Clear Bra?
#126
I've dug thru 3m's site for their testing data. It appears they didn't perform (or document) the extensive testing that VentureSheild did. 3M passed the 24 month exposure tests in Arizona & Florida, but the highest heat test only shows 158F. After a spirited drive, our MSC hoods get WAY hotter then that parked in a nice cool garage.
At this point if I get one, I'm only going to cover up to the beginning of the hood scoop, and the entire lower grill.
Hmmm, if I clear bra above the hood scoop and damage occurs due to heat, I'm looking at a costly repair to have the bonnet repainted. If I don't cover above the hood scoop, eventually it's going to be subject to the standard road rash (nicks and chips), which could also require the bonnet to be repainted ...DOH!
Decisions, decisions....
At this point if I get one, I'm only going to cover up to the beginning of the hood scoop, and the entire lower grill.
Hmmm, if I clear bra above the hood scoop and damage occurs due to heat, I'm looking at a costly repair to have the bonnet repainted. If I don't cover above the hood scoop, eventually it's going to be subject to the standard road rash (nicks and chips), which could also require the bonnet to be repainted ...DOH!
Decisions, decisions....
#129
I've been thinking about how the clear coat came off during clear bra removal on e46jb's auto. e46jb said it happened because the glue on the clear material is very strong. I'm not challenging that it happened, but I very interested in why it happened. The glue on this clear material really is not strong. The problem had to have been caused by something else.
Guess #1: the clear coat was not prepared prepared properly or was inferior. Ex. Mixed for a warmer day, but sprayed on a rainy cooler day
Guess #2: when applied, way too much heat was applied and it actually effected the clear coat
Guess #3: when removed, it was over heated and effected the clear coat
Guess #4: when removed, it was scrapped
Guess #5: when removed, it was stretched and lifted close to parallel to the surface it was removed from
Guess #6: when in use, auto spent lots of time in hot sun that effected clear coat
Guess #7: when in use, auto spent lots of time in hot sun and under sap weeping pine tree
Does anyone else have arm chair hypotheses?
Guess #1: the clear coat was not prepared prepared properly or was inferior. Ex. Mixed for a warmer day, but sprayed on a rainy cooler day
Guess #2: when applied, way too much heat was applied and it actually effected the clear coat
Guess #3: when removed, it was over heated and effected the clear coat
Guess #4: when removed, it was scrapped
Guess #5: when removed, it was stretched and lifted close to parallel to the surface it was removed from
Guess #6: when in use, auto spent lots of time in hot sun that effected clear coat
Guess #7: when in use, auto spent lots of time in hot sun and under sap weeping pine tree
Does anyone else have arm chair hypotheses?
#130
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Anyone have any pics of a clearbra on a black MINI? The reason I ask is that I saw a clearbra on a black BMW 5 series, and I noticed it from about 9 feet away. It was very distracting as the edge line was clearly visible against the black paint. Almost as if someone took a ruler and a knife to the clearcoat. I would of assumed it was just a cheap product install until the owner confirmed it was 3M.
#132
I went to 2 places near my house to look at clear-bra. Both places used 3M and were "up-scale" auto places. I could clearly see where the clear bra is on all the samples they showed me, especially the end line. Maybe I'm just too picky or expected more given all the testimonials about how you can't see it. Anyway, although I am sure it works great, and I am glad so many of you who have it love it, for the price, I think I'll pass.
#133
Nobody said you can't see the line. We said you can't see it unless you're really close.
And it's going to be more visible on darker cars than lighter ones.
Yeah, maybe you're too picky. I'm about as picky as they come and I prefer the hard-to-see line over paint chips. That's one of the reasons the world is interesting, we're not all alike.
And it's going to be more visible on darker cars than lighter ones.
Yeah, maybe you're too picky. I'm about as picky as they come and I prefer the hard-to-see line over paint chips. That's one of the reasons the world is interesting, we're not all alike.
#134
I got two questions for you, or anyone else with clear-bra: Is it more or less visble after waxing or, especially, Hydro-ing? Does it hold water (e.g. rain) differently? I think I mentioned before that the clear rear bumber scratch protector on my car spots more noticeably than the rest of the car.
#135
Anyone have any pics of a clearbra on a black MINI? The reason I ask is that I saw a clearbra on a black BMW 5 series, and I noticed it from about 9 feet away. It was very distracting as the edge line was clearly visible against the black paint. Almost as if someone took a ruler and a knife to the clearcoat. I would of assumed it was just a cheap product install until the owner confirmed it was 3M.
#136
I got two questions for you, or anyone else with clear-bra: Is it more or less visble after waxing or, especially, Hydro-ing? Does it hold water (e.g. rain) differently? I think I mentioned before that the clear rear bumber scratch protector on my car spots more noticeably than the rest of the car.
#138
Right. And it beads water exactly the same as the uncovered paint.
#140
You should wax it. It does bead exactly the same.
#141
#142
From my view one has three choices basically:
1) do nothing and live with the chips/gamble on the repair cost
2) the triditional leather type bra
3) Clear bar (choose your brand)
Of all the vehicles I have had the clear paint protection on, 90% of the time no one ever picks up on it, and of the ones that do, half of them have had or or know of it.
#143
I've used those and they are a PITA. If it rains or gets wet you have to take it off the car. If any grit/sand gets between under the bra, it will abrade the paint. It is UV opaque, so potentially your paint could fade to different shades. You can't keep it on your car if you take it on the track where arguably you would need front end protection the most. The only good thing is that they can take a lot of abuse.
#145
Here's a VentureShield Clear Bra install I did on a members car. Hood, Front Bumper and Rocker Panels.
All of the clear film I have used and seen will not show under your lighting conditions, angles, and the distance the pics were taken. Close ups would give a better idea as to the quality of the material and the installation.
#146
#147
#148
#150
My installer covered the lights with the same 3M 8-mil-thick film that he did the rest of the front with. He said that 3M makes a thicker film that's almost more of a "pad" than a film for the headlamps (30 mil, I think?), but that he'd had problems in the past with it yellowing and cracking, and he hasn't had any reports of broken/chipped lights, even with the thinner 8 mil film.