View Poll Results: Will you use the invisible bra?
I plan to add the invisible bra to my E
6
40.00%
I do not plan to add it to my E
8
53.33%
I have used it before and will use it again
1
6.67%
I have used it before and will do it again
0
0%
Voters: 15. You may not vote on this poll
Invisible Bra or Not?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 924
Likes: 0
From: Northern VA
2003 MB E500
Invisible Bra or Not?
I am considering getting the 3M plastic shield for the front of my new E500, especially the headlight lenses. Those lenses are very expensive to replace.
Has anyone done this already or done it on other cars? I know you can see the edge of the clear plastic and there is probably some wax build-up along the edge too but these issues seem better than a cracked or broken lens and chipped paint. I checked out www.invinca-shield.com. They don't seem to be quite ready for the 2003 E yet. The product is guaranteed for 5 years and it says it can be removed without damage.
Please complete the survey and add any comments you may have below. Thanks.
Has anyone done this already or done it on other cars? I know you can see the edge of the clear plastic and there is probably some wax build-up along the edge too but these issues seem better than a cracked or broken lens and chipped paint. I checked out www.invinca-shield.com. They don't seem to be quite ready for the 2003 E yet. The product is guaranteed for 5 years and it says it can be removed without damage.
Please complete the survey and add any comments you may have below. Thanks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,690
Likes: 2
From: Washington State
E-500
Ray:
I did pick up my car yesterday. I had to drive it 300 miles across the Cascade mountains in the dark. It has snowed in the pass already this year (no ice or snow right now) and the highway has been sanded.
I worried all the way about all the rock chips I might be getting on the black paint. Luck was with me and I do not see any chips this morning.
So....I will be putting on the Stonegard invisable bra. I had checked into it before. Both Invinci-shield and Stonegard use the 3m product. It apprears that the difference is how they are cut.
There is no invinci-shield near me so the choice is easy. I have seen the products on many MB's, BMW's, Volvo's, etc in this area. Most upper end car dealers here recommend them even if they do not install.
I have not seen one on black so am a little worried...but I have seen rock chips on many of my black cars and the bra can't be any where near as ugly as the chips.
You can remove it but not reuse the material. So I guess if you just can't stand the look you are only out the $$$ to put it on.
Ed
I did pick up my car yesterday. I had to drive it 300 miles across the Cascade mountains in the dark. It has snowed in the pass already this year (no ice or snow right now) and the highway has been sanded.
I worried all the way about all the rock chips I might be getting on the black paint. Luck was with me and I do not see any chips this morning.
So....I will be putting on the Stonegard invisable bra. I had checked into it before. Both Invinci-shield and Stonegard use the 3m product. It apprears that the difference is how they are cut.
There is no invinci-shield near me so the choice is easy. I have seen the products on many MB's, BMW's, Volvo's, etc in this area. Most upper end car dealers here recommend them even if they do not install.
I have not seen one on black so am a little worried...but I have seen rock chips on many of my black cars and the bra can't be any where near as ugly as the chips.
You can remove it but not reuse the material. So I guess if you just can't stand the look you are only out the $$$ to put it on.
Ed
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 280
Likes: 12
From: Fort Myers, FL
'23 EQE 350 4MATIC
Originally posted by androza
About how expensive are such things?
About how expensive are such things?
http://www.stongard.com/sgcontent/sh...&Action=Search
Stongard also uses 3M 40-mil thick ... try the above link for prices on '03 E320/E500.
Last edited by saintvir; Nov 24, 2002 at 07:33 PM.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 924
Likes: 0
From: Northern VA
2003 MB E500
Great news Ed. So glad you finally have your car. BTW, do you know if the 3M film can be put on the lower part of the quarter panel behind the wheels to protect against the tires kicking up things that may chip the paint? I would think it would be the same application as the front of the car.
Again, congrats on the car. Hope you are enjoying it and that it has no problems.
