ClearMask Paint Protection (Clear Bra) Installation
 

It is that time. I researched these quite a bit before I went downrange and on my way home I pulled the trigger. I went with ClearMask. They co-designed a film with 3M and is supposed to be user friendly. I have some experience with window tinting and vinyl graphics. I know this is not the easiest thing to do or people would not be charging $$$ for installation.

I am stationed in Germany and I did not even bother to search around for an installer. I figured $260 was worth the effort. Plus I like a good challenge!

I just want to share my experience with others so if they are thinking about trying it out for themselves they can. I will post an update after I get it installed. Any tips or comments welcome :)

Here is the link to the kit: http://www.clearmask.com/
(it also includes installation supplies, headlight protection and door guards when you add it to your cart)

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/s...DSC01277-1.jpg

Update #1
ok, well I started on the bra tonight right after I got back from getting the windows tinted. I figured since it will need to cure I might as well do it all at once.

First off, I am very pleased with how easy this kit is to install. It is way easier than window tinting IMO. I got done with the hood, fenders, and A pillars tonight. I will finish up the rest tomorrow.

If anyone is thinking about trying this out and are mechanically inclined it is really easy. Just make sure you read the instructions, watch the videos, and take any tips they include for their specific material. Also, make sure you keep everything clean and well organized. It makes for a easier install.

Here are some pics. You can only see it from a certain angle. The A pillar is completely invisible and the fender is really hard to see.

Cleaned and prepped for install.
http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/s...y/DSC01307.jpg

Hood after install (top view)
http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/s...y/DSC01308.jpg

Hood after install (side view)
http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/s...y/DSC01310.jpg

Separating the rest of the kit.
http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/s...y/DSC01311.jpg

Finished!
 

Update# 2

Well I finally finished the bra today. I had to do the mirrors, roof cap, bumper, fang section, and headlights.

The most challenging pieces were the headlights! There are so many curves! I actually got them to work though. I did modify them slightly. I cut out the section where the orange reflector is. This helped them go on way easier.

I thought the bumper was going to be the hardest part and it actually turned out to be really easy. Time consuming, but easy non the less.

I am just going to let is cure for a couple of days along with the fresh window tint I just got. I will make another update later on after wash and wax to see how everything holds up.

Overall I am very pleased. If you have tried window tinting you can do this no problem. It is way easier and more forgiving. I know with more practice I could do these on the side for some $$$.

Don't hesitate to contact me if you are interested in trying this for yourself. :tiphat:

PS- for anyone stationed in Germany:

I noticed a banner for venturesheild they had and asked if they did clear bras. They said it is way to expensive so they don't even mess with it. I was told by the tint shop I used that they would have to charge around 900 euro.

700 miles and still looking good! No edges pulling up or blemishes. Still looks great! I use plexus to clean it and when I wax the car I go right over the clear bra also. I use Meguiar's NXT Generation liquid wax.

If anyone did there own clear bra feel free to chime in to this thread :tup:

Great writeup and challenge to boot! Did you have a helper?

So would you claybar then wax the car before putting this film on? Is there any special way to clean the car once is intsalled?

Yes, you definitely clay bar before installation; even polish out the vehicle, but no wax. I use Plexus on the clear bra portions and normal wax on the rest of the car.

:iagree:

I also use plexus on the bra but I also put wax on it like the rest of the car. my car was brand new when I did it. It had around 10 miles I think? I did not clay the car myself, but if you want that added security go for it. Most installers I researched never clayed the car.

As for cleaning, when I wash the car I do it all by hand. I am also careful with the seams of the bra. I have not had to use a toothbrush to clean the seam with yet. I sealed the fim pretty good I must say.

I installed it in my garage and I would bring it out to bake in the sun and then take it back in the garge later in the day. I would go back over the edges to seal them when the car was warm. I did this for a couple of days. I did not even drive the car for a week. I had my windows tinted the same time so It all cured together

oh yea, and I did all this myself. I thought I would need a helper, but the soap solution was all I needed to hold one end. The clear bra is really forgiving.

I've been looking for a DIY on clear bra. I did my roof and rear valence with vinyl so I figured it was something that might be worth a try. Do you know if they sell kits for the whole length of the hood? I could only find precut kits that leave seams.

Ideally I would prefer to just buy a blank roll and cut it but the shortest roll I could find was 50' at a grand a piece.

Great job btw and thanks for the write up.

Here is the only place I could find when I was thinking about doing the same thing. (http://www.cleardefender.com/invisib...wide-22814.php)
I still don't think the roll is wide enough to prevent the seam. Let me now what you find out. I would consider redoing my hood if the price is right :)

I did not like the idea of the seam but I had to try this first before I just jumped into a full coverage kit. If you did the vinyl with ease this will be even easier to do. It is very forgiving and stretchy. Mine still looks as good as the day I installed it. Good luck :tup:

I did some measuring and it looks like a 58X5would fit the hood. Try to measure yours and see what you come up with. It looks like if I measured correctly then it would only be $180. I think I will redo my hood soon :)

Just a heads up. ClearMask is VentureShield film. I used to install their film and know the owner Jim very well. They are pretty good guys down there but I have been just buying ventureShield Ultra straight out as opposed to going through them. Looks like you did a good job on your install. I can tell from looking that you used a little too much soap in your slip solution... the water should still be clear. Also to seal your edges down the best way to do it is by using a heat gun... or a hair dryer will work also. Simply pressing the edges down while the car is warm is not hot enough to properly seal them. I can tell you that if you dont heat it with a hairdryer that within 6 months the edges will be lifting and you will have a very visible dirt line under the film. White is a must for heat sealing... trust me on this. So before you go much longer take the car in and heat the edges then press them down with a hard card. That will save you in the long run.

By the way I was in the Air Force 15 years and got out two years ago to do clear braas full time. I was a 1C6 while I was in. Always good to see another Air Force member on the forums. If you ever have any questions about your clear bra please let me know. I will be happy to help you out.

Thom

Thanks for the tips! I did not realize they were both the same film. I was impressed with the ease of installation. I guess I did not mention in my previous post, but I did actually go over the edges with a heat gun and a hard card with a shop towel paper towel. I did it about three different times to make sure I got a good seal.

I am thinking about redoing the hood with a full piece. I would just buy a bulk sheet and wrap the edges. Any tips on wrapping edges and using bulk sheets?

15 years huh, 5 more and you could of had your pension :)

Update #3

Well, the bra is holding up just fine. The edges are all perfect. I will not be driving the car in thw winter moths so I will not be able to report on it but I can say this has been well worth it!

I have had my car up to 140mph on the Autobahn and not one paint chip :rock:

Does the front bumper sheet come as a single piece or smaller pieces?