What do you guys think about the clear film for protecting

[JoseyWales]

I have seen the little clear strips for protecting door edges as well as the pieces for headlights, is this a good idea or would it damage your paint on the door edges if you ever tried to remove it? I also wonder about it looking bad after aging. Your thoughts?

[rst08tierney]

Re: What do you guys think about the clear film for protecting

I have it on my 07 avalanche and think its a must for todays Uni-color vehicles. I purchased the vehicle in october 2006 and had the 3m bra installed immediately. We are now in 2011 and it looks just as perfect as the day it was installed. I do suggest spending the extra money on the 3m brand since they guarantee it will not change colors.

[scanlessfool]

Re: What do you guys think about the clear film for protecting

You will get a different response from each person here. The pro detailers in here might say they dislike it because of the residue that gets stuck on the edge of the film where it ends and the actual body begins. Personally, I installed it on my car because I'm only 3" from the ground and that would result in a lot of rock chips, especially considering I just painted the car.

I have yet to tackle detailing my car with the clear bra installed, but I will very soon.

[Joe Dragon]

Re: What do you guys think about the clear film for protecting

...I do suggest spending the extra money on the 3m brand since they guarantee it will not change colors.

That's true, but in my case the installer refused to spend the time taking off the old one & replacing it with a new one, even though it had yellowed. Reporting his business to the local BBB simply made him laugh.

The lesson I learned: Get recommendations from people you know before you buy someone's services. Written guarantees mean nothing to dishonest people.

Also see this thread: http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48902

[wifpd4]

Re: What do you guys think about the clear film for protecting

I haven't detailed a client's car that has a clear bra, but my own frustrates me. I washed and waxed today and I spent some time with a baby's toothbrush and some APC+ cleaning the bra's edge. I tape it often, yet still I have residue. More frustrating is the scratches and bruises on the bra from snow, ice, insects and rocks. I've tried some products touted to polish the bra, but no luck. It shines, yet still looks bad. My next step is polishing it with Ultimate Polish or M205.

Many folks say the cost of repainting is equal to the cost of the bra. Toss up I guess.

[rst08tierney]

Re: What do you guys think about the clear film for protecting

Its very easy to avoid getting wax build up around the edges of the bra. Mask it off or dont wax to the edge. I like to use UQW around all the edges on my bra to get protection all the way up to the film with ZERO wax build up on the edges.

With a quality bra, minor rock pings vanish when the bra warms up in direct sunlight. (they are advertised to do this)

Again what brand did you go with? Im also curious on how the 205 will work on your bra since it is an abrasive. All I have used to clean my bra is a clay bar and good old fashion Megs cleaner wax followed up with NXT.


@joe dragon

If you did buy 3m, take pictures and send them directly to customer car at 3m. They will send you out new freshly cut pieces. You will need to find another install though. Just ask the rep on the phone who does warranty work in the area.

Like anything else as a consumer you dont always get the service you paid for so I do agree on doing your homework. Personally for the amount im sure you paid to have the bra put on your car I would spend the extra $50.00 bucks and file a small claims case on the installer to recoup your cost.

[wifpd4]

Re: What do you guys think about the clear film for protecting

Its very easy to avoid getting wax build up around the edges of the bra. Mask it off or dont wax to the edge. I like to use UQW around all the edges on my bra to get protection all the way up to the film with ZERO wax build up on the edges.

With a quality bra, minor rock pings vanish when the bra warms up in direct sunlight. (they are advertised to do this)

Again what brand did you go with? Im also curious on how the 205 will work on your bra since it is an abrasive. All I have used to clean my bra is a clay bar and good old fashion Megs cleaner wax followed up with NXT.

Here's what I did yesterday...I put tape on top of and slightly over the clear bra and machine polished the exposed metal hood. Then I put painter's paper (six inch strip with one adhesive edge) on the edge of the bra and onto the exposed metal hood and then sprayed Plexus on the bra and wiped it off in a polishing action with a microfiber. I repeated with the Plexus. Removed the painter's paper and then waxed (Gold Class +) exposed metal hood carefully up to the edge of the bra. Did I get some wax on the edge...Yes. Wax may vary from Ultimate Wax, M21, M26 or Ultimate Spray Wax, whatever is the flavor of the day.

I think hitting a grasshopper or a locust or a rock at 80 miles per hour puts a scar on the bra that does not heal. If anyone has actually removed a scratch from a clear bra, I'm open to any suggestions. I've also used a Chemical Guys product and I can make the bra shine just fine, but remove scratches...nope.

It's a DigiTech or DigiShield bra and it came with the car as a "port installed" option. There are better varieties on sale and I'm sure more advanced technologies on the way.

[RaskyR1]

Re: What do you guys think about the clear film for protecting

Unless it's a full panel wrap with no seems I hate them!

Why I think they are a waste:

-The film may not chip, but it still pits just like the paint, and looks terrible over time.
-Plastic bumper covers rarely chip, and for the cost of a clear film install on them you could have the entire bumper repainted later.
-I put 18" film on my hood and fenders....now I have chips beyond the film and it looks stupid, at least without the film it would be uniform looking.
-Stretch marks! Nothing worse than seeing a film on your car that look like it just went through 9 months of pregnancy!
-Edges, edges, and more edges! I hate them!
-Defect removal is more difficult and can be more limited.
-Texture (not so bad on newer films)

I don't see the point in having it on the door edges unless you're wreckless with opening your door. IMO it ditracts from the look and door edges are the worst to deal with when trying to do paint correction. Both these cars had it on the door edges and it drove me nuts.

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?p=460789#post460789

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48241

Just my $.02