Clear Bra

SpencerM3 · 02-28-2010, 03:28 PM

Beautiful Los Angeles day so I decided to wash my car. To my dismay I found quite a few (counted about 10

) small paint chips on my hood, bumper, and painted grille to make matters worse I've only had the car for 3 months. Kind of pissed I didn't clear bra it earlier

.

So how much do clear bras typically run and do you guys rccomend anything more than the front bumper, fenders and front portion of the hood? Thanks

NugeMobile · 02-28-2010, 03:41 PM

Prob gunna get flamed for not searching but frankly I'd like a good rec as well in the LA area for a car that has a few months (and a couple chips) already.

PS - great taste! (SS/E90)

Mavrick151 · 02-28-2010, 03:53 PM

It really depends on how much you want to pay. But generally you get what you pay for. As for your paint chips.... same thing here man. I will be getting my hood and front bumper repainted then get the clear bra put on. I have had these guys do most of my cars and you cant even tell. http://www.premiermobilegroup.com/ Premier Mobile Group comes highly recommended in the supercar community and I think that a few members here have used them as well. Get your chips taken care of first then go to them and you will never have a problem there after.

BigHat · 02-28-2010, 04:19 PM

Yes, tons of info on this is you search.

I've had them on my last 3 cars and will never go without one again. I had one done my the dealer (pretty decent job) and two done by aftermarket installers.
I got a partial hood job on all three with the lights and the remaining front end completely covered. With mirrors done too they all ran about $1,000.
I have a car due in the first week of April and this time I'm having the entire hood done. With great coverage up front and a couple of "courtesy" pieces on the back fender area I've been quoted $1495.
I'd love to use the Premier guys but they're CA based. You should check out their OC branch.

jml · 02-28-2010, 04:26 PM

Clear Bra's help, the you'll still get chips in you track the car in advanced run groups. Make sure you get one with a clearcoat built in so that you can get aggressive in removing bugs and rubber marks - some materials cloud up and/or bubble if you use alcohol on them.

SpencerM3 · 02-28-2010, 08:42 PM

Thanks guys.

I did do a search, but was looking more for pricing and reccomendations, so thank you for providing that. I will check out premiere mobil group for sure. I got my roof wrapped at Sticker City in Sherman Oaks, they did a good job and seem to be pretty well respected with regards to the clear bra too.

As far as removing the current chips, repainting the hood/bumper aside any reccomendations? Like I said I counted about 8 chips that bothered me albeit samll as shit but still eating away at me.

10M3MAN · 03-01-2010, 03:39 AM

I will be doing this immediately upon delivery

JCtx · 03-01-2010, 12:05 PM

With the sun and high winds/dust in the desert southwest, it's an appealing mod, but ALL the ones I've seen are noticeable at best. And most already had a bit of wax/dust/dirt/grime/etc slightly embedded on edges already. And yes, some were expensive cars. Maybe it was the installation, or material, but all I know is for $1,400, I can probably repaint the affected areas three times (or at least twice). And I'd only do it with some colors, where it's not as noticeable.

Another issue of pure preference, as neither chips nor the wrap looks good IMO. But at least stock looks better until you get chips

.

SpencerM3 · 03-01-2010, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elp_jc

With the sun and high winds/dust in the desert southwest, it's an appealing mod, but ALL the ones I've seen are noticeable at best. And most already had a bit of wax/dust/dirt/grime/etc slightly embedded on edges already. And yes, some were expensive cars. Maybe it was the installation, or material, but all I know is for $1,400, I can probably repaint the affected areas three times (or at least twice). And I'd only do it with some colors, where it's not as noticeable.

Another issue of pure preference, as neither chips nor the wrap looks good IMO. But at least stock looks better until you get chips

.

So true. I mean part of me is like why spend $1K or so on this especially since the chips that I already have are so darn small and minor. But the other half of me says if I have this many 3 months into ownership and it’s bothering me I should do it

M3Bliss · 03-01-2010, 12:37 PM

I am taking delivery Wednesday and the guy is coming on Saturday to cover the front end. It will cost around $700; it will be a full front bumper, 24" hood and matching fenders, headlights and mirrors. I debated on the merits of a full hood but I had this setup on my Cayman S and I never had a chip above that point on the hood and lets face it some marks are going to occur on the car in any event. He comes to your home and does it in the garage so it is very convenient. At this price it is well worth it to me.

