Clear bra, worth it??
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Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Las Vegas
BMW 335i, Ducati 996, Mercedes C63 AMG
Clear bra, worth it??
Anyone have any feedback on the clear bra application for this car? Is it worth it or is it one of those dealer rip off things? Also how much did you pay for it?
Thanks
Thanks
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From: Chino Hills, CA
Mercedes C300 Sport, BMW 745Li, VW Mk6 Golf TDI
It's definitely worth it, but not by the dealer. Find out who your dealer sources it out to and go directly to them, cutting out the middleman (and MB markup). Do it sooner as this is the only time-sensitive mod out there...before that first rock chip. The new paint formula on these MBs are more scratch resistant, but chips easier. Find out what kind of film is used. Stick with 3M or Venture.
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From: Cave Creek, AZ and Newport Beach
'22 G 63 AMG, '21 GLE 53 AMG, '20 NSX
If you leased, no if you bought it yes. Dealer adds a huge markup. As Azn said, install when you get the car. This is one of the things were the installer is everything. Since 3M just bought Venture, it seems to be the best film out there now.
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2012 E350 4matic
i would have said yes... but after i saw a white maserati clear shielded im scared to do my artic white. his maserati had "yellowed." i love it on my black pathfinder. plus im driving my C as a daily so maybe i dont really need it like i do on the pathfinder. still deciding here.
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From: Vegas and Vancouver, BC
.
Ditto on the yellowing. I saw a pearl white Lexus that had the clear bra yellowing. I certainly don't like the price! Living in the desert, it will eventually change a little.
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From: Chino Hills, CA
Mercedes C300 Sport, BMW 745Li, VW Mk6 Golf TDI
This is why you don't cheap out and get the good film and properly care for it. Good film won't yellow (anywhere near noticeable unless under fluorescent lighting), bubbling, fading, and crack, and allows proper UV through for even paint fade, avoiding any 2 tone effect.
Last edited by Azn_C300; Aug 6, 2009 at 02:06 PM.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Las Vegas
BMW 335i, Ducati 996, Mercedes C63 AMG
Is the discloring issue mostly problematic with lighter colored cars then?
You guys are mentioning expensive a lot. What does a typical clear bra application usually cost?
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From: FL
'09 C63 AMG
I thought about doing the Clear bra as well, but for > $500 now, I also figured I could have my front bumper repainted for ~ $500-$700 in a few years if needed as well. Any thoughts on that? 
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2009 c63, 2010 E63
I read that films made after 2008 or something like that are less prone to yellowing. And if you wash and wax your car often I don't see it being a problem. It's like when you see yellowing of headlight, I think because people don't wash or wax it too much.
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From: Las Vegas
BMW 335i, Ducati 996, Mercedes C63 AMG
The other issue is since I already have holes in my bumper I need to decide how I'm going to ultimately handle them before any clear bra gets applied. If I repair and repaint then I might consider just doing the front bumper which is what gets peppered the most anyway.
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From: Calgary, Canada
'10 F150 FX4 SCrew. '14 S212S
Here in Calgary, they don't put "sand" down in the winter, they put "gravel" down... lol.
I usually get a full 3M done on the hood and the front fenders. I don't bother with the bumper as it is softer and will take some of the hits. I have found that the front of the hood and the front of the roof is more important than the bumper.
I usually get a full 3M done on the hood and the front fenders. I don't bother with the bumper as it is softer and will take some of the hits. I have found that the front of the hood and the front of the roof is more important than the bumper.
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2015 C300 4matic
I would have done mine if not for the yellowing.
I know someone who just got it done recently and it's already yellowed out.
I would just do the bumper and not the hood unless you want to do the whole hood.
Can't stand the line going across the hood.
I know someone who just got it done recently and it's already yellowed out.
I would just do the bumper and not the hood unless you want to do the whole hood.
Can't stand the line going across the hood.
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Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Brentwood,CA
2009 C300 Sport Palladium Silver & 2012 GLK350 4matic Black
Well worth it!
Make sure to ask them for a referral to a car they recently worked on as there are installers who charge less but messes up the install.
Also I would go with a installer that has a physical location so that you can always bring the car back without any fuss if you see minor install issues (the stuff which the owner will only notice). It may be a pain to chase a person that works out of his truck if you have warranty work.
I went with a shop that installs Xpel - http://xpel.com/ . You can check their website and find a shop local to you.
Also, a lesson I learned is to remove the side markers and the hood emblem before they install the clear bra to prevent seeing edges. Search the forum on how remove the hood emblem and side markers.
Also I would go with a installer that has a physical location so that you can always bring the car back without any fuss if you see minor install issues (the stuff which the owner will only notice). It may be a pain to chase a person that works out of his truck if you have warranty work.
I went with a shop that installs Xpel - http://xpel.com/ . You can check their website and find a shop local to you.
Also, a lesson I learned is to remove the side markers and the hood emblem before they install the clear bra to prevent seeing edges. Search the forum on how remove the hood emblem and side markers.
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2015 C300 4matic
I would have done mine if not for the yellowing.
I know someone who just got it done recently and it's already yellowed out.
I would just do the bumper and not the hood unless you want to do the whole hood.
Can't stand the line going across the hood.
I know someone who just got it done recently and it's already yellowed out.
