3M Clearbra

[stejus]

Can anyone tell me if they had theirs done at the dealer? What's the estimated cost to do the entire front end? I want to negotiate this in and need an estimate?

Would anyone advise not getting it for any reason, like it fades or dulls...

[DC G-Man]

A local company that tints windows and has aftermarket parts near me (DC area) quoted about $500.00 to have it done to my new G front end, fenders and mirrors.

It would be nice to protect the paint from stones etc. but heard its a mess if you want to ever get it off and can get a little ugly looking after the years esp. the edges.

Im considering the real removable nose cover for the long hauls and highway driving. Theres a lot of pretty paint on the front to get messed up.

Good luck!

[mikek]

Im considering the real removable nose cover for the long hauls and highway driving. Theres a lot of pretty paint on the front to get messed up.Good luck!

Hey G Whiz, I'd be careful with those "leather" Bras. I will never use them again. Nothing but problems, humidity and rain fades and ruins the paint. turns the paint splotchy. If you're gonna use it for highway driving and and then remove it it will be fine but I don't recommend them for long term use!

[DC G-Man]

Thanks Mike, Had one for my Black GSR. Used it on long trips and some Highway driving. Heard it could damage the paint with it on alot and get dirt scratches around the edges.

I think the one that comes with the G stops short of the hood so a nick on the flat is possible. You cant protect yourself from every stone thrown at you, but those bug guts are a pain to get off!

Thanks for the heads up, I think there is a late availability on the "Pleather" vinyl nose cover anyway. With the awesome G37 steering control though who needs it, Im dodging every wayward stone and Kamakazi bug headed my way! WOOHOO!

[Catashep]

I had the 3M Stoneguard for $350. I pushed to get it done fast so wasn't in a position to negotiae too much. I had it for 5yrs on my Altima and when I inspected before sale, no chips on hood and no chips on clear bra !!! I totally advise getting it. My G37 is Platinum Graphite and the bra is less detectable than on my silver Altima.....go for it !!

[DC G-Man]

BMW offers it and remember seeing it on either a black or dark car. Its noticable on them but if you dont mind seeing the edge and a slight different look in the sun light, its definitely worth it. On light cars esp. silvers its probobly barely noticeable...... send pix when its on!

$350.00 is that in Canadian?, I was quoted $500.00 with I believe 5 pieces for two quarter panels, two mirrors, and a front end. Heck its worth the trip to Canada for that much off....but the dollar sucks right now!

[Cali 2 Balti G]

This is not the 3M brand but you get the picture.

[DC G-Man]

Nice Pics Cali, would like to see it on something black after a number of years.

Did you get it done before the X-country trip?

Whats the deal with washing and waxing with that stuff?

Hope these days have been good for the rides!

CU

[Catashep]

Yes...$350 Canadian done thru dealer. My car has been sitting at the airport in TO all week and what I don't know is if the bra is anywhere but the hood, top of fenders, and flare on quarter panels. I did not notice it on the mirrors but will check it out and let you know.

[Cali 2 Balti G]

Nice Pics Cali, would like to see it on something black after a number of years.

Did you get it done before the X-country trip?

Whats the deal with washing and waxing with that stuff?

Hope these days have been good for the rides!

CU

The bra was installed by the 1st owner - I bought the car in Cali and then drove it back to Baltimore. When I get a chance I will post a pic of how the front of my car looked after the 2600 mile trip.

I can't be certain how long the bra was on before I bought the car - but I'm assuming it has been on for at least a couple of years.

I haven't waxed my car yet (just got it in May). In general the bra-ed areas are no harder to clean than the rest of the car.

[Cali 2 Balti G]

This is how your car looks after a cross country roadtrip.



As you can see the front has basically been obliterated. The bra made the front end eaiser to clean and withstood stuff that may have caused chips without the bra.

[DC G-Man]

Dude, Definitely worth having on the cross country! Just washed and put some zymol on my black on black....I got some mean birds at work that know I got a new car. I swear they eat sulfuric acid berries!

I think one crap may have them permanently scarred the hood. Washed it and still see the outline. Rubbed it with the clay bar and still there....dam birds!

anyway this thread is about the 3M.... It looks like there are some areas on the car with it already. like right behind the door at the rocker panel forward the rear wheel well. Stone area, it may be different on non sport models. There also appears to be one on the door sill area. I can see the edges of it.

Wax did collect at the edge but cleaned off pretty well.

Man your picture is a good reason to get the 3M stone guard film!

