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Clear Bra

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  • #1

    Clear Bra

    I'm getting my gf's Benz back this week. I got some real nice headlights and I want to protect them and the new paint job.
    Does any one know about clear bras?
    Also, when can I work on the paint? I think 24-48 hrs after painting. Thanks for any comments you can leave.
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: Clear Bra

    What do you mean by working the paint? Just washing? Applying a polish? Need more info.
    quality creates its own demand

    Comment

    • #3
      Re: Clear Bra

      Well I'm problably going to wet sand it. But I'm talking about the Clear Bra applacation. Do I even need to polish? I know I'm going to sand and buff with 105 and a wool pad. What is a Clear Bra anyways.

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: Clear Bra

        Clear Bra is actually a product made by 3M that is a thin, protective layer of film intended to protect paint/headlights/glass from road debris and damage.

        I actually have a large roll of it sitting around... if you can commit to putting together a nice "How-to" with pictures and procedures to share with the community I just might be able to send you some free Clear Bra to do your headlights.

        Let me know if you're interested...

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Clear Bra

          There are companies out there that make kits with pre-measured and pre-cut Clear Bras for you specific car if you want to do it yourself. I'll try to find the link, I did one for my uncle during the summer.

          Ryan
          Attack life, it's going to kill you anyway.

          This is your life. Choose to live it to the fullest.

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: Clear Bra

            Originally posted by lilblkblt04 View Post
            There are companies out there that make kits with pre-measured and pre-cut Clear Bras for you specific car if you want to do it yourself. I'll try to find the link, I did one for my uncle during the summer.

            Ryan
            It's pretty expensive stuff though...I thought.

            I wrapped my lower front spoiler myself- it reall'y wasn't that hard. A headlight should be pretty easy with a little patience.

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: Clear Bra

              Originally posted by Mark Kleis View Post
              It's pretty expensive stuff though...I thought.

              I wrapped my lower front spoiler myself- it reall'y wasn't that hard. A headlight should be pretty easy with a little patience.
              I think he said he wanted to protect the new paint as well, which I would assume is the paint on the bumper, if I remember the crash photo's correctly.

              Ryan
              Attack life, it's going to kill you anyway.

              This is your life. Choose to live it to the fullest.

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: Clear Bra

                Originally posted by lilblkblt04 View Post
                I think he said he wanted to protect the new paint as well, which I would assume is the paint on the bumper, if I remember the crash photo's correctly.

                Ryan
                Oh! Yeah... well then it would be a bit trickier, but I think the pre-cut kits are around $200~ and for a pro to come do the front of the car is around $500-800. I looked into it and opted to go the "DIY" route since my cousin is the head of marketing for the 3M aeronautical division...I got the hookup

                Comment

                • #9
                  Re: Clear Bra

                  Yea I want to do the whole front end, but free is always good.
                  I like the kit idea you mentioned also. I pm'ed Mark so we'll see how much he's willing to give me.

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Re: Clear Bra

                    New paint needs 90 days to properly cure. No wax and no plastic for sure.

                    Several companies offer 'die-cut' kits specific to your model.
                    Check xpel.com.

                    A word of caution, the learning curve is extremely high, that website should give an indication of the degree of difficulty for your specific vehicle. Additionally, some headlights cannot disperse enough heat thru the plastic...

                    Tread lightly. Good Luck.

                    Jim
                    If it was easy, everybody'd be doing it!

                    www.jimmybuffit.com

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Re: Clear Bra

                      Originally posted by Mark Kleis View Post
                      my cousin is the head of marketing for the 3M aeronautical division...I got the hookup
                      Mark, aren't you now part of that 'family', also?


                      Jim
                      If it was easy, everybody'd be doing it!

                      www.jimmybuffit.com

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Re: Clear Bra

                        Originally posted by Jimmy Buffit View Post
                        Mark, aren't you now part of that 'family', also?


                        Jim
                        Haha, well...as a moderator that would be a bit of a stretch as I am not an employee- I'm more of a close acquaintance

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Re: Clear Bra

                          I've got a very similar product for my Blackberry. It's called a "skin" and it protects the screen and sides from getting all scuffed up. To install it, you make a solution (water and baby shampoo) and then lay the skin onto the device. Work out the air bubbles and let it dry. I've been happy with mine so far, although installation was a bit tedious.

                          I'd imagine these work well for cars, although I hope that when you remove it, the paint hasn't changed colors where you did not have the skin.
                          NOTE: Post count does not reflect actual detailing knowledge.

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Re: Clear Bra

                            Do they only make it for the front of cars? Can you tell it is on the finish? Can you wash it? Wax? If you can do all of the above I would be interested in one for the whole car.
                            2007 Dodge Nitro SLT

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Re: Clear Bra

                              I asked the Customer Care helpline for clarification on these urethane films. Here is a transcription of the emails:

                              ---On 2009-02-07 12:56:00.0 You Wrote Us--- I just had xPel protective film applied toy 2005 Chrysler Crossfire's front end. The installer said they specifically recommend Meguiar'sproducts for cleaning and care of this urethane film. What specific products do YOU recommend for care of this product? Please refer this query to "Mike"of your customer Care department. He is a fellow Crossfire owner and is familiar withmy support and use of Meguiar's fine products. fficeffice" />
                              Thanks, Max Cichon
                              ______________________________
                              Hi Max,
                              Did the installer give a specific product recommendation or just “Meguiar’s” in general? Usually a non abrasive product is called for on these films so your best bet would be to use our Mirror Glaze M10 Plastic Polish for light duty cleaning and removal of very fine swirl marks. You can wax it with a clear drying wax like our M26 Hi-Tech Yellow Wax as well. I would also recommend that you keep terry cloth away from this surface since terry cloth has some bite of its own and can potentially haze the surface. Your best bet would be to apply products like M10 and M26 with a foam wax applicator pad and remove with a microfiber towel.
                              Let me know if I can offer any further assistance,
                              Michael Stoops
                              ffice:smarttags" />Customer Care Center | Meguiar's, Inc.
                              17991 Mitchell S.
                              Irvine, CA 92614
                              (800) 854-8073 xt175

                              Visit us on the Web!
                              www.meguiars.com - Corporate Website & E-Store
                              www.meguiarsonline.com - Discussion Forum
                              www.carcrazycentral.com - Where the Hobby Clicks

                              Meguiar'shas several exciting new products for 2009!
                              Hope this helps others!

                              Comment

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