BEWARE CLEAR BRA's...

[INTIMIDAT3R]

Today, I talked to Clear View and my buddy in the body shop at the dealership about the 3M Paint Protection Film/Clear Bra.

NEITHER recommended it. Both said they could do it, but within a year or two, the film will start to yellow and peel. They've done them and customers always come back after a year or two.

Clear View is actually researching 3 other companies that make a clear bra and testing their products to see if they are more durable.

I'm more than willing to wait and see how durable the other films are.

[Mr. Wyndham]

I've read that this used to be an issue with older films...but not current ones.

I know some people here have put the clear bras on their cars straight out a year ago...it'll be interesting to watch and see if they discolor or not in a few years.

[formare]

3m garuntees the film for 5 years. Your risk is very minimal...

[INTIMIDAT3R]

Originally Posted by formare

3m garuntees the film for 5 years. Your risk is very minimal...

Does that warranty cover labor for removing it and putting on a new one? What about the paint if it gets ruined during the removal process?

Without that being covered, their warranty is worthless.

[formare]

Yep sure does covers all that...

[formare]

More towards the bottom - all of your questions are addressed:

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...esources/FAQs/

[2LTRS]

Adam's also makes Adam's Clear Polish for treating clear bra's and clear plastic surfaces (headlights and taillights). It has UV protection to protect the plastics.

[Legend]

I always wondered how you wax and polish with a clear bra on the car? Wouldn't it look different (the clear bra) over the rest of the car?

I thought about them but from what I've read, but always wondered how you wax and polish the car...heck, even clay barring the car?? How??

The part of the car without the clear bra would have to hold a shine and look better than waxing and polishing a stip of plastic? Wouldn't it?

IDK...I like the concept but seems like too many unanswered questions for me to spend the $$$ on it!

[Adam's Polishes]

yellowing and peeling would be a concern if you utterly neglected to care for it... just like anything else maintenance is an important part of the product continuing to function and appear as it should. I have multiple customers who have had clear bras installed on their vehicles 5+ years... as long as they're cared for they last a long time... one car in particular (an old porsche speedster) the bra is going on 7 years I believe and still looks fine.

[IBM/2SS/RS/LS3]

Had one on my last car for almost 7 years.... The Camaro is getting one too!! No yellowing at all and the parts that had minor blems got peeled off without any trace left on the paint.

Highly recommended!!!

[formare]

The 3m product has an automotive grade non rigid clear coat on it. You SHOULD treat it jut like the paint.

[Dyk-NO]

I only had my clear bra for 3mons now and so far the only problem that I had is getting rid of bug stains they won't come off easy as compared to from rest of the car. . .

[htp autoworks]

Originally Posted by Legend

I always wondered how you wax and polish with a clear bra on the car? Wouldn't it look different (the clear bra) over the rest of the car?

I thought about them but from what I've read, but always wondered how you wax and polish the car...heck, even clay barring the car?? How??

The part of the car without the clear bra would have to hold a shine and look better than waxing and polishing a stip of plastic? Wouldn't it?

IDK...I like the concept but seems like too many unanswered questions for me to spend the $$$ on it!

You wax the clear bra just as you would the paint. In fact you maintain the bra just as the paint. I give a bottle of sealant out with every install now so that my clients have the proper product to take care of it. I have seen film that was on cars well over 5 years that looked brand new. The two people quoted at the beginning of this thread have very little experience in clear bras... I can tell by their statements. And mostbody shop guys I have ran into over the years are against clear bras because it is going to cut down on their business. Clear bra = fewer resprays because the paint willl stay prefect. There is no need to clay bar the area of the car since the paint is protected... the rest of the car clay as normal. As far as shine goes both will hold the same shine... just maintain them as you normally would.

I am not trying to call out the guy who started this thread but it was very poorly done. Just because Joe Schmoe down here at such and such palce doesnt know much abotu them... so in turn doesnt recommend them he shouldnt start an entire thread putting them down especially since there are numerous threads praising them in the same forum. Maybe do some research next timebefore making a statement like that. And if your buddy at Clear View needs some advice tell him to contact me. I will be happy to point him in the right direction since it seems he doesnt have ANY experience in he industry.

[htp autoworks]

Originally Posted by INTIMIDAT3R

Does that warranty cover labor for removing it and putting on a new one? What about the paint if it gets ruined during the removal process?

Without that being covered, their warranty is worthless.

Yes removal and replacement is covered. Now most peeling issues stem from poor installation. So if the installer does a crappy job putting the film on then he will replace the film for free. Thats why I always recommend people find a good installer... not just someone who started carrying film and is installing them for really low rates. Just like anything else in life you get what you pay for... and most of the cheap places do not stand behind their work.