I went by X-pert Tinting (Beltway 8 and 59) today and they quoted $600 to install a clear bra. I had searched ebay last night and found the bra for $190....I then asked X-pert how much for a bra install only and they wanted $250. For all you math challenged people out there that $440 total without the warrentee. So I then said, I would buy the bra from them if they came down and they came back with $499 bra and install with the lifetime warrantee. Anyone have any experience with X-pert Tinting and does $499 sound like a good deal or just so-so?

 

Whether or not this is a good deal really depends on the geographical location & supply / demand issues. There are some areas in the states that only have one or two paint protection companies and these guys are charging over $1000. In other areas, people can get their clear bra for under $400.

You should also look into this link as we provided an extensive amount of info for the Porsche group: http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforum...d.php?t=179661

 

Sam (wil),

I tried to replied to your PM but it said your mailbox is full. I pm you yesteday about doing my G35 and my brother's viper in San Jose. We would like to do it but have not decided on what day yet. I will try to pm you again later today. Thanks. Sorry shooter, about hi-jacking your thread.

 

Thanks wil for the information.........very interesting. Wish I could make a road trip to sunny cali!

NP callawayc7.....its all good!

 

Anybody from the Houston Area use a local place for clear bra installation?

 

i had mine done at the dealer...bumper,hood,mirrors. SW infiniti, right down the street from the place you mentioned

 

shooter.....at the SEMA show 2004, I think I met these guys at our booth........believe they are certified........don't quote me on this tho.

callawayc7.......sorry, but we've been on a clear bra installations tour in socal, so haven't had time to check in on this board........box is now open

 

I got the one for my wifes sedan on ebay and put it on myself. Saved a boat load. Was thinking I might have to get some replacement pieces, but I had a helper and took my time. It was dirt cheap so I am pretty happy. It was a bit tedious though. Get one - no matter how you go about it!

 

Maxpower, I bought my coupe from SW.....how much did you pay for the bra install? Do you know what brand of film they used? Are you happy with the result?

Thanks wil.......lots of good information. I still need to call X-pert back and find out what brand of film they are using. When I was at X-pert, they were installing a bra on an SUV and they were using a steam gun... looked like the guy was using it to heat up the bra and get wrinkles out? Also, I was down in the SW Infinity showroom the other day and notice they had a car with a bra, but the bra did not wrap around the leading edge of the hood.......is this correct way?

Thanks for the suggestion WWW, from what I understand the coupe is a b@#$^ compared to the sedan. I was hoping more houstonians would chime in on their favorite place for installation in Houston.

 

I have heard the coupe is harder too.
My car came with it installed by the dealer - it looks great and we worked it into the deal. The dealer has a few big advantages. They do a lot of them so they get really good with your specific car and they can work the price into the deal.

As far as wrapping goes, most do not wrap. Not much benefit and a better chance of failure over time. Mine goes up to about 1/32 -- 1/16 of an inch from the edges. Certainly close enough that they are nearly impossible to spot.

Good luck

 

shooter,

I believe it was ~400, I got a little off the price as part of the deal. I have no complaints about the work....they used 3M brand and it is under warranty from infiniti. I also had them do the window tint. I am going to stop by the place your mentioned, Xpert Tint, to see about a tint overlay on the tail lights, I believe a darker red would look better with my slate grey/blue color.

max

what area of houston do you live in?

 

Hmm....never used a steam gun before. But hey, whatever works for them. As for tucked edges, it really comes down to the software they use. There aren't that many designs that allow tucking (1 or 2). We tend to tuck for the exotics, but we do this w/ custom applications.......not from pre-cut kits. Benefit to wrapped edges is to create a more seamless look. If the kit was not designed to wrap on the edges and anyone tries to stretch it to wrap, it will likely lift later.....perhaps, hrs after install.

 

I'm thinking about maybe getting this done on my coupe here in Houston.

 

DO NOT GO TO X-PERT Tinting. I got my last car tinted from them. They are complete a**holes. They had all these fibers in between the tint and the window and when I pointed them out to them they said that they can't account for keeping the area completely clean of all that. I said like hell you can't...it's your job!

Anyways, they were jerks and fixed it but it was still messed up in places. Don't go there...

I also hated Southwest Infiniti. They told me they could trade for the car that I wanted from another dealer if I would just put 1k for deposit, so I did. Then they wouldn't return my calls and kept jerking me around until finally they said they couldn't get it. I ended up going to West Houston Infiniti. Just bought the car on Friday. Clear bra installed for 600.

 

Sorry you had bad luck with X-pert.....When did you get your tint job from them?
I got my tint done at aa Alarm and Tint place on Westpark (forgot the name) inside the loop, and I am very happy with their work.....

I have been having some trouble with Southwest as well, but not from the poeple, they are very nice and considerate, but 2 times I have taken my car in for service and 2 times they have scratched the paint on my rims....I think it is from the lift, but they have "fixed" it both time, but that was another trip down there to get the new paint job and this second time they did a sh$% job, will have to go back a 3rd time to get it done right....

I'll head on over the West Infiniti and check them out...........