Experience with clear bra installation
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 46
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From: Colorado
'07 S550w/AMG AndGryw/prem.grey leath4matic Night Vision Distronic ,08 ML 350, YUKON XL,'71 ChevPU
Experience with clear bra installation
I am considering strongly the installation of the clear bra protective covering for my new S550. Living in Colorado with all of the sand and rocks on the roads and trucks, etc. it seems to me to be a good investment. The average life of a windshield here is 18 months due to the same and the front of the car takes a lot of hits. The dealer implied to me that the area covered was the entire bumper, a fourth or so of the hood, mirrors and windshield posts. Anyone have experience pro or con with this install and protection. I have it on my Lexus LS 430 but it does not cover as much as they say MB does. Any comments would be appreciated.
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Joined: Feb 2004
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1989 Toyota Tercel EZ - dyno'd @ 70whp/77wtq
The bra does help a lot.... My E55 had it since brand new and I removed it when it turned yellowish... I regretted ever since. When I removed it, the front was completely flawless (except some small dings due to big rocks).
I don't bother install a new one as I don't think it will tremendously affect the value of a $25K car.
I still have the bra on my C55. The area covered is quite extensive:
- The whole front bumper
- Headlights (not sure why they did not put it on fog lights)
- 1/4 hood & fenders (you could opt to have the entire hood covered)
- Side mirror covers
- All 4 doors edges
- All 4 door handles
- Lower edge of gas tank hole
- Upper part of rear bumper
I got it for free when I purchased the car... otherwise, it would've costed around $1K.
If you drive in snow or rough roads, I'd suggest you install the bra on the edges behind each tire and possibly the bottom part of your side trim.
I don't bother install a new one as I don't think it will tremendously affect the value of a $25K car.
I still have the bra on my C55. The area covered is quite extensive:
- The whole front bumper
- Headlights (not sure why they did not put it on fog lights)
- 1/4 hood & fenders (you could opt to have the entire hood covered)
- Side mirror covers
- All 4 doors edges
- All 4 door handles
- Lower edge of gas tank hole
- Upper part of rear bumper
I got it for free when I purchased the car... otherwise, it would've costed around $1K.
If you drive in snow or rough roads, I'd suggest you install the bra on the edges behind each tire and possibly the bottom part of your side trim.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 333
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
05 E500 4matic, 08 ML320CDI
Had it on both my Vettes, my wife's Bimmer, my wifes MBZ R350... Also live in Colorado ( Colorado Springs )... Decided to try 3M Clear Bra after my wife's Bimmer got caught in a 30 second Hurricane Force sand storm driving up Ute Pass. The paint was literally sandblasted and the entire front end of the car had to be repainted... On my first Vette, the clear bra got so sand blasted in the Spring that it started to get foggy looking, although it did protect the paint... That car was Yellow and the fogged clear bra showed up marginally... My 2nd Vette was Electron Blue and it started to get foggy looking along the rockers from road debris and sand... I guess it does save the paint but after a few years, it still shows road abuse so it's a toss up...
It's not cheap that's for sure... The Vettes had over $1000 in clear bra on them, the Bimmer $500.00 just for the bumper, hood and mirrors...
It's not cheap that's for sure... The Vettes had over $1000 in clear bra on them, the Bimmer $500.00 just for the bumper, hood and mirrors...
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
'07 S550w/AMG AndGryw/prem.grey leath4matic Night Vision Distronic ,08 ML 350, YUKON XL,'71 ChevPU
transparent paint protection
Thanks for the input. I found another thread on the MB forums posted by Premier a sponser which details the good and bad about the varous products available. They say that the 3M product tends to yellow early and is not as good as the Venture product. It is a good reference and something to consider. I'm not sure what product is available around here so will do some checking and report back.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 70
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
2007 Cooper S (I drive everything)
Make sure the guy installing it is very experienced and very meticulous. I've seen where they did some trimming with razor blades and basically destroyed a paint job. It's hard to notice the damage done by the blade until you remove the bra and see the line the nitwit put in your paint. I do like the product itself, but look at some other cars the guy doing your car has done and make your decision.
Gar
Gar
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Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Allen,TX
08 S550 and 07 GL450
Make sure the guy installing it is very experienced and very meticulous. I've seen where they did some trimming with razor blades and basically destroyed a paint job. It's hard to notice the damage done by the blade until you remove the bra and see the line the nitwit put in your paint. I do like the product itself, but look at some other cars the guy doing your car has done and make your decision.
Gar
Gar
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