What do people think of Clear Bra Paint Protection?
 

I just had Xpel Paint Protection Film installed on my Monterey Blue 370Z and it looks awesome. I had it on my 06 350Z and it kept it looking perfect. What do people think of this stuff?

I am thinking about having it done. PLEASE post pictures and if you don't mind how much did it cost?

I usually do it just because here in Vegas, and especially in my area of town, there is always construction and dump trucks dropping sand, pebbles, rocks, etc. all over the road 24/7.

I had it on my STI and its barely noticeable, check out the pics of my car in my album and that should give you a pretty good idea.

You should be able to get it down for around $700 to $800. This is the fourth car I've had it on and I really like the product. It worries me to drive a car that doesn't have paint protection film installed. You might be able to get it done a little cheaper, but it's hard to find a good installer that will really cut his prices. Mine looks great and the hood has the edges wrapped on the front and the sides. There is a little line about 26 inches up the hood, but other than that, you can't tell it's on the car. I've seem some real hack jobs on other cars, but a good installer can do it where it's virtually invisible. Check out the picture and tell me what you think. I went through Paint Defender (Paint Defender - The Invisible Bra For Your Automobile) and they are in Georgia and Kentucky. They are part of the XPEL network and can find you a dealer anywhere you would like. There film is better than the 3M film and the Venture Shield film and they warranteed for 7 years.Picasa Web Albums - Richard - 2009 370Z Mon...

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink[/URL]http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink

Thanks a lot for the information!

I have this on the front of my MINI, and since the front was repainted after an accident, I was able to compare the difference with and without the protective film over a couple of years. Before, the number of paint chips was enough to make a grown man cry, but with the protective film, the front of the car has stayed chip-free.

Anymore pictures of your Z and the film installed? I'm getting this color and definitely will be getting some sort of paint protection.

I had it on my Lexus IS350 and you could barely tell it was there. I'm having my Z done this coming Weds, I will post pics afterward. I'm also getting the windows tinted. I'm paying less than $800 for both, but they gave me a repeat customer discount.

Here are some pics of my car after the film was installed. You have to look really hard to see it. I had the Paint Protection Film put on the bumper, hood, fenders, and the headlamps. You can also get it on the rocker panels, A-pillars, and the roof. For the 350Z you could literally cover the entire car. I would imagine they will come out with more patterns for the 370Z as well.

Here's the link to my album: Picasa Web Albums - Richard - 2009 370Z Mon...

I'm getting this installed on my front bumper and side mirrors this afternoon. I'll take before and after pics and post them for everyone.

^you might want to do the front of the hood too...no chips on the front bumper and then all these white spec on the hood?

my friend has this on his M3 and it does its job perfectly, excellent investment

Not sure I can ask this so that it will make sense, but has anyone had problems with lines appearing at the end of the bra? Kind of like, dirt wedging itself under the the end of the bra?

Well I got my clear bra installed today. Will post pics and thoughts later.

Here are some pics of my Z after having the ClearBra installed this afternoon. I'm pleased with the results. Cost was $387, including 6% sales tax and installation. It took the guy a little over 2 hours, and he came out to me to do the installation.

man it is money well invested read my sig you can tell i swear by the stuff.

Pretty good job, $470 with lifetime warranty.


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Alex - Nice pictures. Can you indicate which product you selected and which dealer in Houston did the install?

It looks like they did a good job. I noticed that the two Z cars that stopped in Houston during the follow the Z tour has some product on the bumper, but it did not look like a great job and there was some pealing.

I'm also interested on it. Where can I get it? I'm in Houston.

Executive Motoring
2823 Hillcroft
(not to far from the Galleria)

I may get the lights done, not sure. I've done a lot of research and people seem to appreciate the product. Here's a YouTube search. If you go tell them Alex with the red 370 sent you! :icon17:

http://img.skitch.com/20090120-jqrw7...jks3dsuay3.jpg

wow.. very nice Alex. I am loving it! They did a really good job. :tup: Price is great too.

