ClearBra

[Logan00]

I did a search and couldn't find anything. The ClearBra, what is it and is it worth the cost? How often does it need to be changed? Can I remove it myself to clean? How often does it need cleaning? As you can see, I am looking for as much info as possible.

Is there anyone that has it and regretted getting it?

Thanks

[antzrus]

A ClearBra is a great idea...

[Logan00]

Not what I had in mind but I will take it

[antzrus]

Yeah, I thought you'd like it. Salma Hyek is one of my favorites. The clear bra on a car goes on to stay. It's clear so it gets dirty like the rest of the machine and then you just clean it along w/the car. It's applied permanently. But it can come off if you want-you just cannot replace it.

It protects the paint against most small rock chips-but it can get chipped itself. It does leave a discernible edge around its borders whereby car wax will build up leaving a white line of wax if not careful.

Some folks like-some don't. I'm only so-so in the likability index.

[Logan00]

Don't get me started on Ms. Salma Hayek

Thanks for the info, this helps. Does it usually get installed at the dealer or is it an aftermarket thing?

[antzrus]

Don't get me started on Ms. Salma Hayek

Thanks for the info, this helps. Does it usually get installed at the dealer or is it an aftermarket thing?

The clearbra is either dealer or aftermarket. Some have put it on themselves-but it is a pretty hairy experience from what others describe.

Yes, and then there is Salma Hayek:

[mazz]

i had a 2006 m35 that had 100k miles on it
the front end was nicked and scratched from rocks etc
i just bought a 2008 m35 and thought about this 3m plastic on the front
in chicago there are various places that specialize in this
pricing around 300 to 600 bucks
for the same money you can get the front end repaired in 2 or 3 years so i kept the money in my pocket and in a couple of years i will get bumber repainted
just my plan and I have a white car for whatever that matters
Mazz

[LVdennis]

I have a 3 M clear Bra, and couldn't be more pleased. I live in Las Vegas, and with the gravel trucks and crap continually hitting the car it looks like new. You can see it if you look real close. No one has mentioned it unless I tell them it's there. I recommend it and would do it again.
Good Luck
Dennis

[Logan00]

I have a 3 M clear Bra, and couldn't be more pleased. I live in Las Vegas, and with the gravel trucks and crap continually hitting the car it looks like new. You can see it if you look real close. No one has mentioned it unless I tell them it's there. I recommend it and would do it again.
Good Luck
Dennis

Can you tell me how much you paid to have it installed and whatever, if any, maintanence you have to do to it?

[LVdennis]

I had it installed at a Lexus dealership. I've included the site of the contractor that installed it. pro-tectfilm.com/Las-Vegas
Good Luck Dennis

[szh]

Check out www.stongard.com ... in case they have something nicely done for all our cars.

Z

[Theo]

I have a 3 M clear Bra, and couldn't be more pleased. I live in Las Vegas, and with the gravel trucks and crap continually hitting the car it looks like new. You can see it if you look real close. No one has mentioned it unless I tell them it's there. I recommend it and would do it again.
Good Luck
Dennis

Can you tell me how much you paid to have it installed and whatever, if any, maintanence you have to do to it?

They come in various forms/sizes , some cover more area of the front end (hood, mirrors,roof line, fenders) and others less. Cost varies accordingly.
you can buy the film and install it yourself for about $150 but it takes some skill and patience , it really isnt too difficult but it takes time.
I bought my film at invisiblemask.com

[Logan00]

I hope this isn't a stuipid question, but in the areas where you have the clearbra, do you or how do you wax the car? It just seems weird for me thinking about waxing the car itself as well as the plastic material.

[sergio1987]

BTW i got quoted about $800!!!!! so im definitely not doing it...

[Theo]

I hope this isn't a stuipid question, but in the areas where you have the clearbra, do you or how do you wax the car? It just seems weird for me thinking about waxing the car itself as well as the plastic material.

Yes you can wax it, helps the dirt and bugs come off easier.

[Theo]

BTW i got quoted about $800!!!!! so im definitely not doing it...

Tint King in the Toronto area charges about $400 for the larger kit installed, whoever quoted you $800 is nuts. the material only cost $200 max and my guess is it takes a pro about 3 hours to install. If you need a details on a shop that can do this PM me.

[MasterFoo]

I wish I had this before my trips to Atlantic City, my car got destroyed by rock chips.

[Em35X]

I had 3M put on my car (entire front, part of fenders, behind door handles, on mirrors).

It's amazing. I've put 17,000 miles a year for the last 3 years on my car driving about 45 miles to/from work every day on highways in the DC area and it's holding up perfectly. The front is pretty much immaculate. There are some tiny marks but they're in the 3M, not the bumper.

I think the stuff was 200-300. Installation cost me almost 500 though. Still worth it.

[Logan00]

Sounds like once I find the right place to get this done it is worth it.

[Em35X]

I would definitely say so.

