Question on Clear Bra

[Tantalizer43]

Originally Posted by stymie

CLEAR BRA installers are NOT created equal; do your homework to find a reputable dealer OR do it yourself if you are expeienced in such matters. I've seen some gut wrenching abortions.

Ask some of the SW Ohio guys how my bra looked... Some Pittsburgh fellas saw it too.

I would not advise installing it yourself though. Unless you do it by trade.

[EvilZL1]

Im located in TN and I'm interested in buying a clear bra for the ZL1 in order to save the paint. Any suggestions on where to take it?

[mrwmaw]

What areas of the car do most people have the clear bras put on? Just the front bumper? The front bumper and the hood? I know its all based on personal preference, just curious if there is something that most people go with. How much does something like this run?

[atintpro]

Well, coming from an actual installer of the products you are talking about. I personally recommend 3M! I have installed them all and the only dissappointment in the 3M product is that they do not make it in a 60" roll...thus no complete hoods without using Ventureshield. All of the products will save your paint, some just have better longevity and look better. I would definately recommend having it profesionally installed as there is a pretty steep learning curve on this application.

[htp autoworks]

Originally Posted by atintpro

Well, coming from an actual installer of the products you are talking about. I personally recommend 3M! I have installed them all and the only dissappointment in the 3M product is that they do not make it in a 60" roll...thus no complete hoods without using Ventureshield. All of the products will save your paint, some just have better longevity and look better. I would definately recommend having it profesionally installed as there is a pretty steep learning curve on this application.

3M is a lower end film. Sorry it is... and most of my clients over the last 10 years wouldn't want it on their vehicles. for one it has a tremendous amount of orange peel to it so it doesn't blend with the paint well. Second they use an acrylic for their top coat which will crack during the install process because acrylic will not stretch. Down in warm weather climates such as Texas after a few years in the heat it will begin to get larger cracks in it. I have seen numerous cars down here that I couldn't get the film off because the 3M film had disintegrated to the point it wouldn't peal off. And lastly when you do have to remove 3M film (and you will) the adhesive pretty much stays with the paint, not the film .So it is a PITA to remove.

I am sure you were factory trained by 3M so you are being loyal to them. But I promise you if you get out and try some other films you will like them much better... and your business will greatly increase. 3M may have been the original film but they haven't improved it at all over the last 8 years. People want the newer films because they are smoother, more durable, and more stain resistant than 3M... plus they offer better warranties than 3M's five years.

[Shurenuff]

Originally Posted by htp autoworks

3M is a lower end film. Sorry it is... and most of my clients over the last 10 years wouldn't want it on their vehicles. for one it has a tremendous amount of orange peel to it so it doesn't blend with the paint well. Second they use an acrylic for their top coat which will crack during the install process because acrylic will not stretch. Down in warm weather climates such as Texas after a few years in the heat it will begin to get larger cracks in it. I have seen numerous cars down here that I couldn't get the film off because the 3M film had disintegrated to the point it wouldn't peal off. And lastly when you do have to remove 3M film (and you will) the adhesive pretty much stays with the paint, not the film .So it is a PITA to remove.

I am sure you were factory trained by 3M so you are being loyal to them. But I promise you if you get out and try some other films you will like them much better... and your business will greatly increase. 3M may have been the original film but they haven't improved it at all over the last 8 years. People want the newer films because they are smoother, more durable, and more stain resistant than 3M... plus they offer better warranties than 3M's five years.

Any specific recommendations? What would be the positive aspects of those recommended brands versus the 3M product?

[mrwmaw]

Originally Posted by htp autoworks

3M is a lower end film. Sorry it is... and most of my clients over the last 10 years wouldn't want it on their vehicles. for one it has a tremendous amount of orange peel to it so it doesn't blend with the paint well. Second they use an acrylic for their top coat which will crack during the install process because acrylic will not stretch. Down in warm weather climates such as Texas after a few years in the heat it will begin to get larger cracks in it. I have seen numerous cars down here that I couldn't get the film off because the 3M film had disintegrated to the point it wouldn't peal off. And lastly when you do have to remove 3M film (and you will) the adhesive pretty much stays with the paint, not the film .So it is a PITA to remove.

I am sure you were factory trained by 3M so you are being loyal to them. But I promise you if you get out and try some other films you will like them much better... and your business will greatly increase. 3M may have been the original film but they haven't improved it at all over the last 8 years. People want the newer films because they are smoother, more durable, and more stain resistant than 3M... plus they offer better warranties than 3M's five years.

So which ones would you recommend?

[htp autoworks]

I personally like VentureShield Ultra (8 years of installing with no warranty issues and comes in 60" widths), Avery Nano Fusion (lifetime warranty, stain resistant, and perfectly smooth), and Xpel Ultimate (self healing topcoat, perfectly smooth, and 10 year warranty). Those three films are all very good. I dont promote any one film because I go with the best films I think are out there by my own testing... not the hype associated with the film manufacturer. My moms C6 has Ventureshield Ultra on it and my dads 2008 Viper has both ventureshield and Avery Nano Fusion on it. The Xpel film is very new but I like it so far... except for the cost.

[mmarx82]

I'd be interested to see pictures showing the differences in how each looks once installed. I for one don't want it to be noticeable that I have one and I'd like to now how cost effective it would be to do something like this. As of now I'm leaning toward not doing it but where I live I don't know anybody who has it installed.

[htp autoworks]

There are some galleries at www.pro-tectmobile.com Plenty of cars including Camaros that have film on them. There is a good installer in Atlanta, not sure how far that is from you but it would be worth the driev. Trust me, the rock chips will accumulate and it will get frustrating.

By the way, I REALLY like the wheels on your car. What wheels are those?

[IROC U]

Who is the installer in Atlanta and what price range are we looking at for your recommended products??

[Shurenuff]

Originally Posted by htp autoworks

I personally like VentureShield Ultra (8 years of installing with no warranty issues and comes in 60" widths), Avery Nano Fusion (lifetime warranty, stain resistant, and perfectly smooth), and Xpel Ultimate (self healing topcoat, perfectly smooth, and 10 year warranty). Those three films are all very good. I dont promote any one film because I go with the best films I think are out there by my own testing... not the hype associated with the film manufacturer. My moms C6 has Ventureshield Ultra on it and my dads 2008 Viper has both ventureshield and Avery Nano Fusion on it. The Xpel film is very new but I like it so far... except for the cost.

Thanks for the info

[mmarx82]

Originally Posted by htp autoworks

There are some galleries at www.pro-tectmobile.com Plenty of cars including Camaros that have film on them. There is a good installer in Atlanta, not sure how far that is from you but it would be worth the driev. Trust me, the rock chips will accumulate and it will get frustrating.

By the way, I REALLY like the wheels on your car. What wheels are those?

They are the standard black ZL1 wheels. That pic is from the Rolex 24 hour race. http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=198014

My car's not quite here yet lol.

Originally Posted by IROC U

Who is the installer in Atlanta and what price range are we looking at for your recommended products??

Yes I'd like to know the same, after looking at the pics on that site it's pretty convincing, Atlanta's 4 hours from me but I make a trip there every year and If I go this route and have the car in time I was prob going to the FbodyGathering in May also.

[Wizard1183]

Im surprised no mentioned the con on Clear Bra about it keeping the paint underneath it pristine while the paint exposed to elements will be a different color! (faded, oxidized, ect.)