Just curious if any of you have tried one of the invisible or clear bras and how it looks. Is it noticeable? Are you happy with it? For those of you that had it on other cars and had it removed, was there any damage? Not sure if I am going to do it yet but with the Black Raven, I am considering it. Thanks!
Any experience with clear/invisible bra?
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I don't have any experience my self by my neighbor's Lotus Elise came with a Star Sheild installed by the factory and he loves it. The car is really low to the ground and very vulnerable to road debris and so far (it's a 2006) it have prevented any paint chips. He hasn't removed it so I can't comment on that issue.
I have it installed on my red '09 CTS4. Here in Calgary, in winter they spread gravel (they call it sand) to improve traction on ice. We can count on losing a windshield about every two years to these rocks and chipping the front of the car constantly. The invisible shield protects the front of the car well; is truly virtually invisible; and will last as long as I keep the car. Thumbs up.
I'm assuming you when you refer to bra :bouncy2:you also mean one of these paint protective film products. :cool2:
After watching the front of my STS become peppered over the years I wanted to get off to the right start with my new CTS. So, I recently had my Front Bumper done with ClearShield, and the Hood done with GM p/n 19172121 since I didn't want to cover the first 12". While it can be seen if you get within a few feet, I'm very pleased with the outcome. Altogether I spent $560 protecting both hood & bumper and with a $500 deductible I expect there could be some pay-back if it ever becomes necessary.
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I bought the cheap stuff on ebay (it is the same material as the name brands, just not a name brand) and installed it myself on my 03 corvette, and after that I vowed I would never fail to put it on a car again. It protects from rock chips and makes the bugs wipe off very easily.
As for noticablility, I've put it on a red, black, and white car, and it is most noticable on my white diamond CTS. On the other two cars, no one could tell it was on there until I mentioned it to them. In fact, my dad is super meticulous with cars and actually got mad because he thought I scratched my vette, until I told him it was the clear bra seam. It is really only noticable when part of a body panel is covered and the rest is not. Like the hood piece. You can't tell anything at all on the bumper or headlights. On the white car, it is a little more noticable because I think it messes up the way the light interacts with the tri-coat paint and gives it a slightly darker hue, but I still have to tell people it is on there. I spent about $60 and 3-4 hours to cover my front bumper, hood, fenders, headlights, A-pillars and the first 4" or so of the roof (the leading edge that is exposed). I also bought a couple feet of uncut material to make my own pieces for the rocker panels.
For ease of removal, I took it off the driver's side mirror when I sold the red car to redo it where I messed it up during install, and it came right off with a steady pull. The best part is I can replace it 10 times and still spend less than the more expensive stuff. I can honestly say every person I know that cares about their car and has seen it on mine has wanted it.
As for noticablility, I've put it on a red, black, and white car, and it is most noticable on my white diamond CTS. On the other two cars, no one could tell it was on there until I mentioned it to them. In fact, my dad is super meticulous with cars and actually got mad because he thought I scratched my vette, until I told him it was the clear bra seam. It is really only noticable when part of a body panel is covered and the rest is not. Like the hood piece. You can't tell anything at all on the bumper or headlights. On the white car, it is a little more noticable because I think it messes up the way the light interacts with the tri-coat paint and gives it a slightly darker hue, but I still have to tell people it is on there. I spent about $60 and 3-4 hours to cover my front bumper, hood, fenders, headlights, A-pillars and the first 4" or so of the roof (the leading edge that is exposed). I also bought a couple feet of uncut material to make my own pieces for the rocker panels.
For ease of removal, I took it off the driver's side mirror when I sold the red car to redo it where I messed it up during install, and it came right off with a steady pull. The best part is I can replace it 10 times and still spend less than the more expensive stuff. I can honestly say every person I know that cares about their car and has seen it on mine has wanted it.
Have it on my 2003 Murano since new. As stated, difficult to see it. Murano is Gold.
It held up good for the first 5 years and only now is getting a little ragged.
There are places where rocks have cut the plastic, but not down to the hood. I have removed some and under it the paint is pristine.
Remember to have the backs of the side rearview mirrors done and the headlights should be done with 60 mill stuff.
For most of us it is probably best to let the Pros put it on. But if you have some talent and some patience ......
Expect to pay in the neighborhood of $600 for a complete job. I wouldn't put any on the roof. I have owned 51 cars including some very low cars (Vette, Fiero) and never got a rock chip on the roof. Guess I drive too fast.......
It held up good for the first 5 years and only now is getting a little ragged.
There are places where rocks have cut the plastic, but not down to the hood. I have removed some and under it the paint is pristine.
Remember to have the backs of the side rearview mirrors done and the headlights should be done with 60 mill stuff.
For most of us it is probably best to let the Pros put it on. But if you have some talent and some patience ......
Expect to pay in the neighborhood of $600 for a complete job. I wouldn't put any on the roof. I have owned 51 cars including some very low cars (Vette, Fiero) and never got a rock chip on the roof. Guess I drive too fast.......
While I was having my windows tinted at a local outside vendor I learned they also did the protective film installs. And after looking over many pre-cut patterns I found that only GM had the narrow hood piece that I desired. So when I went back to have the bumper done, I brought in the GM piece and the same shop installed it at no extra charge.
Excellent product. I like the 3M clear bra. I have been buying it from chipgardman on ebay. He is the least expensive on the net. Nice guy, good personality, honest. 5 years parts and labor if I have a 3M guy install it.
Put the 3M on from Invisible Mask on my Black Cherry CTS. Bought the entire car; Front, headlights, fenders, pilars, above window, side mirrors, rocker panels, fenders behind rear wheels and even the rear deck!
Put it on when the car was new and now a year and 20,000 miles later, on the highways here in Houston, and not a chip in the car. Anywhere!
And unless you get right on top of the car, you can't see it. Did it my self; but it took a lot a patience....
Put it on when the car was new and now a year and 20,000 miles later, on the highways here in Houston, and not a chip in the car. Anywhere!
And unless you get right on top of the car, you can't see it. Did it my self; but it took a lot a patience....
I am pleased I had the 3M Invisible Bra professionally installed on my CTS-4 and it has worked out great! Highly recommended, if you like your car meticulous. My car is White Diamond, and for some reason it probably shows up more on that color than any other, but it is still worth it. Most people do not even notice it--you have to be looking for it.
The CTS is the fourth car that I have had the stuff on. I won't be without it. The key to a satisfactory installation is the installer. Get references and check them!
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