Clear Bra

[TC M3]

I always wanted to install the clear bra in my cars but never did. Can you guys point me which is the best brand like 3M etc...

Also in case it needs to be changed, does it ruin the paint a little.

Thanks for the help

[Dr. T]

VentureShield

[ideliver]

There has been A LOT posted on this board on this topic...maybe try a next time...

That being said...I was very hesitant to get any paint protection...but I got a Saphire Black M5 and as this was my 5 or 6th black vehicle...I got Venture Shield installed...

I could not be happier...I got a custom full front, hood and fenders...I like it so much that I am going back for rocker panels and back bumper...

I think VS is the way to go...and it can be removed without damaging the paint

[TC M3]

Originally Posted by ideliver

There has been A LOT posted on this board on this topic...maybe try a next time...

That being said...I was very hesitant to get any paint protection...but I got a Saphire Black M5 and as this was my 5 or 6th black vehicle...I got Venture Shield installed...

I could not be happier...I got a custom full front, hood and fenders...I like it so much that I am going back for rocker panels and back bumper...

I think VS is the way to go...and it can be removed without damaging the paint

Thank you! My car is white so I was a little hesitant. Will take the advice

[frankzlin79]

What do people think about ClearShield (except TLud, who we all know loves his ClearShield)?

How about 3Ms film? What's it called?

How about Xpel films?

[Z06_7.0l]

Hey guys,
Let me see if I cant help ya'll out a little bit. I'll try to be as unbiased as i can be seeing as im a clear bra installer.( For reference i did LTuds M3,and FusionM3's M3).

Okay first off there are many many different brands of film out there to pick from. I have personally sampled and worked with VentureShield, Clearshield, 3M, Avery, and Xpel. Out of all the films i would have to say VentureShield is probably the smoothest looking film of the bunch. 3M I would say has the most orange peel of the group. Second smoothest would be Clearshield followed by Xpel and Avery. While to some this is the most important factor in getting a clear bra to others how they hold up to everyday use is what they care most about.

Out of this group there are only two films that actually have a hard clear coat outer shell. Those two are ClearShield and 3m. The rest have a "top coat" which to me doesn’t really mean much. I personally like ClearShield over 3M because it is a lot smoother looking and has a thicker clear coat than 3M. Also i have seen 3M yellow under harsh conditions, where as i have never seen ClearShield yellow.(Clearshield is a must for white cars as i have never seen it darken or discolor).

Out of the 3 other films(VS, Xpel, Avery) I would have to say VentureShield is the most durable of the group.

So you might wondering what is the big difference between clear coat film and non clear coat film. Well with a clear coat film it will be alot more resistant to bird poo and bug stains. Also with a clear coat film you can use abrasive cleaners on it and also it wont swirl mark up as easily as a top coat film.(top coat films are softer).

Oh, another point I would have to say is that a non clear coat film is more puncture resistant then Clear coat film because they are more stretchable.

So to sum everything up, If you want a film that you can just leave on your vehicle and not have to worry about a lot of up keep and maintenance then i would suggest ClearShield because of its thick clear coat/durability and relative smoothness.
If you are the type that details your vehicle regularly and can clean off bird poo, and bugs quickly and absolute clarity is the most important, than i would say go with VentureShield.(on every color except white).

Lastly if you plan to track your vehicle, try to go with Clearshield or 3M. Hot rubber from other vehicles tires clean off alot easier from these films.

I hope this helps, and remember what i wrote is just my opinion.

[TC M3]

Helpfull info Z06! Got to find a good installer here in florida now! Thanks

[White Shark]

Originally Posted by Z06_7.0l

... Also i have seen 3M yellow under harsh conditions, where as i have never seen ClearShield yellow.(Clearshield is a must for white cars as i have never seen it darken or discolor)....If you are the type that details your vehicle regularly and can clean off bird poo, and bugs quickly and absolute clarity is the most important, than i would say go with VentureShield.(on every color except white).

Do you mean clearshield would not turn yellow on white M3 whereas venturashiled would show the discoloration?

[frankzlin79]

How does washing the car affect a clear bra?

How about drying the car?

Since I live in a condo complex with a common garage, I can't wash my car myself in the garage and need to take it to a car wash place. What if the people washing and drying my car don't know if I have a clear bra and as they dry, they hit the edge of the clear bra on the hood? Won't it cause it to peel?

[Z06_7.0l]

Originally Posted by White Shark

Do you mean clearshield would not turn yellow on white M3 whereas venturashiled would show the discoloration?

