What do people think of Clear Bra Paint Protection?

HITLIST · 03-04-2009, 01:52 PM

I just got it put on my 370 and it looks great. i am worried it will fade as it gets older but for the bumper hood fenders and mirrors it cost me right at 450

Quidproquo · 03-31-2009, 11:15 AM

It won't fade as much as turn a little yellow on you... I was told the darker colors will not see any difference, but on PPW and Silver it might be noticeable. Just wash the car often, and wax it regularly to protect the protective cover... LOL

alan93rsa · 03-31-2009, 11:23 AM

I installed it on the Z about 2 weeks ago. The shop used a product called Venture Shield. Worked out very nice. The guy that owns the shop did the install. There was an issue with a line on the hood which was difficult to see. He pulled it off and put a new piece on no questions asked. Almost forgot he did the lighted aluminum sill pieces which should help with scratches down the road. Also had the headlights done. Great work and customer service.

scorpion90 · 04-02-2009, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alan93rsa

I installed it on the Z about 2 weeks ago. The shop used a product called Venture Shield. Worked out very nice. The guy that owns the shop did the install. There was an issue with a line on the hood which was difficult to see. He pulled it off and put a new piece on no questions asked. Almost forgot he did the lighted aluminum sill pieces which should help with scratches down the road. Also had the headlights done. Great work and customer service.

I'd like to get mine done. I live in Akron, where did you get yours done? thanks

SvR370z · 03-31-2009, 12:03 PM

Here is a question that i have. Has anyone had one taken off and a new one put on?
Ive had mine on my Z (350) for about 4 years. Its still in good shape but im thinking a new one might make things look better.
Any thoughts on this? For less than 500 it might not be a bad idea.

2bits · 03-31-2009, 04:48 PM

To the original question, indispensible on a black car, less so for lighter colors. I have a full 3M kit installed, and it looks great.

rbratton · 04-01-2009, 08:06 AM

It sounds like most of you like the product. I know I won't drive my cars without and have been using the product for several years. XPEL seems to make the best film and they have a new "premium" film that has zero orange peel texture. As far as "yellowing" is concerned, XPEL makes a sealer (it's like wax) that keeps it from happening. When the film discolors and turns yellow, it isn't anything changing in the film, it's actually impurities embedding in the tiny pores in the film. If you use the XPEL sealer and/or keep a good wax on it, you'll never have a "yellowing" problem. I've never had a yellowing issue on any of my cars nor have any of my friends. PM me if you would like me to point you to a source for the film sealer.

LenZToy · 04-02-2009, 05:59 PM

I had the 3M product installed a few weeks ago. Looks great. I don't want the front of this car to look like my 2003 350Z did after 6 years. Wax like normal...I suggest waxing away from the "line" to decrease the amount of build up.

2bits · 04-02-2009, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LenZToy

I had the 3M product installed a few weeks ago. Looks great. I don't want the front of this car to look like my 2003 350Z did after 6 years. Wax like normal...I suggest waxing away from the "line" to decrease the amount of build up.

Use a synthetic polish like Zaino to avoid buildup. Buildup is a problem with waxes like carnuba.

bluzman · 04-02-2009, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LenZToy

I had the 3M product installed a few weeks ago. Looks great. I don't want the front of this car to look like my 2003 350Z did after 6 years. Wax like normal...I suggest waxing away from the "line" to decrease the amount of build up.

I have the 3M film on mine also...just a great idea. Here are some pix.
My gallery

tvfreakazoid · 04-03-2009, 05:11 AM

Well what if you have it detailed by pro's? I assume you would tell them about the clear bra.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LenZToy

I had the 3M product installed a few weeks ago. Looks great. I don't want the front of this car to look like my 2003 350Z did after 6 years. Wax like normal...I suggest waxing away from the "line" to decrease the amount of build up.

o0javi0o · 04-04-2009, 05:24 PM

How is the paint maintenance after the application of the clear bra, I mean, how often you have to wax your car to maintain the same lust of the paint? It will create during the life of the clear bra some bubbles, or normal ware will look more white ( blurry )?
And the same for the 3M??
Thanks in advance guys

BrianUSMC · 04-04-2009, 05:55 PM

Do any of you have experience applying the clear bra yourself? Or is that highly inadvisable. I see they sell the kits online from $170.

This is one company's product description:

"THESE KITS PROVIDES UP TO 23 INCHES DEEP HOOD PROTECTION PLUS LARGE,CORRESPONDING FENDER PIECES,MIRROR BACKS AND FULL BUMPER PROTECTION!
PLEASE NOTE,.....THIS IS NOT THE CHEAP,PAPER THIN STUFF BEING REPRESENTED ELSEWHERE AS PAINT PROTECTION FILM.THIS IS GENUINE 3M 8 MIL SCOTCHGARD PAINT PROTECTION FILM WITH PROTECTIVE CLEAR COAT AND 5 YEAR WARRANTY."

Thanks,
Slag

SoCal 370Z · 04-04-2009, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianUSMC

Do any of you have experience applying the clear bra yourself? Or is that highly inadvisable.

You will need two people to do the Z, and I would not try it on my 370Z if it were the first car I was to do. If you know someone who has done it before and you can see their work, recruit them to help.

rbratton · 04-06-2009, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianUSMC

Do any of you have experience applying the clear bra yourself? Or is that highly inadvisable. I see they sell the kits online from $170.

