What do people think of Clear Bra Paint Protection?

HTP AutoWorks

I have been trying to tell people for a long time this place is a scam. Clear bra installations is not for an amature, period. They are promoting kits as such that anyone can install a kit. Not true. The only way to make it where people can get decent results is to make a single kit (bumper, hood...) into multiple pieces where no stretching is involved. They are SCAMMING people and should stop screwing people out of their money. I am an installer and know what they are doing... it gives the industry a bad name.

If I were you I would demand all of my money back. You did not get the kit you bought.

miguez

Maybe take the kit they have now (the one with more pieces) and ask for 50% of your money back?

StLRedrider

I have a quick question: I'm getting the clear bra installed on friday asked to have the headlights protected and the guy said he wouldn't do them because 6 months from now the headlights would turn yellow from the heat, what do you guys think?

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HTP AutoWorks

I can tell you that he doesnt know what he is talking about and I would be very leary about having him do an install. I have been in the industry for over 5 years, seen many different cars with many different films, and I have never seen a car's headlights yellow. From his statement I would assume he is not very experienced with film... and probably is a window tinter. PM his shop info and I will find out if he is any good. I know a lot of installers and we all know who the good ones are...

I would hate to see you waste your money and get a bad install.. or worse get your paint cut up.

2theextreme

My aunt had to trade in her Mustang due to finances and things happening at her job....she purchased a Nissan Cube (actually they are kinda cool looking) and she asked about clear bra/film protection. The dealer told her that the stuff will damage the paint. Any truth to this as I am interested in wrapping my entire Z at some point?

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StLRedrider

This is an installer that does alot of work for the dealer i bought my z from, while i was there my salesmen showed me some work he had done on a brand new gtr. It looked very good. He said he could do the lights, just didn't recomend it. I go at 1pm i'll call the dealer in the morning and get his info.

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HTP AutoWorks

You need to take it back. If the kit is already lifting you are going to have major problems with it down the road. I have been installing film for years and having film lift is a sign of a bad install. Once dirt gets under the film it will be ruined. Take it back now and demand that it be replaced and that he should heat seal the edges with a heat gun next time.

If you have any questions feel free to PM me.

WoZZer

Do you recommend the "do it yourself"er heat seal the edges? Why is it necessary if you get a good adhesion?

Thanks....

V8KILR

Good input on this thread. I think you're giving everyone quality information. I assume you're a dealer?
I'm a large Clearshield dealer in my part of the world and technical trainer for Bekaert Canada.

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TARDCORE

ok so basically I no longer need to go through the long process of wash, clay, wash, polish, glaze, seal, wax. now its just wash, clay, wash, seal?

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dwhitley0381

I had them do the lights and I am taking it back tomorrow to remove and get my money back on the lights... does not want to stick... the rest is ok but have notice some spots coming lose.... is this normal? The guy that did it came recommended by the dealer and has good write ups... Has anyone else had problems like that?

Mike

I've had several cars done, and with a good installer, never had a problem. I have an install scheduled for the 19th. My car is supposed to be delivered by the 16th.

k.alexander

So I finally got the kit from invisible mask. They ended up contacting me to say that the bumper kit I ordered, they were having problems with and if I would like to take the other bumper kit, eventually, I agreed and took the 4 piece bumper kit.

I did the install on Saturday. I did 99% of the work, my one buddy was hanging around and helped just to first place the large pieces on the car, just the initial picking them up and putting the pieces on the hood and bumper sections, it helps if someone holds the other end for a few seconds, after that you can pretty much do all the work yourself.

Short story, it took me about half hour to wash the car, with special attention to the front. I used one of the tar/bug removal solutions on the bumper. Afterwards, I spent a total of about 6.5 hrs to do the entire bumper, the bottom/front bikini portion of the hood and the little pieces that go on the front portion of the front quarter panels. I ran out of time to do the mirrors, but I can probably bang those out in an hour one of these nights.

Don't want to tout my own horn, but the job came out about as close to "awesome" as you can say. I initially ended up with some tiny tiny bubbles on the hood piece, and although I was reluctant, I used the syringe they give you. Just be very careful, and insert it at pretty much a flat angle, as to the hood, all you have to do is just pierce the skin of the film (unless I assume the bubbles are large, which I didnt have) and then you can just remove the syringe and rub the tip of your finger around the bubble, squeezing the air out of the completely invisible hole that you just created. Essentially the air will escape by itself, you almost dont even need to 'massage' the air bubble for the air to escape. I repeat, that the hole that you make is invisible, like you probably wouldn't even see it with a magnifying glass. Didn't really get any bubbles on the other pieces.

I started with the little front quarter panel pieces. They were pretty simple, and required minimal stretching. Then I did the hood piece. Also no stretching, also pretty simple, but because of how big the piece is, watch out for those bubbles. Then I did the two central bumper pieces, the one that goes around the large Nissan logo on the front, and the one that goes on the fangs, at the bottom of the bumper. First one, fairly simple, required some stretching (which really isn't very hard to do). The second one, the one on the fang, I literally stretched by like an inch and a half, otherwise, surprisingly easy to install on that fang section which is both vertical and has many many curves.

Finally, I did the two pieces that go on the corners of each side of the bumper. These were Tough! to install. They were difficult for two reasons, the part of the bumper is basically one big bubble (not an air bubble, just it's shape), and you have to somehow wrap the piece around and not end up with wrinkles at either of the edges, also it required some weird stretching, but mostly at one or two of the corners. Biggest advice, just don't give up, no matter how much it looks like you may have positioned it wrong, just keep evening it out at the edges and it will eventually work out.

Finally, watch the dvd they send you. It's a doozer, but it is educational. Mix the solutions as they suggest. You will definitely need some rubbing alcohol and baby shampoo as those are the two things they don't provide. Otherwise, everything they give you is exactly what you need.

FYI: I have no affiliation with these guys, I have never been able to get someone on the phone there, but they do respond to emails quickly. And once I emailed and asked as to the status of my order, they admitted that due to the change in the bumper kit, the order felt through the cracks, but they were sending it out right away so that I would have it for the weekend, which I did.

I drove the car right after finishing all the installs. I've driven it more late on Sat and again today on Sun. Walking out to the car this morning, two other people could not tell there was anything on the car, until I pointed their attn at the very thing edge of film going across the hood. Btw, that film edge is much less noticeable than I thought.

Im a firm believer in that if you can do something yourself, you should. A) you same some money, B) you learn something in the process and C) it feels good to have done it yourself. I thought I would be cursing the whole day I was doing this, but surprisingly I actually kind of enjoyed the install. Sure it took all day, but it helps if you have some music on in the background, a good buddy to bs with, meanwhile, and I only wish I had a beer while doing all this. As a result, the experience was actually kind of relaxing and I absolutely was not cursing my decision at any time.

If anyone has any questions, shoot!

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ohioZ

I had some questions about this clear bra thing:

1) Will it damage the paint at all if it is removed?
2) I would probably want to do the entire hood so I wont have any lines...would there be a difference in the way the hood looks compared to the rest of the car? When you wax it does it result in the same shine and beauty as if it wasnt on there at all?

Thanks

TARDCORE

I had a question too... since the clear bra is a barrier against the paint is there a point to waxing or polishing anymore with it on? Im guessing wax will create another barrier but do you still polish, seal, clay etc the car?

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