[carman63]

I think all G37s come with the plastic film back near the rear wheel wells. My dealer wanted $900 for the clearbra. Way too steep.

For me, it's akin to someone buying a brand new truck and installing a bed liner to protect the bed. I don't know if anyone's ever removed a bed liner, but if you did you'd see oxidation (water seepage, dew buildup), scuff marks (the liner does move a bit), and dirt. So the bed isn't protected at all, really. Makes more sense to put one on right before you sell/trade the truck, so the bed looks 'new'.

I know a lot of people that have put the clearbra on, but I've never heard of anyone removing it. So it basically becomes a permanent fixture on your car. And it 'could' yellow. It will definitely show dirt around the edges, over time. And it can potentially get scuffed from rocks/birds, like paint. And I don't know if the paint being protected will fade/age any slower/faster than the unprotected paint, so if you remove the clearbra will the paint match?

Bottom line: If you want short-term protection, buy a nose mask and use it for road trips. Just don't leave it on the car permanently. Or, what I've seen on some cars for trips to car shows - you guessed it! - blue 3M painter's tape! Looks silly, but it's effective.

My .02 worth, and my opinion only. YMMV.

[G35autocrosser]

Why would adding the clear bra be any different than what comes stock on the car at the front bumper and near the rear tires. I assume they wouldn't put something on that would yellow or cause issues. Does anyone know if that is the same material?

[Cali 2 Balti G]

I think all G37s come with the plastic film back near the rear wheel wells. My dealer wanted $900 for the clearbra. Way too steep.

For me, it's akin to someone buying a brand new truck and installing a bed liner to protect the bed. I don't know if anyone's ever removed a bed liner, but if you did you'd see oxidation (water seepage, dew buildup), scuff marks (the liner does move a bit), and dirt. So the bed isn't protected at all, really. Makes more sense to put one on right before you sell/trade the truck, so the bed looks 'new'.

I know a lot of people that have put the clearbra on, but I've never heard of anyone removing it. So it basically becomes a permanent fixture on your car. And it 'could' yellow. It will definitely show dirt around the edges, over time. And it can potentially get scuffed from rocks/birds, like paint. And I don't know if the paint being protected will fade/age any slower/faster than the unprotected paint, so if you remove the clearbra will the paint match?

Bottom line: If you want short-term protection, buy a nose mask and use it for road trips. Just don't leave it on the car permanently. Or, what I've seen on some cars for trips to car shows - you guessed it! - blue 3M painter's tape! Looks silly, but it's effective.

My .02 worth, and my opinion only. YMMV.

Your truck bed example makes no sense. A DROP-IN Liner will have some paint rub - but overall will protect the bed much better than nothing at all. The first time you slide a washing machine etc accross the bed you will know what I mean.

Your option of leaving the bed unprotected and then installing a Drop-In liner right before you sell makes less sense - because all the new buyer will have to do is lift up the liner to see the damaged bed.

The clear bra will likely cause a slight difference in paint color once removed - but it will still be original paint. So yeah you could not protect the front and then repaint it when you resell - but I don't know many people that will want to spend several hundred dollars painting a car to resell it. And the definitely be a difference between the new paint and the 5 year old paint on the rest of the car. Also paint is usually an indication of collision damage in other words a red flag to potential buyers.

Good Luck

[Eticket]

..on the clear protective film,.. discussed it with my salesman, he said that long term the paint underneath stays pretty much a match to the rest of the car. The ones I have seen that have been on for some time appeared to to not have changed the color of the car...I used the "blue tape" on my Ford Powerstroke (white) hood and it left faint marks on the from blowing loose. I will not use that again..

[ArizonaG35]

Stejus,

Just wanted to chime in and let you know that I have heard nothing but great things about the 3M clear bras. I was like you and very frustrated with the HIGH costs of the dealers offer to install $1,000.00!!!! I'm no sucker so I decided to check it out on my own and even local tint shops wanted over $800 for the 3M clear bra... after much shopping, I found this company on ebay that will cut a perfect 3M clear bra for your G for about $165.00 with instructions and tools to install... I just ordered it for my car and I'll be installing it this weekend... I don't know how difficult the installation is going to be, but I'm pretty handy so I should be able to make it work... I'll post pics when I get it on the car and let you know how it looks. In the meantime, you can check out this seller on ebay at

http://stores.ebay.com/Clear-D...QtZkm

Anything to protect your paint will be a good investment in the long run...