Clear Bra - Paint Protection Information

Hello everyone!

I just installed a 2010 Prius on Saturday and thought I would share some information regarding what I have learned over the past 9 years. I’ll keep it short, sort of. J I also wanted to say the new Prius patterns are available, they fit perfectly and are easy to install.

There are three factors which affect the price of a clear bra. They are Film, Design Pattern and Installer. The $10-40 kits on ebay are not paint protection film. It is a thin vinyl that is permanent and I would not recommend putting that on your car. (You have to use special chemicals to remove the film.)

Film Choices:

The most common films are 3M, Clearshield, Venture, Xpel, Avery and Llumar films. I currently stock all of them and use them on a regular basis. Depending on the environment you live in, I would recommend different films. In Florida, we have a bad love bug problem. I only recommend 3M and Clearshield as they have the best clear coats available. The clear coat allows for easier cleaning and is scratch resistant. The non-topcoat films do not hold up against insect acids like the topcoat films do.


Film Warranties:

3M – 5 Years: Covers Film and Labor
Clearshield – 5 Years: Covers Film and Labor
Venture – Lifetime: Covers Film but NO Labor
Xpel – 7 Years: Covers Film and Labor
Avery – 5 Years: Covers Film and NO Labor
Llumar – Lifetime: Film and NO Labor

Design Patterns:

There are many design pattern companies such as Xpel, Proform, Computer Cut, Llumar, and Invisible Patterns. The top two pattern companies, hands down, are going to be Xpel and Proform. Since they are the best, they are also the most expensive. You always get what you pay for. The main differences are the quality of the kits. Xpel and Proform strive to make sure the edges wrap or they are perfectly 1/16†away from the edge. Most of the kits you find for sale on-line are other pattern designs. The fit is not as good, the coverage can be minimal and the kits are free for the installer to plot and cut.

Installer:

The experience, skill and knowledge of the installer are critical to any successful installation. A properly installed kit does not have stretch marks, “grab†marks, lift lines, bubbles, razor cuts or large gaps around the edges of the pattern. You do not want just anyone installing a paint protection kit. You also do not want the inexperienced installer using a razor blade near your paint. I’ve seen horrible installs when an installer damaged the paint with a razor blade.

Quick Notes:

1.There are full hood and full fenders available for people who do not want to see a line going across the hood.
2.Use spray wax or plexus only on the film. Regular paste waxes will build up a white line around the edges.
3.Wax the car prior to installation. This will allow the film to be easily removed years down the road.
4.When removing the film, slightly lift the film and stretch the film towards you at a slight angle.

Summary:

At the end of the day, all paint protection films do an outstanding job protecting your paint. The main concern for the consumer is to find optimal coverage and hire an experienced installer who does an excellent job without damaging your paint with razor blades. Hopefully this information will help answer some questions about Paint Protection Film and installation. If you have any questions, please let me know.

Thank You.
Ryan Burroughs
Auto Paint Guard

 

Hello. FireEngineer, Correct Xpel doesn't have the pattern yet but Computercut does. It really does fit perfect. Xpel will get there pattern up in the next week. Removing the wax was the old way of doing things. We have done lots of testing with and without wax. We have found that putting wax down allows for a better install, (the adhesive will glide better over smooth paint with no marks) and most importantly it is 100 times easier to remove the film down the road. Night and day difference. So we wax every hood and then use alcohol to remove the wax only on the edges about 2 inches in.

Thank you David. I hope you enjoy the bra, if you have any problems please let me know.

In regards to prices it really depends what you want covered with what type of films and design patterns. Welcome to e-mail or call any time.

Thanks
Ryan

 

Hello Everyone. I was doing a full frontal on a Prius this past Saturday and wanted to share it with everyone. I also wanted to share that we are celebrating our 10 year anniversary this year so we are giving specials off installs if anyone is interested. If so let us know.

At any rate the car shown is a full frontal coverage with no lines visible anywhere. We decided to go with Xpel patterns and Clearshield films. Clearshield is a great film for Florida since it doesn't turn yellow and is great for cleaning the love bugs off of. The reason why it doesn't turn yellow as some films do is due to the fact that Clearshield is a non-porous film. By it being non-porous this keeps all of the dust, oils, wax, and acidic juices out of the film. We do strongly believe all films should be replaced at the 4.5 year mark which would be under warranty. :rockon:

If anyone has any questions or need to find an installer I would be more than happy to help.