What do people think of Clear Bra Paint Protection?

dad · 01-26-2009, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbratton

You wax it and care for it just like you would the paint on your car. It has an automotive clear coat on the exterior of the film so you treat it the same, you just can't use abrasives. As far as sun fade goes, it doesn't affect the way the car fades. It will however keep the paint from oxidizing.

Thanks

!

HTP AutoWorks · 01-27-2009, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbratton

XPEL is a company out of San Antonio that makes patterns and their own paint protection film. They used to market their patterns and use 3M film, but a few years ago they improved on 3Ms film and started making there own film. Both films are clear coated and look very nice, but the XPEL film has less orange peel texture to it and seems to install easier with less defects. My installer told me that the XPEL film has a adhesive that is more forgiving which results in less mistakes and blemishes during the install. I've had XPEL film on my last two cars and I think it looks a lot better. I've also had Venture Shield film and the XPEL film just seems to look the best.

I'll take some more pictures of my car tonight, but I noticed red car above didn't have the film wrapped around the edges on his hood. Installers that use XPEL patterns have the option to do that so be sure and ask them when you schedule your install.

You are correect. Xpel is a much better film than 3M. I wont install 3M due to the amount of orange peel in it. It looks terrible on the car. I strictly use Ventureshield, Xpel, and ClearMask AR now. All three films are good films... although I do beleive VentureShield and ClearMask AR havea better, smoother finish.

chrishfic · 01-27-2009, 11:58 PM

i had one put on mine too. this the first time i've ever done it. after seeing my s2000 get massacred by rocks i had too. mine was $600 in cali it covered front end, mirrors, and headlights. it was hard finding a shop with patterns for the car

DIGItonium · 01-28-2009, 06:59 PM

Has anyone tried modifying their headlights (i.e., put it in the oven) with the paint protection material on it? I wonder if it's going to warp or damage the headlight.

I'd like to get the paint and headlight protection done as soon as possible once I get my car, but I plan to remove the headlights and get them modded in the near future.

tvfreakazoid · 03-03-2009, 09:08 PM

i was wondering if there is a good company that uses xpel here in northern cali (sacramento).

So how can you tell from a decent job to a good job?

WShade · 03-03-2009, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbratton

XPEL is a company out of San Antonio

Really!

In the backyard and I did not know it.

HITLIST · 03-04-2009, 02:52 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, 12:15 PM

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, 12:23 PM

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.

SvR370z · 03-31-2009, 01:03 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, 05:48 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, 09:06 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, 06:59 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, 11:41 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, 11:46 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

03-03-2009, 09:08 PM	#35 (permalink)
tvfreakazoid A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: kommie kali Posts: 1,238 Drives: 2015 Audi S5; 6spd. Rep Power: 10324	i was wondering if there is a good company that uses xpel here in northern cali (sacramento). So how can you tell from a decent job to a good job? __________________ Mudders milk

03-31-2009, 12:23 PM	#39 (permalink)
alan93rsa Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 412 Drives: 16 Cayman GT4 Red Rep Power: 220	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.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
FAQ: Clay Bars & Paint Restoration	Alexus	Detailing / Washing / Waxing / Cosmetic Maintenance and Repair	16	05-10-2010 12:45 PM
what is self healing paint?	370allout	Exterior & Interior	28	03-29-2009 07:27 PM
370Z Clear Bra	Educ8r	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	23	03-06-2009 11:12 AM
Optional JDM Clear taillights	MC	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	11	12-01-2008 10:52 PM
Unhappy people watch TV, happy people read/socialize, says study	AK370Z	The Lounge (Off Topic)	4	11-16-2008 06:56 AM

01-27-2009, 11:58 PM	#33 (permalink)
chrishfic Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: California Posts: 23 Drives: 2009 Nissan 370z Rep Power: 16	i had one put on mine too. this the first time i've ever done it. after seeing my s2000 get massacred by rocks i had too. mine was $600 in cali it covered front end, mirrors, and headlights. it was hard finding a shop with patterns for the car

01-28-2009, 06:59 PM	#34 (permalink)
DIGItonium A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 3,800 Drives: 09 Z34-TT 6MT Rep Power: 43	Has anyone tried modifying their headlights (i.e., put it in the oven) with the paint protection material on it? I wonder if it's going to warp or damage the headlight. I'd like to get the paint and headlight protection done as soon as possible once I get my car, but I plan to remove the headlights and get them modded in the near future.

03-04-2009, 02:52 PM	#37 (permalink)
HITLIST Base Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: oceanside, CA Age: 36 Posts: 39 Drives: 2009 370Z pear white Rep Power: 16	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, 12:15 PM	#38 (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, 01:03 PM	#40 (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, 05:48 PM	#41 (permalink)
2bits Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seattle Posts: 118 Drives: 09 370Z Blk Sp 7AT Rep Power: 16	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, 09:06 AM	#42 (permalink)
rbratton Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Vine Grove, KY Posts: 89 Drives: 2009 370Z Rep Power: 16	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.