Invisible 3M Bra ("Invisible Mask" brand?)

[c4ss]

For those V owners that had the clear bra put on their car either by themselves or by a professional. Did you use the "invisible mask" brand (invisible mask)? I bought my V used awhile back with pretty low milage, but the guy apparently had it out on the highway quite a bit, and I'm seriously thinking about having the front sprayed and then putting this on. I found some info on it using search but it seems those who did it had it professionally installed for around 600 dollars as an average price. According to the site, however, its not too hard to do yourself. Are these things worth it? Is it a PITA to put on or should I have it professionally done? If I get the front sprayed I'd like it to last for awhile and these seem like a good alternative. Any feedback or experience with these things would be appreciated.

[smoothq]

Here are my thoughts about doing this by yourself, not suggested unless you want to buy at least 2 or 3 of them by getting it perfect. But i did buy mine for about $100-$110 bucks on ebay from scotchgaurd 3M. I also found a guy on craigslist who was doing a special for install for the month and He is going to do it for $200 so if you want to take a chance then go ahead but It doesn't look that easy by watching the do it yourself video. So im going to be in it for about $300 bucks and I don't have to do it or take the chance. Just my .02 good luck

[6104696]

I installed the 3M clear bra on the V myself...with good results on all but the headlights. But....I had some experience installing big decals on Transams in the '80's. It is not an easy task, due to the compound curves on the V, especially the headlights. Many have tried, and failed, to self-install a clear bra.

After some minor front end damage, the insurance company replaced it; the guy charged the ins. co almost $900. He did the headlights much better than I, but I did the bumper better than he (but it took me all day). In today's economy, I would expect prices for this stuff to have come down dramatically.

Since I didn;t want to spend a whole day doing it, I had a pro put a CLEARSHIELD Xpel bra on my white 2006 mustang GT. I put on some 3M brand wheelwell and rocker protection myself, at around the same time 2 years ago. Interestingly, the Clearshield is perfectly clear, while the 3M has started to slightly yellow; the yellow is slightly noticeable on a white car. The Clearshield was cheaper than the 3M, and I was told that 3M would not be as likely to yellow as the Clearshield. NOT.

I cannot tell if the 3M on the V has started to yellow, though; if so, it is imperceptible against the platinum paint.

[MLV]

I bought the 3M clear bra kit on ebay and hired a local 3M "certified" installer to put it on. He botched it so badly he didn't even try to collect. I ripped it off as soon as I got home. If you have a guy who will do it for $200, I would guess he has no idea how difficult the job is, and I would be careful.

I bought a second kit and installed it myself. I had no experience so it was very time consuming, several hours and several beers, but I was able to get a very good result. If you do it yourself, be patient and careful to not let it touch the garage floor or you'll pick up specks of dirt or worse.

The installers I found with good reputations wanted more like $900 for the job.

Good luck.

[c4ss]

Originally Posted by 6104696

I installed the 3M clear bra on the V myself...with good results on all but the headlights. But....I had some experience installing big decals on Transams in the '80's. It is not an easy task, due to the compound curves on the V, especially the headlights. Many have tried, and failed, to self-install a clear bra.

After some minor front end damage, the insurance company replaced it; the guy charged the ins. co almost $900. He did the headlights much better than I, but I did the bumper better than he (but it took me all day). In today's economy, I would expect prices for this stuff to have come down dramatically.

Since I didn;t want to spend a whole day doing it, I had a pro put a CLEARSHIELD Xpel bra on my white 2006 mustang GT. I put on some 3M brand wheelwell and rocker protection myself, at around the same time 2 years ago. Interestingly, the Clearshield is perfectly clear, while the 3M has started to slightly yellow; the yellow is slightly noticeable on a white car. The Clearshield was cheaper than the 3M, and I was told that 3M would not be as likely to yellow as the Clearshield. NOT.

I cannot tell if the 3M on the V has started to yellow, though; if so, it is imperceptible against the platinum paint.

Thanks for the responses. I've been looking into the CLEARSHIELD brand you talked aobut instead of this invisible mask brand and it seems to be pretty good stuff. I also have a few installers around my area, which is good because I'm starting to get the hint not to try and do it myself. Question though...Is the material relatively thick? I mean obviously if its quote unquote invisible it's got to be pretty thin, but can you tell on yours if the material has prevented any damage? My V is also black, so you see everything. Only reason I'm asking is because this whole ordeal is a pretty expensive job that I'm indecisive about getting involved in. Sometimes I wish I wasn't so picky about how the car looked all the time, but I just can't stand all these chips and road damage on my favorite part of the car (the grill and front end as a whole). I would want to get the front sprayed first and then go about doing this. Overall would you recommend it or should I spend my money somewhere else in mod hell . Thanks again.

[coolcaddy1]

Im also interested in how thin the material is. When you wax your car do you wax this clear bra as well? Has anyone had problems with wax building up on the edge of the clear bra. Highway stone chips can realy mess up the front end. You should see my jeep after driving down a highway paving project on my way to work for a month. Had to change the front grill it got so bad.

[6104696]

After having it on two vehicles, I will have it on every "aesthetically important" vehicle that I own going forward (my wife's minivan does not qualify).

It prevents ALL damage from big bugs and small stones. My wifes 2008 minivan has lots of stone chips from local roads such as route 95, at 10K miles. Bra-equipped Mustang and CTS-V have none, at 10K and 2K miles respectively. I don't recall how many mils thick it is......they differ to some extent. You do need to clean the bugs off pretty quick though...if it bakes in the sun for a while, like always, the guts and associated stains can be a biatch to remove. I use cleaner wax, just as if it was paint. You need to be careful not to get wax on the exposed edge of the film; it will form a bright white line (that can be removed with a Q-tip and wax remover).

You can see the edges of the film if you are looking for them...but they are barely noticable and if done right, they are crisp uniform lines that don't detract from the look of the car.

I wish I could cover my windshield with this stuff.......

Make sure that you keep the receipt if you have it done....so that if you ever need your insurance company to cover front end auto body repairs, they will pay to have the bra replaced (at least mine did).

[06RRCTSV]

I have the 3M product on my 07 Avalanche. I installed it myself with excellent results... An important note is to use a heat gun or hair dryer on the low setting. It helps you to stretch the material and get a perfect fit around the compound curves. Also take your time to ensure all of the air bubbles are worked out.

I will be installing the 3M product on the V after the front is repainted in the winter...

[Nutz]

I HAVE HEARD that the Ventureshield brand is less orange peeled than 3M and more transparent.

[Bigron]

Ventureshield is now owned by 3M.
From what I have heard is that the Ventureshield is easier to apply and cheaper.
3M is more protective from what I have heard.

I ahve a 3M hood, mirror, bumper and fender kit. You can wax it just like the car. The only issue is you get a wax build up line that you have to clean with some alky where the paint meets the plastic.