Clear Bra installers in Toronto/Vaughan area?
 

Hey guy,

I am wondering were i can get a good quality clear bra installed around here. I already have quotes and that from 3M canada. However alot of people are saying to stay away from 3M because it discolors and it has an orange peel look to it...

??
thx

Hey guys. Just thought I would tickle this one. I just took delivery on a '10 Black Rose and am looking to have a clear bra package installed as well. Anyone have a good experience with a GTA area install? Thanks!

I just had mine done at Thornhill Tints in Richmond Hill. Did the whole front end, A pillars, rearview mirrors and and rocker panels. It is not the cheapest but I'm pleased with their venture shield installation and window tinting. Richard, the owner gets a lot of business from the local car dealers and he has been doing this for quite a number of years. Google search for more info. The other shops I enquired are Audio Heaven in Richmond Hill and another shop in NewMarket. After my forum research on thus topic, I decided on VentureShield . Prolly went over the top for so much paint protection but I intend to keep my Z for a long time.

Thanks Susu. Has anyone heard of these guys:

Invisible Paint Protection Film - Diamond Shield Clear Protective Film

When my dealer was researching, he contacted this company, based in Rochester. They use local installers and have 370z specific kits. I haven't hear of them before, so thought I would check with the group.

There are 3 main factors that you should consider when choosing where to have your PPF installed. 1. Clarity of film 2. Design of the kit (pre-cut and custom) 3. Quality of the installation

Have a look at some of the cars that I've done recently.
SpeedMerchants

^^^ Very nice work!, If I had known what I know now I would not have got it done at the dealer, rather I would have come to you!!!

P.S I Pmed you a question

hey all, just want to say i got mine done at Audio Heaven (mentioned above), been there a few times with 3 different cars and they do a great job. reasonable prices also.

Hey all. Just thought I would update this one. Had mine done today at 3M Trim-line of Metrowest in Mississauga. I'm really happy with the results - the guys seem to have done a great job. Went with partial hood, full bumper and mirror caps.

Thanks for the post. What did they charge you?

Partial hood/fenders, full bumper, mirror caps = $700 + taxes

Took it back about a month later and had the area right behind/under the doors done. That was the first Z they had done in that specific area, so they used mine as the template. $75 + taxes.

Still very satisfied with the job they did on both installs.

Thanks for the info. Going to look into it soon as we all know dump-truck season is coming soon.

I also had mine done at Audio Heaven. Full Hood, Full front end, A pillars, mirrors, Rocker panels, and bottom of rear bumper. It was a big job and they did it perfectly. It was all custom cut, not a kit. I had a slight lift on one of the fangs - went back and they did it again, no questions asked! If you search the net, these guys have a stellar reputation. Plus, I like the product - venturesheild. You can't see it on the car at all and I think it's a better product than 3M.

Thanks for the info, there is somebody local east of the GTA that I going to check out as well.

I got a quote from Jeff @ Audio Heaven for front fascia, partial hood & fender, mirror caps and partial lower rocker panel.
He quoted me $1200 for the work. Seems a little high to what some of the other guys where paying out there. I know you had a little more work done than what I am looking at, but I would like to gauge his price a little.

Also it will take about a day to complete - so give him 8 hours of work and a couple hours for prep = $1200 / 10 hours = $120 / hr ( nice shop rate) :icon14:

That sounds about right considering what I paid. Don't forget the $1200 includes the materials too. It's not as simple as dividing it by $1200.

Yes, there were other cheaper places around, but I really wanted Jeff's product, ventureshield. Also, after ready all his reviews on other forums, I also wanted an installer I knoew I wouldn't have a single issue with. As I mentioned before, right after the install, a piece lifted and they replaced it without a single question.

I'm a fair believer in the profecy "you get what you pay for", and I will fork out a few extra dollars for a shop I am certain I will have no issues with.

You can go elsewhere and save a few $100, but will you get the ventureshield (some are perfectly happy with 3M - not me) and will you get a perfect install?

I want the venture shield as well. I meet with Jeff to show him exactly what I wanted and we agreed on a fair price. I am getting it installed on monday afternoon.

Thanks for the feedback

So I got the Venture Shield installed yesterday. They used a pre-cut kit for the job and I have to say the fascia and hood look awesome. I had them apply a partial fender and mirror cap. These did not turn out as good.
The kit for the partial fender is about 3/4 of an inch from the edge of the wheel opening and the mirror cap is a 2pc design. The 2 pieces line-up most the way across, but you can see it.

I am going to give a few days to see how they settle and then go back to Jeff to get them re-done. He said that if I was not happy with the work, they would re-do it.

I searched the forum albums to try and compare, but didn't see things that I have. Do you have any pics of your mirror cap and fender pieces?

I'll post some pics of the work to get your opinion.

Here are some photos of the install.

Hi 1SweetZ

The install looks good. My mirror was done in one piece. I wish it would cover right up to the black plastic but it looks like the important area is protected. My fenders are fully covered with the edges rolled so there is no visible lines whatsoever (no point showing a pic of that). I've attached a pic of my mirror since you were looking for examples.

Thanks for the feedback. I know it would be hard to get a full on piece mirror cap to stretch on all those 3D contours.

My mirror cap is the same as the one pictured. It simply can't be stretched all the way.

I looked at the pics of your install, and I had a few of those bubbles under mine and they all disappeared after seeing the sun.

