Clear Bra: Precut or Custom?

[gjpinoy]

I'm waiting for my 2011 AW M3 to come in within the next couple of weeks. I decided that I'm getting a clear bra for it professionallly installed but I don't know if i should get precut or custom. Besides difference in price I'm not sure if it really makes a difference in protection between the two. I've heard tho the precut doesn't cover 100% of the area its placed on but its designed specifically for you car and the areas that are not covered doesn't matter due to aerodynamics, so nothing will hit the unprotected spots.

So anyone have experience with a clear bra precut?

[IbanezGod]

why don't you just have teh BMW dealer put one on when you receive it. That's what i'm most likely doing.

[Moxie]

I have the pre cut Venture Sheild ultra package from stickercity.com They sell wrapped & unwrapped edges, but they told me wrapped edges is more difficult to apply & the edges will eventually lift. So, I went unwrapped edges & it looks very good. You have to get right on it to see the edges & even then it's difficult unless you feel for it. Hardest part is finding a good installer. I'll probably end up redoing my hood once I get back to the States, but I had to do something to help protect it on the autobahn.

[BLUE-BEAST///M2]

I've done the pre-cut on a 2003 G35 (desert platinum color) and it was pretty decent for the most part, but I had to deal with that pesky line across a 1/3 of the front hood. Also the bumper which was also wrapped had a lot of exposed paint parts.

On my jet black e90 M3 I went with the following and have no regrets:

All Custom
1) Full bumper wrap
2) Full front fender wraps
3) Full hood wrap
4) Full roof wrap
5) Rear bumper partial wrap if someone accidentally rests something on the rear bumper while opening or closing the trunk
6) License plate trunk area in case wife scratches this area with her rings while opening closing the trunk
7) Full Side Sills
8) Partial behind rear wheels

[gjpinoy]

Originally Posted by PicassoM

why don't you just have teh BMW dealer put one on when you receive it. That's what i'm most likely doing.

Yea I asked the dealer but they don't offer it =(

[IbanezGod]

Originally Posted by gjpinoy

Yea I asked the dealer but they don't offer it =(

odd my dealer in NJ said they have options... i'll have to look into it more.

[M3Fool]

Moxie, Where in Germany did you have this done and can you see it, had a clear bra on my mustang and after 2 summers it started to yellow???? any issues with that?

[calintexas]

My dealer doesn't offer clear bra in house. My SA said that they had the computer cutter and had trained people over time, but never could get anyone proficient enough; so, they gave up.

I'm going to guess that some dealers have it figured out and some don't. Ask for recommendations on your region forum, or if there are multi-brand forums active in your area, ask for recos there. Whatever you do, look at examples of an installer's work before giving him your car. Pre-cut kits are much easier to get right that a full custom install.

I feel lucky as the Southwest forum is very active with several people from the DFW metroplex, and then there is DFW AC (a local very active multi-brand forum). Even with that resource, only 3 people were recommended for a custom wrap when I asked.

[Cab5er]

Custom wrap looks waaaaaaaay better.

[bily]

I've had both pre-cut and hand cut on our SUV. I don't love the idea of them cutting on the car, but the main differences I have seen are as follows:
PreCut
-had templates for the lights and mirrors
-much more uniform cut
-had more gaps around edges
-looked to have better adhesion when not cut at edge

HandCut
-Better closer fit to wrap parts
-edges did not seal great
-cleaner looking from mid distance

[zamm3k]

I got the ventureshield clear bra pre cut. But the guy that did it for me adjusted the cut in the computer to have some excess material to be able to wrap around the edges. Its virtually impossible to see unless you're looking for it. Mind you my car is black.

[eclipsisNA]

Originally Posted by bily

I've had both pre-cut and hand cut on our SUV. I don't love the idea of them cutting on the car, but the main differences I have seen are as follows:
PreCut
-had templates for the lights and mirrors
-much more uniform cut
-had more gaps around edges
-looked to have better adhesion when not cut at edge

HandCut
-Better closer fit to wrap parts
-edges did not seal great
-cleaner looking from mid distance

This issues you had with poor edge sealing is a result of poor install technique and not a flawed product. A good installer will come back a week after install to make sure there are no loose edges. To answer the OP, I would always do a custom cut. Makes for a more precise install as the installer typically has more material to work with.

[AlpWtE92]

If you can afford the custom wrap, do it. You won't regret it. All the pre-cut installs i have seen eventually get wax/dirt in the edges making the film much more noticeable. I have not seen pre-cut kits that wrap around the edges, so cannot comment on those. I assume that if they are sealed properly and don't peel back, they would have the same effect as a custom wrap.