Rock Chip Protection

[Placebos]

Hey guys,

 

yet another question; has anyone had any experience with the invisible car bra? I know 3M makes one but i was wondering if anyone has ever installed one.

 

Also how does it work if your washing/waxing or applying paint sealent to the car?

 

Thanks,

[jeff_h]

yet another question; has anyone had any experience with the invisible car bra? I know 3M makes one but i was wondering if anyone has ever installed one.

 

On my last car I bought one of these acrylic protectors, I think it was around $220 and I installed it myself. This was not a good idea as there were visible crinkles on the corners and it really did not look good at all, however it did a superb job of protecting the front portions of the car from the small rock chips that I'd had a couple dozen of by the time I installed the protector (at about 8,000 miles if I remember right). So they certainly do serve a purpose, but if you want one I would highly suggest paying a body shop $500 or so to do it if you really want it done right.

[callawassie]

I got my first 3M invisible bra put on my 2007 Mercedes SL550 about 3 years ago. It was the best thing I ever did. It protected the whole front of the car from Rock Chips, and made bug and bird mess easy to remove. I picked up my new Ford Fusion Hybrid on Tuesday, had the clear bra put on yesterday. I think it's very important to deal with a reputable, professional, authorized dealer. I even asked for references the first time. My FFH is the light blue (Ice Blue Metallic), and I got the full kit, which goes part way up the hood. I would challenge anyone to spot it from 5 feet away. It is such a good match for that color! I have heard some wild variances in prices, but I went back to the same guy again and paid the same price as before - $700. Not cheap, but worth every penny in my book.

[callawassie]

Sorry, forgot your last question.

Washing is no different...just wash the car, and I mean every part, including the clear bra covered areas.

Wax/polish - I would include the clear bra hood area when doing a polish...no problem.

[Placebos]

Hey Thanks for your opinions. I may actually get it if i can find a decent dealer.

I just have a feeling that if i wax the car, the portion that has the clear bra will not shine as much as the rest of the hood, and it will look odd.

[metallicred09]

Hey guys,

 

yet another question; has anyone had any experience with the invisible car bra? I know 3M makes one but i was wondering if anyone has ever installed one.

 

Also how does it work if your washing/waxing or applying paint sealent to the car?

 

Thanks,

[metallicred09]

I got my first 3M invisible bra put on my 2007 Mercedes SL550 about 3 years ago. It was the best thing I ever did. It protected the whole front of the car from Rock Chips, and made bug and bird mess easy to remove. I picked up my new Ford Fusion Hybrid on Tuesday, had the clear bra put on yesterday. I think it's very important to deal with a reputable, professional, authorized dealer. I even asked for references the first time. My FFH is the light blue (Ice Blue Metallic), and I got the full kit, which goes part way up the hood. I would challenge anyone to spot it from 5 feet away. It is such a good match for that color! I have heard some wild variances in prices, but I went back to the same guy again and paid the same price as before - $700. Not cheap, but worth every penny in my book.

 

 

700? I bought a bug deflector for 60, Theres no way im spending 700 for something that will fade the paint, I work for a body shop. I know what it does to the paint long term.

[con_fusion]

700? I bought a bug deflector for 60, Theres no way im spending 700 for something that will fade the paint, I work for a body shop. I know what it does to the paint long term.

 

Just wondering, you mentioned fading, is that a problem with the paint films? I've seen other comments about possibly removing some paint when you actually need to peel off the film.

 

Also, this may be a really silly question but if you put a paint film on do you void your warranty for paint issues in those areas?

 

 

Thanks.

[Angelod]

Hey guys,

 

yet another question; has anyone had any experience with the invisible car bra? I know 3M makes one but i was wondering if anyone has ever installed one.

 

Also how does it work if your washing/waxing or applying paint sealent to the car?

 

Thanks,

Try a magnetbra. Just got one and it is great. There is a web site magnetbra.com for mor info. They only cost about 50 bucks shipped from e-bay. Mine looks like OEM addition to car.

[con_fusion]

 

Try a magnetbra. Just got one and it is great. There is a web site magnetbra.com for mor info. They only cost about 50 bucks shipped from e-bay. Mine looks like OEM addition to car.

 

That looks pretty nice. I like your grille too. For mine, I'd go with the white one I guess. Although the black would probably be fine too. Hmmm...

[Fuze-ion]

I've had the Invisible Bra or StoneShield on an Expedition for about (6) years. It was not put-on perfectly, so there are imperfections on the edge, where the installer touched the sticky backside of the film, while doing the install. You can see his Fingerprints in the film. The film has done a wonderful job of protecting the paint. I do have scratches and nics in the Film, but you have to be really close the vehicle to see them. The Film has protected the paint, and overall still looks good. I probably really need to go and get the piece on the hood replaced. It will be a lot cheaper, than if I had to have the hood repainted. I can't see any fade issues.

[acdii]

Clearcoat/basecoat paint doesn't fade like single stage did. The clearcoat though eventually hazes from fine scratches, so you eventually will see a difference between the film and paint, but that is years away, when the car is not worth anything anymore. As long as the paint is maintained, either with a polish or wax, no need to worry about paint fade. It's UV light that fades paint, so unless the clear film has UV protection, which from what I read , they don't, the paint underneath the film will "fade" at the same rate as the uncovered portion. It is also best to have a pro install it, the big pieces are a pain to do by yourself, and has to be done very gently and with lots of liquid.