Clear Bra/Paint Cover


junior

GT Owner
Mar 9, 2007
1,152
So Cal
Pros and cons, could not find anything in the search field, could be me since Bony's avatar been occupying me :biggrin).
I would think that the most prone areas to road debris damage are behind the front & rear tires.
Concerns:
1. Covered areas not matching the rest of the paint should you decide to remove the bra few years down the line.
2. Yellowing of the actual bra material.
3. Installer, experience on the GT
4. Anyone have any experience which brand is best
Feedback is appreciated, Thanks :cheers
 
Actually the area most prone to damage is the rocker panels just in FRONT of the rear tires. The panel flares out there and catches all the rocks from the front tires. Also for the same reaseon, the leading edges of the air scoops gets chipped easily.

I have two GTs and the first one came pre-installed with what I was told was 3M Clearbra. Other than a very light orangepeel effect in some spots, it has held up very well, not yellowed in almost 3 years, done its job very well in protecting my paint and I'm very satisfied with it. Other posts have claimed that there are other brands which come out smoother and more optically clear but I can't personally say.

I just did my other GT and used 3M again, mostly because it's the only brand available in my area. The installer was fairly new and really screwed it up. Dirty fingerprints under the film and rough places that haven't smoothed out in over a month. He's going to redo it.

From my experience I'd say the installer you choose is much more important than the brand of film. Find out what's available in your area and then choose the installer with the most experience.

It's hardly noticeable on my red car but the yellow one stands out a bit more. For the protection it's well worth it.
 
Check this one out.http://www.clearmask.com/index.php They have a complete kit for GTs.
 
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http://www.xpel.com/

Learn more at the site above.

1. Depends on how sections are covered. Example, partial coverage at the front over time will show unprotected areas as a bit dull compared to when you decide to remove the film. Experience comes from a 1998 vehicle @70k. In black.

2. All the materials I have used have been 3M and they all yellowed to some degree. Not real noticable in broad daylight. Worse under flourscent. I hear there are others that work better longer.

3. I am not sure GT experience makes a difference. There are more complex cars to do.

4. 3m works as advertised. Xpel in the site above is considered to have less orange peel. If I had to do it again I would go this route. I have seen it on other cars and it looks better than 3m orange peel wise.

I would spend extra to wrap as many edges as you can. It will be a total PITA for the installer. But you will not be trying to get the dark dust line off the edge when you wax. White, Yellow and Silver cars show this more than dark colors. A Tungsten / Black is not much of an issue. Red is kinda in between

You want a guy that cuts his own film. They have the ability to cut the film from diff mfgs. patterns. Some patterns can be increased in size slightly to allow for a wrap of an edge. Also, some patterns offer more coverage than others in the grille area. Keep in mind these guys pay for each pattern they download. But a guy that cuts his own film can mix and match.

Coverage:

Full front kit
Full hood + added the area closest to the wipers, not normally included
Top edge of roof - custom, no pattern at the time
Headlights
Mirriors
Behind the rear wheel
Lower Rocker panel - Added extra to cover the stripes to the edge above
Panel in front of the rear tire - the whole thing
Scoops - Leading edge

Some do the rear bumper as the diffuser kicks up a lot of stuff. I did not think of this at the time.

All that and I got a rock chip in the windsheild on the way back from the bra guy.:ack, hard to find, but I know it's there.

I would do it on any car with regret. Have used it on 4 cars now. Stands up well to track days on my Z06. Most guys that I run with either have beat up paint or wrap the car in blue tape before they run. For this car I drove around until I found some water to drive through. The water spots told me approx what areas needed the coverage from the tires kicking up rocks. over 7,000 track miles and not a chip or scratch. The film has some damage from what would have been a chip. I would rather replace film than paint.
 
Guys, has anyone tried ARMOR COAT? It is a spray on chip protector, check out their site Armorauto.com or call 1800 433 6903.

John
 
Thanks for all the replies. The hunt is on for an experienced installer :thumbsup
 
I suggest going to your local Pcar dealer - they usually know a skilled hand in this dept. I cannot recommend this company enough: http://www.stickercity.com/store/home.php

Great product and service. I'm not sure what the film is, but it works.