Clearbra and Tint installed, plus Boss Coil Covers
 

Well, Marilyn got some new goodies. Stupid weather here (I admit I jinxed it...lol) caused me to delay the install until the skies cleared up somewhat. So Thursday last week was the ONLY day of the week that didn't have rain or light snow flurries. Luckily the roads were dry, so I proceeded to go to my appointment to get the clearbra and tint installed. THANK GOODNESS! Now I can finally drive my car on the highway hahahahahaha... with no fear of chips.

Mixed in along with that, I went and ordered the Boss Coil Covers... I was tempted to order the body colored special custom ones, but decided against it. I wanted the Ford Blue to stick out a bit more, esp at car shows, hence why I went with it.

Anyways, I'm very pleased with the clear bra results. My new installer was great. Lines and edges are all lined up. No bubbles. No peeling. It was the best install I've seen (had it done twice in prior cars). The brand was 3M. Lifetime warranty (as long as I own the car) through my guy.

What I had done:

hood

front bumper (I love the 3 piece of this... it ends right on the crease of where the vertical meets the horizontal surface of the front bumper...can't even see it!)

mirrors

a-pillars (custom cut)

front fenders

inner door handles (love this one. No more fingernails scratches from my wife opening the door, or from anyone else for that matter)

Tint was also done by him. We went with Llumar for tint. I like it better than 3M, tint-wise. 35% fronts, then 20% everywhere else. I just love the new look. It totally transforms it.

Only thing about the clearbra install, some minor swirls and marring was unavoidable. He had to wipe and scrape (using his MF towels and silicone blade) to get the film to lay flat... so swirls were apparent in the areas closest to the edge of the film. Also, bless his heart, I believe he proceeded to wipe down certain areas of the car that he thought was dirty. Of course, minor swirling came from that (see my Car Detailing 101 thread for further details as to WHY these swirls happen). But that's ok, I whipped out my buffer, and carefully taped the edges of the film so as not to hit it with it. Just about 4 hours worth of work, and it's all good now.

Anyways, enough of me rambling... here are some pics. Forgive the quality and state of the car, yes it's still dirty with dust and some water droplet dry etches (not permanent) from him doing the install. If you look closely you can see the dirt It will get detailed this week. Tuesday, 61degs for a high... By the way, to ANYONE contemplating ClearBra, DO SO. NOW. That is by far the single, best, AND first mod, you should do. Once you get a rock chip, it's permanent...

Btw, anybody know how to remove swirls from the film itself??? Alcohol wiping is for deeper etches... I know it's on the film and not on the paint, but still, it bothers me.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...2/DSC_1006.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...2/DSC_1009.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...2/DSC_1013.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...2/DSC_1023.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...DSC_1025-1.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...2/DSC_1027.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...2/DSC_1028.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...2/DSC_1029.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...2/DSC_1030.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...2/DSC_1034.jpg

^^^ This might be my favorite clearbra portion




And here are the Coil Covers pics. Love these too. Install took 5 minutes or less. Worthy eye candy for cheap.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...2/DSC_1036.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...2/DSC_1037.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...2/DSC_1038.jpg

Looks great! Clear-bra's are mandatory. I did 1/3 panels on my 'vette, full panels on the 370. Can definitely tell you went with 3M on the bra. I'm a Ventureshield whore, though. I like smooth.

Yeah I had ventureshield on the Z before the 5.0. It looked great too, but I think it had a little more yellowish tint (not bad at all, but still) than 3M.

It doesn't show on darker cars, but on white or something, I think that's a good observation. My Z06, you could tell if you looked really hard. On my Z, it's invisible.

You should have just painted the covers yourself!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R...lveCovers2.jpg

Yeah, I noticed that too! I figured, it'd be harder to see on white, since the film is transparent (so to speak), but I could see it more on my pearl white paint than I can with my Kona now... weird.

What color is your Z?

Hey Steve... yeah, I know all about the painting. But I tried that a couple years ago with some Z trim, and some G stuff, I figured out I'm just not that good with it. So, rather than wasting time and having it be not perfect, I just opted to get the full oem piece itself. Saves me headache. Besides, now I have a spare gray one I can muck around with.

Are you going to do intake + tune?

Looks great man!

The 3M paint protection film has a top coat similar to the clearshield brand. What this means is that you can polish it lightly to remove those scratches that you have. Just be careful not to burn the top coat like you can with paint. You can apply a nice coat of wax to it afterwards as well but be careful not to have buildup at the edges because it will make the film very apparent

If I do, I want it to be the FRPP package to stick with warranty. But I dunno... maybe at that point, I should just go with a Bama tune, etc. But I'm worried about the #8 cylinder thing. Is that just an old wives tale?

Thanks Dan! Where you been man? I don't see you on the other boards anymore.

You know, you're not the first person to tell me that. I really want to polish it, but something holds me back. I am worried that if I do whip out the buffer and do it, what happens if my film gets all hazy, ruined, etc etc. Then I'm screwed :( wasted all the $$$ to get it installed

#8 cyl is if you have a bad tune from what I understand. Not sure if the FRPP one would be worth it. Steeda CAI + tune combo is great, though. Big power increase.

If you are skilled with the high speed buffer then you shouldn't have any issues. Just take it slow and don't use any compounds that are too aggressive..I use to work with ppf for over 10 years and I'd have it polished all the time. Keep in mind that not all films will be able to accept buffing, 3M is fine though

Why not do a light polish by hand?

Looking good by the way.

I am still on the other boards, just don't post much

Is that what you have, Steve? The Steeda tune? That's the one I want, but am worried about the warranty void :(

Yes, I am adept at using a buffer. I have a thread on AG about this same question. They say buffing is ok, but just have to watch the heat buildup. I'm just worried about either melting through the film (low chance), or discoloring it or making it hazy or even worse :( But sounds like it's ok. I plan to use a PC da, gray LC CCS pad, then Menzerna SuperFinish or PO85RD on it... it's a fine finishing polish.

Thanks Big T... yeah by hand, I only do that with application of nuba waxes. Machine for everything else ;) Hand would take forever with minor results.

Ah I see.... get back on there then :)