Clear Bra
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,654
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From: orange county, ca
2006 E55
Shelle: I had mine done from Premier who is a site sponsor. He did a full custom kit. The only edge you can see if on the hood and fender. All the other edges have been wrapped around and under. I paid a little over 1000 for the kit, and he came to my house and did it here.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
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I do not recommend getting it done by the dealer. Dealerships usually hire the cheaper, less expensive guys to do the job because their profit margin is higher. As far as film type is concerned, it's really more about the installer. I had mine done by Premier as well, who is considered one of the best companies in around. You should give them a call as they travel to So Cal practically every month. Their website is www.premiermobilegroup.com
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,394
Likes: 6
From: San Diego
2015 S212
Shelle: I had mine done from Premier who is a site sponsor. He did a full custom kit. The only edge you can see if on the hood and fender. All the other edges have been wrapped around and under. I paid a little over 1000 for the kit, and he came to my house and did it here.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
08 E63
Has any one seen yellowing on their white or silver car? Just dropped my car off at the dealer to have some other work done and my sales guy who has an AMG and new 997 turbo really recommended not to do it as well as someone else close to me. They said the white and silver are prone to yellowing and look messy when the bigger rocks chip through the coating.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,654
Likes: 1
From: orange county, ca
2006 E55
the film that Premier uses is guaranteed not to yellow. I've never seen it happen. My old C32 had the same film, although it was a precut kit, and it looked as good as new after a few years.
The yellowing might be from cheaper films that are out there. Im driving down to Creative on monday. If you have time you can come check it out.
oh, if something large enough hits it to cut the film, then yeah, it looks ugly. On my C32, I had a huge gash from a ladder piece hitting my hood. That is the big downside is that if you hit something large enough to cut it, it is noticable.
The yellowing might be from cheaper films that are out there. Im driving down to Creative on monday. If you have time you can come check it out.
oh, if something large enough hits it to cut the film, then yeah, it looks ugly. On my C32, I had a huge gash from a ladder piece hitting my hood. That is the big downside is that if you hit something large enough to cut it, it is noticable.
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Administrator
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 12,263
Likes: 901
From: THE Orange County, California
2024 C8 Z06- 2025 BMW CS- 2022 Porsche 992 GTS
IMO, a clear bra with our nano technology is not necessary. I drive my car fast and it has 31k miles and Charles and Jangy will attest that there is a limited amount of rock chips. The nano paint is strong and if a rock can penetrate it then it will probably be able to penetrate the clear bra too.
Of course your results may vary based on where you reside and quality of roads. For me the clear bra actually shows a line across the hood which when I first saw thought it was a key mark- albeit a straight one and that deterred me from getting one.
Of course your results may vary based on where you reside and quality of roads. For me the clear bra actually shows a line across the hood which when I first saw thought it was a key mark- albeit a straight one and that deterred me from getting one.
Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 138
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From: New Jersey.
2006 E55, 2007 GL450
IMO, a clear bra with our nano technology is not necessary. I drive my car fast and it has 31k miles and Charles and Jangy will attest that there is a limited amount of rock chips. The nano paint is strong and if a rock can penetrate it then it will probably be able to penetrate the clear bra too.
And yes, there is a visible line on the hood (and fenders), but it's only easily visible when standing behind that point. From the front it's nearly invisible except for the obvious difference in texture compared to the OEM paint.
There's just no comparison. The 3m material is very durable and will absorb quite a bit before it tears or allows damage to the paint.
For $800, it was money well spent. I'm going to have it put on my Viper too, as the front (the entire car actually) is literally in mint condition without a single speck anywhere.
S.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,394
Likes: 6
From: San Diego
2015 S212
Actually, the paint under the bra will fade at different rates and it will absorb some of the "glue", so you may or may not be able to undo it fully even if you do remove it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,654
Likes: 1
From: orange county, ca
2006 E55
here's a good FAQ on Premier's website
http://www.premiermobilegroup.com/pa...film_faq.shtml
http://www.premiermobilegroup.com/pa...film_faq.shtml
Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey.
2006 E55, 2007 GL450
The film itself will yellow, and this can be seen on lighter colored cars after a period of time.
S.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,441
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..
The paint underneath the film will fade at a different rate because it is not exposed to the elements like the rest of the paint.
Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey.
2006 E55, 2007 GL450
I don't believe that.
Ultraviolet light oxidizes the paint, not dirt, water and the elements. If the paint that is not covered by the clear bra is regularly maintained, there's no reason the paint will fade at different rates. In any case, the base color isn't exposed to anything, the clear coat over the base color is. Clear coat doesn't fade, it's clear.
