I went today to have my clear bra installed. To my HORROR, the material in most instances must be trimmed ON THE CAR. This means using a Olfa blade on the paint. So, if you remove the bra you will have cut marks where the installer had to trim the kit.
The guy doing mine did just my hood, mirrors and fenders. I was not in the bay while he did that part but he did have to trim it ( I discovered later). I walked in as he started on the bumper and saw him whip out the knife, at which point I stopped him. He said there is no other choice, all the kits need to be trimmed and the only method is to do this ON the car. I believe the guy because he has done over 60 kits.
The brand that I bought was Clearshield, which is made by www.solargard.com. I'd like some input from other owners that WATCHED their install, or have inspected for scratches.
I ended up ripping the hood piece off because of a piece of dirt, well I had some 3 nice cut marks. The marks arent bad two buffed out, but the third was VERY deep. I can only imagine that the bumer would end up with a lot of marks seeing as that piece is so difficult.The bumper piece was already pulled from the liner,so I am out $200 bucks. To me it seems POINTLESS to install protection only to reveal scratches when you remove the material.
If anyone in the Tampa/Orlando area knows of a good shop please PM me.

 

thats BS, i dont have clear bra, but if the others didn't get their's done that way, go get the money back, plus the damage. krzy SOB was cutting your car? thats krzy.

 

I spoke at great lengths with the installer and he said he thought using a blade was not cool as well. However, he said thats the only way to get a perfect fit. He also told me how the local Cadillac dealer was gung-ho on the clear-bras until they saw the installers having to use a blade on the paint.

 

Oh no way. I would have took my car and left.

Next time, ask them about the clear bra's that are pre-cut.

2003 IP Coupe. Non-Navi. 19" DTM Kreuz 7. V-Kool & Metallic Tint.

 

Mine was pre-cut to match the Coupe but it was by a different installer and manufacturer. It just depends on the kit manufacturer. Some trimming is needed but not that much for the ones made for specific cars. Some cars do not have a kit for them and need to be cut on the car or if you want a full custom job with the edges wrapped too.
I would find a different installer of a different manufacturer.


Andrew, We Miss and Love You! Peace!

 

I agree with the other folks.
It might be too late now, but you should have looked for an installer that carries pre-cut kits.
It matches perfectly - just spray on and dry out...

04 6MTC DG/G/Prm/NAV/C.Crnrs/C.Br/A.ped/Polk/PIAA/Grnd.Kit/Rebadged/JWT Pop Charger/Z-Tube/Spl.Grds

 

My installer trimmed some parts on the car, like the mirrors after stretching. He used a VERY sharp new exacto blade. I was concerned, but he assured me he didnt actually cut thru the clear bra. I watched him. I lightly ran the blade across the material, only scoring it.. It would then pull apart very easily.

There was no need to cut thru. Heck, I even trimmed a piece on the bumper a few days ago (it lifted around a corner down around the bottom grill). I just scored it and pulled the parts apart, never touched the paint.

sorry to hear your install. If you didnt get CB, you'd be repainting in a year anyway, so I guess you really arent any worse off.

Not sure why he didnt wrap the edges if he want using a kit :/ I dont think he really gives a rats a$$ about the work he does.

 

I've used Clearshield in the past and their kits are pre-cut to fit the vehicle as some members on this forum could attest. There's no trimming necessary, unless your installer is using the bulk material and custom cutting it for the car. Either way, there's just no excuse to cut the film on the car. I've seen it done at a local competitor the same way you've described.........and the only thing I could say to installers like that is that they just don't care. It sounds like they lack experience and expertise in this field and just picked it up for some side cash.

This type of work brings disgrace to those of us in this field and gives all of us a bad rap. These kits were computer plotted and cut for the vehicle.........there's no reason anyone needs to do any trimming.

You need to bring it back to the shop that did the install and have them pay for a professional detailer to have those scratches buffed and polished out........next, you need to have them refund you for the clearbra.

