Clear bra opinions????

BobS · 02-08-2012, 10:17 PM

I'm looking for opinions and experience with clear bras. My car is going to the body shop this weekend and I have the option of installing a 3m clear bra after the fresh paint.

I don't really like how you can see the line or edge of the bra but it's nice that it will help protect the paint. I'm worried about it yellowing and I also wonder just how well it protects ( like will a large rock still chip it )

Opinions welcomed

Ernerd · 02-09-2012, 12:44 AM

Don't you have to wait a certain period after painting to put a clear bra on? Has something to do with letting the new paint breathe and cure

hipnotic · 02-09-2012, 01:08 AM

i just like to repaint instead of adding a clear bra on

rvladescu · 02-09-2012, 05:29 AM

If you don't like the line there is always the option to cover the hood completely. I do not mind the line. I installed the Avery and the line is minimal. As for yellowing it also depends on the product that you use.

BobS · 02-09-2012, 08:08 AM

You do have to wait a certain amount of time. I'm having the body shop do it, they know what thier doing. I guess I could have them cover the whole hood but won't that dull the finish slightly? Like on a flat surface like your hood, I would think you could see the way the sun hits it that there is a clear bra on it.

I may just repaint paint it every 1 or 2 years as needed.

SpecC · 02-09-2012, 04:54 PM

I hate the line on the hood and fenders enough that I wouldn't get it. Since you have a dark color too, the hood is the best looking and shiniest part of the car when properly detailed imo. Why cover it with plastic?

I've seen a car that had full fenders, front bumper and hood with clear bra on it. It didn't age particularly well, and I was unable to bring any sort of pop back into it. I did what I could with abrasives and what not. I personally would avoid it but I can see the case for having it. I think if I planned on keeping a car over a long, long period of time and it traveled a lot, I would do it. If less than 10 years, I wouldn't bother.

BobS · 02-09-2012, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpecC

I hate the line on the hood and fenders enough that I wouldn't get it. Since you have a dark color too, the hood is the best looking and shiniest part of the car when properly detailed imo. Why cover it with plastic?

I've seen a car that had full fenders, front bumper and hood with clear bra on it. It didn't age particularly well, and I was unable to bring any sort of pop back into it. I did what I could with abrasives and what not. I personally would avoid it but I can see the case for having it. I think if I planned on keeping a car over a long, long period of time and it traveled a lot, I would do it. If less than 10 years, I wouldn't bother.

Thanks for the feedback, I agree, probably not going to get a clear bra

dwall · 02-10-2012, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobS

Thanks for the feedback, I agree, probably not going to get a clear bra

I have the clear bra and very happy with the install. Full hood, fenders, bumper and lip. Have a pic on this thread - http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=644185

littleE92 · 02-11-2012, 12:06 AM

I have never had 3m on my previous cars and would always just touch-up, wetsand, and polish any chips I get. It's tedious but rewarding...

On my e92 I decided that it's such an expensive car that I would want 3m. I got it done from the dealer, and I deeply regret it. They did not wrap the edges, and it was only a quarter hood job. My car is a pretty dark color, so any dust or air bubbles that didn't clear are very, very visible as are the edges when dirty. They are redoing it, but I suspect that I will still not be happy in the end as I am used to having no 3m.

Maybe if I went with an installer that did edge wrap and full hood I may be happier...

The good thing with 3m is that you can always remove it if you don't like it, but you lose $$...

Blubaron79 · 02-13-2012, 10:42 PM

I have one. You never notice the line. It's been 3 years and not a hint of yellowing.

churchillps · 03-02-2012, 12:04 AM

I'm trying to decide to live with the line and do half hood, fenders, front bumper for $680 or do the whole hood for $1300. Nearly double just for the rest of the hood, doesn't make sense.

Donny Rino · 03-04-2012, 05:50 AM

It's amazing 3m can sell 1300 bucks worth of plastic and people buy it.

thetedderbear · 03-15-2012, 04:54 PM

I hate the line and the slightly dulled finish. But I like my car to shine. I've paid for it with my fair share of chips but as I'm getting mtech this summer hopefully it's nbd

spanner1751 · 03-16-2012, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donny Rino

It's amazing 3m can sell 1300 bucks worth of plastic and people buy it.

It's not so much the price of the plastic, it's the price of the installation.

twozzie · 03-21-2012, 07:44 PM

I had mine professionaly installed on my 2006 RR Sport and my 2009 535i. Both were done at Premier in Fremont.Checkout the site (http://www.premiermobilegroup.com/) as these guys do everything from my little rides to Buggati Veyrons and classic rides worth lots $$$.
The line is only visible close up, it shines with the rest of the car (you have to wax it regularly with the paint). It never yellowed or ripped or anything and prevented stone chips etc. Clearly there are budget versions out there but I really suggest you check these guys out and see what they can do and what your potential dealer should be doing.

