[Spazdoc]

I purchased the 3M clear bra from the dealer since they gave me a good deal (I had a venture shield guy ready to do it on delivery, but the dealer ended up beating it by a bit). I also have the headlight washers. Now I had two problems:

1. There is no Clearbra on the actual washer caps. It is obvious, expecially in the feel of the pain. Should I have it on there?

2. THe clear bra is lifting on a few areas, the worst being on both passenger door cups (the recess for the door handles). Is this normal or is there anything I can do before going to complain?

Thanks in advance. I am a little irked with the performance so far, since I took delivery end of March only.

[picus]

1) it isn't part of the kit.

2) they should fix that, it will not get better.

[dbtran]

I've had some friends with the 3m Clear bra on white cars and they said the after time it started to turn yellow. Anyone else have problems with the 3m Clear Bra?

[radiofrequency]

I had a certified 3M installer with seven years experience and tons of references clearbra my car. 24 inches on the hood and fenders, entire front bumper, mirrors, headlights and fogs for $743. The install was performed at my home, by my request. The installer was very pleasant, again, he was recommended by 3M as he was a certified 3M installer. I chose 3M as they clearbra some of the Rolex 24hr cars, and the product is used in other racing series. The product is warranted for 5 years - go to the 3M website. This is not a simple process, the installer has several strange looking tools and obviously knows all of the tricks. Should you be able to hang wallpaper with one arm tied behind your back, then maybe this job is for you! My car looks great and I have zero regrets. If you can't afford the entire job, then at least get your headlights and fogs covered - these are expensive replacement items. I would NOT get this type of install done by the dealer, as they will farm it out to the cheapest bidder and still attempt to making money from it - at this point there is no margin for the installer and why should he care. I hope you did not pay for the "undercoating" as well! here is a link to my installer's website, he is in Tampa, FL - http://www.autopaintguard.com/

[picus]

Old 3M films used to yellow over time, but since ~2003 they shouldn't do that any more.

[bartman32]

Mine does have it on the pop-ups but it's possible my guy did that as an extra. Also if you have it peeling anywhere I'd take it back.
I have full hood.

[bartman32]

Hey Picus. You have full hood too right? How much can you see the line between the two pieces on the hood?

[picus]

Originally Posted by bartman32

Hey Picus. You have full hood too right? How much can you see the line between the two pieces on the hood?

Line between the two pieces on the hood? The hood should be one piece.

[bartman32]

Even if its a full hood? I'll have to take a pic to show.

[picus]

Oh, full hood...no mine is 24" up, single piece.

[OC Guy]

You'll probably get more answers in your regional forum. The people there can recommend a place for you as well. That is the most important thing, the actual installer.

[TrovaFortuna]

Spazdoc:

I think I might be able to answer your questions, having done installs on 4 e90's recently.

#1: All of the kits I've used DO have coverage for the headlight washers.

#2: There shouldn't be any lifting of the film. That said, door handle cups are quite troublesome because there isn't an opportunity to get a squeegy under there to properly remove the solution from under the film. While I wouldn't necessarily get upset about it, I would probably take it back to the installer and ask what options he suggests for correcting it.

I've included some pics for reference. Both vehicles have 24" Hood, Fender & Mirror and Full Bumper Coverage with VentureShield film.

[Spazdoc]

Thanks. I spoke with a service person at my dealership, and she gave me a half-assed response that the clear bra does not come on the headlight washers. I will speak to the 3M guy directly, and let him know that I may just go to the Venture shield guy and get it done there, and also recommend anyone else to just get Ventureshield.

[bartman32]

Originally Posted by Bapesta

i wanan ask can u tell if a car has clearbra on or not?>
does the clearbra makes the car look more plastic? if it does i wan to get it
from those pics it seems lik it gives the car a lil PEARL color to it.

You can tell depending on how far away you are from the car. From a couple feet away you can't tell at all. From right on top of it you can find the edges of the bra. I should not leave a plastic look or discolor at all. Mine does not. It looks just like the rest of the car except that if you look closely (and for some reason more infront than from behind) you can see the edges.

Check out the pics in my garage. I have a full hood clear-bra. Unfortunately the top of the hood is 2 pieces so you can see the seam.

[TrovaFortuna]

Spazdoc:

It has nothing to do with the film(3M or VentureShield), the kit design can be cut on any film. Whether they used an Xpel design, which 3M installers typically use, or a VentureShield design, they BOTH include headlight washer protection. What probably happened is the installer forgot about the pieces and just through them out with the backing paper. Just go back to your installer and tell him to handcut a pattern for those small pieces on bulk film and install them. It should take him a total of about 8 minutes...and then he'll have a happy customer...viola!

Bapesta:

The clear bra does not give the car a plastic look. The end result looks just like your OEM paint. And with a good install, you can't even see the film. I've have customers stand a foot away and then can't see it.

[Spazdoc]

I should have been more clear. I did not mean it was a 3M or Ventureshield thing, but that if the 3M guy was unwilling to do it, I would go to a competitor.

[TrovaFortuna]

gotcha....

Personally, I would recommend going with VentureShield based on the fact that it's MUCH clearer than the 3M, has no orangepeel and has a more robust warranty.

[Spazdoc]

I have to take a closer look, but I put Ventureshield on the splitters, and 3M from the dealer over the other parts.

I chose to stick with the 3m because it did let through the orange peel - looks more natural. Of course, that is the debate.

[picus]

It isn't that 3m lets through the orange peel, it adds to it. I have 3m, and had I known better before I got it installed, I'd have gone with VS - it's a more clear film, so it just leaves the paint looking like paint.