clear bra installations

[JamesMcQuaid]

A number of you have wisely installed clear bra protective film. I am very interested in whether you did it yourself or had it installed for you. How much did you pay for materials? How much for installation? What brand film did you use? How satisfied are you?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Farmedb]

$15 per square foot. Worked out to $500 to cover the entire hood, front bumper, fender, rear view mirrors, under door handles, charge door, and top of rear bumper. In Boulder CO at a place called Auto Armor. I am very happy with the results.

I added door edge trim which was easy. It took the guy about 7 hours. He said the front bumper was a lot harder than he expected.

[WVhybrid]

I had it installed by a car tinting place about a week after I drove the car home from an out-of-state dealer. As the front bumper already had a couple of small chipped paint spots after about 500 miles, I'm glad I had the protection added. And except for one spot in a crease that has a bubble, I'm very pleased with the clear bra.

Sorry, I don't recall the brand name. But at the time I thought the installation job was very good.

How did I pay for the materials? With US dollars. I had the front bumper and grill area, the front of the outside rear view mirrors, and the ledge or step on the hatch back protected.

[CarZin]

3m bra installed professionally for 500. Included bumper, and half front of hood. Also included headlights, rear view mirrors and door edges.

[daryllafferty]

Help me understand this. I assume it is a thin film you put on the front of the car to prevent chips in the paint from small rocks.

Is the film harder than the paint, so it won't show the chips?
Can the film be removed later and replaced with new if it starts showing its age?
Can the film be seen on the car; does it look shinier or duller or a different color?

[JamesMcQuaid]

Hello Daryl,

Help me understand this. I assume it is a thin film you put on the front of the car to prevent chips in the paint from small rocks.

Is the film harder than the paint, so it won't show the chips?
Can the film be removed later and replaced with new if it starts showing its age?
Can the film be seen on the car; does it look shinier or duller or a different color?

Yes, it actually prevents chipping. It can be removed and/or replaced. Different brands of film have different color and visibility characteristics.

My Volt suffered some paint damage to the glossy black roof late last week from bird droppings (even though I washed it immediately). This morning I took it to the dealer's body shop for paint repair.

Notably, the pre-cut kits do not provide the extent of rooftop coverage that would have prevented damage to my Volt. Consequently, I will insist on a custom cut install of full roof coverage.

XPel is a provider of pre-cut kits:
http://www.xpel.com/

Larry Millen is well known in Michigan:
http://www.norockchips.com

[Steverino]

I had the 3M product installed. Took about 4 hours with 2 people.
Front bumper, half hood, partial front fenders, side view mirrors, rear top bumper, door edges.
I recommend the full hood rather than the half hood.

www.clearguardforcars.com

[tfford]

Had it done here in Houston by Invisishield. $500, front bumper/facia, half the hood and both rear view mirrors, 3M film. Best money I've put into the Volt, just wished I'd had it done day one instead of six months after delivery. I had one small nick, mostly just took the clearcoat but the clear film doesn't hide any existing problems but has sure saved later ones.

[CarZin]

While it is clear, it does scratch. And unlike paint, those scratches can't be really polished out, the plastic just has to be replaced. With that in mind, I would limit where you put the plastic.

[Fluke]

I've been very happy with my installation of Nano Fusion film installed a year ago - very clear and so far no noticeable nicks or pitting. See page 4 of the thread below for pics.

I was very glad I got the film when I was being interviewed about the car for a story and the reporter tripped over a parking block in front of the car and dragged her (large with metal rivets) purse across the hood of the car. No scratch to the film or hood.

http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread....r-Bra-for-Volt