There was already a bra on when I bought the car and the owner had it put on when he bought it. So between that and the one I had put on, the front and front-near sides of this car have literally never gone but a few miles without protection.

And I drive without a front license plate. Definitely worth the investment.

[Logan00]

Those of you that have the bra, how far up do you go, just the hood of the car and front lights or more?

Can anyone post a picture of their clearbra or even a before and after picture, I haven't noticed one in any of the pictures I have seen, unless I missed it.

[merlinq2]

BTW i got quoted about $800!!!!! so im definitely not doing it...

Don't mid me asking, but where did you get that quote. I have friend who just got a band new C663 AMG Bez and had a guy in Newmarket supply and install and Avery Denison product for 375. The guys did the leading edge of the hood, the rocker panels, and the mirrors for 375

[chemjim1]

The Clear Bra is not something you'd ever want to try to install yourself. Go to their (3M) website to see who installs the kit in your area. You will also be able to see the various kits and their prices that are available for your car. The installers charge for their labor (plus the kit). I have had 3 vehicles done (full frontage coverage with hood and bumper and grill + mirrors and behind wheel wells on one vehicle) - expect $500 to $600 total. Each installation by a professional took between 5 and 7 hrs. I have not had it done on my Infiniti however (had it done on a Vette, an Avalanche and a Camry - the Camry was the most difficult).

[Logan00]

Is there a reason you didn't do it to your Infiniti?

[chemjim1]

I do not drive the Infiniti that much (and it looks like new at 30K miles), hence the reason for not installing the clear bra. Remember: the bra is only as good as the installer. If he does a bad job - not aligned properly or air bubbles or not getting the dirt off or prepping areas before installing - it will show. Once it is on and dry, that's it - it cannot be moved around. It can be removed (but not reinstalled) if you ever want to take it off.

[Em35X]

God help anyone who tries to install this themselves and isn't a professional. It's absolutely absurd how long it takes and how careful you have to be to get it right. This is why it costs half a grand (at least) to get it done.

Logan, I'll post pics in a bit of mine so you can see how far it up goes.

Sometimes I wish I could get the entire car covered in this stuff, lol.

[lflorack]

I've had my 2011 M37x for just over a month now and am considering a clear bra for it. I checked online for authorized installers in the Rochester, NY area and there's only one. So I called and talked to them about having an installation on my new baby.

If I heard him right, to have the bumper, mirors, ~8" on the fenders, ~18" on the hood, rocker pannels (and I think) the door handle finger wells done, it was $799. A more comprehensive installation (full hood, full fenders, rear bumper and the rest already mentioned) is $1299. I'm not exactly sure what's covered (literlally) for what price because I called from work and it's distracting here sometimes. Anyway, it seems a bit more than the rest of you are paying so I'm going to go over to the shop soon to see exactly what they're providing for what price and I'll report back on pricing and if I've decided to get it done and to what level.

BTW, the M37x is Moonlight White/Java

[chemjim1]

I would not get the full coverage stuff for $1300. Your rear bumper gets bugs on it how? On a white car, I think the bra is quite a bit more noticeable. Full hood and full fenders is unnecessary. Part hood, part fenders (as you listed), bumper, grill (full front coverage are what most people get as that is most sensitive to bugs and stone chips). You can bargain on the installation price also - depends on how hungry the installers are. I was quoted $700 but said I'd consider $550 to be a fair price. You need to look at the 3M website to see exactly what coverages are available for your car and the prices for the film kits are listed right there also. The rockers are a single kit - I did not get them - though I did get the kit for behind my wheel wells on the Vette as it has very wide tires and I live on a gravel road (part of the time). If you live in a buggy area, then the film makes removing them much easier - as does the type of wax you use.

[lflorack]

I would not get the full coverage stuff for $1300. Your rear bumper gets bugs on it how? On a white car, I think the bra is quite a bit more noticeable. Full hood and full fenders is unnecessary. Part hood, part fenders (as you listed), bumper, grill (full front coverage are what most people get as that is most sensitive to bugs and stone chips). You can bargain on the installation price also - depends on how hungry the installers are. I was quoted $700 but said I'd consider $550 to be a fair price. You need to look at the 3M website to see exactly what coverages are available for your car and the prices for the film kits are listed right there also. The rockers are a single kit - I did not get them - though I did get the kit for behind my wheel wells on the Vette as it has very wide tires and I live on a gravel road (part of the time). If you live in a buggy area, then the film makes removing them much easier - as does the type of wax you use.

I certainly agree with you with the partial front end application. The rear bumper application is for being sloppy as you move things in/out of the trunk (prevent scratches) or because of bumping things while parking. Both of those things I can easily avoid.

[couzdog]

I have a 2011 M37x Liquid Platinum and had the 3M clear bra installed by an authorized dealer for $550.00 (negotiated). The dealer wanted $900.00! I went with the partial hood and fenders as well. Very happy and would do it again.