12-08-2014, 06:42 PM | #1 |
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To Clear Bra or Not To Clear Bra - that is the question
I'm wavering on the fence whether to get some paint protection products for my shiny new toy. I can sort out which brand I want (between 3M Pro or Expel Pro), but am still weight the cost benefit of dropping another $895 (gotta get the premium product if I'm going to do this).
What do folks here think?
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12-13-2014, 12:08 PM | #3 |
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I considered this when I first got my X3, but I'm glad I didn't. I've read about people who had issues, like bubbles or coming off. My thinking is this: I used to buy the floor mat covers, and the steering wheel covers, and the clear bra, and 4-5 years later I was ready for another newer can...and what do we do to sell the car? We put the original mats and remove the steering wheel cover, and do you get more money for a newer car? NO! the person who purchases the car pays you the same and gets to enjoy a car you never did, because you were "saving" it for them! Does your insurance have "road-hazard" protection in case somethig jumps up and puts a ding on your hood? Most likely so, so why spend money to save the insurace company some?
My take is, unless you are going to keep your car until it is an antique and your house becomes a museum, enjoy your car the way it came! |
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12-16-2014, 07:07 AM | #4 |
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I think you should, i regret not gettin it done upon delivery
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12-16-2014, 08:08 AM | #6 | |
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12-16-2014, 08:49 AM | #7 |
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12-16-2014, 09:10 AM | #8 |
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12-16-2014, 09:46 AM | #9 | |
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http://www.opti-coat.com Opti-Coat (Opti-Guard) is a hard wearing, aftermarket, ceramic clear coat for superior resistance to scratching (9H) and chemical etching from environmental impacts. It provides permanent protection for all factory paints, and can also be applied to exterior glass, metal and hard plastic surfaces. Opti-Coat is not a wax or sealant like other products on the market. It is a ceramic clear coating very similar to factory type clear coats. A layer of Opti-Coat measures approx. 2 microns in thickness, or about 100 times thicker than your typical wax or sealant. Unlike paint protection sealants such as PTFE, Nano Sealants, GlassPlexin that degrade over time and are easily removed through washing with water or chemicals, Opti-Coat does not degrade and cannot be removed by chemicals such as heavy duty truck wash or even caustic degreasers. It is totally resistant to these chemicals and produces a permanent film that is chemically bonded with the factory paint layers. Opti-Coat is effectively the vehicles new outer clear coat. It is far more resistant to chemical etching than factory clear coats and far more resistant than competing paint protection sealants. The 2 micron layer also provides a thick buffer between any damage and the factory paintwork. TuV Rheinland tested. Go to our webshop or download MSDS |
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12-16-2014, 09:49 AM | #10 |
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opt coat wont protect paint from nicks/chips from debris on the road.
once opti coat is applied you can definitely tell the difference after a wash Csurf is correct |
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12-17-2014, 01:01 PM | #11 |
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Would say no, besides bug splat on the front, after two years all blemishes are between the two rear doors and the back of the vehicule. People getting out of their cars in parking lots will be a major contributor.
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12-17-2014, 01:22 PM | #12 | |
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OP- if you're looking at films. Xpel is incredible. Self healing clear coat, can be waxed, won't yellow, etc. It also doesn't come precut like the 3M kit, which means fewer seams/lines... but of course, higher cost to install. |
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12-18-2014, 08:18 AM | #13 | |
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i should take it back to my detailer and see if he can fix it
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12-18-2014, 09:03 PM | #14 |
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I had the 3m clear bra installed on my Audi a4 and BMW x3. I love it. no bubbles and looks great. I chose a custom size because I found the standard template they had covered too much hood - more protection but too much film on the hood.
But to be honest, if you want to be really cool don't do it. I've never seen a show car with clear bra. Period. I just prefer to be practical and stone chips really annoy me. Last edited by bmkman; 01-20-2015 at 02:00 PM.. |
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12-19-2014, 10:14 AM | #16 | |
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Ok, correction 2 generations ago I did notice some fading on the bra. If you do the math and get a good deal on the paint job it might be cheaper to repaint. Last edited by bmkman; 01-20-2015 at 02:01 PM.. |
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12-19-2014, 04:08 PM | #17 | |
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12-19-2014, 04:09 PM | #18 |
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I had my M3 for 6 years with Xpel and living in SoCal, no fading issues or funny stuff.
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12-26-2014, 10:09 PM | #19 |
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I had the bumper cover, headlights, front fenders, front hood and door cups done by a guy who has done three other cars for me over the years. The films just get better and better and avoiding stone chips saves lots of annoyance. Not to mention the cost of replacing a cracked headlight is greater than the cost of the entire film package.
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01-06-2015, 08:50 AM | #21 |
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I actually got the CarPro CQuartz Finest V6 done immediately 2 days after the delivery. The gloss and shine is really awesome. I know waxing can give same results but just temporary. Mine is light color - alpine white and hence I was worried about oxidation and stuff making the color yellowish over few years.
Also to front and rear bumper corners and mirror caps I had 3M paint protective film applied since a lot of bikes come too close to vehicle and scratch it unintentionally. Didn't get the bonnet done though. |
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01-08-2015, 04:24 AM | #22 | |
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