To CLEARBRA or Not to CLEARBRA>>>>

johnL · 11-23-2009, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMJ_77

Man you have like a 2 million dollar garage! Wowsers! How the hell do you decide what to drive each day?

I had the fortune of meeting the man at Cars and Coffee once. It definitely is a great collection he has there.

atolius · 08-26-2010, 12:54 AM

I just received my car from EU re-delivery. I am considering clear bra installation at least on the front. Understand installer is the key here so went straight to some of the respected installers and started getting quotes for full-front with Ventureshield. I'm getting numbers in the north of 2K USD for only front (fenders+hood and bumper)

So considering 2K USD for clearbra for half of the car which will last only 3-4 yrs at best I'm thinking doesn't it make sense to replace the whole bumper or hood when the time comes.

I believe you can find oem hood for 1200usd or so. For bumper i dont have a number but lets presume it is in the range of 1000-1500usd. Even when you throw installation labor etc i think it still makes sense to get hood and bumper replaced when needed. Am i missing something here?

What you guys think?

M3prsiv · 08-26-2010, 11:39 AM

Have had Clearshield on my AW M3 for almost 2 1/2 years. Not one bit of yellowing or problems. The lines get a little dirty but nothing a little alcohol mixture won't clear up. My installer ecommended Clearshiled over Ventureshield due to the color of my car and could not be happier. I have a dark gray Accord with Ventureshield and it has held up just as well. Price was about $900 per car. Had the full bumper, 40in hood, behind all wheel wells, door cups, lights, mirrors and trunk ledge. $2000 sound like a rip off.

Premier Protective Films · 08-26-2010, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atolius

I just received my car from EU re-delivery. I am considering clear bra installation at least on the front. Understand installer is the key here so went straight to some of the respected installers and started getting quotes for full-front with Ventureshield. I'm getting numbers in the north of 2K USD for only front (fenders+hood and bumper)

So considering 2K USD for clearbra for half of the car which will last only 3-4 yrs at best I'm thinking doesn't it make sense to replace the whole bumper or hood when the time comes.

I believe you can find oem hood for 1200usd or so. For bumper i dont have a number but lets presume it is in the range of 1000-1500usd. Even when you throw installation labor etc i think it still makes sense to get hood and bumper replaced when needed. Am i missing something here?

What you guys think?

It all comes down to what is important for your needs. A partial precut pkg would cost anywhere in the range from $600-$800 depending on the company you choose. Whenever you move into the custom applications and cover the entire panels, then the pricing would move up precipitously.

As you have mentioned, the installer would make a big difference in how the product comes out - precut or custom. So choose based on experience and reputation and not in pricing.

Below is an example of someone who decided to use a company based on pricing solely. The previous installer told him that they too "can do custom just like Premier". Here are the pictures:

Premier Protective Films · 08-26-2010, 11:53 AM

This particular installer reinstalled the product 3 times. And according to the customer it was approximately 4-5 hours for each trip. Finally the owner of the vehicle decided to bring it to us after the 3rd attempt.

atolius · 08-27-2010, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Premier Protective Films

This particular installer reinstalled the product 3 times. And according to the customer it was approximately 4-5 hours for each trip. Finally the owner of the vehicle decided to bring it to us after the 3rd attempt.

Thanks for pictures.

One more question what is the disadvantage of using pre-cut clear bra - if any? At the end we are talking about a standard sized and shaped car and pre-cut material should come out even when applied, correct?
I can only think of custom installation giving flexibility in two scenarios
a - if the car has mods like aftermarket hood/bumpers etc which may deviate from oem dimensions
b- if the customer wants specific sections of the car to be covered

Premier Protective Films · 08-27-2010, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atolius

Thanks for pictures.

One more question what is the disadvantage of using pre-cut clear bra - if any? At the end we are talking about a standard sized and shaped car and pre-cut material should come out even when applied, correct?
I can only think of custom installation giving flexibility in two scenarios
a - if the car has mods like aftermarket hood/bumpers etc which may deviate from oem dimensions
b- if the customer wants specific sections of the car to be covered

There are limitations to precut applications as there are limitations to custom work as well.

1. not all precuts fit nicely
2. not all so called "custom" installers can install the film properly to make it better than a precut installer
3. if a custom application is performed, granted you find an excellent installer, there would much fewer seams than a precut. The seams on the custom app would be tucked wherever possible

And here are the photos of this very same car completed by us:

08-26-2010, 12:54 AM	#90
atolius Private 8 Rep 94 Posts Drives: 11 M3 E92 AW/FR DCT ZCP Join Date: May 2010 Location: san diego iTrader: (0)	I just received my car from EU re-delivery. I am considering clear bra installation at least on the front. Understand installer is the key here so went straight to some of the respected installers and started getting quotes for full-front with Ventureshield. I'm getting numbers in the north of 2K USD for only front (fenders+hood and bumper) So considering 2K USD for clearbra for half of the car which will last only 3-4 yrs at best I'm thinking doesn't it make sense to replace the whole bumper or hood when the time comes. I believe you can find oem hood for 1200usd or so. For bumper i dont have a number but lets presume it is in the range of 1000-1500usd. Even when you throw installation labor etc i think it still makes sense to get hood and bumper replaced when needed. Am i missing something here? What you guys think?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-26-2010, 11:39 AM	#91
M3prsiv RACER X 75 Rep 310 Posts Drives: 16 M3 Join Date: May 2008 Location: College Station, Texas iTrader: (4)	Have had Clearshield on my AW M3 for almost 2 1/2 years. Not one bit of yellowing or problems. The lines get a little dirty but nothing a little alcohol mixture won't clear up. My installer ecommended Clearshiled over Ventureshield due to the color of my car and could not be happier. I have a dark gray Accord with Ventureshield and it has held up just as well. Price was about $900 per car. Had the full bumper, 40in hood, behind all wheel wells, door cups, lights, mirrors and trunk ledge. $2000 sound like a rip off. __________________ 01 M3 Coupe 6spd - sold 08 M3 Coupe 6spd - sold 01 Porsche 911 Turbo EVO GT660 - sold 16 M3 Sedan 6spd CCB
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08-26-2010, 11:53 AM	#93
Premier Protective Films Lieutenant 43 Rep 434 Posts Drives: one old Mcar Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Fremont / Orange iTrader: (1)	This particular installer reinstalled the product 3 times. And according to the customer it was approximately 4-5 hours for each trip. Finally the owner of the vehicle decided to bring it to us after the 3rd attempt.
	Appreciate 0 Quote