BMW M3 Forum (E90 E92)

BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Today's Posts


Go Back   M3Post - BMW M3 Forum > E90/E92 M3 Technical Topics > Wash, Wax, Detail, Cosmetic Maintenance & Repairs
 
BPM
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      06-20-2011, 03:48 PM   #1
cap_freez
Lead, follow, or get the hell out of my way
cap_freez's Avatar
Canada
31
Rep
429
Posts

Drives: 2010 X3, 2013 RS5
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Montréal, oh Canada

iTrader: (0)

Question about clear bra

Hi guys,

I'm about to buy a e93. should i clear bra only the front of the hood or the whole hood. I'm just asking because of the bump on the hood might be more vulnerable to rock chips.

what's your experience?

thanks
__________________
2010 X3
2013 RS5
Appreciate 0
      06-20-2011, 03:50 PM   #2
KGB7
Crazy Russian Bastard
KGB7's Avatar
United_States
30
Rep
819
Posts

Drives: 01 740i sport
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Siberian Prison

iTrader: (0)

Just do the whole car.
__________________
B
M
W
Appreciate 0
      06-20-2011, 03:55 PM   #3
Grail05
Putcha ang ganda...
Grail05's Avatar
United_States
279
Rep
5,441
Posts

Drives: 17 F82 M4
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Los Angeles, Brea CA.

iTrader: (10)

Quote:
Originally Posted by KGB7 View Post
Just do the whole car.
big difference in cash...

front bumper, HOOD, and fender usually cost 400-600...

if you want the entire car? 1-3k depending on whos doing it.



i would do the entire front... bumper, full hood and fender partial....

I have a 3m clear bra but regret it when i had it only partial installed on the hood.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      06-20-2011, 04:01 PM   #4
ES_TRADER
Colonel
344
Rep
2,928
Posts

Drives: 328i, 335i, M3, 535i, X5, 36M
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: OC

iTrader: (3)

Garage List
2014 Ford Raptor  [0.00]
2012 328i E92  [10.00]
2013 X5  [0.00]
2013 335i F30  [8.00]
1990 Toyota Previa  [0.00]
1997 E36 M3  [10.00]
2011 E92 M3  [0.00]
2011 535i  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by rockrboy View Post
Hi guys,

I'm about to buy a e93. should i clear bra only the front of the hood or the whole hood. I'm just asking because of the bump on the hood might be more vulnerable to rock chips.

what's your experience?

thanks
The hood is not necessary as 95% of road debri will impact your bumper and headlights. I wrapped full bumper and headlights and have been whacked by tires and wood..all saved by clearbra. Car had 9k miles on it and no chips on hood at all or powerdome. Not to say that it's impossible to get smacked by an outlier rock but from my experience there's none on my hood.

I debated the same issue too but glad I stuck with bumper only. After a while clearbra doesn't shine like new paint so I opted for nothing on hood and just use touch up here and there. Too much plastic on the car makes it looking too plasticy
Appreciate 0
      06-20-2011, 04:03 PM   #5
FVM3
Major General
FVM3's Avatar
273
Rep
5,751
Posts

Drives: e92 m3, f30 328i
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Los Angeles

iTrader: (2)

if your car is white, never ever get the clear bra
Appreciate 0
      06-20-2011, 04:42 PM   #6
cap_freez
Lead, follow, or get the hell out of my way
cap_freez's Avatar
Canada
31
Rep
429
Posts

Drives: 2010 X3, 2013 RS5
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Montréal, oh Canada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by christopherchenm View Post
if your car is white, never ever get the clear bra
The car is Red :-)


Quote:
Originally Posted by KGB7 View Post
Just do the whole car.

Hum... That would be way too expensive IMO and not really useful.

I guess I'm starting to think part-hood. The car will be only used in the summer, on nice days. so it's just about avoiding touch ups, that I personally suck at doing.

