Has anyone installed vinyl wraps like a clear bra?
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Mercedes benz c300 2015
I'm interested as well, I been looking for the cheapest route to do so and came across the pre cut film on eBay. Now I just got to see if a certified installer can do the labor without me buying the film from their shop.
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Joined: Oct 2013
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'16 GLC300
It is better you buy a good quality film and find a well known reputable installer in your area.
By going cheap, you will risk having it yellow after a short amount of time and also the risk of it removing your paint when you need to remove it.
Clear bra isn't something you want to go cheap on.
By going cheap, you will risk having it yellow after a short amount of time and also the risk of it removing your paint when you need to remove it.
Clear bra isn't something you want to go cheap on.
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Joined: Jun 2016
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Mercedes benz c300 2015
It is better you buy a good quality film and find a well known reputable installer in your area.
By going cheap, you will risk having it yellow after a short amount of time and also the risk of it removing your paint when you need to remove it.
Clear bra isn't something you want to go cheap on.
By going cheap, you will risk having it yellow after a short amount of time and also the risk of it removing your paint when you need to remove it.
Clear bra isn't something you want to go cheap on.
Thread Starter
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C450
How much would you be saving going that route if you don't mind me asking? Doesn't sound like a bad idea at all. I know of a good shop here in LA that will do it.
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Mercedes benz c300 2015
To be 100% honest with y'all, I have been so lazy I haven't even picked the phone up to check on prices. I only know the xpel bra is 325 ish online and the 3m is about 130ish. Now I did read somewhere that the service+ bra is close to 1K or over on another forum website. Now i dont know how many panels he got protected so keep that in mind as well. Take that price with a grain of salt though, cause I sure am. I'm hoping the service part will be under 300 dollars, but these shops never post prices or ranges in prices, they all say call for pricing, so when you see that, you should already know its pricey.
Last edited by Mplayers2006; Jul 5, 2016 at 09:45 AM.
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Former Vendor of MBWorld
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We love all makes and models.
What questions do you have? When getting the film installed, regardless if you choose XPEL, ask for wrapped edges where possible (meaning the film will wrap over the body panel and show less seams). If you're interested in going with XPEL, to find an installer nearest you, click XPEL Locator.
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I have a highly rated Xpel Authorized dealer/installer nearby, when I reached out for an estimate on my soon-to-be C43 Coupe they quoted me $725 for a half hood and $1250 for the full for Xpel Ultimate. Maybe this will help to serve as a baseline for some here?
Former Vendor of MBWorld
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We love all makes and models.
Keep in mind these are what we typically see across the country and it can vary with these factors:
- Where you live
- Demand for paint protection film
- Size of your vehicle
For a partial front end: This includes 18-24” up the hood and fenders, front bumper, mirrors and sometimes headlights. This ranges from $895 - $1,195.
For full front coverage: This includes the entire hood and front fenders, front bumper, mirrors and sometimes headlights. This ranges from $1,895 - $2,195.
For full car coverage: This includes every painted surface on the car possible. This ranges from $4,500 - $8,000.
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Joined: Jun 2016
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Mercedes benz c300 2015
Hello,
What questions do you have? When getting the film installed, regardless if you choose XPEL, ask for wrapped edges where possible (meaning the film will wrap over the body panel and show less seams). If you're interested in going with XPEL, to find an installer nearest you, click XPEL Locator.
What questions do you have? When getting the film installed, regardless if you choose XPEL, ask for wrapped edges where possible (meaning the film will wrap over the body panel and show less seams). If you're interested in going with XPEL, to find an installer nearest you, click XPEL Locator.
I believe the OP is interested in finding the cheapest route, not to say he would take that route. Could you comment on an average cost for service only ( bra will be purchased else where) a shop will charge to install the partial front end.
Former Vendor of MBWorld
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We love all makes and models.
The best way to get pricing is to contact a local installer, not necessarily an XPEL installer, just someone that installs paint protection film. A word of caution, not all installers will jump in and install an ebay/online film kit. Labor rates vary, best way is to call around or google clear bra install (insert city here).
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Welp, followed up with the shop today to confirm my quote above and apparently he had to close his shop to move out of state due to a death in the family and needing to care for an older family member. F*ck, back to square one now and I'm sure I won't get nearly as good of a deal.
