Just got my new Z!! Thinking about getting the clear bra installed. Just wondered if its okay to Zaino it first? Another question, do most people just have the bumper done or have a portion of the front fenders and hood done too? Also haven't got a quote on install yet, how much can i expect to pay?

 

hi Reese

What part of M.E.M.P.H.I.S. are you in? I'm originally from Holly Springs.

I think most people are just getting the front bumper and part of the hood done. It can cost anywhere from $300-500 for install.

 

I live in Cordova (east Memphis).

 

You can't put any kind of polish or wax on BEFORE the clear bra install. A good installer should dewax and clay bar the surface first.

Most kits will cover the entire front bumper, portion of the hood and fenders. You should get the head light protection too.

 

okay thanks for the advice. I just got back from the only installer in Memphis and to get the whole bumper, hood (to top of headlights), small portion of fender, and headlight covers, is going to run about $800. Is this what everyone else is paying or is he gouging due to lack of competition. If so, i might have just found my new business.

 

oh yeah, it also included the mirrors.

 

That's about the price, $700-800 for a full kit installed. See if you can have him throw in a small section by the door handles on the rear quarter panel.

 

you'll need to treat the bra once a month with 303 aerospace protectant (303products.com)

 

Treat the bra with 303? I never thought of that. Wouldnt using Zaino on the bra pretty much have the same effect?

 

DJK, thats what i was thinking too. The bra is basically urethane which is what clearcoat is anyway. se-ex care to expand on where you learned that?

 

Reese, one thing I did think of that might help you is if you clay the parts of your car you plan on getting the clear bra applied to right before you take it down. That way when you get it put on, you will "lock in" that nice finish. Thats what I did with mine and I am pretty happy with the results. Granted the clay bar didnt pick up much on my 4 day old car at the time, but it provided me with peace of mind. Good luck!

 

I have had mine for 15 months and all I have done is wax over it and it is fine.

 

I am having it installed on Monday I didn't ask them if they were going to wrap the edges though. If they are not going to, should i back out? Of course, thats the only installer here so i don't know what i would do otherwise. Guess i could drive to Nashville(pick up 5 or 6 rock chips on the way)and have it installed there. Yikes that doesn't sound fun at all.

 

Some installer say that wrapping the edges just encourages it peel sooner. When you wrap the edge the plastic tries to spring back.

I am not 100% sure if it is true or not, but I know that it is true for tape and other laminates I have used at work.

 

Has anyone tried to do the install yourselves?

 

I would recommend the wrap around. Looks much better IMO.

$800 sounds a bit high, I paid $499 for a full bra, mirrors, and headlights.

Make sure this installer has done full bra's before. Do your homework. There are good installers out there but some just plain shouldn't be doing it.

My .02

Also find out if the bra is a kit or not. Kits in my opinion don't look good.

 

He has a plotter and downloads all is cuts from expel i believe. The only thing thats scary to me is he has only done 4 Z's so far, but i guess thats better than being the guinea pig. I should have asked to see one of them. I am kinda pressed for time now though, cause i am driving to Savannah, GA next weekend and i don't want to make the drive without some protection.

 

Yeah, be careful, my entire car was razor bladed by the Idiot Nissan installer.

 

I wondered that for about 2 seconds before seeing my installer go to work. After that, all I thought was, "damn, Im glad I didnt try to do this myself" I would leave it to a professional.

 

with a plotter there should be no razor blades anywhere close to the paint. A plotter is like a printer, the 3m sheets are ran through it and it cuts the material to fit the car. Just like vinyl graphics. He told me he had someone bring a kit in to install and the fit was nowhere near close. He said the software from expel is the best fit he has seen yet.