For those out there even thinking about getting a clearbra, make sure you get it from someone who's got a lot of years behind them in film application. Personally, this type of service pisses me off. I hope you get this resolved soon. Please don't hesitate to pm me if you have any questions regarding this.

Certified Window Tint & Detailing Specialist
3M / VentureShield Paint Protection Film Dealer
Madico Window Film Dealer
syu@machiii.net
2003 AT Sedan / 2004 6MT Coupe

 

your installer is full of bs. according to the 3m clear film instructions, you never use a razor to cut the film already on the car. the installer should have purchased pre-cut pieces or if it's a authorized and legit dealer, they may have the cutting machines on site. yes, there are times when in order to have a perfect fit, you can CAREFULLY and lightly use a razor to trim off the film. however, only light pressure is needed. as someone posted above, just the lightest cut is need and you can just peel the film off at the cut-mark. i did the install myself at home and researched it quite a bit before starting. THAT IS TOTAL BS WHAT HE'S SAYING!!!! it pisses me off cuz i think he's just a lame-a$$ who is lazy and cheap. he didn't do a good job and probably doesn't have the skills to do it so is saying that to justify f$cking the job up.

i would totally return to him and make him pay. try contacting 3m and getting their instructional on installation which states in bold letter that you cannot cut the film on the car surface itself for risk of damaging the paint. i tried looking it up for you and it's no longer available on the 3m website as before.

good luck.

 

Wil,
the kit I got was the deluxe kit for a G35 coupe. I think that the guy was just a lazy **s and did not want to take the time to do it the right way. Hopefully my friend at Solargard can get me another kit and Ill look elsewhere for an installer.
I went with the recommendation of the rep from Solargard, my guess is the stores owner might have said he was good at it.
All the pieces looked the correct shapes that's why I thought it was complete BS it needed to be cut.
I spent the past two hours buffing on the spots and you can only see one spot still in the right light.
Unfortunately I dont have much recourse since I didnt go through a shop. I am going to raise hell with the my friend from Solargard as I trusted his judgement.
I am sooooo glad that stayed while the guy did it, if I hadnt I would probably be sitting in county jail right now as he would have f***** the whole bumper. I bust my *** to have a nice ride and all be damned if I'll let somone screw it up.
Thanks for the response...
.... hopefully I can get a new kit tomorrow.

Lawrence

 

In the Orlando area there is a FANTASTIC installer. One of the original installers of 3M Clear bra film. His name is Alan Seligman and his phone # is 407-927-1900. He did my car and I'm very happy with the results.

He did use an exacto knife to trim the edges of the pre-cut kit, but he never damaged the paint. I specifically asked him about this. Watching him was like watching a surgeon. Also, he has done over 1000 installs, and comes with MANY MANY good recommendations.

At local Central Florida meets, there are 5-10 people with clear bras. I've been told by most of them, that I have the cleanest install of the group. BTW, I have a Laser Red coupe, which is one of the harder colors to do.

Good Luck.

300bhp??? We'll see... 5-22-2004

 

Thats odd. When i got my clearbra installed, everything fit perfectly without any trimming. Starshield armor did the install at my cousins office and so i watched the whole installation. You should definetely complain if they made scratch marks on your paint. The whole point of the clearbra is to protect your paint, not to mess it up.

 

I have had clear bra's on all of my cars for the last half a dozen years and would not drive one without it. I have yet to see anybody put a knife to my car - All the ones were done with computer cut kits, not somebody slapping the material on and trimming the excess. After watching several get done I did the one on my wifes sedan myself. Got the pre cut kit off ebay. I can assure you I didn't put a knife to her car It was kind of a slow precess, but it came out looking pretty good! Not as good as the pro installed one on my car (minor lines or something or other on the side of the bumper - but you can't see them unless you are a foot away), but still good enough for me. It is doing its job.

Sorry to hear you had a bad experience.

2004 Sedan -- 3M Clear Bra - Bought on eBay and DIY -- Bike racks!