| Sooner in FL |
Just wondering if anyone applied 3M paint film protector (ClearBra)on their hood and side mirrors. I just ordered a set from ClearMask.com for approx $122 (also order one for my Accord approx $70). I asked my dealer and he said it would be $495 per car. Let's see...$200 and do it myself or $1000 and have someone else do it. How hard can it be. It should be somewhat simiar to applying lettering and decals on a boat...right?
Thanks |
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| dj-mdx2 |
| Seek and ye shall find...i.e. do a search on clear bra. Plenty of info. |
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| snoman |
$1,000 is too much money. While I don't have any first-hand experience, others much more knowledgeable than myself would strongly advise against attempting to put any kind of protective film on the front of your car yourself -- unless you have experince in doing this. The chances of messing it up are high, and you don't want to mess this up.
I have no experience w/ 3M film but would recommend you get the "clear bra" for this vehicle and have it installed professionally. It should be 300-400 less than what you were quoted ... from what I've read in here anyway.
Good luck. |
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| dpham |
| I had it done here in Chicago for $700. That includes front bumpers, hood, both mirrors, all door edges, and back bumper. It was done in my garage by a professional installer. He did a great job with the install. |
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| snoman |
I missed the part about it being TWO cars for $1,000. That may not be a bad price for two of them.
/s |
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| paulp |
Originally posted by Sooner in FL [/i]
[B]Just wondering if anyone applied 3M paint film protector (ClearBra)on their hood and side mirrors.
Sooner,
I have done it myself. I bought the bulk film and made up the pattern. On the hood, it took me twice to get it right.
If you want to do it, get some small pieces and practice first. Once you get a hang of if, it's easier than you think. There are some instruction on this board (do a search - forgive me for the cliche)
I now it the film on lots of surfaces beside the vehicles ( watch crystal, PDA screen, ...)
If I can be any helps, let me know.
Paul |
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| Ronsully |
| The hood and fenders won't be too difficult.... However, the mirrors will be next to impossible... Anything with a lot of curves will be too difficult for the novice... |
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| paulp |
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Ronsully
[B]The hood and fenders won't be too difficult.... However, the mirrors will be next to impossible... Anything with a lot of curves will be too difficult for the novice...
Ron,
You're right. The mirror would be impossible if you want to cover the whole thing. I only did the "front " surface, which can be hit directly by a flying rock, and it's much easier. |
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| Severin |
I had the Avery-Dennison clear bra installed professionally for $700 or so:
* Full frontal bra coverage (bumper & 1/3 of hood)
* Headlight covers.
* Both side mirrors.
* Inside of every door handle.
* Custom piece of top edge lip of rear bumper to prevent paint scrapes.
I am very happy with it; not one nick/scratch yet and the bug goo wipes off easily. |
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| Sooner in FL |
My order arrived and this last weekend (Labor Day) I placed the both mirrors and fender protection on the X. The whole side mirror was not too difficult. You just have to strecth a little and pull a little. It was not too bad. I will be doing the hood this coming weekend if it is not too humid and hot.
Yes, I know about the pictures. I will post them when I am done. |
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| Sooner in FL |
| Thank you for everyone's input and advice on the subject of 3M film protection. The most difficult part was the curves on the X. Again, I only did the hood, fenders, side mirrors, and fog lights. My order also came with the headlights (free of charge) but it was next to impossible to make it fit, because of the bulge of the lowlight area. Here is the side mirror with a light stand shining it. |
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| Sooner in FL |
| Side mirror #2 |
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| Sooner in FL |
| Fender with camera flash and a little spider:p |
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| Sooner in FL |
| Fender with natural light |
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| Sooner in FL |
| Hood with natural light |
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| Sooner in FL |
| Hood with natural light #2 |
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| Sooner in FL |
The entire X
You can barely notice the film. |
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| hammermdx |
| Wow, nice job, congrats on the DIY!!!!:7: |
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| Sooner in FL |
quote:
Originally posted by hammermdx
Wow, nice job, congrats on the DIY!!!!:7:
Thank you. It was quit a project, but worth every sweat. |
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| paulp |
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Sooner in FL
[ My order also came with the headlights (free of charge) but it was next to impossible to make it fit, because of the bulge of the lowlight area.
Sooner,
Great job!
Have you tried using hair dryer to soften up the film around the bulging area?
Paul |
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| Sooner in FL |
quote:
Originally posted by paulp
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Sooner in FL
[ My order also came with the headlights (free of charge) but it was next to impossible to make it fit, because of the bulge of the lowlight area.
Sooner,
Great job!
Have you tried using hair dryer to soften up the film around the bulging area?
Paul
I just reread the tread and realized what buldge you are referring to. There was too much extra film and a huge air pocket. From the headlight bulge to the middle of the car was easy, but going out from the bulge to the fender was just too plain difficult. Anyway, the headlights and fogs lights were no charge, so I was not too concern on losing money. |
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| aarijk |
How much was the order for you? And does it come "pre-cut" for the major body panels? Thx in advance...
- aarijk |
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| Sooner in FL |
quote:
Originally posted by aarijk
How much was the order for you? And does it come "pre-cut" for the major body panels? Thx in advance...
- aarijk
I purchased the standard hood kit (aeroguard by 3M) for $121.80 plus a free headlight and fog light kit. The headlight is next to impossible to do. Also, an application kit is included which consists of a instructional CD for the CPU, two types of squeegy, two spray bottles, paper instructions, a practice piece of film, and a cheap utility knife. The pieces are precut, all you have to do is remove the clear protection sheet, then remove the white protective sheet from the film.
Go to www.clearmask.com. You can watch the application video.
One advice...make sure when you do the hood, place the film on the hood and then peel the white proctective sheet while wetting the 3M film. I found that out the hard way. My X was no problem to install, but I got too confident and did not put the film for my Accord on the hood while I started to peel it. Stupid me, the film got stuck to itself and that was it. The hood film for my Accord is now in the trash. I called Clearmask and they are going to send me another hood piece for $40. Live and learn. |
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| aarijk |
| Sooner.. thanks for the info. the bumper film was separate I assume. Headlights will be interesting for me coz I've upgraded my 02 assemblies to the 05. We'll see. :D |
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| Sooner in FL |
quote:
Originally posted by aarijk
Sooner.. thanks for the info. the bumper film was separate I assume. Headlights will be interesting for me coz I've upgraded my 02 assemblies to the 05. We'll see. :D
I would have a professional do the front bumper...way too many curves for a novice. |
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| Maldoman |
I had my clear bra installed in LA, CA for $550
The install included full bumper, 1/4 Hood, L&R collums, strip above windshield and both mirrors. Here's a pic. This is 3m and guaranteed for the life of the X.
:18: |
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| Severin |
quote:
Originally posted by Maldoman
I had my clear bra installed in LA, CA for $550
The install included full bumper, 1/4 Hood, L&R collums, strip above windshield and both mirrors. Here's a pic. This is 3m and guaranteed for the life of the X.
:18:
That's an insanely low install price; congrats. |
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| cfarm |
| I'm gonna tackle a full kit, including bumper, on our new MDX next week. Did the wife's Murano today. Wow. The multiple curves on the bumper are a nightmare. Must have spent 2 hours just on that one piece of film. Wasn't going to settle for a bunch of air pockets or ANY creases. It was single large piece making it difficult to even handle. I'm guessing the kit for the X will be the same. |
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