What do people think of Clear Bra Paint Protection?

AutoPaintGuar · 03-25-2010, 06:16 PM

Long day, finally got a good roll of 60" film to finish the car.

Not many people use clearshield due to the fact it is very hard to install especially compared to Venture. Venture is a lot easier to install and takes less time. Clearshield you have to use a fabric steamer to soften the film. Clearshield also doesn't have the marketing money as 3M does.

I'm also the 3M Trainer for the Southeast so I train my competition in Florida.

I work with all of the films literally every day and have to admit they are not all perfect, but from doing over 4000 cars 3M and Clearshield have well out lasted the competition. I have to admit though clearshield holds up a little better as it's clear coat is non poris which doesn't allow oils and waxes to dye the film. All of the other films are poris which eventually turn the films yellow. I like them all, I personally have better luck with using 3M/clearshield for durability and Venture on garage queen cars. Other parts of the country may have different results.

I'm not trying to argue, glad you have great success with Venture. I wish I could use venture all of the time, it looks great, and it is easy to install, I just get tired of the phone calls 3 months later asking how to remove scratches and HATE re-doing cars especially for free.

Thanks

steveg78 · 03-25-2010, 06:37 PM

Damn that's a bad *** lookin car. Looks great and this thread should be made a sticky!

rbratton · 03-26-2010, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AutoPaintGuar

For every day drivers, I only recommend my customers the films that have the best warranty and that are easy for the customer to clean. 3M and Clearshield doesn't scratch and if treated and cleaned correctly 3M doesnt' turn yellow. [/url]

I have 4 years experience installing paint protection film and have used most films on the market. The gentlemen quoted above is correct about venture's film lacking durability, but I have to disagree with his comment about 3M's film resistance to yellowing. The pictures below were taken of a Corvette with 3M film right at 2 years after installation. This car is well maintained, garaged, and rarely driven. My customer's father had an identical car with the same problem. I replaced the film on both cars with Xpel film and both are very happy with the results. I'd like to point out that my company installed both the 3M film and the Xpel film on both of these Corvettes.

Don't get me wrong, 3M does make a good product, but Xpel's is better. After a few years using the 3M film, we switched to Xpel and have never looked back.

3M has a 5 year warranty; Xpel has a 7 year warranty (both pay for labor and materials). Xpel's film has much less orange peel and is a much more forgiving film to work with during installation. As a result, the film installs easier and a good installer will have very few cosmetic blemishes that often happen when installing 3M film.

What really sets Xpel apart from the 3M film is that they have an entire system for installation and care of the film. Instead of using water and soap as slip solution like 3M teaches (they may have changed this; I'm not really sure), Xpel makes an installation gel that is far superior for installers to utilize. Additionally, Xpel offers a finishing solution that is applied immediately after the film installation that fills the film pores with a polymer to prevent discoloration. They also have ppf sealant, that is applied periodically like a wax, that contains the same polymer to ensure the film stays sealed and looking great for an extremely long time. Additionally, these products are inexpensive and simple to use.

schrute · 03-26-2010, 11:41 AM

Related question for those that know more about this stuff than I do - I need to remove a couple pieces of clearbra, switching to a vinyl overlay in flat black in a couple places. What is the best way for a novice to remove this stuff. Heat gun then peel?

rebe945 · 03-26-2010, 05:04 PM

Thanks for the idea guys, I'm somewhat anal about my 370. Rich

rbratton · 03-27-2010, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schrute

Related question for those that know more about this stuff than I do - I need to remove a couple pieces of clearbra, switching to a vinyl overlay in flat black in a couple places. What is the best way for a novice to remove this stuff. Heat gun then peel?

No heat gun! Lift an edge, grasp and pull firmly at a low angle toward the edge you lifted. The tension will pull the film from the panel. You should not peel toward the edge opposite of the lifted edge to minimize risk of pulling paint. Pulling paint is however uncommon. Remove any adhesive residue with goo gone or the like.

