[Asiann]

Originally Posted by mezmeriz3d

im thinking about getting a clear bra...but i heard they sometimes fog up and make the car look really bad.

Do a search for Cleaning Clear Bra 101

[Asiann]

Originally Posted by petefalzzz

I had the misfortune of having some rocks kick up and hit my car while traveling down the highway at 90mph. I was left with a few nasty chips. I was able to repair some of the damage with the touch-up paint kit. However, it just doesn't look right in a few spots. I guess its now a trip to the body shop Hopefully it will not require a full repait of the hood.

A word of advice, invest in the clear bra.

Had mine repaired a few months ago and that was $560.00

[Bimmer325]

Originally Posted by Asiann

I called one dealer and he said that it was possible because of the intense heat from the Xenons. I'm going to call X-pel tomorrow and find out from them.

what's the result?

[Asiann]

Originally Posted by Bimmer325

what's the result?

Look above in the previous post

[scubajag]

We have 2 BMWs and I am now buying a Porsche Cayman S. This will be the first time we are considering the 3M paint protection film, with kits supplied by Xpel. I wanted as much coverage as possible, and asked for the full hood and fenders, along with bumper. The installer is now telling me that the full coverage is much more difficult, and that the wider material needed won't be available for over a month (the car arrived today!) The standard coverage is 24 inches, the extended coverage is 30 inches, and the full hood/fender coverage is 48 inches. He is suggesting using the 30 inch extended coverage. He also suggested wheel openings and headlight coverage - I'm not getting Xenon headlights, so warranty shouldn't be a problem.

I'm a little concerned about his reluctance to apply the full coverage - it's a lot more money, so if he doesn't want to do it, there must be a reason. Any experience or suggestions? Thanks.

[Hunter399]

I got a HUGE rock chip, it went down to the steel, so the hood had to be repainted

cost me about 500 dollars

[bmwexecutive]

Originally Posted by Asiann

I called one dealer and he said that it was possible because of the intense heat from the Xenons. I'm going to call X-pel tomorrow and find out from them.

Yeah, let me know. I'm seriously considering getting a clear bra installed on my headlights, foglights, mirrors and top rear bumper. Although my mirror covers have so many rock chips in them already I think I'm going to buy new covers, have them painted and then install the clear bra on those. It's $150 (including paint job) for the new mirror cover set so I'll hold off for now but let me know on the headlights because I was planning on getting those done.

[Hunter399]

Now that I got euros, I really want to get a clear bra done for the lights

[nmulax]

What's everyone paying for their clear-bra?

I'm hoping to pick up my car sometime next week, and want to have the clear-bra applied right away. So far I've been quoted a price of "about $1000" from a local shop (he came highly recommended by a number of people, and handles a lot of classic cars, so he custom cuts each kit). I'm thinking that's a bit pricey, since my dealer quoted me at $750 for the BMW clear-bra.

I called my dealership, and am waiting to hear back on the Xenon warrenty issue; as well as if they can cut a kit to fit the Msport front bumper.

Does anyone know of any installers in the Metro-Detroit area?

[bavarian19]

I have had a clearbra on my monaco blue almost since delivery. It is hardly noticeable unless you are up close. When the car gets dirty it is also more noticeable (which only gives you the excuse to keep it clean)...

If it can do well on a very dark colored car, it can do even better on the lighter color cars...

[sbw]

It seems like the clear bra is a great idea. Has anyone had an experience where it adversely affected the paint? I'm concerned about the paint not being able to "breathe." I'm not sure if paint needs to breathe. Anyone know?

[Flavio]

Hello, I am new to the group and I have not even got my 2006 325 xi delivered yet. Thank you for such great information you folks share on this Forum.
I was reading about clear bras and this is what I found at the 3M website:

Q. Can Scotchgard™ Paint Protection Film be used on headlights, foglights or windshields?
A. No, the Department of Transportation does not allow any film of any kind to be put on headlights, foglights or windshields.

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...Consumer/FAQs/

So, it looks like it is more a matter of DOT legislation than warranty issues.

None of the 3M authorized dealers offered to apply the product to any of the lights.

Take care.

[Ghunger]

Originally Posted by Flavio

Hello, I am new to the group and I have not even got my 2006 325 xi delivered yet. Thank you for such great information you folks share on this Forum.
I was reading about clear bras and this is what I found at the 3M website:

Q. Can Scotchgard™ Paint Protection Film be used on headlights, foglights or windshields?
A. No, the Department of Transportation does not allow any film of any kind to be put on headlights, foglights or windshields.

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...Consumer/FAQs/

So, it looks like it is more a matter of DOT legislation than warranty issues.

None of the 3M authorized dealers offered to apply the product to any of the lights.

Take care.

I doubt there's any problem with a clear film over the lights, and each state writes their own traffic laws so it's on a state by state basis I'd imagine. Personally, I got the film put on my headlights, and I'm not worried about it damaging them. I had the same company that my local BMW dealer uses install my PPF. I highly doubt the film will damage the lights.

[SCA]

I got a quote tonight. Approx. $880.00 total (Xpel). A little steep considering I am not in a major metropolitan area.

[LAZERBEEM]

So 3M or Dealership Clear Bra

[KevinC]

Originally Posted by Asiann

I called one dealer and he said that it was possible because of the intense heat from the Xenons. I'm going to call X-pel tomorrow and find out from them.

Another brilliant stealership employee.

Xenons are COLDER than standard halogen bulbs. That's why headlight washers are mandated in europe, and a necessity here if you live anywhere where there's snow - the xenon lights won't melt snow off the external light covers.

[Asiann]

Originally Posted by KevinC

Another brilliant stealership employee.

Xenons are COLDER than standard halogen bulbs. That's why headlight washers are mandated in europe, and a necessity here if you live anywhere where there's snow - the xenon lights won't melt snow off the external light covers.

Yeah, it didn't make sense to me either! I'm just glad that I didn't have to rip off the clearbra on the headlights!

[KevinC]

Originally Posted by scubajag

I'm a little concerned about his reluctance to apply the full coverage - it's a lot more money, so if he doesn't want to do it, there must be a reason. Any experience or suggestions? Thanks.

Sounds to me like his reasons make sense - wide enough film not yet available, and much greater expense, no doubt due not to just more material, but more complex installation.

I'm on my 2nd car with Xpel (3M) film. First was a Golf R32, they did extended protection on the hood, rest was from the kit. 35k miles later, I was a hardcore believer - this stuff works, holds up well (even here in the brutal desert heat), and protected my car in what has to be one of the worst driving environments in the country for debris, rocks, etc. I had the same guys do my 330i right after purchase and won't ever buy a new car again without doing the same.

My suggestion - trust your guy, I can't imagine you won't be adequately protected with the extended protection he can offer right now.

[Asiann]

Finding a qualified installer is the key. You could always make a road trip to the San Antonio office where X-pel is located and let them do it for you.

[862743]

I'm ordering the clear protective covering for hood and mirrors from a BMW dealer (PN: 82110399148). Is this something I can do it myself. If so, how?

Thanks

[Joonsup]

I have Ventureshield clear bra. 3M bought out Ventureshield. So both are now gauranteed from fading or turning yellow as long as it's done by a certified installer. I paid a little under $500 for a custom cut clear bra for the front bumper, front aero lip, headlights, foglights, 1/3 of the hood, and side mirrors. That was the forum price I got back in early 2008 at Omegawerks here in the bay area.

I don't know the affects of clearbra to your paint after a period of time. I doubt I will have the car for that long where it may have some effects. I guess the only way to know is to have it on for a few years or so, and then peel it off and see how your paint looks.