That is correct. Clearshield(in my opinion) is the most resistant to yellowing. It is the only film i use on white vehicles. ( i have yet to see a clearshield covered hood yellow).

The reason VentureShield or any other top coat film is more susceptible to yellowing is because its a more poris film and over time dirt particles tent to make their way into the film and especially show up easier on white cars. If you have a top coat film like Venture on your white BMW just clean it more frequently and make sure to use a good colorless polymer wax.(apply a couple times a month), and you should be set for a good while.

[endofanera7]

go with venture shield! I just got venture shield installed 2 days ago and it looks great!

[Z06_7.0l]

Originally Posted by frankzlin79

How does washing the car affect a clear bra?

How about drying the car?

Since I live in a condo complex with a common garage, I can't wash my car myself in the garage and need to take it to a car wash place. What if the people washing and drying my car don't know if I have a clear bra and as they dry, they hit the edge of the clear bra on the hood? Won't it cause it to peel?

This is always an issue. With any film, if the person washing the car doesn’t know what their doing and is using a rough cloth to clean the vehicle, there is always the chance they could snag a corner of the film and lift it just slightly. But the film should not continue to peel more over time. But what you will get is a "dirty edge" this is where dirt and debris over time get under that lifted area and that edge becomes more noticeable looking. (but in general over time most edges of any clear bra become more noticeable from everyday wear and tear).

[Z06_7.0l]

Originally Posted by endofanera7

go with venture shield! I just got venture shield installed 2 days ago and it looks great!

VentureShield does look great on Black M3's (smooth as butter!)

[drsnooz]

Does Ventureshield cover the entire hood of the car in 1 piece or will there be 2 pieces where you can see the line in the hood? I'm planning on getting a clearbra put on very soon and don't want a 2 piece hood where you can see a line. Which companies produce a 1 piece hood clearbra?

[Z06_7.0l]

Originally Posted by drsnooz

Does Ventureshield cover the entire hood of the car in 1 piece or will there be 2 pieces where you can see the line in the hood? I'm planning on getting a clearbra put on very soon and don't want a 2 piece hood where you can see a line. Which companies produce a 1 piece hood clearbra?

VentureShield (I know for sure)and i believe Xpel film are the only films out there today that make film wide enough to cover full hoods in one piece. Though i believe all the other companies out there are in the process of making rolls large enough to cover every type of vehicle hood.

[frankzlin79]

Z0 7.0l: What are your opinions regarding Xpel film? (My M3 is white btw).

[Z06_7.0l]

Originally Posted by frankzlin79

Z0 7.0l: What are your opinions regarding Xpel film? (My M3 is white btw).

pm sent.

[endofanera7]

Originally Posted by drsnooz

Does Ventureshield cover the entire hood of the car in 1 piece or will there be 2 pieces where you can see the line in the hood? I'm planning on getting a clearbra put on very soon and don't want a 2 piece hood where you can see a line. Which companies produce a 1 piece hood clearbra?

I got my clear bra installed by Premier in Fremont, CA. They do custom kit for the hood, which cover the whole hood with 1 piece. again, it's venture shield! i cant tell if the clear bra is there at all!

[Z06_7.0l]

Originally Posted by endofanera7

I got my clear bra installed by Premier in Fremont, CA. They do custom kit for the hood, which cover the whole hood with 1 piece. again, it's venture shield! i cant tell if the clear bra is there at all!

Premier is probably one of the best PPF installers in the nation. To bad their only located in CA.

[islandguy19]

I have a Clear Bra film covering the front quarter of my hood. Tree sap landed on the film and I got it off but now there is a yellowish-green color where the sap was originally. Any ideas how to clean it off? I did just wash the car and used Adam's Clear Spray for Clear Bra Films and it didn't come off... HELP!!

[BMWguy206]

Originally Posted by islandguy19

I have a Clear Bra film covering the front quarter of my hood. Tree sap landed on the film and I got it off but now there is a yellowish-green color where the sap was originally. Any ideas how to clean it off? I did just wash the car and used Adam's Clear Spray for Clear Bra Films and it didn't come off... HELP!!

Dang that sucks to hear. Could be that the bra absorbed it. You said you have the clear spray but do you have the Adam's Clear Polish for clear bras?

[Z06_7.0l]

Unfortunately it probably stained the film. Look on the bright side though, at least it didn’t land on the paint.(baked in sap = bad for paint).