utah997

Just got a sweet deal. Through a friend, I had the tech that normally does the Porsche and Ferrari dealerships work on clear bras do a few of my vehicles.

The '00 996
'00 C5 Vette
'07 Benz gl450

In my garage, custom cut 3M material, 20 year guarantee...

$1,100.00 Total..

The price at the dealer for just the 996 was $950.0

Score!

The only trouble I have heard is that you end up with a line of was along the clear bra. What's the overall opinion on these??

BruceP

I always said I'd never get one. Rather have chips than saran wrap on the front of my car and all that. But the previous owner of my C2 had put one on, and having it changed my mind. It's undetectable other than up close, obviously, accepts wax very well and doesn't shine appreciably differently from the rest of the hood, and it really seems to absorb a lot of punishment. If your car is more than a Sunday driver, you wouldn't be a fool to do it, IMHO.

black986S

I've had my fair share of cars, and in the last 10 years they've all had a clear mask. I stay away from the 3M though. Venture Shield is much less noticeable.

ArneeA

The newer generation of 3M is much more permeable and clearer w/ clear-coat built in. I'd now stay away from venture (having tried both in two different cars). Venture films become discolered VERY quickly.

I have 3M 3rd Gen on my 4S. I had Venture on my E46 M3. I had to clean it all the time with Plexus to prevent any MORE yellowing.

$1100 for three vehicles is an AWESOME deal. I paid nearly that for my 4S coverage...full custom bumper (folded edges..no edges), custom fenders, full rocker panel all the way to rear fender flare (1-piece) including door sills, custom hood (rolled side edges), lights, mirrors, door cups, and a-pillar.

utah997

I'm pretty happy with the whole setup.. especially after shelling out $3,000 last year to have the hood, and front fascia of my vette repainted.

ArneeA

Eek.. yeah people say "just repaint it instead of having a line across the hood." Unless you're bringing your car to Maaco, cost of painting will still be >> cost of clear bra for a 1-time application.

ArneeA

Why would they cut it by hand? Real installers have laser cutters with templates for the cars already pre-defined.

ArneeA

???

ArneeA

You lost me with your "Dream on" post...and what's with the post above??

Most installers have laser cutting printers that cut out the template of the bumpers and hoods on a large sheet of film. Doing rolled edges are custom job, which is similar to what I have on my 4S and 750.

Clear-bra is the way to go, custom or kit (pre-cut).

utah997

For some reason the "pre-cut" ones never work right. This guy does the pcar dealership here as well as the Ferrari dealership. None of the use the pre cut. He won't even put those on...

ArneeA

I agree... Those precut ones get stretched and become too skewed.

ArneeA

??? As long as I'm happy with what??? I think you think I'm arguing with you about something... Read my posts, I'm agreeing with you... if you can read English, that is.

JJS 03S

Sorry, I misunderstood your post. My mistake.

Liceman

I'm in the Cleveland area, looking into clear bra options/installers for my black '99 C2.
I've used my friend (the search option) but have not found a specific answer to my questions:

Considering I have a small amount of minor rock chips already, should I have the car detailed first before installing a clear bra? How visible will pre-existing chips under the film actually be? Ah the wonders of a black car...

Who is good in the Cleveland area? I'm leaning toward the custom job (non pre-cut).

I just slapped in some bumper plugs. Does the film go over the plugs, or do the plugs go through the film?

Thanks for reading.

Liceman

Premier

Precut application is what most installers perform. Custom installations would look better, but that would depend on the installer. Whichever you go with, choose the company with the most experience regardless of precut or custom.

If you have pre-existing chips, if it's large enough the film may enhance it. Take it to an installer to have them assess whether or not the chips would be enhanced.