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      07-04-2015, 10:23 AM   #1
Grayhair
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Best clear bra

What in everyone experience is the best clear bra available? I have looked at four of the major brands but can find no true comparisons.
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      07-04-2015, 10:47 AM   #2
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Forget the above response. The clear bra is as needed as any computer changes to alter what BMW provided stock-- by those who wish either.

Don't know of a "comparison" but many prefer 3M Expel...have had excellent results myself.

BUT do get it done by those who are professionals, and stand behind the work later. If you can afford the car you afford to have it done right. Won't be cheap, but worth every penny. After years of heavy backroad & interstate driving front ends of our cars look like new. Nice feeling not to have the chips.
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      07-04-2015, 11:18 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zkeeper View Post
Forget the above response. The clear bra is as needed as any computer changes to alter what BMW provided stock-- by those who wish either.

Don't know of a "comparison" but many prefer 3M Expel...have had excellent results myself.

BUT do get it done by those who are professionals, and stand behind the work later. If you can afford the car you afford to have it done right. Won't be cheap, but worth every penny. After years of heavy backroad & interstate driving front ends of our cars look like new. Nice feeling not to have the chips.
Agree. However, Xpel Ultimate is not a 3M product. From the pre-purchase research I did, Xpel is superior to 3M for clarity, being colorless, self-healing, and double the warranty length. Also, bugs and other dirt wash off amazingly easily as a side benefit. Since the BMW, we've done two other new cars. The skill of the installer is critical, so do that homework as well.
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      07-04-2015, 11:22 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sportstick View Post
Agree. However, Xpel Ultimate is not a 3M product. From the pre-purchase research I did, Xpel is superior to 3M for clarity, being colorless, self-healing, and double the warranty length. Also, bugs and other dirt wash off amazingly easily as a side benefit. Since the BMW, we've done two other new cars. The skill of the installer is critical, so do that homework as well.
And it does not harm paint upon removal...

Years of stones making chips harms paint.
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      07-04-2015, 12:18 PM   #5
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OP a clear bra is a great idea if you care about your paint, unlike someone else on this thread who is very misguided.
Xpel is a pretty proven brand but I'm hearing great things about Hexis' new Body Fence film. And clear bra will not ruin your paint if the film was installed properly and used on factory paint.
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      07-04-2015, 12:20 PM   #6
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I had XPEL Ultimate on my GTR and thought it was great. I now have SunTek on my M235i and it seems to be good although I noticed it seems to peel more than the XPEL did. I highly recommend clear bra if paint chips bug you.
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      07-04-2015, 12:42 PM   #7
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Xpel ultimate. And do full hood not just bra
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      07-04-2015, 12:54 PM   #8
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XPEL Ultimate, there is no other competition.
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      07-04-2015, 01:08 PM   #9
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I agree with xpel. I also have suntek and it does appear to peel more easily vs my older film, 3M. I must say the suntek has little to no orange peeling though, VERY smooth clear coat and seems more resistant to staining from bird poop and stuff
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      07-04-2015, 03:10 PM   #10
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Thank you

Thanks for the feedback
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      07-05-2015, 02:41 PM   #11
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IL"ve had Expel on my last two MINI's and in beginning I was really shocked on how easy the bugs came off, even small rocks, not getting into the sandblasting that you contend with on our highways. Now if they'd only find something that do the same for windshields.
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      07-05-2015, 03:17 PM   #12
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i worry after removing the plastic and the paint will be a different colour due to fading over a period of time.
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      07-05-2015, 04:03 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kiwi View Post
i worry after removing the plastic and the paint will be a different colour due to fading over a period of time.
XPEL allows UV to pass through the film. After removing, the color under the bra will be the same as on the rest of your car.
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      07-05-2015, 06:39 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hemisedan View Post
IL"ve had Expel on my last two MINI's and in beginning I was really shocked on how easy the bugs came off, even small rocks, not getting into the sandblasting that you contend with on our highways. Now if they'd only find something that do the same for windshields.
Actually there is a product. A lot of exotic car owners purchase a somewhat rigid film that goes over the windshield. Some of them even guarantee a new windshield if a rock cracks yours. The previous owner of my last car had this.
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      07-05-2015, 07:23 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Michall View Post
XPEL allows UV to pass through the film. After removing, the color under the bra will be the same as on the rest of your car.
Yes, and why would anyone ever remove the film, other than to soon replace it (perhaps under the 10-year warranty) if it became necessary?
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      07-06-2015, 09:17 AM   #16
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Xpel

/Thread
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      07-15-2015, 10:10 PM   #17
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M235i Coupe XPEL Price Guide

For those looking for a price estimate of XPEL for the coupe, I've attached it below. These are all precuts and ready for installation. I don't believe the price includes the labor. I'll post the convertible later if someone needs it.
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      07-16-2015, 10:41 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sportstick View Post
Agree. However, Xpel Ultimate is not a 3M product. From the pre-purchase research I did, Xpel is superior to 3M for clarity, being colorless, self-healing, and double the warranty length. Also, bugs and other dirt wash off amazingly easily as a side benefit. Since the BMW, we've done two other new cars. The skill of the installer is critical, so do that homework as well.
Xpel Ultimate - entire front end up to door jambs covered. Already paid for itself in protecting the paint from debris (and dumb parkers) up in the PNW!
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      07-17-2015, 10:00 AM   #19
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I have the self healing SunTek. I will say that it seems to peel somewhat more easy than my older 3M product. Cleans up pretty easy.
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      07-17-2015, 10:12 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OpenAir View Post
I have the self healing SunTek. I will say that it seems to peel somewhat more easy than my older 3M product. Cleans up pretty easy.
Hey OpenAir, how is the quality on the SunTek? Does it protect the paint and the surface of the car pretty well? I am considering it since I do not have a local Xpel installer near me. I appreciate the feedback. Thanks! 1L
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      07-17-2015, 10:06 PM   #21
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When I was asking around, I visited a highly recommended shop from other forum users in the Mid Atlantic. While I was there, a busy day by the way, I had a chance to chat with several new and repeat customers about Xpel, SunTek and another product that I can't remember. Everyone agreed that the Xpel actually seemed to "stick" to the car better, read that as less fringing or lifting at the edges. They also seemed to agree that the SunTek was smoother and offered a better "shine" after time. They also thought both were about the same for healing.

I now have 3 chips in my hood as I ran out of money and couldn't afford to have my hood done at the time, yet I have no dings or chips across my entire front end. I will say that I'm planning on returning to have some edges looked at as they are starting to show and I don't like that.

From 3 feet out I couldn't tell the difference from any of them, up close the Xpel looked like it had more orange peel to me so I went with the SunTek.
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      07-17-2015, 11:42 PM   #22
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OpenAir, thanks for your feedback. Xpel is expensive from what I found. You mentioned the orange peel texture being an issue, but I think that's the BMW's paint quality and Xpel is only sticking well to its original surface. If you think the main issue of SunTek is the edge lifting, that should be covered under its insurance, correct? I need to know by this weekend if it's worth the money to go with Xpel or SunTek. For an Xpel whole front hood and bumper area is $1500 vs SunTek $595.
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