[Scottz71]

I got my first rock knick on the front mask Saturday night. When I detailed the car on Sunday I fumed about it...and I am still pissed. Yeah, yeah, it is a car and the NoVa roads just suck, but I want to do something about it.

I'd like to get feedback from DC Metro's on which product you got, liked/disliked, and who you went to. There are some real horror stories of bubbling, peeling, yellowing, and even installer finger prints in getting this stuff put on your car...I want the best product, something that will protect the car but retain its beauty and shine...basically I want a force field from rocks and road debris...

I hope everybody will weigh in...I want to get this done ASAP.

[KL2DC]

Scott, check with AJ (bavarian19), he has a guy in your area that does 3M and maybe other brands. He did his E90 and he was happy with the work/protection. Speaking of, I need to clear bra my front splitters...

[WxSquid]

I'm looking to do this as well. So far, the 335 isn't nearly as bad for attracting rocks as the MINI was....

[ase2dais]

If anyone finds someone giving 3M less than $850 give me a heads up pls.

this is Fairfax BMW price where Dean(edspilot) got his put in. It covered
front hood and lower front bumper, side mirrors, door edges, head lights and a little exposed side part of the Wheel Well area.

Our local meet promoter Raj can to it for less but with another brand. Although no one here have used him yet, he seems to get alot of buzz from other forums like m3forum and e46fanatics.

someone quoted me $800 (3M) but cant remember who it was. Pls post your finding here!

I need to find a good one too! but not pay up the Ying/Yang!

[KL2DC]

ase, anyone around our area who can clearbra my splitters, when they arrive? Its not a big job so its something I can drop and pickup at a later time.

[pseto]

i've had a 3M clear bra on 3 cars now and wouldn't hesitate to get one on any new car I get from now on.

The bad thing about the one on my e92 is that now that I've seen the ///M kit, I'll probably have to get a new one.

You can go to xpel.com to find someone local to you to install. For my e92, I got the extended front hood, bumper, and side mirrors covered (didn't see a need to do the headlights) and it cost me $600.

[ase2dais]

Originally Posted by KL2DC

ase, anyone around our area who can clearbra my splitters, when they arrive? Its not a big job so its something I can drop and pickup at a later time.

Im sure you can do that your self Donny! Im tempted to do it sometimes

here a good hood and fender DIY for all you thrill seekers out there, use the concept !

Hood & Fender Clear Bra DIY Video

Mirror Clear Bra DIY Video

Bumper Clear Bra DIY Video

Ive put this same Clear Bra Install Video on e90post Official DIY Thread
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45215

[spark227]

I've applied 3M clear bra on my last two cars, and it's harder than it seems especially with curved or rounded body panels. I trashed the large hood piece on the very first application, but it became much easier on the 2nd car after gaining some experience. Proper prep work is crucial, but you wind up saving a lot of money. I have no complaints with 3M other than their crappy window tints.

[KL2DC]

Originally Posted by ase2dais

Im sure you can do that your self Donny! Im tempted to do it sometimes

I have neither the patience nor the aptitude to undertake such a dainty and precise task

[MDman]

Originally Posted by Scottz71

I got my first rock knick on the front mask Saturday night. When I detailed the car on Sunday I fumed about it...and I am still pissed. Yeah, yeah, it is a car and the NoVa roads just suck, but I want to do something about it.

I'd like to get feedback from DC Metro's on which product you got, liked/disliked, and who you went to. There are some real horror stories of bubbling, peeling, yellowing, and even installer finger prints in getting this stuff put on your car...I want the best product, something that will protect the car but retain its beauty and shine...basically I want a force field from rocks and road debris...

I hope everybody will weigh in...I want to get this done ASAP.

Hey Scottz71, I got my clear bra installed by Skip Vachon from PFT Films. Their website is http://www.pftfilms.com/ if you care to get more details about them. As far as I know they are the only ones that provide a limited lifetime warranty and guarantee on labor. They only use 3M paint protection. My price for a complete kit was $1095. That includes front bumper, hood, headlights, fog lights, side mirrors, and the leading corner of the front fenders. He is a mobile installer as well. I got it installed at VOB BMW thanks to my Sales Associate lending us their indoor garage two weeks after my purchase. If you are interested in seeing the clear bra installed on my 335i let me know and we can arrange something.

[ase2dais]

Originally Posted by KL2DC

I have neither the patience nor the aptitude to undertake such a dainty and precise task

Would you rather have RAJA form EuroConcept to it then? shouldnt be very much, ask Frank for his Phone No.

or you just making me drool that you have those Splinters

whatever you do, let me know ! I need a clear bra installer this summer

Maybe spark227 can do a group install to show us!