If the bra wasn't clear, it's obviously a different story.
S.
Ultraviolet light oxidizes the paint, not dirt, water and the elements. If the paint that is not covered by the clear bra is regularly maintained, there's no reason the paint will fade at different rates. In any case, the base color isn't exposed to anything, the clear coat over the base color is. Clear coat doesn't fade, it's clear.
If the bra wasn't clear, it's obviously a different story.
S.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,261
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From: Sacramento, CA
Several MB's Superperformance MK III Cobra
-When the film was removed it was definetly yellow (the film was the stuff that Premier uses).
-On a dark color, my SL is black, you can easily see the lines everywhere.
-The crap will scratch and when it happens good luck in trying to get the scratches removed.
-We get some very hot weather in Sacramento in the summer +100 degrees is common. When it gets like that the film becomes sticky and you dont dare to even try to wipe it. Whatever you use will just stick to it.
My experience with the clear bra has been less than good. For what it costs and how it performs I won't use it again.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 198
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From: San Diego
08 E63
Thanks guy's for all the feedback.
I always try to put explanations in terms that I can understand
, so the color difference makes sense. Its kinda like having a suit and not taking both the jacket and pants to the dry cleaner at the same time every time. You will start to notice a color difference in both pieces.
My car has been at the dealer since Thursday. Couple of belts replaced and having slow shifting problems/high revs between 1st and 2nd and 2nd and 3rd. They can't find anything wrong yet. But I plan on picking it up on Monday so hopefully I can connect with Charles and see his install and I will decide from there.
I always try to put explanations in terms that I can understand
, so the color difference makes sense. Its kinda like having a suit and not taking both the jacket and pants to the dry cleaner at the same time every time. You will start to notice a color difference in both pieces.My car has been at the dealer since Thursday. Couple of belts replaced and having slow shifting problems/high revs between 1st and 2nd and 2nd and 3rd. They can't find anything wrong yet. But I plan on picking it up on Monday so hopefully I can connect with Charles and see his install and I will decide from there.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,394
Likes: 6
From: San Diego
2015 S212
Thanks guy's for all the feedback.
I always try to put explanations in terms that I can understand , so the color difference makes sense. Its kinda like having a suit and not taking both the jacket and pants to the dry cleaner at the same time every time. You will start to notice a color difference in both pieces.
My car has been at the dealer since Thursday. Couple of belts replaced and having slow shifting problems/high revs between 1st and 2nd and 2nd and 3rd. They can't find anything wrong yet. But I plan on picking it up on Monday so hopefully I can connect with Charles and see his install and I will decide from there.
I always try to put explanations in terms that I can understand
, so the color difference makes sense. Its kinda like having a suit and not taking both the jacket and pants to the dry cleaner at the same time every time. You will start to notice a color difference in both pieces.My car has been at the dealer since Thursday. Couple of belts replaced and having slow shifting problems/high revs between 1st and 2nd and 2nd and 3rd. They can't find anything wrong yet. But I plan on picking it up on Monday so hopefully I can connect with Charles and see his install and I will decide from there.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,441
Likes: 0
..
I don't believe that.
Ultraviolet light oxidizes the paint, not dirt, water and the elements. If the paint that is not covered by the clear bra is regularly maintained, there's no reason the paint will fade at different rates. In any case, the base color isn't exposed to anything, the clear coat over the base color is. Clear coat doesn't fade, it's clear.
If the bra wasn't clear, it's obviously a different story.
S.
Ultraviolet light oxidizes the paint, not dirt, water and the elements. If the paint that is not covered by the clear bra is regularly maintained, there's no reason the paint will fade at different rates. In any case, the base color isn't exposed to anything, the clear coat over the base color is. Clear coat doesn't fade, it's clear.
If the bra wasn't clear, it's obviously a different story.
S.
Administrator
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 12,263
Likes: 901
From: THE Orange County, California
2024 C8 Z06- 2025 BMW CS- 2022 Porsche 992 GTS
I agree, we were both there and I was in front of his car and I thought it was a perfect key mark. Charles, I am not knocking your decision at all- just stating for me its an easy turn down. Other opinions may vary.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
The clear bra does not allow UV light to pass through to the paint as it does serve as a UV protectant. The rest of the paint is obviously exposed and will fade at a faster rate. If you own a light colored car (white) you will see an obivous change in hue as it ages no matter what you do to maintain it. The line defining the two different hues would be pretty obvious once the clear bra is lifted.
The line on the hood doesn't really bother me, though it does for others. IF that's the case, why not do just the bumper?
Last edited by wily; Feb 4, 2007 at 10:07 PM.