SpencerM3 · 03-01-2010, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3Bliss

I am taking delivery Wednesday and the guy is coming on Saturday to cover the front end. It will cost around $700; it will be a full front bumper, 24" hood and matching fenders, headlights and mirrors. I debated on the merits of a full hood but I had this setup on my Cayman S and I never had a chip above that point on the hood and lets face it some marks are going to occur on the car in any event. He comes to your home and does it in the garage so it is very convenient. At this price it is well worth it to me.

Sounds like a good deal, and I don;t knwo if the whole hood is needed. I think I will do 16"s or 24"s on the hood and matching fenders.

1BFL · 03-01-2010, 06:12 PM

Best guy by far is www.ultimateshield.com

Sean has done 4 of my cars and they all turned out perfect.

Highly recommended

SpencerM3 · 03-01-2010, 06:18 PM

I went with Sticker City www.stickercity.com They did my roof wrap, and have bene very happy with them so far.

Cali convertible · 03-03-2010, 12:13 AM

I used Premier Mobile Group in Fremont, CA. for my 2009 white convertible. Ask for Dave. Its worth the drive. It was almost $1,000 to do the bumper, mirrors, under handles, front end up to the BMW symbol. If you want the entire hood its about $2,000. They do an excellent job, very professional and detailed work. I highly recommend them. Tell them Scott sent you with the white M3 they did.

