I can't see it when looking at the car normally. When they brought it out, I thought they had missed some of the pieces. I had to get within inches of the car to see the edge. I don't plan to have the car more than a few years, so I'll just enjoy it for now. We also live on a dirt road and I like to spin out on the curves, so this is a good thing for me.

 

Did you really compare it to a CONDOM? That is the best laugh I have had tonight. Maybe I am slap happy. But, I guess in a way it is a "raincoat" . It does help prevent unwanted accidents, but it's only 99% effective. It allows you to play with decreased risk, and when you are done with it, you can peel it off and toss it in the trash! Dave's goina lock this thread!

Seriously, my grandmother never put plastic on her furniture, but she also fed every stranger that visited her house. The clear bra best serves those who commute frequently and for long distances on the highway. If I didn't commute 2 hrs round trip for work, I wouldn't even consider it. I know it wont stop the big rocks. But, I guess I would rather have my car look like granny's couch, then to resemble the pimply face of her grandchild.

 

My MINI GP has just got the clear bra installation (whole front bumper, side-skirts, side-mirrors & A-pillars) from STAR SHIELD ARMOR. Their job is nice and I am so satisfied with their work. Eventhough the film kit for GP is not available, they help me custom it with no additional charge. It takes around 6 hours to finish the work on my car. But, it takes only 2-3 hours to finish the job for those film kit they have. They do it so well. I like it so much. Also, they are contractor w/ BMW, MINI, FERRARI, PORSCHE and LOTUS. They may also offer the installation at your home/office. Don't wait, lets check their company profile at this link: http://jtuned.com/industry/industry_starshield.aspx

Try to get a quote from "NACHO" by calling his cell: (626)376-1731 and told him that you are referring by Teddy (MINI GP) .. You may get a good price on installation.

 

I used to think like BaMatt about the clear bra. I changed my mind after watching the front facia of my E46 M3 go from pristine to pockmarks in less than a year. Most of my daily commute is on freeways that are perpetually under construction or somehow covered with other kinds of sand/garbage. The 3M film actually absorbs much of the impact. I've got two tiny blemishes in my Clearbra, without it would have been major dings in the paint. Yes, it is visible, but I don't find it objectionable. Price is a consideration too, the $350 I paid is reasonable, I wouldn't have done it for the $600+ some of you have paid. Ironically, I have not done the film on my A3 and it's holding up fine. Anecdotally, BMW's and MINI's are known for having pretty soft paint.

 

I guess you're not that west sided - WV is about 15 miles west of the 405 on 101 (or from the PCH about 12 miles from Malibu)

As to dullness - I just recognize the brand name 3M so figure it must be OK - if anybody knows better I'd like to know

 

You mentioned the 101... now, come on boneman, real westside snobs never go over into the valley!! The 101? are you crazy?? My little world is malibu to marina del rey and no further east than sepulveda. Well, there is the occasional jaunt to century city mall. Forget the beverly center. But hey, Thousand Oaks is a nice little area. Reminds me of the midwest. And Valencia I like the hills and all the green. Seriously, I wont even drive to SB unless it's completely necessary for service due to increased traffic on the 405. I have a friend who plays tennis. He invited me to Encino to play tennis. My response was, "Are you crazy?? Drive to the valley in traffic to play tennis in 90 degree weather?" He, since then, labeled me the westside snob. Which isn't true, but why play tennis in 90 degree weather, when you can play in 75 degree weather with a nice ocean breeze?

 

Haha. I'm from West LA as well.. Culver City/Palms area to be more exact.

I just picked up my MINI, Sir Geoffrey, from SB MINI last night and I'm really considering getting a clear bra. I'm so worried about getting pock marks all over his front that I may end up getting both the hood and bumper application done. xpel.com lists Valley Clear Bra in North Hollywood as the closest place to get it done so I may have to go on an adventure out there tomorrow.

 

Let me know what they quote you. The less money I have to spend on "not so fun" items, the more money I have left to spend on fun items. What made you decide not to get it done at SB?