02-08-2012, 10:17 PM	#1
BobS Colonel 98 Rep 2,002 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Southern NJ iTrader: (0)	Clear bra opinions???? I'm looking for opinions and experience with clear bras. My car is going to the body shop this weekend and I have the option of installing a 3m clear bra after the fresh paint. I don't really like how you can see the line or edge of the bra but it's nice that it will help protect the paint. I'm worried about it yellowing and I also wonder just how well it protects ( like will a large rock still chip it ) Opinions welcomed __________________ ESS 650 ACM-R Upgrades
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02-09-2012, 12:44 AM	#2
Ernerd Private First Class 4 Rep 160 Posts Drives: E92 335i SGM '07 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Don't you have to wait a certain period after painting to put a clear bra on? Has something to do with letting the new paint breathe and cure
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02-09-2012, 01:08 AM	#3
hipnotic Major General 151 Rep 6,603 Posts Drives: e92 335i Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: So. Cal iTrader: (7) Garage List 2008 335i coupe [7.00]	i just like to repaint instead of adding a clear bra on __________________
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02-09-2012, 05:29 AM	#4
rvladescu 440 9 Rep 182 Posts Drives: 440 GC Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Ottawa iTrader: (0)	If you don't like the line there is always the option to cover the hood completely. I do not mind the line. I installed the Avery and the line is minimal. As for yellowing it also depends on the product that you use.
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02-09-2012, 08:08 AM	#5
BobS Colonel 98 Rep 2,002 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Southern NJ iTrader: (0)	You do have to wait a certain amount of time. I'm having the body shop do it, they know what thier doing. I guess I could have them cover the whole hood but won't that dull the finish slightly? Like on a flat surface like your hood, I would think you could see the way the sun hits it that there is a clear bra on it. I may just repaint paint it every 1 or 2 years as needed. __________________ ESS 650 ACM-R Upgrades
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02-09-2012, 04:54 PM	#6
SpecC Completely obsessed with detailing 305 Rep 15,441 Posts Drives: E90 SG 330i, white Scion tC Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Francisco and Davis iTrader: (4)	I hate the line on the hood and fenders enough that I wouldn't get it. Since you have a dark color too, the hood is the best looking and shiniest part of the car when properly detailed imo. Why cover it with plastic? I've seen a car that had full fenders, front bumper and hood with clear bra on it. It didn't age particularly well, and I was unable to bring any sort of pop back into it. I did what I could with abrasives and what not. I personally would avoid it but I can see the case for having it. I think if I planned on keeping a car over a long, long period of time and it traveled a lot, I would do it. If less than 10 years, I wouldn't bother.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-11-2012, 12:06 AM	#9
littleE92 Douche in Training 3 Rep 52 Posts Drives: 2011 335xi E92 M-Sport Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	I have never had 3m on my previous cars and would always just touch-up, wetsand, and polish any chips I get. It's tedious but rewarding... On my e92 I decided that it's such an expensive car that I would want 3m. I got it done from the dealer, and I deeply regret it. They did not wrap the edges, and it was only a quarter hood job. My car is a pretty dark color, so any dust or air bubbles that didn't clear are very, very visible as are the edges when dirty. They are redoing it, but I suspect that I will still not be happy in the end as I am used to having no 3m. Maybe if I went with an installer that did edge wrap and full hood I may be happier... The good thing with 3m is that you can always remove it if you don't like it, but you lose $$... __________________ Gone - 2011 335Xi E92 Le Mans Blue 2018 X1 F48 Alpine White 2013 Audi B8.5 S4 Brilliant Black
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02-13-2012, 10:42 PM	#10
Blubaron79 Brigadier General 1443 Rep 4,728 Posts Drives: 2021 M340i xDrive Join Date: May 2009 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	I have one. You never notice the line. It's been 3 years and not a hint of yellowing. __________________ Current: 2021 M340i xDrive Previous: '18 340i xDrive; '15 335 xDrive; '14 435i xDrive; '09 335 E92 xDrive
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03-02-2012, 12:04 AM	#11
churchillps Second Lieutenant 54 Rep 273 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	I'm trying to decide to live with the line and do half hood, fenders, front bumper for $680 or do the whole hood for $1300. Nearly double just for the rest of the hood, doesn't make sense.
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03-04-2012, 05:50 AM	#12
Donny Rino Private First Class 3 Rep 132 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: westchester ny iTrader: (0)	It's amazing 3m can sell 1300 bucks worth of plastic and people buy it.
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03-15-2012, 04:54 PM	#13
thetedderbear Captain 77 Rep 632 Posts Drives: Fiesta ST Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Arkansas iTrader: (1)	I hate the line and the slightly dulled finish. But I like my car to shine. I've paid for it with my fair share of chips but as I'm getting mtech this summer hopefully it's nbd
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03-21-2012, 07:44 PM	#15
twozzie Private 6 Rep 97 Posts Drives: X5 4.8i Xdrive Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: California iTrader: (1)	I had mine professionaly installed on my 2006 RR Sport and my 2009 535i. Both were done at Premier in Fremont.Checkout the site (http://www.premiermobilegroup.com/) as these guys do everything from my little rides to Buggati Veyrons and classic rides worth lots $$$. The line is only visible close up, it shines with the rest of the car (you have to wax it regularly with the paint). It never yellowed or ripped or anything and prevented stone chips etc. Clearly there are budget versions out there but I really suggest you check these guys out and see what they can do and what your potential dealer should be doing.
	Appreciate 0 Quote