This is one company's product description:

"THESE KITS PROVIDES UP TO 23 INCHES DEEP HOOD PROTECTION PLUS LARGE,CORRESPONDING FENDER PIECES,MIRROR BACKS AND FULL BUMPER PROTECTION!
PLEASE NOTE,.....THIS IS NOT THE CHEAP,PAPER THIN STUFF BEING REPRESENTED ELSEWHERE AS PAINT PROTECTION FILM.THIS IS GENUINE 3M 8 MIL SCOTCHGARD PAINT PROTECTION FILM WITH PROTECTIVE CLEAR COAT AND 5 YEAR WARRANTY."

Thanks,
Slag

Paint Protection Film is very difficult to install! You can probably do it yourself, but it will not look nearly as good as a professional install job. When done correctly, it should be virtually invisible with the exception of the line across the hood. Additonally, 3M film is the hardest to install as the adhesive is the most aggessive and very, very easy to blemish during the installation process. 3M film is good, but not the best film in my opinion. XPEL has a 7 year warranty and goes on the car better.

03-31-2009, 11:23 AM	#3 (permalink)
alan93rsa Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 412 Drives: 16 Cayman GT4 Red Rep Power: 221	I installed it on the Z about 2 weeks ago. The shop used a product called Venture Shield. Worked out very nice. The guy that owns the shop did the install. There was an issue with a line on the hood which was difficult to see. He pulled it off and put a new piece on no questions asked. Almost forgot he did the lighted aluminum sill pieces which should help with scratches down the road. Also had the headlights done. Great work and customer service. __________________ 16 Cayman GT4, Carmine Red, Buckets, PCCB etc.

04-04-2009, 05:55 PM	#13 (permalink)
BrianUSMC Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Beaufort, SC Age: 46 Posts: 78 Drives: 370z PG,6MT,T,S,Nav Rep Power: 17	3M Do any of you have experience applying the clear bra yourself? Or is that highly inadvisable. I see they sell the kits online from $170. This is one company's product description: "THESE KITS PROVIDES UP TO 23 INCHES DEEP HOOD PROTECTION PLUS LARGE,CORRESPONDING FENDER PIECES,MIRROR BACKS AND FULL BUMPER PROTECTION! PLEASE NOTE,.....THIS IS NOT THE CHEAP,PAPER THIN STUFF BEING REPRESENTED ELSEWHERE AS PAINT PROTECTION FILM.THIS IS GENUINE 3M 8 MIL SCOTCHGARD PAINT PROTECTION FILM WITH PROTECTIVE CLEAR COAT AND 5 YEAR WARRANTY." Thanks, Slag

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03-04-2009, 01:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
HITLIST Base Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: oceanside, CA Age: 36 Posts: 39 Drives: 2009 370Z pear white Rep Power: 17	I just got it put on my 370 and it looks great. i am worried it will fade as it gets older but for the bumper hood fenders and mirrors it cost me right at 450

03-31-2009, 11:15 AM	#2 (permalink)
Quidproquo Base Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Morris County, NJ Posts: 69 Drives: 2007 350Z CS 6M Rep Power: 17	It won't fade as much as turn a little yellow on you... I was told the darker colors will not see any difference, but on PPW and Silver it might be noticeable. Just wash the car often, and wax it regularly to protect the protective cover... LOL

03-31-2009, 12:03 PM	#5 (permalink)
SvR370z Base Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Tn Posts: 96 Drives: PW Touring 370z Rep Power: 17	Here is a question that i have. Has anyone had one taken off and a new one put on? Ive had mine on my Z (350) for about 4 years. Its still in good shape but im thinking a new one might make things look better. Any thoughts on this? For less than 500 it might not be a bad idea.

03-31-2009, 04:48 PM	#6 (permalink)
2bits Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seattle Posts: 118 Drives: 09 370Z Blk Sp 7AT Rep Power: 17	To the original question, indispensible on a black car, less so for lighter colors. I have a full 3M kit installed, and it looks great.

04-01-2009, 08:06 AM	#7 (permalink)
rbratton Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Vine Grove, KY Posts: 89 Drives: 2009 370Z Rep Power: 17	It sounds like most of you like the product. I know I won't drive my cars without and have been using the product for several years. XPEL seems to make the best film and they have a new "premium" film that has zero orange peel texture. As far as "yellowing" is concerned, XPEL makes a sealer (it's like wax) that keeps it from happening. When the film discolors and turns yellow, it isn't anything changing in the film, it's actually impurities embedding in the tiny pores in the film. If you use the XPEL sealer and/or keep a good wax on it, you'll never have a "yellowing" problem. I've never had a yellowing issue on any of my cars nor have any of my friends. PM me if you would like me to point you to a source for the film sealer.

04-04-2009, 05:24 PM	#12 (permalink)
o0javi0o Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Dallas, Tx Posts: 458 Drives: '15 ///M3 6MT Rep Power: 17	How is the paint maintenance after the application of the clear bra, I mean, how often you have to wax your car to maintain the same lust of the paint? It will create during the life of the clear bra some bubbles, or normal ware will look more white ( blurry )? And the same for the 3M?? Thanks in advance guys