 

Believe it or not, the MAs there told me that the new company they contracted to do the clear bras is wayyyy overpriced. They didn't tell me what that price was, but they suggested that I go elsewhere.

I'm thinking about checking out Sticker City in Sherman Oaks as well. I figured it would be best to check out more than one place in order to get a better idea of how much I should be expected to spend. Either that or I'm just really addicted to driving my car. haha. <img>

 

I have a space blue MINI and have a 3M clearbra. Yes you can see the edges of the clear bra, but it is not unsightly by any means. As noted in other clearbra posts, the edges are more noticable on the darker colors as opposed to lighter ones. I could barely see the edges on a pepper white MINI.

In regards to the clearbra dulling the shine, outside of a slight difference in reflected light, the shine is not dulled at all. I use Ice on my MINI about once a month and it does not dull or cloud the clearbra at all. The clearbra shines up like the rest of the car.

I had it installed by a certified 3M installer who also does installs for a couple BMW, MBZ and Lexus dealers. He came to my house and did the install in my garage, so I didn't even have to go anywhere.

I was driving from El A (I don't see how you peeps can stand the traffic up there ) back home to San Diego and was behind a truck on the 405. All of a sudden I hear a whole gaggle of rocks hitting my hood and a several pings my windshield. I pull off and check the hood and all I see are rock impact dust streaks on the clear bra. I was able to wipe off all of the streaks, and there were no cuts or holes in the clearbra and no cracks or dings on the paint underneath.

I check my windshield and there are 3 very noticable chips (I remember reading a NAM post indicating that the glass MINI uses is on the softer side). Too bad they don't make a clearbra for the windshield

 

I called sticker city the other day, they didn't answer, it was almost 6pm. I will try again. If I start another assignment in OC, I certainly want it due to all the construction and traffic.

sddave, tell me about all the traffic! As for MINI's glass being soft, I think that might be BMW across the board. In 2 1/2 yrs, my 330 has had 2 cracks. The first one was bad enough to require replacement. I had only had the car for a couple of months when that happened.

 

Okay so maybe I should have gotten the navi installed in Sir Geoffrey. I could not for the life of me figure out where Valley Clear Bra was so I gave up after 20 mins of driving.

I got back on the freeway and headed to Sticker City and got quoted $540 for the entire front + mirrors. I told them I didn't want the mirrors done, but they said the price was the same.

I set up an appointment for the end of next week so I'll let you know how it turns out and post pics.

p.s. The guy that scheduled my appt. was pretty cute but I swear that had nothing to do with my decision to go with Sticker City..

EDIT: Sticker City is open M - Sat 9am - 6pm.

 

I love it!! Hot guy installs clear bra!! I look forward to seeing your pic's. I still 2mo's to go. Counting down.

 

Hey, Valley bra is mobile, he will install your product for 200, but wont warrenty it. His installed price for 3M including lights and mirrors is $450. Just FYI. I think its better than dropping your car off somewhere and waiting. Plus, I can watch him do it!

 

Question is what do you want pictures of?

 

Well, the cute guy doing the installation for starters would be nice

 

I'll try, but the camera on my phone has been finicky lately and I'm pretty sure it would look obvious if i was taking a pic of him..

 

well, you could just play it off...."oh yeah, I just need to get a couple of photo's of the installation process for my friends. You don't mind do you? Do you mind removing your shirt before I snap the shot? It clashes with the color of my MINI."

 

omg.. rofl.

.. don't give me ideas. i have very little self-control.

 

yes, I do have a little evil streak that runs through my veins...

 

Okay! Pics can be seen in my gallery. I didn't take too many pics (I have to head out in a few mins) but I wanted to give you guys and gals an idea of what it looks like.

I'm pretty satisfied with the results.. so go ahead and check em out!

 

Looks really good! You can barely tell it's there!

 

I agree...I can't see anything, so I guess that's good.

As a side note, I really wish "they" had come up with another term for these things. Slightly awkward, imo.

 

I got your PM this morning as I was running out the door. Did the hottie install? My SO would have killed me if I went.

 

Which brand did you choose?