I would just do the bumper and not the hood unless you want to do the whole hood.
Can't stand the line going across the hood.
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From: FL
'09 C63 AMG
I was thinking the same thing except that in some cases paint might not be enough to fix the damages.
The other issue is since I already have holes in my bumper I need to decide how I'm going to ultimately handle them before any clear bra gets applied. If I repair and repaint then I might consider just doing the front bumper which is what gets peppered the most anyway.
The other issue is since I already have holes in my bumper I need to decide how I'm going to ultimately handle them before any clear bra gets applied. If I repair and repaint then I might consider just doing the front bumper which is what gets peppered the most anyway.
Last edited by sflgator; Aug 6, 2009 at 03:41 PM.
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From: Blasting off!
CLS63 Designo Edition, Hyundai Genesis 3.8 , Veloster Turbo, CLS500(Sold), E320 (SMOKED) R500 (Sold)
Definitely worth it. I have had it for about two years now, no yellowing. I went to a XPel shop. I got the half hood, fenders, front grille, edges of doors, and side mirrors done.
The owner of the shop did my car himself, and showed me his car which was completely done in Xpel.
The owner of the shop did my car himself, and showed me his car which was completely done in Xpel.
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From: OC, SoCal
08 S65, 06 M3 CS(stick), 02 BMW X5 4.6iS, 07 R1 Raven, 08 F-450 4x4, 08 CooperS JCW
I've always owned my cars never leased but I've never added a clear bra...never seen the point...I take good care of my cars but don't baby them
-Rob
-Rob
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From: Chino Hills, CA
Mercedes C300 Sport, BMW 745Li, VW Mk6 Golf TDI
Another issue with repaint is you run the risk of paint not being an exact match. Also, you don't want to have a chipped up front and wait till you reach that self imposed limit of enough chips to warrant a repaint, might as well just enjoy chip free throughout.
If you're in california, I'd highly recommend Premier (http://www.premiermobilegroup.com/). They do my cars and are excellent. Sponsors on this board and just opened a shop in socal (OC) in conjunction with their norcal shop (fremont).
Also, as someone mentioned, don't do precut kits. Get it custom wrapped so you avoid unsightly lines going across your hood. I've had mine for a year and know plenty who've had theirs for 5-7 years and film has held up great. But of course these are car enthusiasts who properly maintain the condition of their cars.
If you're in california, I'd highly recommend Premier (http://www.premiermobilegroup.com/). They do my cars and are excellent. Sponsors on this board and just opened a shop in socal (OC) in conjunction with their norcal shop (fremont).
Also, as someone mentioned, don't do precut kits. Get it custom wrapped so you avoid unsightly lines going across your hood. I've had mine for a year and know plenty who've had theirs for 5-7 years and film has held up great. But of course these are car enthusiasts who properly maintain the condition of their cars.
Last edited by Azn_C300; Aug 6, 2009 at 04:15 PM.
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A little Mule
IMO if the vehicle is not leased you should have it done as soon as possible to avoid road rash, use a good quality film and an excellent installer, (you get what you pay for here ) the high quality film will not turn colors and stays clear and sharp. I had the front end of my car about a year ago and it’s perfect. However I use a special cleaner/polisher whenever I wash the car.
Leo
Leo
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From: PA
2010 C63 / 2009 GL450
I looked @ Xpel product on the web and contacted a installer. He is quoting me something near $1500 for complete hood/fender/bumper coverage installed. Is this a reasonable cost?
The other thing is that their instructional video states that the film should have 1/8th of an inch gap from the edge. Is this something that is readily visible?
Lastly, the website does not say anything about waxing after you get the installation done. Can anyone comment?
The other thing is that their instructional video states that the film should have 1/8th of an inch gap from the edge. Is this something that is readily visible?
Lastly, the website does not say anything about waxing after you get the installation done. Can anyone comment?
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From: Seattle, WA
'09 C63 AMG, '06 CTS-V
Definitely worth it, in my opinion.
I know I paid too much 'cuz I went through the dealer on purchase - but no yellowing and absolutely no blemishes on the front of the car, mirrors, door jams, etc. from rock chips or other things...
I know I paid too much 'cuz I went through the dealer on purchase - but no yellowing and absolutely no blemishes on the front of the car, mirrors, door jams, etc. from rock chips or other things...
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From: Blasting off!
CLS63 Designo Edition, Hyundai Genesis 3.8 , Veloster Turbo, CLS500(Sold), E320 (SMOKED) R500 (Sold)
I looked @ Xpel product on the web and contacted a installer. He is quoting me something near $1500 for complete hood/fender/bumper coverage installed. Is this a reasonable cost?
The other thing is that their instructional video states that the film should have 1/8th of an inch gap from the edge. Is this something that is readily visible?
Lastly, the website does not say anything about waxing after you get the installation done. Can anyone comment?
The other thing is that their instructional video states that the film should have 1/8th of an inch gap from the edge. Is this something that is readily visible?
Lastly, the website does not say anything about waxing after you get the installation done. Can anyone comment?
Do not, I repeat do not ever wax or use a buffer on a clear bra. Use the Plexus that should be given to you after the install is done.
That $1500 might be a little steep, I got a half hood, mirrors, fenders, front, door edges, done for $525.