[KL2DC]

Originally Posted by ase2dais

Would you rather have RAJA form EuroConcept to it then? shouldnt be very much, ask Frank for his Phone No.

or you just making me drool that you have those CF Splinters

Hey that's a good idea

I am surprised you didn't jump on the GB. The price point I suggested and was eventually offered is very attractive.

[ase2dais]

where did you get those splitters? I like to see it after it gets installed

are they CF ? OEM ? aftermarket ?

I dont hang around outside Mid-Atlantic board so much to see those opportunities. I guess I need to venture out more outside my neighborhood huh?

[Scottz71]

Originally Posted by MDman

Hey Scottz71, I got my clear bra installed by Skip Vachon from PFT Films. Their website is http://www.pftfilms.com/ if you care to get more details about them. As far as I know they are the only ones that provide a limited lifetime warranty and guarantee on labor. They only use 3M paint protection. My price for a complete kit was $1095. That includes front bumper, hood, headlights, fog lights, side mirrors, and the leading corner of the front fenders. He is a mobile installer as well. I got it installed at VOB BMW thanks to my Sales Associate lending us their indoor garage two weeks after my purchase. If you are interested in seeing the clear bra installed on my 335i let me know and we can arrange something.

Can you post a picture? How is the color of the car through the film? Can you wax the film to enhance shine? Any moisture issues? Thanks for the input.

[spark227]

Originally Posted by ase2dais

Maybe spark227 can do a group install to show us!

Actually I wouldn't mind performing a live demonstration. It's a time-consuming process and needs to be done indoors so wind won't blow crap under the film application. You'd also need to remove all wax or polish off the body work and I'd also recommend claybar'ing as well.

I'd only bother with protecting the hood and fenders since the bumper is made of plastic anyway. You can see the standard or deluxe parts kit here:

http://www.invinca-shield.com/n_genkit.asp?kit=350&ft=1

[KL2DC]

Originally Posted by ase2dais

where did you get those splinters? I like to see it after it gets installed

are they CF ? OEM ? aftermarket ?

They're aftermarket, from Trendix. 2 choices were offered, full unpainted CF OEM style and the cheaper painted woven plastic OEM style splitters. It was $215 shipped for the painted pair.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37276

Originally Posted by spark227

Actually I wouldn't mind performing a live demonstration. It's a time-consuming process and needs to be done indoors so wind won't blow crap under the film application.

I volunteer my splitters as base for your live demonstration

[spark227]

Are the splitters already installed? Is the film supposed to wrap below the lip? That is definitely a tricky part to work with, but fortunately it isn't a big piece like the size of a full-length bumper.

[KL2DC]

Originally Posted by spark227

Are the splitters already installed? Is the film supposed to wrap below the lip? That is definitely a tricky part to work with, but fortunately it isn't a big piece like the size of a full-length bumper.

They're not installed yet, they're en route with ETA mid-February. I imagined wrapping them up would not be easy as I have mentally noted the curved lip as well. We were only half joking of course, but.....

[ase2dais]

Originally Posted by spark227

Are the splitters already installed? Is the film supposed to wrap below the lip? That is definitely a tricky part to work with, but fortunately it isn't a big piece like the size of a full-length bumper.

yeah! lets do it! our very first group Demo Mod!

whopppieeeeeeeeee! if spark dont mind I can volunteer my cabrio for Spring

[pseto]

Originally Posted by MDman

Hey Scottz71, I got my clear bra installed by Skip Vachon from PFT Films. Their website is http://www.pftfilms.com/ if you care to get more details about them. As far as I know they are the only ones that provide a limited lifetime warranty and guarantee on labor. They only use 3M paint protection. My price for a complete kit was $1095. That includes front bumper, hood, headlights, fog lights, side mirrors, and the leading corner of the front fenders. He is a mobile installer as well. I got it installed at VOB BMW thanks to my Sales Associate lending us their indoor garage two weeks after my purchase. If you are interested in seeing the clear bra installed on my 335i let me know and we can arrange something.

$1095 is kinda high IMO. I paid $600 for the same pieces (except head/fog lights which is usually no more than $150). My install also came with lifetime warranty and guarantee on labor. I had mine installed on my e92 in SC after I took delivery at PC, so maybe there's a difference in labor rates. The warranty is good across the US and a local MD guy is coming out to shave one of the edges that has come loose at no charge.

From what I was told, the warranty is actually by 3M and not the installer.

[ase2dais]

Originally Posted by pseto

$1095 is kinda high IMO. I paid $600 for the same pieces (except head/fog lights which is usually no more than $150). My install also came with lifetime warranty and guarantee on labor. I had mine installed on my e92 in SC after I took delivery at PC, so maybe there's a difference in labor rates. The warranty is good across the US and a local MD guy is coming out to shave one of the edges that has come loose at no charge.

... was that $600 for 3M?

[pseto]

Originally Posted by ase2dais

... was that $600 for 3M?

yes, 3M