AutoPaintGuar · 03-27-2010, 07:19 AM

Hello. I've been with Xpel for going on 10 years now. Know the manufacturer that makes the film and have done some r&d with the adhesives. They make awesome patterns as well as Proform. Great company, hopefully the stock will turn around soon.

zlance · 03-29-2010, 11:04 AM

Hey, AutoPaintGuar did my clearbra last week on my new Pearl White 370Z. He is a perfectionist - can't really see where it is. Although he advised Clearshield in my case, he gave me all options and I viewed a truck that had several manufacturer's products on it (the truck was white also). I chose the Clearshield.

It was raining this week so I couldn't get any pictures out in the sun, so all I have are the installation pictures - using my daughter's camera. At least you can see the process.

I highly recommend you get someone who has a lot of experience installing these. If you are in the Tampa/SW FL area I highly recommend using Ryan from Auto Paint Guard. As he stated he has been doing it for 10 years.
Auto Paint Guard Inc. Tampa Florida Clear Bra 3M Paint Protection Film Car Bras

If you go to Ryan, tell him Zlance sent you - he will do it right!

I got the bikini cut 24 inch hood (got it rolled under also), and full bumper, Mirrors, pillars, front roof. I also got the rocker panels covered, although Ryan didn't think I needed them done.

Now I feel safe!

XwChriswX · 03-29-2010, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zlance

Hey, AutoPaintGar did my clearbra last week on my new Pearl White 370Z. He is a perfectionist - can't really see where it is. Although he advised Clearshield in my case, he gave me all options and I viewed a truck that had several manufacturer's products on it (the truck was white also). I chose the Clearshield.

It was raining this week so I couldn't get any pictures out in the sun, so all I have are the installation pictures - using my daughter's camera. At least you can see the process.

I highly recommend you get someone who has a lot of experience installing these. If you are in the Tampa/SW FL area I highly recommend using Ryan from Auto Paint Guard. As he stated he has been doing it for 10 years.
Auto Paint Guard Inc. Tampa Florida Clear Bra 3M Paint Protection Film Car Bras

If you go to Ryan, tell him Zlance sent you - he will do it right!

I got the bikini cut 24 inch hood (got it rolled under also), and full bumper, Mirrors, pillars, front roof. I also got the rocker panels covered, although Ryan didn't think I needed them done.

Now I feel safe!

Cost?

I'm looking to do this soon myself, just wondering what that amount will cost... roughly. So I can get myself a ballpark. I'm looking at:

Front Bumper
Front Fenders
Hood
Mirrors
A Pillars/Roof (Optional)
Doors/Sideskirts (Optional)

zlance · 03-29-2010, 11:43 AM

Expensive, but worth it. There are so many variables, like 18 inch hood, 24 inch, bikini cut, or straight, rolled or not, rocker panels, or not.

I didn't get the doors done, but considered it, and maybe I shouldn't have gotten the rocker panels done - but I did.

I suggest you email Ryan - he is not a high pressure guy at all, but his work is very good as he also does a lot of expensive exotic sports cars. He has a good rep.

They also do tint there.

ryan@autopaintguard.com
Ryan Burroughs
President
813-505-3868

rebe945 · 03-30-2010, 04:50 AM

HI GUYS, I'm going in Tuesday the 30th to see Marco at Northcoast Tint who was recommeded by many at ClevelandRacing .com for a clearbra on my black 370. I was leaning towards Ventureshield but am now more perplexed about the choices. I called and he said he uses Ventureshield. If I decide to go with it , Ill make sure its the Ultra. Let you know what I will decide. Thanks for all of the input from all. Rich

AutoPaintGuar · 03-31-2010, 06:37 AM

Hello. Being protected is better than not having anything on.

If you decide to go with Venture, pick up a can of Plexus for the wax.
Any idea what patterns he is using?

Car we did yesterday.
Ryan
Tampa, FL

ryanboy · 04-01-2010, 12:51 AM

just finished mine today. 3M covered 80% of the car: full all fenders and doors, side mirrors, full front bumper and side skirts, and half the hood(i should of done full hood though).

grand total of $1500.00. i had to beat him up for it though... he says he goes to dealerships and they charge customers for my package $3000.00.

tvfreakazoid · 04-01-2010, 03:48 AM

I hear good and some bad things about the clear bra.
Like it will start to yellow and what not. Plus for $1500, you probably get a paint job for that price.
But I never heard of clear bra until i join this forum.

ryanboy · 04-01-2010, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tvfreakazoid

I hear good and some bad things about the clear bra.
Like it will start to yellow and what not. Plus for $1500, you probably get a paint job for that price.
But I never heard of clear bra until i join this forum.

its worth it... trust me.