02-28-2010, 03:28 PM	#1
SpencerM3 Sauce 75 Rep 2,023 Posts Drives: 2009 SSII E90 M3 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1)	Clear Bra Beautiful Los Angeles day so I decided to wash my car. To my dismay I found quite a few (counted about 10) small paint chips on my hood, bumper, and painted grille to make matters worse I've only had the car for 3 months. Kind of pissed I didn't clear bra it earlier. So how much do clear bras typically run and do you guys rccomend anything more than the front bumper, fenders and front portion of the hood? Thanks __________________ 2009 E90 M3 \| Silverstone II \| Black Novillo \| HRE P40's \| Akrapovic Exhaust \| Eibach Pro Kit \| Jet Black Kidney Grilles \| SSII Side Reflectors \| SSII Side Gills \| LUX H8 Angel Eyes \| Macht Schnell Filter \| Tecnocraft Envy Charge Pipe "M3 drivers have no friends." - Jeremy Clarkson
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02-28-2010, 03:41 PM	#2
NugeMobile Private First Class 13 Rep 152 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 (E90) Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Prob gunna get flamed for not searching but frankly I'd like a good rec as well in the LA area for a car that has a few months (and a couple chips) already. PS - great taste! (SS/E90)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-28-2010, 03:53 PM	#3
Mavrick151 First Lieutenant 12 Rep 321 Posts Drives: 2020 M2C Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: OC CA --> Dallas, TX iTrader: (1)	It really depends on how much you want to pay. But generally you get what you pay for. As for your paint chips.... same thing here man. I will be getting my hood and front bumper repainted then get the clear bra put on. I have had these guys do most of my cars and you cant even tell. http://www.premiermobilegroup.com/ Premier Mobile Group comes highly recommended in the supercar community and I think that a few members here have used them as well. Get your chips taken care of first then go to them and you will never have a problem there after.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-28-2010, 04:19 PM	#4
BigHat Lieutenant 7 Rep 513 Posts Drives: '11 M3 E93 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NoVa iTrader: (0)	Yes, tons of info on this is you search. I've had them on my last 3 cars and will never go without one again. I had one done my the dealer (pretty decent job) and two done by aftermarket installers. I got a partial hood job on all three with the lights and the remaining front end completely covered. With mirrors done too they all ran about $1,000. I have a car due in the first week of April and this time I'm having the entire hood done. With great coverage up front and a couple of "courtesy" pieces on the back fender area I've been quoted $1495. I'd love to use the Premier guys but they're CA based. You should check out their OC branch.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-28-2010, 04:26 PM	#5
jml Major 128 Rep 1,144 Posts Drives: X5M, GT3RS, GT4 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (3)	Clear Bra's help, the you'll still get chips in you track the car in advanced run groups. Make sure you get one with a clearcoat built in so that you can get aggressive in removing bugs and rubber marks - some materials cloud up and/or bubble if you use alcohol on them.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-28-2010, 08:42 PM	#6
SpencerM3 Sauce 75 Rep 2,023 Posts Drives: 2009 SSII E90 M3 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1)	Thanks guys. I did do a search, but was looking more for pricing and reccomendations, so thank you for providing that. I will check out premiere mobil group for sure. I got my roof wrapped at Sticker City in Sherman Oaks, they did a good job and seem to be pretty well respected with regards to the clear bra too. As far as removing the current chips, repainting the hood/bumper aside any reccomendations? Like I said I counted about 8 chips that bothered me albeit samll as shit but still eating away at me. __________________ 2009 E90 M3 \| Silverstone II \| Black Novillo \| HRE P40's \| Akrapovic Exhaust \| Eibach Pro Kit \| Jet Black Kidney Grilles \| SSII Side Reflectors \| SSII Side Gills \| LUX H8 Angel Eyes \| Macht Schnell Filter \| Tecnocraft Envy Charge Pipe "M3 drivers have no friends." - Jeremy Clarkson
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03-01-2010, 03:39 AM	#7
10M3MAN Lieutenant Colonel 34 Rep 1,498 Posts Drives: 2006 Nissan Altima SER Join Date: May 2009 Location: Wharton, TX iTrader: (0)	I will be doing this immediately upon delivery
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03-01-2010, 12:05 PM	#8
JCtx Major General 258 Rep 5,012 Posts Drives: No BMW yet Join Date: May 2008 Location: El Paso TX iTrader: (0)	With the sun and high winds/dust in the desert southwest, it's an appealing mod, but ALL the ones I've seen are noticeable at best. And most already had a bit of wax/dust/dirt/grime/etc slightly embedded on edges already. And yes, some were expensive cars. Maybe it was the installation, or material, but all I know is for $1,400, I can probably repaint the affected areas three times (or at least twice). And I'd only do it with some colors, where it's not as noticeable. Another issue of pure preference, as neither chips nor the wrap looks good IMO. But at least stock looks better until you get chips .
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-01-2010, 12:37 PM	#10
M3Bliss Just Live'n the Dream 8 Rep 138 Posts Drives: 2009 Silverstone M3 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Canton, OH iTrader: (0)	I am taking delivery Wednesday and the guy is coming on Saturday to cover the front end. It will cost around $700; it will be a full front bumper, 24" hood and matching fenders, headlights and mirrors. I debated on the merits of a full hood but I had this setup on my Cayman S and I never had a chip above that point on the hood and lets face it some marks are going to occur on the car in any event. He comes to your home and does it in the garage so it is very convenient. At this price it is well worth it to me. __________________ 2009 M3, Silverstone/Black Leather, DCT, Ipod, Sat, 19"'s, Cold Weather, Premium, Tech, carbon roof.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-01-2010, 06:12 PM	#12
1BFL Second Lieutenant 20 Rep 209 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Newport Beach, Ca iTrader: (2)	Best guy by far is www.ultimateshield.com Sean has done 4 of my cars and they all turned out perfect. Highly recommended
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-01-2010, 06:18 PM	#13
SpencerM3 Sauce 75 Rep 2,023 Posts Drives: 2009 SSII E90 M3 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1)	I went with Sticker City www.stickercity.com They did my roof wrap, and have bene very happy with them so far. __________________ 2009 E90 M3 \| Silverstone II \| Black Novillo \| HRE P40's \| Akrapovic Exhaust \| Eibach Pro Kit \| Jet Black Kidney Grilles \| SSII Side Reflectors \| SSII Side Gills \| LUX H8 Angel Eyes \| Macht Schnell Filter \| Tecnocraft Envy Charge Pipe "M3 drivers have no friends." - Jeremy Clarkson
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03-03-2010, 12:13 AM	#14
Cali convertible Cali convertible 11 Rep 72 Posts Drives: 2008 E93 DCT convertible Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Livermore, Ca iTrader: (0)	I have to agree I used Premier Mobile Group in Fremont, CA. for my 2009 white convertible. Ask for Dave. Its worth the drive. It was almost $1,000 to do the bumper, mirrors, under handles, front end up to the BMW symbol. If you want the entire hood its about $2,000. They do an excellent job, very professional and detailed work. I highly recommend them. Tell them Scott sent you with the white M3 they did.
	Appreciate 0 Quote