anyone have 3M clear bra installed?
I just called the 3M dealer in Herdon, VA and they asked $1150 for
front bumper, hood, fenders, side mirrors. I have 04 SE, but I'm pretty
sure there'll be much difference with 5th gen in price.

one more question,
if you have 3M clear bra installed, is it easier to clean off bugs and etc. on the front bumper and hood?

thanks,

 

GET IT, but don't pay that much. Call around for prices...IIRC I could have had that done minus the fenders on my 5th gen for $500.

 

Try
Kar Tunes
Phone: 703-406-0825
22360 Sterking Boulevard
Suite D107
Sterling, VA 20164

only charge me $600.

 

I just called them, and asked for $600 for front bumper and hood
$800 for front bumper, hood, fenders, headlights, side mirrors.

maybe i should just get the front bumper and hood done...

thanks for the info, guys!

 

any thought on that question?

 

If ya need more places as alternatives... try posting your question in the regional forums... some of those guys might know, and most of em don't pass through here all that often.....

 

You could just get a mock leather front bumper protector.

 

That could fit over the clear bra, but I guess you wouldn't want to do that.

 

for that much money i'd just repaint my bumper and hood every few years.

 

Those leather or fake leather bras can trap water, dirt, and other junk between the bra and the paint. This can lead to nasty problems, especially if you have crappy paint (like all of us!).

 

I researched this extensively! Rockblocker provides bulk issue for 7.50 a foot. It would be 24"X5 feet. This stuff is easy to install on the hood, mirrors, and fenders. If you buy the bulk roll it doesn't require much effort if you have tinted windows before. Similar process.
1. add a lid of soap to a spray bottle
2. clean entire area uncluding the underedges of the hood
3. tape together some paper to fit on your hood that will cover the area the 3M film will be covering
4. etch or mark the form of the hood on that paper as it is on your hood (creating a template) leaving about a 1/4 inch on all sides of hood (will explain later)
5. Put that template on the 3M film you bought and cut
6. Spray the hood ontop and underneath the edges
7. Take the white tape off of the 3M film and apply the film on the hood with clean hands. ENSURE YOU WASH YOUR HANDS GOOD SO THE OILS ON YOUR HAND DONT LEAVE PRINTS
8. With a rubber squeegy start from in the middle of the hood and rub outward, pushing the soapy solution out and away from the middle. To be safe you can even put a cloth fabric on the squeegy so it doesn't leave rub marks.
9. Continue to squeegy outward and if the film is being a pain and not forming as easily as you want apply some heat ( blow drier to the area) and you can form fit it that way
10. Fold the egdes under the hood and on the corners of the hood make a cut at a 45 degree angle from the corner of the hood outward so it can fold under the hood as well.
11. Any unused film you can apply to your mirror or even your fog lights
12. There is someone on the org that has pictures of how they did it.
13. I will have to get back with that address for you.
14 OR you can even just buy a bugdeflector like I did because it offers the bug protection from hitting your windshield and upper portion of your hood. Just seems like more protection for me in Alaska. And it looks nice too! The 3M film only protects the area it covers which is the first 24 inches of the hood because 3M film doesn't come any wider.

I will say though I am going to buy the bulk issue and do the bumper. The 300.00 kits include the bumper, fenders and mirrors. I am going to buy the 24 inch bulk film and do this myself as well as the mirrors. I think i will just have to be alittle creative and use my wifes help with the heating of the film to get in the corner areas of the front bumper which tend to be the most difficult areas.

When will i do this......well that questionable now cus I'm getting ready to deploy to Ballad. When i do get around to it though I will take the pictures and post them.

 

That's way too much. I bought my kit for few hundred from http://www.invinca-shield.com/main.htm

 

Is this it? http://www.innerbean.com/housecor/clear_bra.html

A good site nevertheless...

 

Peep the logic, this 3m bra will make my fiberglass kit stronger, less acceptable to cracking, scratches, etc. U think?

 

i think it can protect your kit from light scratches...but I don't think it'll
make your kit actually stronger...I don't think it will protect from
cracking...

 

I've seen a fiberglass kit that had holes in it from cracking. Like tint does to a window, it should prevent it from shattering...

 

I'm looking for a solution to deal with my bug problem. I put a lot of highway and back woods driving every day in my Max, and I continually build up a nice graveyard of bugs on my bumper/hood. I'm also starting to see some paint chipping on my hood from highway bugs/rocks.

What can I do to partially remedy this while not ruining the style of my 04 Max? Is there a hood deflector available for a 6th gen Max (haven't been able to find one)?

The clear bra stuff sounds hella expensive...

 

I paid low $500 for 3M clear bra installed. The kit includes hood (which comes almost half way up), side mirrors, and entire front bumper. After a year, it's still holding up except few big rocks that managed to penetrate the clear bra. I think it's worth every penny and I'm definitely getting clear bra on all my cars.

 

^ I'll have to look into this... This summer has been especially harsh on my front end...

 

So are all of these types of bras bad for the paint, as in worse than going w/ out one at all?? I am interested in putting one on but not sure of use in winter w/ salt and all not getting rinsed enough and sitting under it and any other isses w/ them.

 

Stay away from leather bras. Invest some more money on quality clear bras. You won't be disappointed.

 

I just got my car tinted up, and the guy that does it, also does the 3M paint protection film. It was $95 for my headlights, I don't remember what he wanted for the hood, but, mine is all chipped up.

He said bumpers start at $275 due to the fact of the odd shapes.

I'd like to get some touch up painting done on my car, then, I will be doing the 3M paint protection throughout the whole front end.

 

Checkout this 3M Clear Bra call for a great price, I have friends that used this guy.