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      06-07-2016, 10:51 AM   #1
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Clearbra Seam Locations

I just got my car back last night from break in service and clear-bra install.
Can you folks that went with Xpel tell me if you have seams at the same locations I marked with Blue Tape.

I think I should have listened to member advice and gone with Xpel, but I didn't want to hassle with trying to get a refund out of the dealer.

The seams near the top of the kidney grills really bug me. I think it's going to be a total headache to keep dirt out of the crack between the two sections of material. It's also pealing back in a couple of the compound corners.

EDIT: To clarify, this was not an Xpel install or Xpel film. It was 3m done at BMW Dealership.
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Last edited by 3tekcorps; 06-07-2016 at 02:31 PM..
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      06-07-2016, 11:17 AM   #2
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Nope!
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      06-07-2016, 11:42 AM   #3
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Originally Posted by F87LUV View Post
Nope!
Thanks.. Where do you have seams on the front face?
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      06-07-2016, 11:43 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3tekcorps
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Originally Posted by F87LUV View Post
Nope!
Thanks.. Where do you have seams on the front face?
Uhh I don't think I do. DetailersDomain Do I?
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      06-07-2016, 11:51 AM   #5
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I'd expect some seams due to all the curves on the front, but those running up from the kidney grills really bug me. The edges are also really jagged in some places like they trimmed it back after it was placed.
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      06-07-2016, 11:52 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3tekcorps View Post
Thanks.. Where do you have seams on the front face?
She shouldn't, it's a single piece. There was a thread recently with a member showing photos of the XPel install and I'm 99% sure it's all one piece. If I find that thread I'll post it here for you.

EDIT: Here is one like what I mentioned: http://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1268824

There is a second thread similar to that with an LBB too.
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      06-07-2016, 12:00 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by gmzanatta
Quote:
Originally Posted by 3tekcorps View Post
Thanks.. Where do you have seams on the front face?
She shouldn't, it's a single piece. There was a thread recently with a member showing photos of the XPel install and I'm 99% sure it's all one piece. If I find that thread I'll post it here for you.

EDIT: Here is one like what I mentioned: http://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1268824

There is a second thread similar to that with an LBB too.
And mine too...

BMW M2 in BSM receives a New Car Prep/ Xpel Paint Protection Film / Nanolex SI3D http://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1253766
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      06-07-2016, 12:07 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3tekcorps
I'd expect some seams due to all the curves on the front, but those running up from the kidney grills really bug me. The edges are also really jagged in some places like they trimmed it back after it was placed.
Nope.
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      06-07-2016, 12:15 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by F87LUV View Post
Nope.
There's got to be a lower seam at least based on this photo. Still that looks way better with how they tucked the edges behind the grills and you don't have the upper seam.
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      06-07-2016, 01:44 PM   #10
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I don't have seams on those areas. I went with SunTek. I will note that my installer even with 16 years experience struggled with the front bumper. It took him 4.5 hours when he normally does a bumper in 2 or less depending on complexity.
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      06-07-2016, 02:01 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3tekcorps View Post
I just got my car back last night from break in service and clear-bra install.
Can you folks that went with Xpel tell me if you have seams at the same locations I marked with Blue Tape.

I think I should have listened to member advice and gone with Xpel, but I didn't want to hassle with trying to get a refund out of the dealer.

The seams near the top of the kidney grills really bug me. I think it's going to be a total headache to keep dirt out of the crack between the two sections of material. It's also peeling back in a couple of the compound corners.
This is what the XPEL pre-cut kit appears to look like, pulled right from out website: XPEL M2 Kit, it doesn't appear to have the seam above the kidney grills. Would you mind sending us a PM with your installer? I've attached the pre-cut kit image, and you can see the cut outs. regarding the lifting film, take it back to the installer and have him trim or get that fixed before dirt and debris starts to get underneath.

