CLEAR BRA FOR ZL1

[noxqq]

My questions exactly.

[zfuzz]

closs2sx,

This is my first time with paint protection film as well, so far loving it.

Got my Xpel installed about 10 days ago and plan on sealing the entire car this weekend. I did not apply any waxes or sealants prior to the clear bra, just some detailing spray. As it stands right now both the car and the bra are "glossy" cant tell them apart.

I really like and usually use Zaino products and I think you will be fine to use on both the clear bra and the car. This time I around I am going to try the Chemical Guys Jetseal 109 and use their V7 as a top coat and for maintenance.

I was told by Xpel installer that it should be treated just like the clear coat on the car. But not to use any products containing dyes that could stain the film. Both the Zaino clear seal and Chemical Guys Jetseal are optically clear and should work great. I was also told that Jetseal is resold by alot of paint protection film installers, so that is why I am going to give it a try on the whole car.

Here is a link to the Xpel care page http://www.xpel.com/care/

Hope that helps

[BIGBLKZL1]

My Chevy dealer uses 3M. Any other comments on the quality of their product? I have an appointment in a week for that and tinting.

[tpower]

Its really does shine I had them omit doing my stripes because that are a matte finish

[HDRDTD]

I have both the clear bra and the 'paint protection' on my 2011 Vert.

The clear bra is applied BEFORE any 'paint protection' is applied so the clear bra can bond to the paint properly.

Other than that, the clear bra is just that, clear, so whatever shine the paint had to begin with, it'll still have after the clear bra.

I have asked in another thread, whether the clear bra should be waxed/polished just like the painted surfaces,and I was told it was perfectly fine to do so, but I would avoide any product that contains any kind of dye as Zfuzz mentioned above.

I was also told that he clear bra (mine is the Avery Nanofusion) could be removed at any time, so if I ever thought the film was turning yellow or dull, or semi=opaque, I could just have it removed.

In the meantime, it's preventing all the stone chips.

[Rickrack]

Originally Posted by closs2sx

I have one question for you guys that have a clear bra, does the area that has the clear bra shine or give the same luster as a freshly waxed section that does not have the clear bra? This is my first car I have ever considered the clear bra for and I assume you can't wax the area where it will be applied prior to applying it so I was just wondering how that would compare? I like the deep gloss that a freshly zainoed car gives and if those results can't be had with the area the clear bra is on I am not sure I want it. Its alot of money to throw down and not be happy with the look

The older paint protection films were very prone to clouding up, discoloring and yellowing due to the fact that the film didn’t have a clearcoat topcoat. As time goes on, film has been getting better and better every year.

I own a detail shop in MA and do lots of clear bra installs. We offer both “standard kits” and “full frontal” coverage. Most of the cars I do are high line and exotics, so it’s a must to use a good film, especially when covering an entire front end of a car (complete hood, complete fenders, bumper and mirrors). The newer films out are so nice that you cannot even tell the difference between a panel that is covered in film compared to bare paint.

The gloss, clarity and texture of the film is pretty unbelievable and worth considering if you’re looking to protect your paint from getting damaged. It can be polished, washed, waxed, etc. and no real special care is needed.

I was using the 3M/Ventureshield product for a while, but have recently switched to the new Xpel Extreme film, which is far superior in my opinion. It has great clarity, no orange peel and has a clearcoat topcoat. The best thing about this particular film is that is has self-healing properties if you happen to scratch it at some point. Any type of heat (sunlight, engine heat, hot water, etc. will promote the self healing and the scratches will disappear. It also has great UV protection and will not discolor, fade or get cloudy like other films on the market. Most films look great when first installed, but typically degrade not even a year later. This film is backed with a 10 year warranty.


I noticed you are also from New England, so let me know if you’re interested in having your Camaro wrapped. I know you mentioned having the entire front end wrapped, so that would include the complete front bumper, complete hood, complete fenders, headlights and both side mirrors. Pricing for a full frontal would run between $1,400 and 1,500 depending on how much film is used. The price includes a proper prep of the areas being covered in film to ensure a quality install. The prep consists of washing the exterior, claybar treatment to all areas being covered in film (removes bonded contaminants), polish all areas being covered in film (removes any imperfections in the paint) and wipe down the paint surface with prep solvent to ensure the film has a perfect surface to adhere to. This is very important and makes a big difference in the final product.

We perform a fully custom install instead of using pre-cut kits. Pre-cut kits typically have lots of critical areas that don't get covered and are prone to stone damage, not to mention lots of unnecessary seams. By performing a fully custom install, we use bulk film and are able to have all seams very close to any openings (park distance sensors, reflectors, headlights, foglights, etc.) for a cleaner install with added coverage. In addition, all edges are completely wrapped over (hood, fenders, etc.).

Once the installation is complete, I apply a paint protection film sealant to protect the film against bugs, bird mess, tree sap, etc... The install is performed my installers who have been in the business for a long time 12 years. With most companies out there, they have multiple installers and you never know who will show up to do the install. The last thing you want is some rookie installer cutting on your car .

I guarantee our work 100% and I doubt you will find a better job anywhere else.


In case you might be interested, here are just a couple examples of our work:

http://www.detailingbliss.com/forum/pro-studio/33777-custom-porsche-clear-bra-install-xpel.htm

http://www.detailingbliss.com/forum/pro-studio/32942-audi-rs4-custom-vevtureshield-install-unique.htm

http://www.detailingbliss.com/forum/pro-studio/30284-unique-car-care-bmw-m3-detail.htm



Let me know if you have any other questions or would like to set something up.

Keep in mind that the price includes all the prep work, fully custom install (not precut), using the best film on the market and a paint protection sealant after the install.


I hope this answers some of your questions.

Best regards,
~Rick

[zfuzz]

Originally Posted by tpower

Its really does shine I had them omit doing my stripes because that are a matte finish

Hey tpower, just a FYI, Xpel also has a film called "Stealth" it is made just for matte finishes. Just in case you are anyone might be interested in protecting those parts as well.

[fcu678]

Originally Posted by bumblebeecamaro

I've had the 3M shield on my SS for 2.5 years and it still looks perfect. my installer's main form of bread and butter is a high end dealership in the Orlando area that only sells Ferraris and Maseratis.

surely one would think those high end cars wouldn't accept nothing but the best when it comes to this sort of stuff. I don't know why people are bashing 3M.

+1

[BIGBLKZL1]

Sounds good. My dealer uses 3M and is giving me a 5 year warranty to match the warranty on the car. If it discolors, gets scratched or a rip, he will replace that area completely.

[brucedd]

Pics of 3M Clear Bra on CRT ZL1:

[tpower]

I believe I am going to do the complete car, coming home from Michigan I got a stone off the roof, Not to bad but once fixed I thing im gonna get the rst of the car done

[SS4PK]

I've had mine for 3 years. It was the Expel P0602D and P0602E, which would be different for you guys but I have not experienced anything negative. It has not yellowed either. Cost me $900 installed. Joe the owner at Truck and Car Concepts in Tallahassee did mine.

http://www.tandtperformance.com/inde...mart&Itemid=90

[OldJedi]

I had a clear bra installed yesterday at Auto Super Shield in Boca Raton yesterday. Here are some of the pictures. This is the car right after it was washed and brought inside the shop. The rest are pictures of the bra being installed. They are also doing a custom wrap job on a Lambo whose owner seems to like gold.

[OldJedi]

The car is finished and you can really only see bra from certain angles and from very close to the car. From a few feet away you cannot see it at all. The lights reflecting off of the front of the car with the bra on it shows how shiny the material really is compared to the paint.