how many of you wrapped your car with clear bra?

[Jeg Norge]

i have a 2009 x5. love it but i would like to install the M aero kit. my car right now has some rock chips on the bumper which is annoying if i look at it. it would suck to get those chips again after spending $5k on the M kit.

those of you with clear bra installed. how do you like it? and it wont start to peel off after a few automatic car washes would it?

thanks.

[newmanium]

A 3M clearbra won't peel off - I had it on the front bumper on an Acura, and it looked perfect for 2 years. There's reports on here of another product (Venture shield?) that didn't work as well.

Whatever I had (wasn't cheap, about 750 for partial front of hood and bumper on a sedan) didn't yellow and didn't get pitted - was practically invisible. Highly recommend it.

BMW is supposedly covering repaints for damage to the M kit in certain cases, some threads on here if you search.

[m5james]

1 - Make sure they remove necessary items like headlights, foglights, parking sensor, etc and actually wrap the film around the edges instead of trying to make neat (still looks sloppy) cuts around removeable items, seams, etc. A shop did this to Sobi's FX and it looked like crap, so he complained and after a while they refunded the money.
2 - I think this goes without saying, but have the rockchips professionally fixed before the clear bra...after that, there is no going back.
3 - Quit taking it through automatic car washes...it's a BMW, not a Honda. You're worried about rockchips, but have you looked closer at the scratches those brushes leave behind when they BEAT the crap out of your finish? Not to mention all the brake dust that stains your wheels that doesn't ever get washed between the spokes. Love your car and it'll love you back. Handwash with real carsoap (not dishsoap), California Waterblade and synthetic shammy...FTW.

[TRAINER]

I have it. I had it put on 2 days after I picked up my X5. I have it on many cars in the past without any problems. I say go for it, hands down.

[The Big Easy]

You'll need it, most of us have had this done pre-delivery. I`ve also had the windscreen done for pebbles and other rubbish that may hit it.

Cheers,

[Naz24]

Originally Posted by m5james

1 - Make sure they remove necessary items like headlights, foglights, parking sensor, etc and actually wrap the film around the edges instead of trying to make neat (still looks sloppy) cuts around removeable items, seams, etc. A shop did this to Sobi's FX and it looked like crap, so he complained and after a while they refunded the money.
2 - I think this goes without saying, but have the rockchips professionally fixed before the clear bra...after that, there is no going back.
3 - Quit taking it through automatic car washes...it's a BMW, not a Honda. You're worried about rockchips, but have you looked closer at the scratches those brushes leave behind when they BEAT the crap out of your finish? Not to mention all the brake dust that stains your wheels that doesn't ever get washed between the spokes. Love your car and it'll love you back. Handwash with real carsoap (not dishsoap), California Waterblade and synthetic shammy...FTW.

California waterblade microfiber drying cloth FTW. And I agree, only hand wash for me, even at school

[Jeg Norge]

Originally Posted by The Big Easy

You'll need it, most of us have had this done pre-delivery. I`ve also had the windscreen done for pebbles and other rubbish that may hit it.

Cheers,

pre-delivery? as in the dealer did it? and you can clear bra the windshield too?!?!?!

[2thdr]

I always wrap the front end of a car once I have taken delivery. In fact, I go straight from the dealership to the detailers, and then to a friend who owns a tint/film shop.

With old e46 M3, I did the standard 12-16" up the bonnet film wrap with a tiny extension to the fenders on both sides. After 70,000kms with a fair bit of highway driving and winter driving (sand, small pebbles), I had chips in wierd places, including the A pillars, the bonnet above the existing film, the side front fenders.

When I picked up my e92 M3 last year, I had the car waxed by Eric of Eclipsis on e90post and it looked amazing. I was intent on avoiding as many chips as I possibly could. What we did was have the following wrapped:

-the entire front bumper
-the entire hood
-the entire driver and passenger front fenders
-both mirror housings
-a 12" strip above the windshield
-the headlights
-both passenger/drivers rocker panels
-a patch behind both rear wheels that extends all the way back for the lateral edge of the car

It has only been 14,000KM for me so far, but the car is flawless. Not a single mark that I can see on the car. Others on the M3 forum have complained of staining with bugs, but I have never experienced that problem. Everything washes off for me.

I have done this treatment to another car (MB GL350), and am having the same thing done to the X5 35d we picked up yesterday.

Does it cost more than just doing the hood and mirrors...yes. But when you come out completely unscathed from the winter and your paint looks flawless, it is worth every bit.

As well, never ever take your car to an automatic car wash, whether with spinning brushers or a touchless automatic. The issue of scratching your clear coat has been covered, but the film can be lacerated by the force of really strong and pointed water jets. I had the latter happen with the aforementioned GL350 when we got lazy one day.

Hope this helps!

[The Big Easy]

Originally Posted by Jeg Norge

pre-delivery? as in the dealer did it? and you can clear bra the windshield too?!?!?!

Some guys have mobile units - can complete this at your stealership. Yes - I have the windscreen covered too, remember this isn't tinted, so it's not illegal - just protecting the windscreen from getting pitted.

Cheers,

[Jeg Norge]

Originally Posted by The Big Easy

Some guys have mobile units - can complete this at your stealership. Yes - I have the windscreen covered too, remember this isn't tinted, so it's not illegal - just protecting the windscreen from getting pitted.

Cheers,

was yours installed with the use of a razor blade (to cut the film)? i heard that method isn't as good... but it seems to be the most common way.