Clear bra on Pearl White

natv

I've seen various recommendations here to get a clear bra (i.e 3m Ventureshield) as soon as possible after buying your car.

I called a place that does it (they are about a 30 min drive from me so I have't seen this on any cars yet) and asked them how it would look on a pearl white, the guy did say that it shows more on pearl white than other colors.


Anyone here have a clear bra on a pearl white? I'm concerned not only about the lines showing but also I've read it makes the car look dull.

Zero dark

I got my front bumper done with 3m. You dont see it unless u get portion of hood done vs the whole hood. Its pricey but my bumper is worth it for piece if mind. I got a rock chip before clear bra under 1k miles

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cooltoy

I have Xpel film, full hood and fenders, no lines to be visible.

From research I have done Xpel is the way to go.

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Zipper 104

Xpel here as well.
Have to look hard to find lines.....dull? Nope.
I suggest you go full hood or you will see a line, although I think PW shows lines the least.

XPel and C-Quartz Finest


104

alcheng

3M Ventureshield here, partial hood and full bumper.

no line shown unless you look closely.

recommend to wax the shield to prevent it from turning yellow.

cdumitru78

I got Xpel as well on my Pearl white. Its been on it for over a year, and it still looks great.

Fxstbi

What do you guys use to polish your Xpel material?

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cooltoy

"How is care of XPEL ULTIMATE different than other films?"

XPEL ULTIMATE Paint Protection Film requires less maintenance than any other brand of film on the market. Our general care instructions are:

• Wait 48 hours after installation to wash your car
• Remove insect or other stains with bug and tar remover
• Stubborn stains can be removed with 99% isopropyl alcohol or lacquer thinner. Take care to keep these chemicals off the vehicle’s paint
• Seal with XPEL Flawless Finish Paint Protection Film Sealant at least once every 3 months to preserve high gloss
• Light scratches in the film will self-heal in 20-30 minutes at room temperature. In colder conditions, or to accelerate the process, pour warm water (120°F) over the affected area

"Can I wax the film when I wax the rest of the car?"

Unlike most paint protection films on the market, XPEL ULTIMATE Paint Protection film can be waxed and sealed just like your paint. Though XPEL Flawless Finish Paint Protection Film Sealant is still the preferred product, Any automotive wax or sealant may be used.

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Zipper 104

Interesting. My installer said to use Car Pro 'Reload'. Technically it was developed to put over C Quartz, but he said to do the whole car with it very now and then. I'll look for the XPEL stuff.

104

lgarcia

3M on mine for over a year in the Florida sun/weather... no issues, no discoloration, you cannot see that it is there unless you go looking for it. I wax it when I wax the car, I find it very easy to clean.

jshare1

XPEL Ultimate FTW, and I highly discourage any bikini cut. Owned my Z about a week and had it installed and will never skip doing this on future purchases. Worth every penny, bugs wipe right off. I drive a lot back home to NY from MD and 6k in have no rock chips or signs of highway wear.
Like the other post Id agree, get a nice paint correction performed first then sealed with something such as C-Quartz and you will not notice the film unless youre right against the panel.
Something I would suggest that my installer voluntarily did was the leading edges on the mirrors but also about an 8inch strip on the roof, the only line visible on the entire install but apparently worth it with how low our cars are

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cooltoy

Oh yeah my mirrors are covered too.

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MacCool

3M Scotchguard clear bra on my Pearl White Z about 18 months ago. It was a kit, hood is lower third, mirrors are done as well as rocker panels and door kick panels. It's fantastic. No, it doesn't show on white anymore than any other color as long as you take care to remove the wax buildup along the seam on the hood - a simple wipe with a microfiber towel will do it. Protects against rock chips, I suppose, but I am particularly fond of the ability to simply wipe the bugs off, and the fact that it prevents etching of the clear coat from the bug guts. Definitely worth the $600.

natv

Thanks guys, XPEL does look much better with it's self-healing ability and its warranty.

I can see this getting very expensive, the local authorized installer is closed today but they have pricing on their web site (for the kits only, labor is additional) and wow this can add up to to a lot, especially if I do the full hood.

Without labor, a partial Hood, Fender and Mirror Kit is $269.95, but the kit with the Full hood, full fender and mirror is close to $1000, and then I'd still need the bumper kit which is $439.00.

So basically would be looking at $1439 for full hood/fenders/bumper + whatever installation costs \O/

Or with the bikini hood/fenders and bumper, $720 + installation.


ouch

MacCool

Mine was $620 installed for the bumper , front part of the fenders, front part of the hood, mirrors, door sills, and rocker panels.. This was from the local mega-body shop. The installer did an excellent job. I chose the coverage based on the rock chips and bug staining that I saw on my previous Z without clear bra. The coverage on this one so far, 6500 miles, has been perfect, with not a single rock chip or bug etching on any painted surface.

Clear bra is a great idea, but it's not worth $1439 + installation. I wouldn't pay even half that. But, if you look around I suspect you won't have to.