Thread Starter
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C450
Damn sorry to hear that inhart... well I was looking at an authorized Xpel dealer here in the Santa Clarita area in Cali what's the warranty like? I hear it's much easier to clean with a bra on and stuff won't settle into the clear coat of your car which I really like. I just got the car so I'm definitely trying to do it sooner than later. Sucks it's so damn pricey though I found 3M clear bra on Amazon for a really good price but you get what you pay for...
Oh and I see you ordered the C43... awesome was going to wait for it but said screw it and got the C450 for a crazy deal I'll probably just end up debadging it and throwing C43 on there to be honest lol (I know I know not cool).
Oh and I see you ordered the C43... awesome was going to wait for it but said screw it and got the C450 for a crazy deal I'll probably just end up debadging it and throwing C43 on there to be honest lol (I know I know not cool).
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 75
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We love all makes and models.
Damn sorry to hear that inhart... well I was looking at an authorized Xpel dealer here in the Santa Clarita area in Cali what's the warranty like? I hear it's much easier to clean with a bra on and stuff won't settle into the clear coat of your car which I really like. I just got the car so I'm definitely trying to do it sooner than later. Sucks it's so damn pricey though I found 3M clear bra on Amazon for a really good price but you get what you pay for...
Oh and I see you ordered the C43... awesome was going to wait for it but said screw it and got the C450 for a crazy deal I'll probably just end up debadging it and throwing C43 on there to be honest lol (I know I know not cool).
Oh and I see you ordered the C43... awesome was going to wait for it but said screw it and got the C450 for a crazy deal I'll probably just end up debadging it and throwing C43 on there to be honest lol (I know I know not cool).
Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 88
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From: Melbourne, Australia
W205 C250 Sedan
Had mine done for both W204 and W205, used a professional with precut template, 3M material. Costed around 900 AUD in Aus.
1. It will protect against small rocks only. Any large rocks or impact will still dent & chip.
2. Quality is pretty good. Never had any peeling issues. debris build up or turning yellow. (at least for 3 years)
3. It will leave a seam, but almost invisible.
1. It will protect against small rocks only. Any large rocks or impact will still dent & chip.
2. Quality is pretty good. Never had any peeling issues. debris build up or turning yellow. (at least for 3 years)
3. It will leave a seam, but almost invisible.
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Mercedes benz c300 2015
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MB C450 - June 2016
Hate to say it but he is overcharging you. I am going with an Xpel certified installer who is very well regarded. He is charging me about $200 less than the retail prices quoted on the Xpel website. The dealers get the materials at cost so charging you full retail and then an installation price is overcharging you. I'd go back and haggle.
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2013 BMW 328i
friend of mine got the 3m one on ebay for a w204. he said if you install it yourself it takes ~ 2 hours.
his w204 is white though and well, the one thing is it noticeabley yellows after a while. but his car is 7 years old now and the bumper is perfect so i guess its worth it.
his w204 is white though and well, the one thing is it noticeabley yellows after a while. but his car is 7 years old now and the bumper is perfect so i guess its worth it.
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Joined: Jun 2016
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Mercedes benz c300 2015
Hate to say it but he is overcharging you. I am going with an Xpel certified installer who is very well regarded. He is charging me about $200 less than the retail prices quoted on the Xpel website. The dealers get the materials at cost so charging you full retail and then an installation price is overcharging you. I'd go back and haggle.
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FWIW, with the new installer (since, as mentioned above, my other one has closed his shop) I was quoted $1600 for a full front Xpel Ultimate wrap...but he also offered a 10% discount. So, all said and done $1440.
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From: Philly and NYC
2019 E63S & 2022 X7 M50
Originally Posted by inhartwetrust
FWIW, with the new installer (since, as mentioned above, my other one has closed his shop) I was quoted $1600 for a full front Xpel Ultimate wrap...but he also offered a 10% discount. So, all said and done $1440.
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Joined: Aug 2015
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That's really cheap. I got partial front end, mirrors nd headlights done for $950. If you want quality you gotta pay for it, you do drive a luxury car so hone up the expenses. Not speaking directly about you, inhart, but I cannot believe anyone would always try to find the cheapest way rather than the best way on a MB forum.
Week 1 work list upon delivery: full front Xpel Ultimate clear bra, Llumar Formula One tint (70 windscreen, 30 everywhere else), install hardwired radar detector, glossy black wrap on rockers and spoiler, change tires/wheels to winter set up. Not doing any of the labor myself because I'm lazy/unskilled when it comes to this ****
