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      10-31-2008, 10:25 PM   #1
White Shark
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Q: Clear-Bra Installtion/Maintenance

Hi, two quick questions maybe you can help me with:

1) How long do I have to wait before clear bra can be installed? I heard Clear Bra not recommended to a new paint.
2) How to prevent clear bra from turning yellow/discoloration on white M3?

Thanks!

* Update/Additional question
3) How much of a hastle it is to remove the clear bra and the adheisives used to keep it on the surface of the paint if I choose 3M or Venture Shield?

Last edited by White Shark; 11-02-2008 at 08:08 PM..
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      10-31-2008, 10:33 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by White Shark View Post
Hi, two quick questions maybe you can help me with:

1) How long do I have to wait before clear bra can be installed? I heard Clear Bra not recommended to a new paint.
2) How to prevent clear bra from turning yellow/discoloration on white M3?

Thanks!
I just put my clear bra and both the dealer and other shops I have spoken with, said there is nothing wrong with clear bra on new paint.
Also, my M3 is AW. The clear bra I got is NOT 3M, is a new brand (will get the name if you want) and will not fade. You are supposed to treat it like paint.
Hope this helps
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      10-31-2008, 11:36 PM   #3
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When your M3 arrives at the dealer the paint is already fully cured, so clear bras can be applied at anytime.

Some brand will yellow and some brands will yellow a bit less. That's why some installers don't recommend clear bras on white cars. If you have a dark colored car, even if it yellows it won't be very noticeable.
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      10-31-2008, 11:40 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by itofigari View Post
Also, my M3 is AW. The clear bra I got is NOT 3M, is a new brand (will get the name if you want) and will not fade.
Probably VentureShield, as it is supposed to be the only brand wide enough for a 1 piece install on the hood
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      11-01-2008, 12:00 AM   #5
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My detailer uses this to maintain my cars' bras: http://www.premiermobilegroup.com/pf1_products.shtml
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      11-01-2008, 12:08 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AZ-BMW View Post
Probably VentureShield, as it is supposed to be the only brand wide enough for a 1 piece install on the hood
One of forum members informed me that over time VentureShield would discolor whereas Clearshield wouldn't...

I trust his advice, but would also appreciate any opinions/feedbacks from AW M3 w/VentureShield owners on the discoloration issue.

Thanks!!
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      11-01-2008, 12:27 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by White Shark View Post
Hi, two quick questions maybe you can help me with:

1) How long do I have to wait before clear bra can be installed? I heard Clear Bra not recommended to a new paint.
2) How to prevent clear bra from turning yellow/discoloration on white M3?

Thanks!
1) at least 5 years and 500 rock chips later, so that you'll appreciate what the clear bra can do for you

2) paint it white
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      11-01-2008, 12:53 AM   #8
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also you can get it redone if it really starts to discolor. it works similarly as tint, which means the bra can be removed and a new one applied. also 3M has warranty against yellowing for 5 years I believe.
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      11-01-2008, 01:49 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rldzhao View Post
also you can get it redone if it really starts to discolor. it works similarly as tint, which means the bra can be removed and a new one applied. also 3M has warranty against yellowing for 5 years I believe.
Good point !!

Last edited by White Shark; 11-02-2008 at 03:32 PM..
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      11-01-2008, 02:03 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spyderco10 View Post
1) at least 5 years and 500 rock chips later, so that you'll appreciate what the clear bra can do for you

2) paint it white
1) I mean around 2-3 months after production....

2) Sorry but not a good choice IMHO... The original AW paint under the painted (?) clear bra will not change as the rest of the car will fade. Plus, need another layer of clear-bra to protect the paint of the clear-bra covering original AW paint…moebius strip

Last edited by White Shark; 11-01-2008 at 03:00 AM..
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      11-01-2008, 02:18 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rldzhao View Post
also you can get it redone if it really starts to discolor. it works similarly as tint, which means the bra can be removed and a new one applied. also 3M has warranty against yellowing for 5 years I believe.
Don't be so sure. This was a clear bra removal gone really bad. Owner took it to a shop to get it removed because he was going to have the car painted. Well good thing he was repainting because he definitely needed it after this.

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      11-01-2008, 05:33 AM   #12
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      11-01-2008, 05:37 AM   #13
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wow,this is bad!
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      11-01-2008, 06:55 AM   #14
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Holly crap what a nightmare!

This is the first time I ever see an issue like this from removing a clearbra, if this was something that happened often I would think clearbra installers would go out of business quickly.



Quote:
Originally Posted by HIS4 View Post
Don't be so sure. This was a clear bra removal gone really bad. Owner took it to a shop to get it removed because he was going to have the car painted. Well good thing he was repainting because he definitely needed it after this.

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      11-01-2008, 08:15 AM   #15
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holy sh*t!! that sucks

I just got 3m on my full hood, front fenders, mirrors, front and rear bumpers and door edges...

is it ok to wash the car right away after you get it installed? I was recommended to let it sit a couple days...I got it done tuesday today is saturday and it really needs a wash I'm sure it'll be fine but just being extra cautious
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      11-01-2008, 10:14 AM   #16
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I think a lot of people install clear bras but never heard of people taking them off, and so not sure what the impact would be like. Normally how much does it costs?
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      11-01-2008, 10:46 AM   #17
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I just got mine done a few weeks back and had them redo my hood yesterday because there was some stretching. I saw them pull it off and it came off without any damage to the paint.

My installer did tell me that if the car was repainted then it could rip the paint off if it wasn't painted and cured properly.

BTW, I got a full custom front end wrap on my car and went with 3M film. Here's why;

1. 3M is now on their 4th generation film and is now guarenteed not to yellow.
2. It has a clear coat on the film which actually acts like a factory clear coat and can be treated as such. Therefore can be waxed, polished, clay bar, ect...
3. Other films on the market, though larger in size and easier to install, do not have a clear coat on it and can be rather sensitive to the elements and to the touch. Try it yourself, run your finger accross a section of the film and see what you're left with. It will actually appear like a hairline scratch and if you go in circles, it will look like a swirl.

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      11-01-2008, 11:06 AM   #18
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If you keep a clear bra on for more than 3-4 years, you run the risk of what happened above. There are other stories of the stuff becoming very brittle and it breaks of in small 1/4" pieces instead of just pealing off.

Also keep in mind that the rock chips will damage the bra and you'll be able to see that easier than a paint chip.

If I had a collector type car, I'd clear bra and redo it every 3-4 years. For a daily driver, it's a toss up for me since it's not that much to get the bumper/hood resprayed.
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      11-01-2008, 11:12 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aus View Post
it's a toss up for me since it's not that much to get the bumper/hood resprayed.
+1 it does not cost much for a good paint job these days.
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      11-01-2008, 12:39 PM   #20
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1) no waiting required on a new car.
2) nothing you can do - beause the film reflects light differently than the clear coat it will always look a little yellow esp on silver and white.
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      11-01-2008, 04:57 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Celsius View Post
I only let mine sit for about 2 days before I washed it, you should be fine!
yeah I washed it about an hr ago...when I got out the car I noticed I had a nail in my front left tire...I was like WTF!!! turned out the nail was a "shortie" and never got to penetrate deep enough me 1 nail 0
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      11-01-2008, 07:42 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HIS4 View Post
Don't be so sure. This was a clear bra removal gone really bad. Owner took it to a shop to get it removed because he was going to have the car painted. Well good thing he was repainting because he definitely needed it after this.

Yup this could definitely happen with some brands, don't really have any expereince with taking clear bra off after a couple years so can't tell if 3M does that.
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