Clear Bra any tried it?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 761
Likes: 23
From: Oklahoma
W211 E320 & W212 E550
Clear Bra any tried it?
Was looking at some different clear bra options on the market. I notice 3m has a kit they say it's a DIY for around 140 to 160.00ish. I priced it locally from an installer and they need the car for most of a day and want me to drop it off the day before and it will cost 750.00 for a full front, partial hood, fenders and mirrors. Not sure if that's a good deal or not. Has anyone here gone this route or tried it themselves? I may give it a whirl for 140.00. I just hate leaving my car with someone. Also I've heard that the nicks in the clear bra stand out and there is nothing you can do about it and you have to be carefull with the high pressure washers and they will rip and lift it in those areas. Anyway I'm still undecided but would like to have something to protect the front. They also make protectors for the headlight lenses which I thought was good.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 509
Likes: 1
From: NorCal
Black W212 E550
Was looking at some different clear bra options on the market. I notice 3m has a kit they say it's a DIY for around 140 to 160.00ish. I priced it locally from an installer and they need the car for most of a day and want me to drop it off the day before and it will cost 750.00 for a full front, partial hood, fenders and mirrors. Not sure if that's a good deal or not. Has anyone here gone this route or tried it themselves? I may give it a whirl for 140.00. I just hate leaving my car with someone. Also I've heard that the nicks in the clear bra stand out and there is nothing you can do about it and you have to be carefull with the high pressure washers and they will rip and lift it in those areas. Anyway I'm still undecided but would like to have something to protect the front. They also make protectors for the headlight lenses which I thought was good.
Find a good tint shop they can do it (I would not recommend doing it yourself, it takes some amount of experience), I had mine done for 350 (paid cash on a black car probably the most visible if you have any marks on it), covers the whole front endand about 1/3-1/2 of the hood and front fenders. Key trick is don't wash the car when it's hot or you'll can scuff it (had mine replaced for free once) and only use a soft microfiber to dry that part of your car. Had mine for 7 months (10 months as of 4/10) it's perfect no issues. PS you need to be careful how you polish it, I use blackfireusa products and have had numerous conversations with them on the best way to maintain it. I also had my other cars done, aPorsche (red) for over a year and my wife's silver bmw, they are a lot easier to maintain than my black car and you don't have to be half as careful. Check out a good tint shop, just check yelp in your area and find one with excellent references I'm sure.
Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 92
Likes: 4
E63 AMG
I have a 3M clear bra on a silver BMW 530 for 5 years and there this no visible marks or road wear. The bra also still looks new. I now have a 2011 Black E63 and my installer cannot find a template for my car. Is it the same as the E550 / E350?
Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 226
Likes: 3
From: Cape Cod
CLK63, E550, SL500 Silver Arrow,Corvette LT1,ZR1
Clear Bra
I have it on my White E 350 and have had it on several other cars as well. The only problem I've had is a few pieces have lifted just a bit, but the company has come to my house and fixed it at my convenience. You want to be sure to put it on before the first stone chip. In my experience touch ups don't look too good under the film.
My body guy had AutoBahn come and do it for $450.00, I think that is a savings of $250.00 - $300.00.
Good luck
My body guy had AutoBahn come and do it for $450.00, I think that is a savings of $250.00 - $300.00.
Good luck
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 761
Likes: 23
From: Oklahoma
W211 E320 & W212 E550
Thanks for the replies. FTB that was exactly what I was thinking is calling my local tint guy. He may be doing it for all I know but was unable to get him (thinking he may be on vacation). I thought surely if he hasn't done one he could do it fairly easily, guy has tinted windows for 20 years and is a similiar project. Just like tinting a curvy window. lol. FTB what brand did you go with and is there any brands more regarded or recommended more than others? Thanks in advance.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 509
Likes: 1
From: NorCal
Black W212 E550
Thanks for the replies. FTB that was exactly what I was thinking is calling my local tint guy. He may be doing it for all I know but was unable to get him (thinking he may be on vacation). I thought surely if he hasn't done one he could do it fairly easily, guy has tinted windows for 20 years and is a similiar project. Just like tinting a curvy window. lol. FTB what brand did you go with and is there any brands more regarded or recommended more than others? Thanks in advance.
Trending Topics
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 509
Likes: 1
From: NorCal
Black W212 E550
Since the lower light assembly (where the LED's are) is different I would think they would have a challenge with the E550 kit, but a good shop could definitely cut those pieces.
Last edited by fromthebeginnin; Apr 9, 2011 at 10:33 PM.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
