Is clearbra worth it?

[slyphen]

Originally Posted by Decay107

FWIW, I have clearbra on the front 1/3rd from the previous owner. It's helped with minor rock chips and the like, but the transition from smooth paint to orange peel clearbra looks like absolute shit within 5 feet. If I were to get it done myself, it would be the whole hood or nothing at all.

from my research, if the clearbra peels or change in color, either it was really old(for the 86, probably not) or it was a really shitty job. the yellow/orange are dried adhesive reacting to air and sunlight. newer clearbras shouldn't orange/yellow because they changed the adhesive formula. I'm planning on full front wrapping which mean there won't be a cruddy line going across the middle of my panels/hood. When they do full wrap, they should be tucking the wrap over the edges of the panel all the way to the other side(or they suppose to...)

[Decay107]

Originally Posted by RobertPaulson

sounds like the previous owner didn't get paint correction done before the clear bra was added.

Originally Posted by slyphen

from my research, if the clearbra peels or change in color, either it was really old(for the 86, probably not) or it was a really shitty job. the yellow/orange are dried adhesive reacting to air and sunlight. newer clearbras shouldn't orange/yellow because they changed the adhesive formula. I'm planning on full front wrapping which mean there won't be a cruddy line going across the middle of my panels/hood.

I believe I am not explaining myself correctly, my clearbra is neither peeling nor changing color. There is an inherent, albeit slight, difference in both surface finish and index of refraction between a painted surface and a plastic wrapped surface. It bothers me.

[RobertPaulson]

Originally Posted by slyphen

from my research, if the clearbra peels or change in color, either it was really old(for the 86, probably not) or it was a really shitty job. the yellow/orange are dried adhesive reacting to air and sunlight. newer clearbras shouldn't orange/yellow because they changed the adhesive formula. I'm planning on full front wrapping which mean there won't be a cruddy line going across the middle of my panels/hood. When they do full wrap, they should be tucking the wrap over the edges of the panel all the way to the other side(or they suppose to...)

correct, another thing is that it needs to be maintained. cleaned once a week and a fresh coat of wax once a month. I've noticed that the clear synthetic wax seems to do the best. it can lose its luster without that.

[Kotu100]

Keep in mind there can be a big difference in price depending on which PPF is used.


I would recommend a self healing PPF like Xpel Ultimate.
The price for a pre-cut kit for full hood, fenders, mirrors is $809.95
The front bumper kit is $419.95.

All that aside the quote you got does seem a bit high, $325 just for tint?

[RobertPaulson]

btw if you aren't set on ceramic tint and don't mind using a film without uv blocking properties, Andy over at prestige auto tint does amazing work at a fair price, it was 250ish to tint my wife protege (a lot more to tint than on our car) and i've used him before on my mazda3 and i've sent a couple friends his way. every job comes out perfect and he offers a lifetime warranty on his work and the film.
http://prestigetinting.com/

[asphaltfrs2014]

I would say its worth it to get just the front bumper done, stopping right at the bumper lines and not extending further up the hood or fenders. When clear bras extend upwards, thats when you tend to run into that line where wax wants to collect and if you ever remove it the wear on the exposed paint would look differently. Just my opinion.

[slyphen]

Originally Posted by Kotu100

Keep in mind there can be a big difference in price depending on which PPF is used.


I would recommend a self healing PPF like Xpel Ultimate.
The price for a pre-cut kit for full hood, fenders, mirrors is $809.95
The front bumper kit is $419.95.

All that aside the quote you got does seem a bit high, $325 just for tint?

the one they quoted was xpel

[Turbo95eg6]

Yes, it's wortht it. I got mine done after getting enough chips, which is very noticible on white. Although, make sure you get the whole fenders/hood done. The line annoys me as well. I went 1/3 on the fender, and I'm already on my second big rock chip on the lip of the wheelwell. Never experienced paint so fragile as this one.

[PNW FRS]

Can't help with insight on the costs you've mentioned... but I can tell you that you should check around and try to find the brand that is "self-healing." That way, when small nicks, etc. happen, they will self-heal.

I have the "Factory OEM" Clearbra that is NOT self-healing... and now after two years of wear... the Clearbra is beginning to show some wear-and-tear.

[slyphen]

Originally Posted by PNW FRS

Can't help with insight on the costs you've mentioned... but I can tell you that you should check around and try to find the brand that is "self-healing." That way, when small nicks, etc. happen, they will self-heal.

I have the "Factory OEM" Clearbra that is NOT self-healing... and now after two years of wear... the Clearbra is beginning to show some wear-and-tear.

the price was for xpel self healing brand.

[Ammunition]

I agree with @Turbo95eg6 in that the paint on our cars is just unbelievable in its softness, and lack of resilience. It's the biggest complaint I have when people ask me what I don't like, or am unhappy with about my car.

I purchased a clear bra, and I feel that it is absolutely worth it. Our cars are so low, that almost any car at normal, sedan-level height is going to be capable of kicking stuff up at our bumper - even when taking every precaution that you can to drive a safe distance back fro mteh car in front of you, etc.