BTW, off topic, what kind of camera are you using? It takes some vivid images.

Thanks! I have a Canon XTi.

What is the difference between Xcel and 3M Clear bra?

Cool! I just got a Canon XSi. I'm loving the quality. I just have to learn how to use the thing effectively.

i seriously had no idea there was such a thing

I was thinking about getting an XSi, there is so much you can do with the camera. I am by no means a professional but I enjoy taking pictures.

I didn't either, until I came to this forum.

First, it's Xpel, not Xcel. Having said that, the installer who did my car told me that Xpel used to get their film from 3M, but weren't really satisfied with the quality of it and kept pleading with 3M to make some changes. 3M basically said nah, it's fine the way it is, so about a year ago or so, Xpel gave 3M the boot and started manufacturing their own film, which is a much better quality than what 3M was providing (according to the installer). So if I'm understanding things correctly, prior to all this, 3M and Xpel film were the same thing, as Xpel was just licensing 3M film and putting their own name on it. But now they are two truly different products.

XPEL is a company out of San Antonio that makes patterns and their own paint protection film. They used to market their patterns and use 3M film, but a few years ago they improved on 3Ms film and started making there own film. Both films are clear coated and look very nice, but the XPEL film has less orange peel texture to it and seems to install easier with less defects. My installer told me that the XPEL film has a adhesive that is more forgiving which results in less mistakes and blemishes during the install. I've had XPEL film on my last two cars and I think it looks a lot better. I've also had Venture Shield film and the XPEL film just seems to look the best.

I'll take some more pictures of my car tonight, but I noticed red car above didn't have the film wrapped around the edges on his hood. Installers that use XPEL patterns have the option to do that so be sure and ask them when you schedule your install.

What about waxing that part of the car, and sun fade?

You wax it and care for it just like you would the paint on your car. It has an automotive clear coat on the exterior of the film so you treat it the same, you just can't use abrasives. As far as sun fade goes, it doesn't affect the way the car fades. It will however keep the paint from oxidizing.

Thanks:tiphat:!

You are correect. Xpel is a much better film than 3M. I wont install 3M due to the amount of orange peel in it. It looks terrible on the car. I strictly use Ventureshield, Xpel, and ClearMask AR now. All three films are good films... although I do beleive VentureShield and ClearMask AR havea better, smoother finish.

i had one put on mine too. this the first time i've ever done it. after seeing my s2000 get massacred by rocks i had too. mine was $600 in cali it covered front end, mirrors, and headlights. it was hard finding a shop with patterns for the car

Has anyone tried modifying their headlights (i.e., put it in the oven) with the paint protection material on it? I wonder if it's going to warp or damage the headlight.

I'd like to get the paint and headlight protection done as soon as possible once I get my car, but I plan to remove the headlights and get them modded in the near future.

i was wondering if there is a good company that uses xpel here in northern cali (sacramento).

So how can you tell from a decent job to a good job?

Really! :tup: In the backyard and I did not know it.

I just got it put on my 370 and it looks great. i am worried it will fade as it gets older but for the bumper hood fenders and mirrors it cost me right at 450

It won't fade as much as turn a little yellow on you... I was told the darker colors will not see any difference, but on PPW and Silver it might be noticeable. Just wash the car often, and wax it regularly to protect the protective cover... LOL

I installed it on the Z about 2 weeks ago. The shop used a product called Venture Shield. Worked out very nice. The guy that owns the shop did the install. There was an issue with a line on the hood which was difficult to see. He pulled it off and put a new piece on no questions asked. Almost forgot he did the lighted aluminum sill pieces which should help with scratches down the road. Also had the headlights done. Great work and customer service.

Here is a question that i have. Has anyone had one taken off and a new one put on?
Ive had mine on my Z (350) for about 4 years. Its still in good shape but im thinking a new one might make things look better.
Any thoughts on this? For less than 500 it might not be a bad idea.