Just came back from about 2 hrs. in the garage, installing my Invinca-Shield clear-bra. I got the standard kit that include the hood, front bumper cover (2 pieces) and headlight areas. I think it was around $140 with shipping. The largest piece that covers the top part of the bumper was a b!tch, but the rest was not too bad. I still need to put the lower piece on, but am headed off to see Eric Johnson in concert tonight. The Invinca-Shield kit is made by 3M, so I'm pretty pleased with the money I've saved. If I have to do it again six times, I'll have just spent the same amount of money as the stealer wants. I have those cool leather bras for my mirrors, so I'm happy to not be messing with the clear-bra on them.

 

Nice job. I got the "complete kit" from X-pel (?), including front, hood, lights, rockers, mirrors, etc. that is also 3M material. I had never installed the stuff before, and there were some nervous moments, but it came out great. Definitely a practice-makes-perfect kind of skill, eh?

The film has kept my front end looking perfect on my daily 50 mile commute.

 

Rick,

How did you prep the paint for the install? Did you have to strip the wax or does it go right over a waxed surface?

 

Rick,
Did you have to stretch the large piece very much? I could not get it to work the first time and have not attempted it again with the replacement piece they sent yet.

 

I washed my car yesterday and then used the 50/50 alcohol/water in a spray bottle to get the front really clean today. Then I just used a LOT of the solution they included with the kit. I think dish soap with water in a spray bottle will work fine. I did end up stretching the real big piece a little, as the cut outs for the bumperettes didn't clear real well. I had a hard time with that part and may R&R the bumperetted to tuck the edges underneath.

 

if you did this yourself, my congratulations. I would NOT recommend installing these pieces yourself, especially if you have never done them before. I helped a friend who sells them as a sideline install them on my 993 and Audi, and it took a lot of careful handling to get them installed properly and unstretched.

 

The only practice I'd had was installing the Carerra script on the sides of my SC/RS clone. Clear bra came out better.

 

does most clear film also cover the front fenders -e.g. from the headlight up to meet where the hood protection ends?

 

Has anyone replaced the rear fender clearn bra? I want to replace mine, but affraid of removing it because I hope it doesn't peel any paint off with it.

 

I watched my body shop install the new strips on the rear fender. Took him less than 5 min.

I think removal wouldn't be too bad - maybe a hair dryer and then spray all over with soapy water and peel. I think Invinca-Shield's website has instructions for removal.

 

Rob,

The Invinca-Shield kit covers just the area below the headlight itself. The 'cresent' shaped area where the headlight washer nozzle is located. The Xpel kit goes in this area plus around the headlight radius about an inch. The protection for the leading edge of the front fender is better with the Xpel kit, but these two pieces are murder to install. The Invinca-Shield pieces are very simple, but less protection.

 

Terrance,

No worries on removing paint as long as it is an OEM finish and not a re-paint. To remove, make sure the car surface is reasonably warm and just peel an edge back with a fingernail and patiently work the piece off. Do not use solvent or a hair dryer. You will just end up with a big mess. Clean up any residue with 3M General Purpose Adhesive Remover. 15 minutes max to do one side.

 

Great, Thanks for the tips. Looks like it's a birthday present wish list for me. I'm getting old, from my perspective that is........

 

Removal is pretty easy. Invinca tells you to peel and stretch. The stretching helps break the bond of the adhesive. Comes off very clean. I used 3m surface cleaner to remove any adhesive residue, and used water and alcohol to clean up the paint. I bought the kit to do the front of my wifes allroad, haven't gotten around to it yet, but will let you know how it goes.
I put the stoneguards on and they came out OK. This is a skill that yes gets better with practice.
For the price of the Invinca, it was much less then the colored replacements and less then the clear. I could put 2 clears on for the price of OEM.

 

RL posts about a successful install using an inexpensive but complete kit that is a fraction of the cost of pro install and someone still want to dissuade folks from trying? The most that you can loose is about a fifth of the pro install cost and a smattering of DIY dignity.