Has anyone tried installing the 3M clear bra kit themselves? Seems like with a lot of water and patience it's doable -- saving some $$$ in the process.

From what I've read on the forums seems like a clear bra is a must.. Before putting on clear bra is it okay to clay bar and use the full Zaino treatment? Or will this make it harder for the bra to adhere to?

Thanks!

 

Well I did mine on the sedan and it went alright. Is it perfect if you put your nose on it? No. Can you see it from a few feet away? depending on the angle of the light, no. I think the coupe is probably harder, not sure how much though... Looks like it covers more.

I figure I saved at least 500 by DIY. You really need a helper though. and a heaping helping of patience, well maybe not a heaping helping, but yes patience is a must. Mine came with 6 pages of single spaced text for directions! read it many many times and looked at some photos of the install process and then did it one saturday afternoon.

The clay is fine, , not sure about the zaino. you need to wipe down the surface with wax remover before you do the install so zainoing seems like a waste. you just need to make sure the surface is really clean.

If you are a hands on type, with patience and a friend to help I say go for it! They way I looked at it, even if I had to buy 4 of the kits I was still going to come out ahead! Plenty of room for error saving!

2004 Sedan -- 3M Clear Bra - Bought on eBay and DIY -- Rocky Mounts bike racks!

 

I've seen the process and it's similar to tinting. I've tinted before, and it's not difficult. Most of the parts should be fairly easy. I'd have an extra hand or two for the bumper though since it is vertical and will need to be held up against the bumper during the application. Most of the other parts are either small enough or rests horizontally so it is easier to handle.

 

I'd say shop around. Several things to mention...

1. 3M initially started the clear bra idea out as a DIY kit. Due to its relative difficulty, they decided to have trained installers apply the kit.

2. If you zaino prior to installation you'll be waisting your time and money. The process starts out with you applying (I think alcohol) to the hood to remove any wax or contaminants. This will strip off zaino, wax, bug guts, etc...

3. The process is not easy, especially around the coupe bumper.

4. I'd recommend shopping around. I paid under $600 for the kit, install and touch up. If you can save $500 by doing it yourself, I'd shop around. There are others who have done the whole hood, bumper, fenders and mirrors for less money than I spent.

Good Luck.

<font color=blue>The above statements are only my take on the issue. If you disagree with anything I typed then you are 100% right!</font color=blue>

 

i installed the clearbra on my coupe myself. i had no prior experience with tinting or anything and it is do-able. however, considering the amount of time it took (the whole day), i would shop around and get it professionally done--that is, if you can find a place that would do it for about $500-600. and hearing from other members, that's the ongoing price for the kit and install. any more than $600 is a rip-off.

but if you still want to do it yourself, my advice is to use the soapy solution that invinca-shield gives out for free with the kits. i believe it's diluted baby shampoo. the 3m instructions says to use an alcohol solution but it really sucks. good luck and feel free to ask if you have any questions on the install.

 

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my advice is to use the soapy solution that invinca-shield gives out for free with the kits. i believe it's diluted baby shampoo. the 3m instructions says to use an alcohol solution but it really sucks.

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The instructions I got with mine had me using both a soap solution so it slides around AND an alcohol solution to set it.

eBay baby, power to the people [img]/w3timages/icons/cool.gif[/img]

2004 Sedan -- 3M Clear Bra - Bought on eBay and DIY -- Rocky Mounts bike racks!

 

It really comes down to the type of film and design of the kit that will determine the price of installation and parts. Is it easy for the coupes and sedans? No, it's not w/ the one piece kits such as xpel, rockblocker, & armorglove. You could go w/ some of the kits designed for amateur installers such as BSF, InvicaShield, etc. These will come in multiple pieces and relief cuts to make it much easier to install. If you are very picky about having too many lines and pieces, then you should search out an installer to have the one piece kits installed onto your car.

In addition, application of clearbras is actually quite different from window tinting. The only similarity is the squeegeeing. The texture of the film itself is completely different from the other, which makes the installation process a whole new ballgame. There is cutting, trimming, & heat-shrinking, involved w/ window tinting that is not necessary for installing clearbras.

Many window tinting companies have been incorporating the clearbras into their business, but have resulted in poor installations due to the difference in methodology of film applications.

If you are fairly picky about proper installation, then you should go w/ a pro..........if not and do not mind having some relief cuts and multipieces for the clearbra, then you could go search out Bekaert Security Films & Invica-Shield, which could save you about $400-$500 compared to the one piece kits. You could also try your hand at one piece films if you have some available time..........check out www.xpel.com for their one piece kits and email me for special pricing.



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

 

Thanks for all of the inputs.. We're trying to close on a house this month so money is going to be tight. The kit I found is 3M clearbra that is divided into what appears to be 6 pieces: forward part of hood, portion of both side mirrors, front portion of fenders and the bumper/fender. Seems that due to the multiple pieces and 'relatively' small sizes that the install could be easier than a large piece. The worst would undoubtably be the front.

If I can install the kit piece-meal (with seperate parts this should be possible, right?) and each one takes an hour or two, then I'd feel confident I could muster the patience to do a good job. It'll be applied to a brand-new G35, Laser Red...

In light of this, do you think it's a possibility? Also, anyone out there with a clear bra on a Laser Red? How's it look?

Thanks!

 

Sorry for not being clear about the multi-pc part. Say BSF for example, on the G35 sedan, the bumper kit consists of 5-6 different pieces if I remember correctly........this is the bumper alone. When I say 1 pc, I am mainly talking about the front bumper in which the kit will not look as "clean" vs. a full cover w/o the relief cuts and multiple pieces.


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

 

My bumper was one piece and I got a great deal on it. Sure it was an interesting thing to put on but it wasn't that bad, had a helper though.

2004 Sedan -- 3M Clear Bra - Bought on eBay and DIY -- Rocky Mounts bike racks!

 

I agree with Loren04Coupe! I also have a LR coupe and if you're not careful, dust can get under the clear bra and it really shows up! On LR the dust looks like paint chips (the dust appears white and really sticks out).
Another point; don't forget that your installer gets close to a 50% discount if they have ordered multiple kits from most manufacturers. That would mean closer to $300 for their 4-5 hours of time rather than $52. [img]/w3timages/icons/wink.gif[/img] Hey, these guys have to make a living, right?

<font color=blue>The above statements are only my take on the issue. If you disagree with anything I typed then you are 100% right!</font color=blue>

 

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3M uses a 12-mil thick breathable film. There are some cheaper ones that are much thinner (4-mil and 6-mil) on the market.

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3M's film is 8mil, they also make a 14mil version for almost perfectly flat surfaces. But NONE of the kits I looked at used the thicker film. The company's I sent emails to said the thicker version was both overkill and too hard to get to conform to heavily contoured surfaces.

I got mine for ~$200 and the retail for it installed in my town is ~700+

2004 Sedan -- 3M Clear Bra - Bought on eBay and DIY -- Rocky Mounts bike racks!