

I paid $499, expect to pay anywhere from $500-1000.

Just do your homework, and make sure they have a warranty.

I would definately get a bra, I have no paint chips. NONE

Good luck.

 

Jeremy,

I have been a 3M Authorized Distributor-Installer for 6 years now, and perhaps you are having a problem with your installs turning yellow because of the solution you are using to install the film with, or the products you are using to prepare the paint with prior to the install, or something else, but I honestly never seen this problem.

I personally own a Silver 2003 InfinitiG35 Coupe (6 months old) with over 16,000 miles on it, and I have yet to see it change color. I also own a silver 1998 BMW M3 with 42,000 miles on it and You guessed it NO Yellowing!

My wife has a White 2000 Acura Integra with almost 85,000 miles on it, and after almost 4 years, AGAIN NO YELLOWING, CRACKING, PEELING, etc. What is noticeable is when the film is first installed on the vehicle you may see a slight tint difference between the where the film is applied to the vehicle, and where the car is not protected with the film. This is primarily due to the adhesive that is used along with the solution that still may be damp under the film. After a period of about two weeks the cloudiness dissappears, and there is about a 3% shade difference.

In addition, if you take a look at any new Infiniti G35 Coupe you will see that the factory has applied this same exact film to the car in front of the rear wheel well to protect it from stone chips, etc.

Jeremy, I am not sure why you are having this problem, but after I read your reply post I contacted 3M, and several other very reputable installers I know, and 3M said they have no knowledge of this problem. The other Installers I contacted also stated the same.

I am going to be in California next month doing 8 installs, and if you have time I would be more than happy to stop by your shop, and take a look at this with you. Maybe we can come up with a solution?

As far as warranty, 3M offers a one year warranty on the film, and the company who does the actual pre-cut kits of the film Invinca-Shield in North Wilkesboro NC, extends the actual warranty of the film to 5 years in writing due to the fact that they have had no problems with the film whatsoever. My Lifetime Waarranty to the ORIGINAL OWNER of the vehicle covers the installation only for the life of the vehicle.

Thanks for your Reply,

Frank O'Grady
Car Crafters

(732) 778-2895
carcrafters@comcast.net