Living in the Northwest seems to be especially shitty in that our roads are completely chewed up, we seem to share back-roads, and neighborhood streets with large semi-trucks the likes of which I've never seen elsewhere in the country, and to boot we call out that fleet of trucks to shit gravel all over the roads throughout the winter.

After only four months of ownership and precarious driving the front of my car was completely pelted - it made me really sad. I purchased my clear bra last year with some of the money from my tax return, and while there are a few things about the install that I think were shoddy, there isn't a single day where I don't feel it was worth it.

I had an empty milk gallon jug fly out of the back of a pick up truck in front of me that hit my car square in the bumper - there was no damage from it, but had I not had the clear shield I feel like that would have left some sort of nasty scratch or marring.


I definitely think it's worth it, but the price you were quoted was definitely too high.

I would try to shop around a bit - I have heard good things about TCT wraps, and I was told that they offer a Suntek line that is identical to the Xpel Ultimate shield (which I have). My detailer and friend Tom works there I believe, he told me to mention his name to get a good price there since I was inquiring about wanting to get my hood done - not sure if that will work for you, but you could at least ask them for a quote as I believe their prices are decent regardless.

Also, if the quality shop you're referring to getting it done at is 503 Motoring - don't go there; they caused damage to my car while I was getting my clear bra installed; the owner is a sociopath that will deny his shop causing anything of the sort even if you have evidence, and support - they reluctantly paid to have the damage they cause to my car fixed, but made me sign a waiver saying they did not cause it, and only "repaired it in good faith" before they would give me my keys back. They're also crooks with their pricing. I had to pay for the front "package" deal they had which included door edges that I told them I didn't even want done (I had the factory edge guards, anyway), and they refused to reduce the price any for wanting to exclude that part, insisting that their packages offer the "most aggressive pricing", and therefor the price won't change (even if you don't want or need an area of your car done that is included in their "packaging").

[slyphen]

Originally Posted by Ammunition

I agree with @Turbo95eg6 in that the paint on our cars is just unbelievable in its softness, and lack of resilience. It's the biggest complaint I have when people ask me what I don't like, or am unhappy with about my car.

I purchased a clear bra, and I feel that it is absolutely worth it. Our cars are so low, that almost any car at normal, sedan-level height is going to be capable of kicking stuff up at our bumper - even when taking every precaution that you can to drive a safe distance back fro mteh car in front of you, etc.

Living in the Northwest seems to be especially shitty in that our roads are completely chewed up, we seem to share back-roads, and neighborhood streets with large semi-trucks the likes of which I've never seen elsewhere in the country, and to boot we call out that fleet of trucks to shit gravel all over the roads throughout the winter.

After only four months of ownership and precarious driving the front of my car was completely pelted - it made me really sad. I purchased my clear bra last year with some of the money from my tax return, and while there are a few things about the install that I think were shoddy, there isn't a single day where I don't feel it was worth it.

I had an empty milk gallon jug fly out of the back of a pick up truck in front of me that hit my car square in the bumper - there was no damage from it, but had I not had the clear shield I feel like that would have left some sort of nasty scratch or marring.


I definitely think it's worth it, but the price you were quoted was definitely too high.

I would try to shop around a bit - I have heard good things about TCT wraps, and I was told that they offer a Suntek line that is identical to the Xpel Ultimate shield (which I have). My detailer and friend Tom works there I believe, he told me to mention his name to get a good price there since I was inquiring about wanting to get my hood done - not sure if that will work for you, but you could at least ask them for a quote as I believe their prices are decent regardless.

Also, if the quality shop you're referring to getting it done at is 503 Motoring - don't go there; they caused damage to my car while I was getting my clear bra installed; the owner is a sociopath that will deny his shop causing anything of the sort even if you have evidence, and support - they reluctantly paid to have the damage they cause to my car fixed, but made me sign a waiver saying they did not cause it, and only "repaired it in good faith" before they would give me my keys back. They're also crooks with their pricing. I had to pay for the front "package" deal they had which included door edges that I told them I didn't even want done (I had the factory edge guards, anyway), and they refused to reduce the price any for wanting to exclude that part, insisting that their packages offer the "most aggressive pricing", and therefor the price won't change (even if you don't want or need an area of your car done that is included in their "packaging").

the place is called Northwest Auto Salon, got really good reviews and from what I can see, they got really nice garages and seem very professional. I suppose they charge more because they deal a lot of supercars (a few in the lot when i visited the place)

[Ammunition]

Originally Posted by slyphen

the place is called Northwest Auto Salon, got really good reviews and from what I can see, they got really nice garages and seem very professional. I suppose they charge more because they deal a lot of supercars (a few in the lot when i visited the place)

Ah - for some reason I thought you were in the Portland area. 'veh eard good things about NWAS as well, but yeah - it seems as though that is the shop that all of the super cars in the area get detailed at, so I imagine their prices are going to be significantly higher. For the $1,700 you were quoted - I feel like you could pay to have the whole front bumper repainted to look like new, and then find another shop to do the same clear bra for that same price all together.

[slyphen]

hm its interesting... i just called accutint in bellvue for quote, they gave about the same offer as NWAS. maybe just a liiitttle cheaper. i guess that is the price nowadays.