Thanks guys for the replies.
__________________
2010 X3
2013 RS5
Appreciate 0
      06-20-2011, 04:47 PM   #7
KGB7
Crazy Russian Bastard
KGB7's Avatar
United_States
30
Rep
819
Posts

Drives: 01 740i sport
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Siberian Prison

iTrader: (0)

I would defiantly do front bumper and then behind each tire a quarter of a quarter panel. Also do the side skirts. Those are the areas that gets crap on them the most.
__________________
B
M
W
Appreciate 0
      06-20-2011, 04:49 PM   #8
FVM3
Major General
FVM3's Avatar
273
Rep
5,751
Posts

Drives: e92 m3, f30 328i
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Los Angeles

iTrader: (2)

IMHO i will never clear bra because after a while, that clear bra area will not be as shiny as the paint and that doesnt look good
Appreciate 0
      06-20-2011, 04:51 PM   #9
FrozenGman
Gman
FrozenGman's Avatar
United_States
9
Rep
17
Posts

Drives: 2011 Frozen Grey M3 ZCP
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Hermosa Beach

iTrader: (0)

I would highly recommend a clear bra, and I would also recommend doing the entire hood. Mainly for cosmetic reasons. Even with good clear bra's you will see the line where the bra finishes on the hood. Over time it will collect dirt and wax (unless you are careful). I would highly recommend full panels where its needed for this very reason.

Experience also states that the biggest difference in the clear bra is not the material but who applies it. I would do some research and see some cars from the guys doing yours.

I recently saw an M3 with 4,000 miles and it had two rock chips on the hood, one near the badge, the 2nd right on the apex of the power bulge.

I'm doing the entire bumper, hood, front fenders, rockers, wing mirrors and rear underside of bumper (from wheel arch back (following the crease line)
Appreciate 0
      06-20-2011, 04:54 PM   #10
FVM3
Major General
FVM3's Avatar
273
Rep
5,751
Posts

Drives: e92 m3, f30 328i
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Los Angeles

iTrader: (2)

Clear bra the hood
Appreciate 0
      06-20-2011, 05:08 PM   #11
Grail05
Putcha ang ganda...
Grail05's Avatar
United_States
279
Rep
5,441
Posts

Drives: 17 F82 M4
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Los Angeles, Brea CA.

iTrader: (10)

Quote:
Originally Posted by christopherchenm View Post
IMHO i will never clear bra because after a while, that clear bra area will not be as shiny as the paint and that doesnt look good
i have 40+k and mine still shiny as hell... usually no one notice mine unless they are up close and personal. LOL

depends on how you take care of them.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      06-20-2011, 05:10 PM   #12
FVM3
Major General
FVM3's Avatar
273
Rep
5,751
Posts

Drives: e92 m3, f30 328i
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Los Angeles

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sean05 View Post
i have 40+k and mine still shiny as hell... usually no one notice mine unless they are up close and personal. LOL

depends on how you take care of them.
Maybe the one i saw was some crappy ones
Appreciate 0
      06-20-2011, 05:12 PM   #13
M3luvr
Private First Class
M3luvr's Avatar
United_States
2
Rep
146
Posts

Drives: 09 M3 E90 DCT Silverstone
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: South San Francisco

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2009 E90 M3 DCT  [0.00]
You should do the entire hood. I only have a partial hood, the bumper & headlight. You can see the line on a partial and I got a chip just past the bra on my hood
__________________
09 E90 MDCT Silverstone, Black Extended, Prem/Tech/Cold, Carbon Leather, 19's, Enhanced Sound, IPod, PDC, 3M clear bra, 3M tint 35% front, 20% rear, painted reflectors
Appreciate 0
      06-20-2011, 06:24 PM   #14
ijnoj09
modjunkie
ijnoj09's Avatar
Philippines
64
Rep
272
Posts

Drives: 2011 e90 M3
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: SoCal 909/626

iTrader: (7)

If you can afford it... do the whole hood. I had partial done on my old car and the line bugged the hell out of me.
Appreciate 0
      06-20-2011, 07:01 PM   #15
rye m3
Lieutenant
Switzerland
33
Rep
489
Posts

Drives: 2011.75 E92 M3
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: New York

iTrader: (2)