03-26-2010, 11:41 AM	#244 (permalink)
schrute Track Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: utah Posts: 781 Drives: my z every day Rep Power: 17	Related question for those that know more about this stuff than I do - I need to remove a couple pieces of clearbra, switching to a vinyl overlay in flat black in a couple places. What is the best way for a novice to remove this stuff. Heat gun then peel? __________________ my journal \| 2009 370z touring \| 6mt \| platinum graphite \| my album second skin \| mr works \| fast intentions \| ssr \| eibach \| hotchkis \| spc \| toyo \| bluebatmobile \| v-led \| jwt \| ventureshield \| tinted tails

03-29-2010, 11:43 AM	#250 (permalink)
zlance Base Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Fort Myers, FL Posts: 10 Drives: 2010 370Z PW AT Sprt Rep Power: 16	Clearshield Expensive, but worth it. There are so many variables, like 18 inch hood, 24 inch, bikini cut, or straight, rolled or not, rocker panels, or not. I didn't get the doors done, but considered it, and maybe I shouldn't have gotten the rocker panels done - but I did. I suggest you email Ryan - he is not a high pressure guy at all, but his work is very good as he also does a lot of expensive exotic sports cars. He has a good rep. They also do tint there. ryan@autopaintguard.com Ryan Burroughs President 813-505-3868

03-30-2010, 04:50 AM	#251 (permalink)
rebe945 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: middleburg hts, ohio Posts: 491 Drives: 2009 370Z black 7at Rep Power: 15	A bit confused now HI GUYS, I'm going in Tuesday the 30th to see Marco at Northcoast Tint who was recommeded by many at ClevelandRacing .com for a clearbra on my black 370. I was leaning towards Ventureshield but am now more perplexed about the choices. I called and he said he uses Ventureshield. If I decide to go with it , Ill make sure its the Ultra. Let you know what I will decide. Thanks for all of the input from all. Rich

04-01-2010, 12:51 AM	#253 (permalink)
ryanboy Base Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 201 Drives: Red z34 09 0060 Rep Power: 15	just finished mine today. 3M covered 80% of the car: full all fenders and doors, side mirrors, full front bumper and side skirts, and half the hood(i should of done full hood though). grand total of $1500.00. i had to beat him up for it though... he says he goes to dealerships and they charge customers for my package $3000.00. __________________ Slut RED Nismo Z34 2009 #60 Last edited by ryanboy; 04-01-2010 at 01:03 AM.

04-01-2010, 03:48 AM	#254 (permalink)
tvfreakazoid A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: kommie kali Posts: 1,238 Drives: 2015 Audi S5; 6spd. Rep Power: 10325	I hear good and some bad things about the clear bra. Like it will start to yellow and what not. Plus for $1500, you probably get a paint job for that price. But I never heard of clear bra until i join this forum. __________________ Mudders milk

03-25-2010, 06:37 PM	#242 (permalink)
steveg78 Track Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: MD Posts: 569 Drives: 09 370Z PG M6 +Sport Rep Power: 17	Damn that's a bad *** lookin car. Looks great and this thread should be made a sticky!

03-26-2010, 05:04 PM	#245 (permalink)
rebe945 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: middleburg hts, ohio Posts: 491 Drives: 2009 370Z black 7at Rep Power: 15	Thanks for the idea guys, I'm somewhat anal about my 370. Rich

03-27-2010, 07:19 AM	#247 (permalink)
AutoPaintGuar Base Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Tampa Posts: 8 Drives: SUV Rep Power: 15	Hello. I've been with Xpel for going on 10 years now. Know the manufacturer that makes the film and have done some r&d with the adhesives. They make awesome patterns as well as Proform. Great company, hopefully the stock will turn around soon.

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