Clear Bra & Window Film??
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 73
Likes: 3
ML 350
Clear Bra & Window Film??
Considering having a clear bra installed (the 3m product seems to get great reviews) and a window film to reduce the UV & IR heat coming into the ML, I don't want a dark tint but want to block the IR & UV entering vehicle to reduce heat and fading.
Looking for ideas on what it will cost for these to be applied by a reputible shop (or have the dealer do it - but I know they likely just use a local installer and I would rather deal direct for long term support if needed).
Thanks in advance for everyone's input.
Looking for ideas on what it will cost for these to be applied by a reputible shop (or have the dealer do it - but I know they likely just use a local installer and I would rather deal direct for long term support if needed).
Thanks in advance for everyone's input.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
2007 Jeep SRT-8
Costs for clear bra can vary greatly by region, installer, type of install (custom vs precut kit), type of film used, and so on. I would go with a better film than 3M. Suntek makes a great film with a self healing top coat. Xpel Ultimate is a good film too, and so is VentureShield Ultra. 3M has a lot of orange peel in it, too strong of an adhesive, and doesnt hold up too well in the heat (after 4-5 years).
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 552
Likes: 1
From: Near Niagara Falls, Canada
2013 ML BLUETEC JULY 31
Thanks for info.
Gadgetemt UV does not get into the vehicle unless roof or windows open.
Proof is why "Transitions" lenses won't change in a vehicle. IR don't know
I don't like TOO dark either and many cops and ALL border guards feel the same way LOL
Gadgetemt UV does not get into the vehicle unless roof or windows open.
Proof is why "Transitions" lenses won't change in a vehicle. IR don't know
I don't like TOO dark either and many cops and ALL border guards feel the same way LOL
Last edited by dougiebear; May 20, 2012 at 12:32 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 11
From: Gulf Coast but not Florida
GLK350, SL63 AMG
At the AMG Private Lounge preview at the recent NyC show, I spoke to the fellow who among other cars detailed the 1932 custom Lincoln Edsel that was just rippers.
He said that Venture Shield is a good product (I have this on my two vehicles) but that recently 3M has jumped far ahead of the competition in every aspect.
I would expect this because 3M is a fantastic, well capitalized company and has a division dedicated to the professional auto market.
The knocks that their old product got in some cases are not valid for new production.
He said that Venture Shield is a good product (I have this on my two vehicles) but that recently 3M has jumped far ahead of the competition in every aspect.
I would expect this because 3M is a fantastic, well capitalized company and has a division dedicated to the professional auto market.
The knocks that their old product got in some cases are not valid for new production.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 73
Likes: 3
ML 350
Thanks, I had been reading some blogs' etc and they seem to indicate that the new 3M products for the clear bra and the window film are the preferred products.
It will be a matter of cost vs value for me. I live in NY (LI actually)
I saw some crazy numbers for the clear bra of $2k and about $1k for the 3m crystalline which seems about double the costs of other products, since labor in my area runs high as a percentage of a job usually, the 3M products are very costly options or the installers that apply the 3M are the premium installers and charge accordingly??
It will be a matter of cost vs value for me. I live in NY (LI actually)
I saw some crazy numbers for the clear bra of $2k and about $1k for the 3m crystalline which seems about double the costs of other products, since labor in my area runs high as a percentage of a job usually, the 3M products are very costly options or the installers that apply the 3M are the premium installers and charge accordingly??
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 28
From: Seattle, WA
99 ML430, 01 CLK55, 07 R63, 15 E63 Wagon
If you're looking at precut vs. custom go for the custom. It's definitely worth the extra money. Precut kits don't fit well along the contours of the edges and look like *** after a couple of years where dirt starts to cake up more around the edges. A custom kit is so much more clean looking. If you can spring it, get the whole hood wrapped instead of having a break in the middle. I'd probably skip doing the fenders at all since those don't really get chipped. I think custom installs in my area are around $1,000 and another couple hundred to do a full hood instead of a section.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
2007 Jeep SRT-8
At the AMG Private Lounge preview at the recent NyC show, I spoke to the fellow who among other cars detailed the 1932 custom Lincoln Edsel that was just rippers.
He said that Venture Shield is a good product (I have this on my two vehicles) but that recently 3M has jumped far ahead of the competition in every aspect.
I would expect this because 3M is a fantastic, well capitalized company and has a division dedicated to the professional auto market.
The knocks that their old product got in some cases are not valid for new production.
He said that Venture Shield is a good product (I have this on my two vehicles) but that recently 3M has jumped far ahead of the competition in every aspect.
I would expect this because 3M is a fantastic, well capitalized company and has a division dedicated to the professional auto market.
The knocks that their old product got in some cases are not valid for new production.
The Xpel Ultimate film and the new Suntek film have self healing top coats... so basically scratches heal when the car is parked out in the sun. They are also resistant to harsh chemicals... and wont damage if gasoline, laquer thinner.... are appplied to it. The Suntek film is also VERY pliable so it stretches very easily which means more surface can be covered... especially around curved areas. It is also very durable and doesnt tear that easily making it a great film for custom installs.
Trending Topics
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: Fremont, CA / Orange, CA
CLK DTM
Considering having a clear bra installed (the 3m product seems to get great reviews) and a window film to reduce the UV & IR heat coming into the ML, I don't want a dark tint but want to block the IR & UV entering vehicle to reduce heat and fading.
Looking for ideas on what it will cost for these to be applied by a reputible shop (or have the dealer do it - but I know they likely just use a local installer and I would rather deal direct for long term support if needed).
Thanks in advance for everyone's input.
Looking for ideas on what it will cost for these to be applied by a reputible shop (or have the dealer do it - but I know they likely just use a local installer and I would rather deal direct for long term support if needed).
Thanks in advance for everyone's input.
http://www.luxury4play.com/mclaren/1...ndow-film.html
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
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
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 326
Likes: 2
300D Turbo 1984
I'll be getting the 3M ceramic tint. Based on my exhaustive research this is the best.
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...eramic_Series/
Drawback: takes 4-5 hrs to get the application. Will see when I have enough time for this.
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...eramic_Series/
Drawback: takes 4-5 hrs to get the application. Will see when I have enough time for this.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 308
Likes: 22
From: Houston TX
2015 E400
Since the rear windows already have dark tint, we went to a local tint store & had 35% (max legal tint in Texas) tint done for the 2 front side windows for $45. Some generic brand, not 3M, but it still had lifetime warranty against defects & purpleing. 99% UV protection. Good enough for us for reasonable heat & UV/sunblock protection...