I had a Ventureshield clear bra on my 997 and it was perfect after 2 years. Had a bikini cut bra installed on the M3 and it is very hard to see. He also wrapped my splitters. I have a good installer in the NY area if you need one.
__________________
E92 M3 MR on Red/Black ZCP Sound
Carbon

2007 997S - sold
2003 E46 M3 Steel Grey on Red- sold
1997 E36 M3 Arctic Silver on Black- sold
Appreciate 0
      06-20-2011, 07:18 PM   #16
leo95se
Captain
United_States
126
Rep
938
Posts

Drives: '09 e92 M3, '15 F15 X5d
Join Date: May 2009
Location: CT

iTrader: (3)

Quote:
Originally Posted by rye m3 View Post
I had a Ventureshield clear bra on my 997 and it was perfect after 2 years. Had a bikini cut bra installed on the M3 and it is very hard to see. He also wrapped my splitters. I have a good installer in the NY area if you need one.
Where? I've heard premier is good (on this side of the bridge). I just had my bumper repainted. It was destroyed after 10k miles. Hood has some small rash too. Fenders aren't bad except for tire marbles; so I would do hood, lights, and bumper. And mirrors...lol.
Appreciate 0
      06-20-2011, 07:58 PM   #17
AMPowerJ
One mod leads to another ...
AMPowerJ's Avatar
United_States
415
Rep
2,900
Posts

Drives: 2014 F10 M5
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Blythewood, SC

iTrader: (10)

Clear bra

Great for your girl; not so great for your car.
__________________

Current: 2014 F10 M5
Previous: 2015 F80 M3, 2013 E92 M3, 2013 F10 M5, 2009 E90 M3, 1998 E36 M3
Appreciate 0
      06-20-2011, 08:13 PM   #18
!mspinster
Private First Class
United_States
8
Rep
134
Posts

Drives: AW 2011 1M
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Cali

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by FrozenGman View Post
I'm doing the entire bumper, hood, front fenders, rockers, wing mirrors and rear underside of bumper (from wheel arch back (following the crease line)
Would that look good on the your Matted M3?

My bad you would just use something like Satin Guard.
Appreciate 0
      06-20-2011, 08:42 PM   #19
FrozenGman
Gman
FrozenGman's Avatar
United_States
9
Rep
17
Posts

Drives: 2011 Frozen Grey M3 ZCP
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Hermosa Beach

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by !mspinster View Post
Would that look good on the your Matted M3?

My bad you would just use something like Satin Guard.
Yeah, I was really surprised at the match of the satin guard to the frozen grey paint. However this is one reason why I am wrapping panels in their entirety.

I will certainly report back when its done!! I will also be wrapping the front splitters...
Appreciate 0
      06-20-2011, 11:28 PM   #20
fdelement
Private First Class
United_States
6
Rep
103
Posts

Drives: 2007 Porsche 911 Turbo 6sp
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Central NJ

iTrader: (3)

i don't mean to thread jack, but i recently bought an 09 M3 coupe. It already has a couple rock chips on the front bumper, hood and near the wheels. Should I get clearbra anyways or try to patch the rock chips first before the clearbra?
Appreciate 0
      06-21-2011, 01:19 AM   #21
Premier Protective Films
Lieutenant
43
Rep
434
Posts

Drives: one old Mcar
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Fremont / Orange

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by fdelement View Post
i don't mean to thread jack, but i recently bought an 09 M3 coupe. It already has a couple rock chips on the front bumper, hood and near the wheels. Should I get clearbra anyways or try to patch the rock chips first before the clearbra?
It will keep it from getting worst. If you already have some chips, just place some light touch up...make sure to create blotches that are raised.
Appreciate 0
      06-21-2011, 01:20 AM   #22
Premier Protective Films
Lieutenant
43
Rep
434
Posts

Drives: one old Mcar
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Fremont / Orange

iTrader: (1)

For those debating partial or full hood...everyone's a bit different. Like tint shades, it is a personal preference. Some do not mind seeing a line and also do not believe it is necessary while others see the line on hood too distracting; hence, would pay more to get the entire hood covered.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:17 PM.




m3post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST