I believe the air bubbles might be normal. Read somewhere that they should evaporate in a day or two.
Now the lifting up piece isn't good. Definitely need to reapply the alcohol solution to make it stick. It might be from the rain, my installer told me not to wash it within the first 48 hrs because it needs time to stick and washing it that soon might lift it up.

 

What part didn't I comprehend 33333? I caught the part about you being the only one on this post who seems to have a pronounced hatred for clear bras. I not only have a freaking CLUE, I have a clear bra which is more than you can say apparently.

I made two valid points. The quality is sufficient to please some (if not most) people and a clear bra dealer won't necessarily starve to death. What set you off other than the fact that I referred to you as a body-guy? Not that I really care; just curious.....

 

I've noticed some really high prices for installing the clear bra. I just had my 8 done for $350.00 with the 3M, 8 mil material. The installation included front facia, hood, front fenders, mirrors, behind rear wheel wells, and a small piece on back bumper at the trunk. He came to my house to do the install. (I think this was the first 8 he did and found it very tedious, so he might increase his installation price also.)

For those in the Charlotte, NC area and Irwindale, CA. the name of the company is Star Shield Armor (www.starshieldarmor.com)

The person to contact in Charlotte is Carl Church. Direct contact number is a CA. cell phone number 323.864.8051.


I am a clear bra believer. The same person installed the clear bra on a Miata 10AE. After four years it was still good and it did it's job well. Saved the front end from many a paint chip and knicks.

 

If anyone gets a good price in Maryland or N. Virginia area, please post the info. -- I am looking to get the front kits (bumper, hood, lights, etc.) for under $600.

I am trying to hold the line on price...last price quote I got was $1,300. These companies would charge the MAX $$ - if folks are dumb enough to pay it. (I think $1300 is a little ridiculous for $30 in materials and two hours work - be REASONABLE).

Cheers

 

Can you use zaino on top of clear bra?

 

I was advised to use carnuba wax and stay away from any products with petroleum in them. There's a potential for yellowing, at least with the 3M material.

 

The installer who applied the clear bra (ClearBra of Oregon) on my car recommended not waxing it until any trapped water/alcohol and air had time to evaporate (the tape is slightly porous). I left it for a month and then Zaino'd it. It looks great! There's no difference in shine between the bra and the unprotected paint.

The installer did a great job. I'm 100% satisfied and would highly recommend this process, especially with Venture Tape.

 

Maximus - John at Clear-Guard told me to wax mine as well. If you want to know about a specific product just give him a call, he is a nice guy and should have the answers you're looking for.

 

Looking for installer in Northern Illnois, Southeast Wisconsin. Any ideas, would like someone with experience based on all our your comments.

Question, assuming that after some time, the bra will get abused ...so are they easy to remove and replace? Also, any issues with paint fade, or discoloration....hate the looks of a 2-tone red.

Thanks

 

The installers who put mine on said that you CAN remove the plastic but it "takes a lot of elbow grease". Given that Zaino and other protective coatings will absorb UV and will also avoid oxidation, thus hopefully minimizing paint discoloration; you should wind up with the same color paint under the bra as you have on the rest of the car.

Like I said on an earlier thread, my brother has had one on his car for 4 or 4.5 years now and it has yet to need replacing. Hopefully there will be no need to replace yours (or mine).

 

thanks, it sounds like they are pretty tough. We expect to keep the 8 for a long, long time.

Thanks for your advice.

 

Paint Protection Film does not block UV light but allows the paint covered by the film to age at the same rate as unprotected areas of the vehicle.....no two tone paint.

With regular care and maintenance (regular washing & waxing) the Paint Protection Film will last longer than most people will own the car. Its important not to use a wax that contains dyes or waxes not recommend for urethanes. Abrasive and/or rubbing compounds are not to be used.

Manufacturers (3M, Avery Dennison, Venture Tape) are "improving" their films and warranties vary from 3 & 5 years to Venture Tapes new "life Time" warranty.

Paint protection installation prices vary through-out the United States, if possible try to find an installer experienced with your specific vehicle or has been in the business for a while.

 

Based upon this comment, you suggest Zaino'ing the clear bra along with the rest of the car paint?

My concern was the polish would actually degrade the PVC material.

 

Zaino is not a wax but a paint sealer.....so I would not use Zaino on the film only a wax.

 

Still waiting for 'the rest of the story'

 

Hm, how long do these last? I imagine the edges becoming a tiny little less sticky with every car wash or simply over time, showing more and more of a line (which'd be ugly). Also, how easily do they peel off if you need to exchange (just because of the edges .. how sad ).

Btw, success07, you said, you did the lights, too? Hm, isn't this aproblem with Xenon lights? Not sure about the US, but here in Switzerland it' not legal to drive Xenon without light washing sprays installed ... I'd assume coating the lights with anything would be the same, since Xenon gets so incredibly hot?

 

Voon - John at Clear-Guard would be able to answer this better but from what I understand The Lighting Protection uses a layer of film which still allows for heat to escape yet still protects against chips or cracks. I haven't had any problems thusfar and am very pleased with the product.

 

My clear-bra installers recommended against doing the lights and I trusted their judgement. Lots of guys on here have had the lights done though. Not sure who's right.

 

I was cleaning my RX-8 the other day and I noticed that when I looked at the headlight lenses from the side I could see what looked to be heat related discoloration. It's really subtle but it is there. I'm not sure if this is deterioration of the clear film that's on my headlights or of the lenses themselves. Anyway, if you're getting your headlights covered, it's probably worth asking whether there's any problem with the temperature that the Xenons run at.

 

Nice point... Looks pretty good as well...
*Thumbup*

 

ANother great aspect of the 3 material at least.....

My first 8 got damaged by another car in my garage. They gouged the fender- which needed to be filled- but the bumper- which also got side swiped pretty hard looked bad, but when my intsaller made a slit just after the damaged area, and pulled the 3M off, the paint was perfect underneath! And this was no light bumper tap.

Also I had the rear bumper done in 12 mil material- wrapping all the wal around to the rear wheel well. The even did something cool the 2nd time I had it done on (which was on my replacement 8 I got last week) where the matial went inside and behind the license plate. I know my bumper will be able to take people tapping it with thier bumper, becuase on my forst 8- the black plastic below the rear bumper was chewed up a bit (All there is here in NYC is parallel parking) but the bumper itself was perfect. ANd my last car's bumpers looked like hell even though I had them resprayed twice I think over the years. I am actually more concerned with people hitting me as they park than I am with rock chips, which Is why I got my 2nd 8 covered 2 days after picking ut up from the dealer. The installation looks perfect BTW.

I had the light covered- but Canzoomer brought up a good point. The lens covers from the headlight are fairly cheap to replace (like $65he thought) and the thick 3M material he says does cut down on light output. They also did a strip as a door edge guard- looks pretty good- you can see it though - I'd love to see what the MAzda door edge guard looks like installed.

My installer in NJ /NY - they have a shop in both states- and obviouly have done RX8's before- 2 were mine...

Monster Coatings, Inc.
13 Barthold Place
Garfield, NJ 07026
973-983-7662

 

What about if you have a kit? Can you still install the clearbra?