Anyone had clear bra installed recently in NY?

Detailing Dynamics has a great rep in your area.

Paint Protection Film | Detailing Dynamics

Ask them if they feel the 3M film will install properly on this car due to the large, curvy bumper. 3M film is probably the most durable film on the market due to the acrylic clearcoat. This makes it a near maintenance-free film. However, this benefit comes with a huge downside-- this film has more orange peel than its competitors and cannot be stretched as well as other films, which can lead to stretch marks sometimes.

Also, ask them which pattern they will be using. XPEL and Proform tend to make the best patterns, from what I have seen and have been told. The XPEL pattern for our car is quite good, but I would ask the installer if they plan to remove the tow-hook cut-outs from the bumper pattern and handcut those pieces. If they use the cut-outs supplied by the template, the cut-outs may not line-up perfectly from the ones I've seen.

Lastly, for the hood piece-- ask if they will be using a straight cut or bikini cut hood piece. I personally think a bikini cut looks better since it matches the curves of the hood, but opinions will vary. The hood is also a piece that I feel should have wrapped edges instead of having the film just come within 1/8-1/16" of the edge.

$800 is probably the going rate for a 24" hood, bumper, partial mirrors and partial fenders from a good installer. Headlights are probably an additional $100-$150.

 

That's really a bad idea IMO because I myself, bought a Ventureshield Ultra kit for $280 off an eBay seller and had it installed by an acquaintance who used to be a 3M installer. Unfortunately he did a poor installation and I have no recourse since I supplied my own film. And, I paid $200 to have the kit installed. So, I basically spent $480 on a clear bra kit that I have to tear off and have redone anyway.

So not only did I spend $480, I now have to spend $940 to have a new one installed, so I ended up paying $1520 for this whole ordeal. If I had just paid a bit more the first time for a proper installation, I would've saved a ton of money.

 

I agree with the Critic. Use their own film, not a 3rd party kit. If something goes wrong with the 3rd party kit, you're screwed.

 

XPEL has a much better pattern than 3M's templates (if that's what your film was cut with). IIRC, the 3M template was the one where the bumper has a lot more seams than the XPEL bumper pattern. XPEL's Ultimate film also installs much more easily and is less visible.

Also, an installer's experience does not equal quality work. It is important that you have seen an example of his work, on your make/model, to ensure that the installer is capable of meeting your standards.