C300Sport

I have thought about using a clear front bra to avoid stone chip damage. Is anyone using one and how "invisible" are they. Any problems with long term use and paint damage?

Azn_C300

I have one. I think it's the first mod anyone with a luxury car should do and do early before they start getting chips. It's invisible. If you got the cash, opt for a full wrap instead of a precut, or at least full wrap the hood. This way you avoid the line across.

nyca

yes. read the threads, have it installed profressionally if you go for it.

joshg1001

i was planning to...but i just havent gotten to it yet.

AMGfan

+1...If you can afford it get the whole hood done.

I had front fenders, front bumper, front spoiler lip, headlights, high beams, and fog lights protected w/ Clearshield, with all the lighting done in 30% smoke (i.e. tint)...the side mirror lights were done, too.

The full hood was done w/Venture Shield. It was the only film that my installer had that would fit the whole hood w/o having to use strips across (i.e. no seams).

drevil2k2

Nice work AMGfan!

I had the partial hood, bumper, lights and mirrors done. Although I took it to the place that do MB dealership cars, I found some rough edges and one large bubble (that holds water) near the grill.

On my silver car, the line is visible and I am thinking to do the entire hood and have the bumper re-done.

It's surprising how much damage sand and debris does to the lens over time. After having my Audi for 6 years, the lens were pitted, but the hood had a few chips (nice hard paint) but no rust.

AMGfan

With the fenders and hood, the film was rolled around the edges. Getting the entire hood is the one thing I am glad I did...even getting the entire fender was a must.

I had the hood repainted and the the left fender reshot because of debris chips. If I did a partial film install the areas where those chips happened would not have been covered...those damn rock haulers are a menace.

The bouncing debris from those rock haulers seem to bounce all over the place and I've gotten hit from the spoiler lip to as high up as the top part of the A pillar, so a partial film install probably won't give you full protection.

C300SportFahrer

I just had mine done this week, full front bumper and like 14" of the hood was done. So far I like it and from the front you can't see it but if you stand at the driver's door and look forward you can see the end of it on the hood that is a little annoying.

I forgot to ask the guy that did it how long it lasts before needed to be changed out anyone know offhand? it's the 3M clearshield.

Also, I asked if he could do the whole hood, he said the film didn't come wide enough and there would be a seam in then middle which i didn't want.

Shawn

C300Sport

Hey AMGfan,
Looks pretty sweet! How much did the full job cost you? It seems if I am going to do it, I may as well go all the way.

Azn_C300

you should have gone somewhere else then. There are other film makers that have film large enough to wrap the whole hood in one piece. I saw some cars with the quarter to half hood and didn't like the line that split the hood...especially if dirt gets caught there, you see this ugly gray line splitting your hood. Full wrap is definitely the way to go.

AMGfan

I think the only film company or at least one of the few film companies that do a roll big enough is Venture Shield...that was what was done on my car.

The whole hood, full front fenders, front bumper, front spoiler lip, headlights, foglights, running lights, and side marker lights was $1700.00. It is on the expensive side but it was all custom work with no pre-cut pieces.

His work is top notch and has been doing this type of work over 10yrs...He was highly recommended and I have seen other high end cars (Ferraris, Porsches, Lambos, etc...) he had done. Do your due diligence because like anything there are hacks out there.

I've already spent a $1000 to reshoot the hood and left front fender so I've found getting this protection a cost saving in the long run...

Derspeed

I have the entire front bumper, 24" of the hood, mirrors/ signals, 8" of front fenders, headlights, fog lights, bottom of back bumper (my design) and door handle cups (my design with a few left-overs). I am doing the rocker panels and rear edge of the rear doors soon.

Do it. You won't regret it.

Pit-Pony

Anyone know where I can find the step by step installation video for the clear bra product?

I'd like to see it before I order a set to install myself.

nyca

http://xpel.com/support/installation/videos.asp

Derspeed

I've said this before. If you've never done it, do not learn on the C - Sport. You will spend more money in lost kits than on getting a professional to do it. I have done enough cars to say this is definitely the toughest to do and no place for beginners to start.

Pit-Pony

Thanks.

Oh boy, watching him doing the bumper, it's not a job for an amateur is it.

AMGfan

+1...I watched the installer for a good hour and it takes patience and attention to detail...something which I don't have a great abundance of during the weekend or after a long day at work . He even redid part of the fender when it didn't roll over the edge right...

The pre-cut films may be easier to do but you still have to take your time...Good luck either way.

myrwon

AMGfan - where did you get that work done at? http://www.autopaintguard.com/ or ?
I'm also located in tampa, fl

mb_horseshoe

I have a black car and a partial hood/fender clear bra. It definitely shows, and I recently waxed my car and got some white wax on the edges (oops) that I've been too lazy to rub-out.

It definitely shows when you're up close, but if the car is clean it doesn't really matter.

I've noticed that most people understand that although it's an aesthetic downgrade, the upside makes it a smart choice. Nobody will ever say, "wow that's hideous who cares about rock chips."

bigben320e

The CLS and R have it.

XPel is awesome. My installer did the CLS with the half hood, fenders, bumper, edges of all doors, door scoops under the handle for $525. I traded off some of the cost for fixing his PC and getting it back on his network.

It's a must, you just would not believe the difference those things make on a car in coming it showroom now. I am looking to go back and get the lights and fogs done as well on the CLS.

Get it done, 3M, Expel are excellent choices.

delirium

i paid $200 but i dont have the front bumper done, because that increases the cost substantially and for the price you can just get your bumper repainted all together. I also hear that w/ the clear bra, you will still get pitting, not chipping, but the small indentations on the bumper anyway...

whiteongrey

I've seen many clear front bras and they always seem to get dirty first - attracting the road grime while the rest of the car looks a lot cleaner.

Is this just the film quality or normal?

Derspeed

It's the quality. I have the new clearcoated stuff. Just apply some quick detailer and it's as slippery as the paint. I have never really had appearance issues. You can't tell it's on the bumper, but the hood stops 24" up and is slightly noticeable. It's still hard to see though. I think it is a smart option. You won't have to repaint the front and then worry about chipping new paint and matching paint and so on. It really provides peace of mind.

GPI

What is the cost of installing the clear bra for the whole hood, front bumper and fenders?

Azn_C300

for me, whole hood, bumper, fender, mirrors, lights....$1000.