frank69m

You guys clear bra yours? If so, which one are you doing..Nano Fusion or Xpel ?

JoelSolid

I was thinking about it. What does it cost to have it done?

Will617

Check JP's build thread. He is installing one on his iridium. I've been following his progress step by step because I'm thinking about it myself to preserve the front.

Iceman II

I've had 3M on previous cars but might go with XPEL on the front end of my C63S

JPMBenz

Yes, I will be installing a bra on mine. In fact I have not taken delivery yet because of the bra. That is being installed later this week and I will be taking delivery next Saturday! I cannot wait!


I am having the following bra'ed:


Full Hood
Front Fenders
Front Bumper
Mirror Caps
Front Headlights
Rocker Panels - Mainly to protect the Black Rocker insert
"B" Pillar Gloss Black Pieces

TLDream

I think we need an official new car prep thread. This is 2015, there's A LOT OF technology out there, and this is all about technology.

I am thinking of nano coat or some form of paint prep in addition to clear bra, since I am gonna keep the car for a while.

AV1

Can you please elaborate further on nano coating.

This is all something I've never done to any previous cars of mine but am definitely going to do so when I eventually get a C205 C63, by that time hopefully there'll be plenty of info and options available on this topic

JPMBenz

In theory it's like concrete on your car. It forms a hard shell to the paint. Some sealants can work also simliar to a nano coating. Modesta is one of the newest nano coating around. It uses heat lamps to seal it to the paint; expensive and impressive.

AV1

Thank you for that info JPMBenz


That sounds a little like MB's ceramic clear coat but 10x as strong.


Does this kind of nano coating help or be as effective with stone chip/s prevention or only against scratches compared to the clear bra ?? does it discolour at all over time like clear bra does ??

J.Raymond

Consider adding a few items ..

The "A" Pillars
Leading edge of roof (between windshield and sunroof)
Top surface of rear bumper (loading surface)
Lower/leading edge of rear fenders

Have film on the E sedan's fuel filler door - un-noticable - otherwise seem to scratch them with time.

Note too that paint protective film (PPF) has no UV protection (a good thing in that the un-protected paint will fade/age at the same rate). Agree on looking into a professionally applied coating over the installed PPF and unprotected painted surfaces (went with CQuartz Finest on the E).

Waiting to see the new C205 coupe - Sept. IAA Frankfurt. Orders for the AMG C63(S) coupe Q3 next year ?? Will be in line.

J.

Edit: Leading roof surface doesn't apply with the pano you have - oops

JPMBenz

Well, any type of nano coating is not the equivalent to a clear bra. The new films today do not discolor like they did years ago.

AV1

Good to know re. the clear bra option.


Thanks again

TLDream

I am in the same boat. What I do know is that, there are multiple technology out there that are completely different from one to the other. But their goal are roughly the same, but the similarity ends there. You do not apply, install, treat, clean, maintain, reapply, remove, expect the same. From what I've read, what they tout is very interesting and most of them takes a chemist, or a professional detailer to really understand the nuances.

To me, the clear bra's main goal is to prevent rock chips. Any other form of nano coating is to keep the car cleaner and shinier longer.

two main stream coating are opticoat and cquartz finest. I think it ultimately comes down to what YOUR installer prefers. And if you DO decide to go for it, do it right after you pick up your car, that keeps variables down.

profi

I am going braless, as usual!

JPMBenz

OR you can just go with a very high end sealant and DIY. That is what I did and will do once the car is back.

sinape62

I had my 204'done at delivery. 1/4 hood, full front bumper, door inserts, side mirrors.

betrezra

Already got a chip on my lower spoiler @ 200 miles! Should of waited for the clear bra.

Axxlrod

I did CQuartz on my BMW when I first got it, and switched to Modesta when I picked up my new Porsche last month.

My installer/detailer polished the entire car, then did Suntek PPF on the entire front end of the car, plus , mirrors, rockers and rear "hips", then applied Modesta to the entire car including over the clear bra, and the wheels.

I drove the car in the rain last week, and the Modesta coating gives the paint a hydrophobic property. The water literally fell off the car. Was kinda strange to see.

I do like the modesta, but it's 4x more expensive than even Opticoat. Plus I believe there is only about a dozen detailers certified to use the product in the US currently.

JPMBenz

I agree with that. I rewashed my car and the water flew off. Any high end sealant will create what you are describing. Either way, a bra is a no brainer on any high end sports car.

JoelSolid

Im going to go with a clear bra for at least the front bumper. Probably Xpel. A couple of questions.... is there a pattern available for the c63s or do the installers havee to make it custom? Is it possible to get it through my dealer? I live in in Riverside county near San Diego. Does anyone know of a good installer? What should i expect to pay?

JPMBenz

My car was mostly done by hand. The front bumper is the only thing that isn't done. The reason being is due to it being very difficult to work on. Also, it would be very expensive if it was done custom.

JoelSolid

So you are saying there is a pattern for the bumper available already?

JPMBenz

For Suntek it is not at this time but should be within the coming weeks.

SE7ENC55

I am getting my entire car wrapped! I was going to get a clear bra but it costs roughly the same amount (few hundred more) to wrap the whole car vs having a full front end clear bra.

skullboy

Can you elaborate on the wrap? Do you mean wrap in a different material/color or wrap the entire car with Xpel ?