Again, congrats on the car. Hope you are enjoying it and that it has no problems.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,690
Likes: 2
From: Washington State
E-500
Thanks Ray.
The stonegard site gives a pretty good idea of what areas are available...I don't know about the lower panels. I think the installer/dealer can cut the 3m product to fit anywhere.
An important thought for those who don't have a need for the paint protection:
Stonegard, and I believe invinci-shield, offer headlight protection. If you put it on they insure the $700. xenons from road damage. Check it out
The stonegard site gives a pretty good idea of what areas are available...I don't know about the lower panels. I think the installer/dealer can cut the 3m product to fit anywhere.
An important thought for those who don't have a need for the paint protection:
Stonegard, and I believe invinci-shield, offer headlight protection. If you put it on they insure the $700. xenons from road damage. Check it out
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,690
Likes: 2
From: Washington State
E-500
Ray:
Follow up...I had the Stonegard installed today. Full kit cost $522.95 installed.
Was surprised at how well it looked. Expected to hate it and kick myself for putting it on but did not want rock chips.
I will be able to tell better tomorrow in Sunshine but it was very hard to detect today without the sun. Covers the front of the fenders just behind the headlights, the hood at about the same spot, the front bumper, the door handle "wells".
Did not have the headlight protection in stock. ($89.00 full set, installed) Will do that after it comes in. Again, they insure, up to $2,000, for any road damage to xenons if you install the light protection. You do not have to do the paint to get the headlights.
I was real reluctant to do this on my beautiful black E-500. There are NO scratchs, NO swirls, and I hated to put anything on it.
I will let you know what I think after a couple of days.
Ed
Follow up...I had the Stonegard installed today. Full kit cost $522.95 installed.
Was surprised at how well it looked. Expected to hate it and kick myself for putting it on but did not want rock chips.
I will be able to tell better tomorrow in Sunshine but it was very hard to detect today without the sun. Covers the front of the fenders just behind the headlights, the hood at about the same spot, the front bumper, the door handle "wells".
Did not have the headlight protection in stock. ($89.00 full set, installed) Will do that after it comes in. Again, they insure, up to $2,000, for any road damage to xenons if you install the light protection. You do not have to do the paint to get the headlights.
I was real reluctant to do this on my beautiful black E-500. There are NO scratchs, NO swirls, and I hated to put anything on it.
I will let you know what I think after a couple of days.
Ed
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Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: FL & MA
'14 SL550
Rayscar,
I had the Stone Guard applied to a BMW that I bought last year, I didn't get it on my E500. Most people don't even notice the film but I do which would not be so bad if it really worked perfectly. You are correct about the edge of the film, it does collect a wax buildup and needs to be cleaned carefully.
The reality is that the film has been penetrated by some of the stones and rocks that I've encountered. I'm sure that it has saved my car from a lot of chips but there are a few spots where the film has holes in it. I would think twice before applying the film to the lights, it was applied to the small round fog lights on my BMW but the film doesn't cover properly because of the round shape and the fact thet the light is not flat. I tried to peel it off and was quite a mess with a lot of sticky residue and dirt left behind.
Overall it does work but don't expect to save your car from every chip.
I had the Stone Guard applied to a BMW that I bought last year, I didn't get it on my E500. Most people don't even notice the film but I do which would not be so bad if it really worked perfectly. You are correct about the edge of the film, it does collect a wax buildup and needs to be cleaned carefully.
The reality is that the film has been penetrated by some of the stones and rocks that I've encountered. I'm sure that it has saved my car from a lot of chips but there are a few spots where the film has holes in it. I would think twice before applying the film to the lights, it was applied to the small round fog lights on my BMW but the film doesn't cover properly because of the round shape and the fact thet the light is not flat. I tried to peel it off and was quite a mess with a lot of sticky residue and dirt left behind.
Overall it does work but don't expect to save your car from every chip.
