[RedBeast]

I'm thinking about getting a 3m clear bra put on. Does anyone have one? About how much did it cost? They wouldn't do it at the dealership.
<----- paranoid of rock chips (from experience)

Thanks in advance. (I think this is my first post.)

 

[j007jackson]

The clear bra is a wonderful product. The problem is finding someone who can "Properly" install one. If it is done correctly you will hardly be able to tell it's there. If not, it will look like sh*t. Don't let anyone touch your car who cannot show you examples of their work.

 

[Moosey]

Clear bra

I had it put on shortly after delivery , here in Maine they salt and sand all winter , it is a great product . I had to travel to Massachusetts to find a recommended installer and he was everything that was posted about him , was even able to do the front air dam , Look for a installer that has good feed back and experence

 

[flaxtpr]

We've got one on our Silver. Luckily we had an authorized 3M installer just a few
miles from our house, the only one within at least 50 miles. Did an outstanding job.
Looks good (i.e. barely noticeable), and it's already did it's job of protection once,
had a collision w/ one of those orange/white construction barrels.
Cost : $575 + tax, warrantied for 5 yrs.

 

[CC816]

I had a local 3M dealer qote me 250$ to do the front bumper and the tip of the hood

 

[ozzlopez]

Watch the installation video, it's easy to do, just takes a couple of hours. I've had mine on for 24K miles with no problems. If you make a mistake, you peel, re-wet and reinstall.
I have it on my front bumper, hood, fenders, mirrors, headlamps, fog lamps. rocker panels and rear bumper. It makes bug removal a breeze. Most people including the Honda service department did not notice it until I pointed it out to them.

 

[RedBeast]

First of all, thanks to all who replied. If it is easy to remove and reapply, then I might consider doing this myself (avoiding the $150 installation fee and the 25% markup on the film of the local installer I called). I find it strange that our Volvo came with the film pre-applied but the Honda dealers do not even have an option to install this.

 

[ur2slow1]

I don't know, I purchased mine off ebay (quality 3m product) and the hood came out great but the front bumper and mirrors look pretty bad with a lot of wrinkles. I would stick with a professional installer.

 

[leek69]

First of all, thanks to all who replied. If it is easy to remove and reapply, then I might consider doing this myself (avoiding the $150 installation fee and the 25% markup on the film of the local installer I called). I find it strange that our Volvo came with the film pre-applied but the Honda dealers do not even have an option to install this.

Do it yourself and save some bucks. It sounds difficult but when you get done you will wonder why they charge so much to do it for you. I only did my headlights and fogs cause I have a bug shield, but wish I would have opted for no shield and film instead. I did do the film on my truck though...worth the money.

 

[andyman97]

I'm planning to get it done next weekend. I found a guy local to the dc area, and while it's expensive, I'd rather not hassle with it, I don't have a garage and don't want to freeze outside trying to do it. The guy has really good reviews and I trust he'll do a good job.

 

[leek69]

I'm planning to get it done next weekend. I found a guy local to the dc area, and while it's expensive, I'd rather not hassle with it, I don't have a garage and don't want to freeze outside trying to do it. The guy has really good reviews and I trust he'll do a good job.

No doubt, for if it freezes the water under the film it probably will jack it up? Money well spent

 

[jmj]

IMHO these things are a waste of money...

A new bumper painted is not much more than the cost of installation... And if something is going to damage the bumper, its going to put just as bad of a mark in the clear bra...

Plus, they look ugly, and can discolor slightly over time.

 

[andyman97]

I disagree. I'd much rather have a new looking bumper, hood, mirrors, etc., that have an invisible guard than having them with rock chips after every six months or so.

As for them being ugly, from more than a few feet away, you can't even tell they're there. From what I've read, discoloration is more likely to happen if you never wash your car. I think they're much more attractive than a torn up front end with rock chips everywhere, but that's just me.

 

[leek69]

I disagree. I'd much rather have a new looking bumper, hood, mirrors, etc., that have an invisible guard than having them with rock chips after every six months or so.

