So When I bought my car, I was SURE I wasn't going to turn it into a garage queen, and I still hope to NOT do this, but slowing I am working my way there. ( I do drive it about 6,000 miles a year right now) I am now going to have the bumper and hood resprayed and clearbra'd, as well as replace the stone guards on both fenders, add the turbo air ducts, and repaint the driver door as there are a number of chips in the clearcoat along the edge of the door and in order to do it right they need to blend the paint all the way into the rear quarter. All seals are being replaced and clearbra added to the front fenders behind the wheel to keep rocks from chipping that area as well. All in $ 4,000 in work. I'll haver Before and After shots later next week- does this sound about right for the paint work? granted there is a lot of Clearbra going on - but thought i'd check. Should pretty much make the car pristine.

Wheels are also being refinished this week ( whole other project) and new rear tires. Where's my crap ons and ice pick- this slope is getting slippery!!

 

That sounds about right, I had my drivers door, hood, F/R bumpers painted last fall, as well as rust repair in the front window channel replaced. Total labor was a little over $5K. My car is black, so blending was not a problem. Two stage paint.
I have been using the shop for my cars for the last 15 years, and I trust their work. Good luck, don't forget the pix's.

 

Clear bra alone is 1000-1200 I'm sure. So your estimate is about right. Looking forward to seeing some pics.

 

Recommend that you wait at least 30 days after any respray before installing clear bra ( highly recommend Xpel Ultimate). Your price quote sounds about right FWIW based n your description and a similar " experience" 2 years ago.

 

Van,
Out of curiosity, are those Ray's TE37 wheels on your car; and do you like them?

 

Yes. Love them, light, strong easy to clean, finger- lick in' good.

 

So why wait 30 days to apply clear bra?? Just curious and glad to hear this sounds right

 

Curing time and per mfg recs. Should removal of bra be necessary, don't want to pull new paint. Your experience may vary....

 

Very good point- I will discuss with the shop when I take it in next Monday . I guess I was under the impression that painting techniques and drying rooms expedited the process.
What is the average lifespan of clear bra? And how do you repair it if you take a big rock and it wrinkles? Or will that happen? This is new ground for me- just sick of touching up small chips in my bumper all summer. Car is lowered too so I am sure that make sit worse

 

Check threads on Xpel ultimate--self- healing with heat, no orange peel, easy 7-10 year life span depending on exposed conditions, care, etc. Installer expertise critical. Used it for lights and rear quarters as substitute for thicker 3m product just because it is so invisible.

 

It's all 3 m product going on- here in their backyard you can't get anything else

 

But I will ask about it

 

I was told I would need to wait 30 days when I had my front end respray done nearly 10 years ago. I ended up not finding a shop and never put the bra on. I suppose I'm due for another respray and will definitely do it this time.

 

I had the Xpel Ultimate put on my bumpers after a bumper repaint, it only took 2 weeks to take a rock that peeled back the film, but I think the paint is OK.



The fix, rip off the clear bra and put on another piece for 500 bucks.

 

I've encountered on a few vehicles the paint slightly peeling off on the edges or inner edges after clear bra removal. Most resprays won't have the same amount of paint applied to the edges, so something to keep in mind or inquire with your body shop.

Prep and of course quality of the paint are key. Quality work I've heard will not require the 30 days wait, however if you can it doesn't hurt.