As for my entire install, it was not a kit. All the pieces were cut and installed from a sheet. I know, cause I watched it being done. My installer, Art, told me he didn't like kits for the very reason you stated. They don't always fit perfectly. One of the things I insisted on when choosing an installer was that it was not a kit and all pieces were custom cut and fitted. My mirrors are one piece but don't go all the way to edge, like the pic above. All fenders, rocker panels etc go perfectly to the edge and even wrap slightly under it. You cannot see edges of film anywhere because I did the entire area and wrapped it underneath. For example, I did the entire hood and had the film wrapped under the edges. Expensive - yep - but you can't see a line! It was extremely important to me that the film remain completely invisible.

I sure hope Audio Heaven hasn't gone to kits. One of the reasons I liked them so much was the fact they custom cut. I wonder if they have a new installer? Mabe Art isn't there anymore and whoever the new guy is prefers kits.

There's actually nothing wrong with having a digitally cut kit installed on your car. You have to realize that the kits are usually designed by an installer and then digitized to fit on the the various width rolls that are available.

Most of the time when a shop or installer "only" does custom kits they don't want to invest in a plotter and the software which can be quite costly depending on the size of the machine and program that is used.
I have a 40 inch plottter which cost almost $9000.

I'll do custom pieces only when the template isn't available or they are full panels. For example; full hood, full fenders headlights or full doors.

You have to be able to install the product efficiently otherwise the business won't be very profitable.

The edge is peeling slightly...you should have them trim it before it gets worse.

Thanks Elysium

I just got it done last week and was just giving it a chance to settle in. I will take your advice and have them look at trimming it.

Audio heaven has a plotter and they use it for their tint plots. Every plotter install I have seen.....without exception, leaves gaps.

Reed installed my bra and I believe he brought the kit. I had it out today in the sunlight and the hood and fascia look amazing. Still not crazy with the fenders or the mirror caps. I might leave the mirror caps alone and take the full protection of the kit versus one piece that cannot cover the entire cap.

When I can get a chance to get back to T.O, I will have jeff cut a custom piece for the fender.
Jeff's customer service is outstanding and would still highly recommend him.

Any guy who says "if you're not happy, bring it back and I'll fix it" understands how to do business. He proved that to me buy reapplying some areas and as a result, he'll get all my future business and recommendations.

As for the mirrors, something to consider. If you get one piece, they can't cover the entire mirror because of the curve. So, as was shown in the previous picture, you will end up with a line all the way across it where the wrap ends. Not really any different than theline you show where the two pieces meet. You however have the benefit of full coverage. One place the kit cut may be better.

I guess the other thing with plotters and kits is they can be programmed to cut the pieces to fit exactly to the edges. Wonder why so many leave a gap?

Most software programs give you the option of extending the edges so you can wrap the film around the edges, at least mine does.

Gaps will also vary depending on on the installer as well which is actually the most important factor when choosing where to go for this service.

You also have to consider that there are limitations to how much the film will stretch and while having the adhesive stay intact

Does the film expend when exposed to heat? I gotta figure the adhesive holds the film.
The installer did mention that he left a gap to allow it to settle in and the lines should knit together.

Got mine done today, Audio Heaven
 

Just had mine done today at Audio Heaven. Partial hood, bumper and fender. Jeff is very nice and offer good service, he finished the whole job under 5 hours, and the job was done nicely too.

Only one drawback is the color, my car is the pearl white, so I can see the bra is a tad yellowish, especially on the hood, cos you can compare the difference right away, and it does take away the shininess of the white powder coat.

I will see how does the kit survive later, but the service from Jeff is exceptional!!!

I'll say the bra work well on all colors EXCEPT white.

cheers

Thats not good. Maybe they've changed film or the manufacturer is doing something different with the product. I have my entire hood wrapped and you cannot tell at all until your are about 2 feet away staring at and looking. If you werent specifically looking for the wrap, you would nver see it on my car. Most people are surprised when they find out its there.

And yes - mine is pearl white.

Maybe you have the entire hood wraped, so the difference is not that obvious.

The yellowish color (lower portion of the pic) is pretty obvious.

How much did Audio Heaven charge you if you don't mind me asking?

Partial Hood, Fender X2 and Full Bumper = $750 + tax

About a 5 hrs job.

WOW - I can't believe how noticable that is. I have parts where the film stops and starts on the rear of the car and it does not look like that.

I wrapped my entire front end, hood, front quarters, A pillars, rocker panels and bottom of the rear bumper. You don't see changes in the colour anywhere.

Yes, you feel the film is a bit too yellowish too, I am thinking about should I talk to Jeff first or contact 3M first.

May be talk to Jeff first is a better way......

3M? I know Jeff switched installers but did he switch suppliers too? My car was done at Audio Heaven with Ventureshield. That's one of the reasons I went there. After looking at a number of cars, I decided against 3M. Is Audio Heaven using 3M now?

I thought 3M made both:

VentureShield? 3M US

I asked for VentureShield too, and he did put 'VentureShield' on the invoice.

You are right, 3M does own both brands. The bought Ventureshield when they realised it was beomming serious competition to them. The still market them differently though. I always forget Ventureshield is now under 3M's control.

To me, somethings not right with your wrap if it's yellowish and noticeable right after the intall.

Talked with Jeff, explained the concern to him, and he is as nice as usual and offer me an inspection on the shield, gonna drop by his store on Wed. Will keep this updated!

cheers

BTW, Dizzy, when did you have yours done??