Name:  P2162BF.gif
Views: 1028
Size:  4.4 KB

The bottom pieces of the kit are made to have seams, so that they can be replaced if you have any bad impacts or road debris. That way the entire bumper doesn't have to be redone, and you can have those 3 small pieces replaced individually, the rest of the seams on the lower half of the bumper are due to the intricate design on the bumper, since the film has to stretch over all the compound curves.
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      06-07-2016, 02:36 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by XPEL View Post
This is what the XPEL pre-cut kit appears to look like, pulled right from out website: XPEL M2 Kit, it doesn't appear to have the seam above the kidney grills. Would you mind sending us a PM with your installer? I've attached the pre-cut kit image, and you can see the cut outs. regarding the lifting film, take it back to the installer and have him trim or get that fixed before dirt and debris starts to get underneath.

Attachment 1437932

The bottom pieces of the kit are made to have seams, so that they can be replaced if you have any bad impacts or road debris. That way the entire bumper doesn't have to be redone, and you can have those 3 small pieces replaced individually, the rest of the seams on the lower half of the bumper are due to the intricate design on the bumper, since the film has to stretch over all the compound curves.

Thanks for the response. I should have been more clear that is not an Xpel install and added that just now. I am trying to compare it to Xpel installs which is why I mentioned it in the post.

The sales team at the dealership insisted this would be as good as Xpel (it was also way more convenient), but the seams are really annoying among other things.
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      06-07-2016, 03:16 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3tekcorps View Post
Thanks for the response. I should have been more clear that is not an Xpel install and added that just now. I am trying to compare it to Xpel installs which is why I mentioned it in the post.

The sales team at the dealership insisted this would be as good as Xpel (it was also way more convenient), but the seams are really annoying among other things.
Ahh, okay. Sorry, read it the wrong way the first time around. Patterns will vary depending on company/manufacture, XPEL patterns are some of the best fitting pre-cut kits without the unnecessary seams. We hope they're able to take care of you.
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      06-07-2016, 04:04 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by XPEL View Post
Ahh, okay. Sorry, read it the wrong way the first time around. Patterns will vary depending on company/manufacture, XPEL patterns are some of the best fitting pre-cut kits without the unnecessary seams. We hope they're able to take care of you.
These are the seams that run away from the kidney grills.
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      06-07-2016, 04:46 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3tekcorps View Post
These are the seams that run away from the kidney grills.
That's a really bad install job...there's no way it should look like that. I'd take it back and get them to redo it
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      06-07-2016, 05:18 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by Ex-MINI View Post
That's a really bad install job...there's no way it should look like that. I'd take it back and get them to redo it
That was my thought as well. Kicking myself that I didn't go with the Xpel guy from the start.
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      06-07-2016, 10:31 PM   #17
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it almost looks like it was bulk cut, there are seams on the xpel plot but with the right installer the seams will look good. Unless you are looking for them you should not see them.
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      06-08-2016, 12:24 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by DetailersDomain View Post
it almost looks like it was bulk cut, there are seams on the xpel plot but with the right installer the seams will look good. Unless you are looking for them you should not see them.

Who knows. I sent a note to the dealer today regarding it. In 48 hours the seam has already collected a nice amount of dust. Also found more dirt under the film I didn't notice at first.
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      06-08-2016, 12:39 PM   #19
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sorry to hear about that, where are you located?
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      06-08-2016, 02:28 PM   #20
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sorry to hear about that, where are you located?
West coast!
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      06-08-2016, 02:29 PM   #21
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what are your plans with it bring it back to the dealer to get it fixed?

did they tell you they were going to wrap edges etc?
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      06-08-2016, 02:39 PM   #22
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Originally Posted by DetailersDomain View Post
what are your plans with it bring it back to the dealer to get it fixed?

did they tell you they were going to wrap edges etc?
Dealer is working on an solution to resolve this. I don't want to name them as they have been great otherwise and I hope this is just a bad employee situation.

The service department manager called within 30 minutes of my email wanting to figure out a solution. He had already located an Xpel installer and talked to that guy about the product before calling me. He's going to drive over to my office this afternoon to take a look at it personally.

I'll update when I know a final verdict. Thanks for the feedback so far.
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