Clear Bra?

[learnerspermit]

I recently just picked up a Firestorm FR-S and with less than 100 miles on the clock so far I have been tossing around the idea of adding a clear bra to the front bumper and other rock chip areas. I called one place locally today and they quoted me $488.00 for the front bumper only! That seems steep however I know it is a pricy task to have done and you get what you pay for. Im concerned for the bumper, headlights, and the trunk area getting damaged. Does anyone have experience with this, or is it worth it, or can you share prices you have paid and areas on your you had covered. Is there a particular brand of film the installer should use or not use, and if I have someone do this what should I ask to make sure they do/don't. Also are there any good alternatives or do it your selfs on the market?

Thanks

[Prog]

I got a clear bra on my Camaro when I got it almost 4 years ago. It cost about $600 (front bumper and side mirrors, none of the hood) and it was worth every penny, except the installer was shitty. Make sure that the person installing yours has plenty of experience and installs properly (using a heat gun!) or you'll regret it.

When I get my BRZ, I'm taking it to get a clear bra immediately. Very worth it.

[Burrcold]

I got my full bumper, hood and fenders done. Best money I've spent on the car to date.

[Gunman]

I had the bumper, partial hood and fenders (bikini cut), and the mirrors. VentureShield brand, and I *think* it was around $600. The place I had do it, also does all of the race cars where I work, so they gave me a really nice discount, that's why I'm not certain of the regular price.

I know it's saved me from some chips, but because it's plastic, it will stain from bird droppings left on too long, etc.

[hattrickey]

I got full front bumper, 18" up the hood/fenders, and mirrors done for $450. I would highly recommend it!

[xia]

Why is it so cheap everywhere else? I paid 700 for front bumper, 18" on hood, 4" on corner of fenders, and mirrors. Best to do it right off the dealership. Thank goodness i have no chips for the 500 miles i drove before doing it (mostly small street cruising with barely any cars around).

[Prog]

I just called the only certified xpel installer in Louisiana and it was about $360 for front bumper, $215 for full hood, $90 for side mirrors. I only got side mirrors and front bumper on my Camaro, so that's probably what I'll do on the BRZ. I only got one or two small rock chips on the Camaro hood in almost 4 years.

[muffinz]

I have a Suntek clear bra on my bumper, 1/3 hood, and mirrors.

I regret not getting the fenders and rockers near the rear fenders covered because these areas have gotten chipped.

The suntek bra is invisible, but the installers I used F'ed it up. Suntek has proprietary cutting machines that cut out the templates for your car so the installer doesnt have to. Needless to say, it didnt cut out the templates to fit exactly...so I have unprotected gaps on my bumper where the separate pieces didn't abutt properly.

FURTHERMOREEEE on the hard corners and wierd angles, the installers screwed it up by using too much heat or stretching it too much, so there are orange peely spots.

Also, the pieces covering the mirrors are 2 pieces per mirror and the top edge looks like crap and is separating.

Finally, I'm pretty sure the installers I used didnt clean the surfaces beforehand because there is crap stuck between the bra and the paint.

Paid $750 + tints (tints flawless minus ~15 miniscule bubbles on back window). Worth it for the protection but boy am I unhappy with the quality of work. You can't see any of the aformentioned issues unless you are deliberately looking for them from within 3 feet.

Hope that helps your decision making process somehow

[asia_minor]

don't cheap out on clear bra. it takes skill to do a proper install and should cost accordingly.

[kALMIGHTY]

I got a full Xpel Ultimate kit for $1150. Full front bumper, full hood, headlights, A pillars, full front fenders, front 12 inches off roof, rear trunk loading area. It was worth every penny.

[evox2frs]

Originally Posted by learnerspermit

Is there a particular brand of film the installer should use or not use
Thanks

I have the "genuine" Toyota paint protection film on my hood, but have no idea what brand film it is. I contacted Scion, and even they won't tell me. Does anyone know what film it is? I just want to clean it properly because I've read if you clean certain films wrong it can be a disaster.

So yeah, stay away from the factory film until the brand name is determined. Otherwise, it looks good and is doing it's job so far.

[learnerspermit]

I've still been re searching it but I think I may go with this company

http://invisiblemask.com/cgi-bin/pro...ION&model=FR-S