Clear Bra Film - comments?!!??!

[christalynn]

I am looking into buying a 2008 G35x Sedan in the Platinum Graphite color.

I currently own a 2003 BMW 330I w/the sports package. I fell in love with this car the 1st day I drove it - but it has 72,000 miles and I had to have the front end rebuilt at 62,000 and have had to replace other expensive items. I still love it - but I also have to face reality and probably give it up or keep pouring $$$ into it.

Anyway, my question is since the newer vehicles seem to have soft paint - or should I say - "water-based" paint instead of the good old "oil based" paint - does anyone recomend the clear 3m bra film?? I usually keep my cars at least 4 years. I don't want to make a mistake by not getting it and having chips. My husband has a 2007 Lexus ES350 and it has several chips - it's black - they don't clearcoat the black - but it still looks terrible after 8 months. He is getting the clear film installed after they are replacing his bumper for the 3rd time!

Any comments on the film? I have read the newer film is better.

[SVTCOBRA]

Welcome to Nico!

I would get the film now knowing how ez the bumper chips.

[smockers83]

The paint chips are my biggest gripe with the G, although I don't have any on the bumper. They're all on the hood. I would have entertained the idea had I known that and if the bra wrapped around the edges of body panels instead of stopping short.

[bublightyear]

before being repainted, the # of rock chips on the front were unbelievable. now i have the clear film and it definately has saved the paint. i'll admit the front doesn't look as good...never can get that really shiny look, but overall the good outweighs the bad for me.

[gwoods]

From as close as most people will see your car they will not see the chips or the bra.

If I could go back and do it again I would have had the dealership install the clear bra on my G.

[hullio]

The clearbra is one of the best investments you can make. I have one on my G35 and it sure is doing a good job of keeping rocks out of my paint .

[soul_hfk]

i would get the bra or chip city

[joe603]

Another option is to paint the front clip. I had mine redone, and it is MUCH more resilient to chips and scratches!

[ACoupe]

I had the clear bra installed when I bought the Coupe. SO far, so good!Plus it can be waxed!

[ArizonaG35]

WELCOME TO NICOCLUB!

I would definately buy the clear bra for a new G... My dealer quoted me around $750 to install so I decided to go the more frugal route and bought the 3M kit off ebay for about $125. I installed myself but had some complications with installing the bumper portion. Since they're are so many curves and lines in the bumper section, I had to trash the original bumper section and had the manufacturer send me a new 3M bumper portion. Realizing that I had been bested by this 3ft piece of plastic, I ended up spending another $100 to have a professional tinter install the remaining portion. All in all I came in way under what the dealer would have charged me, but it was a little bit of a PITA.

Shop around and see if you can get the best price for installation. Don't go for cheap imitation material though... I did a lot of research on this and many people told me to ONLY use 3M material as some of the cheaper material tends to turn yellow or peels away over time.

I absolutely love the bra as it has protected my paint from many scratches and rock chips. Well worth the investment! Good luck!Dave

[christalynn]

Thanks - that is good to know. Although I will not like seeing the line across the hood - but todays paint is crap - I guess on all cars. It is such a shame!

[Cali 2 Balti G]

If you don;t like the line across the hood - cover the whole hood. The G is relatively low with a long hood - so IMO the whole hood should be covered anyway.

[ObsidianGT]

The Infiniti finance director was the one who spoke me about the invisible guard clear bra option. She strongly suggested against it on a black car because it leaves some sort of permanent line across the middle of the hood. Not just the line from the bra itself, but I guess the paint will whittle away on that part while the part behind the bra stays OK.

Does anyone else have an opinion on pairing a black G37 with this clear bra product?


Modified by ObsidianGT at 7:15 PM 4/22/2008

[tollboothwilley]

You might as well put the clear bra on the whole hood and bumper if you're gonna do it. You won't have to worry about the lines.

I just had mine repainted, very few paint chips now. Paint is better when not factory.