As for them being ugly, from more than a few feet away, you can't even tell they're there. From what I've read, discoloration is more likely to happen if you never wash your car. I think they're much more attractive than a torn up front end with rock chips everywhere, but that's just me.

Warranty is usually 5 years with 3m on this film...film from years ago aged and discolored though. Good money spent for sure.
But just depends on your perspective, didn’t Forbes vote CT one of the top 10 ugly cars of 2010, if so, then are we really worried bout film discoloration?

 

[leek69]

IMHO these things are a waste of money...

A new bumper painted is not much more than the cost of installation... And if something is going to damage the bumper, its going to put just as bad of a mark in the clear bra...

Plus, they look ugly, and can discolor slightly over time.

Just depends on your perspective, didn’t Forbes vote CT one of the top 10 ugly cars of 2010, if so, then are we really worried bout film discoloration?

 

[ozzlopez]

I live in the Southwest (sunny and hot most of the year) and have never seen the 3M clearmask discolor on any vehicle. Plus the clearmask does not flap in the wind like most front end bras, damaging the paint. Front end bras need to be removed regularly so you can wash the dirt and rocks that work their way in between the paint and the front end bra, plus the front end bra moves causing light sanding, dulling the clear under the front end bra.

3M warranty on the clear mask is lifetime, here is the website stating it:

http://www.clearmask.com/warranty.php

 

[leek69]

I live in the Southwest (sunny and hot most of the year) and have never seen the 3M clearmask discolor on any vehicle. Plus the clearmask does not flap in the wind like most front end bras, damaging the paint. Front end bras need to be removed regularly so you can wash the dirt and rocks that work their way in between the paint and the front end bra, plus the front end bra moves causing light sanding, dulling the clear under the front end bra.

3M warranty on the clear mask is lifetime, here is the website stating it:

http://www.clearmask.com/warranty.php

You are correct on the warranty being lifetime...front bra as well

 

[ozzlopez]

FYI, to properly repair the rock chips on the bumper, hood and both fenders = $1526.00.

It takes 9.6hrs body labor:
A. 2.6hrs to overhaul the bumper cover (includes removal).
B. 1hrs to remove both headlamps.
C. 6hrs body labor to repair the rock chips on the bumper cover, hood and front section of each fender.

Then your looking at 10.9hrs plus material to seal, prime, sand, paint, color sand and buff the paint back to factory new.

Now you could do it cheaper and have someone tape around your lamps, bumper, hood and fender, but you risk the chance of the clear coat peeling along the tape edges. Plus if the rock chips are not repaired and just painted over, your bumper and hood will look like an acne faced kid with acne scars all over. Then your looking at a diminished value of your vehicle because everyone is going to assume it was in and accident, because you took it to a Chop-Shop for cut rate repairs.

This is why i use a clear mask and if something damages it, I just peel and replace.

 

[leek69]

FYI, to properly repair the rock chips on the bumper, hood and both fenders = $1526.00.

It takes 9.6hrs body labor:
A. 2.6hrs to overhaul the bumper cover (includes removal).
B. 1hrs to remove both headlamps.
C. 6hrs body labor to repair the rock chips on the bumper cover, hood and front section of each fender.

Then your looking at 10.9hrs plus material to seal, prime, sand, paint, color sand and buff the paint back to factory new.

Now you could do it cheaper and have someone tape around your lamps, bumper, hood and fender, but you risk the chance of the clear coat peeling along the tape edges. Plus if the rock chips are not repaired and just painted over, your bumper and hood will look like an acne faced kid with acne scars all over. Then your looking at a diminished value of your vehicle because everyone is going to assume it was in and accident, because you took it to a Chop-Shop for cut rate repairs.

This is why i use a clear mask and if something damages it, I just peel and replace.

I wish I could have said it that good...A+ for facts

 

[ur2slow1]

I just had a 3m full kit installed on my 2011 Odyssey for 650.00 installed.