Clear Bra installation onto 7-month old vehicle?

[SD_GR]

I've looked at the clear bra threads and seldom, if ever, does the poster specify when the film was applied.

The reason I'm asking: on a 7-month-old Pilot there are invariably going to be small pinspots or scuffs already there on the nose pieces. IOW there will be existing, albeit minor, damage.

Is it too late? Or can a film be applied over this stuff without worry about bubbling or other problems due to the surface not being perfect? Are small existing chips OK to deal with? The product website did not list this as a FAQ, so I'm asking here.

Thanks!

[colorider]

^^^ I think it really depends on just how "minor" the chips are. I would suggest you take it to a professional installer and let them evaluate it in person as it is hard for anyone here to know exactly what your's looks like without actually seeing it in person. My own personal experience was that I had it installed on my last S2K and it had a few very minor chips. Mine was a med-dark blue and the the chips DID show. I'm guessing lighter colors or silvers would show less.

Good Luck!

[SD_GR]

Originally posted by colorider
Mine was a med-dark blue and the the chips DID show. I'm guessing lighter colors or silvers would show less.

Good Luck!

Thanks. I'm not concerned about the existing chips showing, as they show already. My main goal is to stabilize the situation. However, I was concerned about fitment of the film over existing surface irregularities -- for example, chips.

[BlueRiverPilot]

Has anyone already applied the 3M "bra"? If so, are you happy with its performance to date? How long have you had it on the Pilot? Any trouble with wax, polish etc. going on after the bra was installed? Where is the best place to purchase, and would you recommend a DIY Install?

[ncelk]

I had one put on my 5 year old Miata in December.

But the car only had 6500 miles on it. There were a couple of rock chips, but that was it. I am very careful about not tailgating.

When I picked it up, the installer was putting a clear bra on a 2005 Mercedes AMG S class coupe (whatever they are called), and it had about 40k on it.

It was pretty sandblasted in the front, but the owner was trying to avoid a repaint.

There should be no problem putting it on a 7 month old vehicle.

Just have the existing rock chips touched up before you do it.

It is truly the best auto investment I have made.

All of my vehicles have the clear bra on it, and they are doing well.

[tfrain]

Originally posted by BlueRiverPilot
Has anyone already applied the 3M "bra"? If so, are you happy with its performance to date? How long have you had it on the Pilot? Any trouble with wax, polish etc. going on after the bra was installed? Where is the best place to purchase, and would you recommend a DIY Install?

I'm going to do my own install, just been waiting on it to warm up a little - I'll try and remember to post on here how it goes - will prob. do a new thread on it.

[BlueRiverPilot]

Tfrain,

What product do you plan to use? It seems that their is a WIDE variety in price for the product. From $24.99 for an off brand product on EBay, the $140.99 for a 3M product on EBay, to $500 (total price, hood & bumper) at alot of other websites that sell 3M product.

Have you been able to ascertain a difference in the products and if so, what are you planning to use?

[tfrain]

I ordered off ebay - It has been a while since I ordered it, but I think for $200 I got hood, bumber, mirrors, headlights, foglights, and fenders (headlights and foglights are 15 mil instead of 8 mil) - it was a pretty good bargain I think. If you want the contact info let me know.

Also, it is genuine 3M - don't use that generic stuff. It is just vinyl and sucks (I have read)

Tom

[sfhondapilot]

My only suggestion would be to be sure to claybar and polish the paint before installing. That will help cleanse the surface beneath the film.

The clear masks on my X3, M3 and A4 are all doing very well The M's is almost 4 years old and the X's is coming up on 3 years, this summer.

[BlueRiverPilot]

Thanks for the info everyone.

[SD_GR]

On the Pilot's bumper there's a couple spots where the chip has created an uneven surface by physically pushing back the plastic. The difference is maybe 1mm and the "crater" itself is 1mm across maybe also. I'll speak to the installer about this and get an opinion on the spot. I'll also ask if they prepare the surface adequately or if I will have to do the detailing beforehand.

I appreciate all the responses. If anyone in southern California has a recommendation for a shop, I'd appreciate that as well.

Thanks again all!
SD

[Mark B]

Originally posted by BlueRiverPilot
Has anyone already applied the 3M "bra"? If so, are you happy with its performance to date? How long have you had it on the Pilot? Any trouble with wax, polish etc. going on after the bra was installed? Where is the best place to purchase, and would you recommend a DIY Install?

I've had 3M bras on my 2000 Accord and 2003 Pilot, and currently on my 2006 Pilot.

I installed the original bra on my Accord - it took me many hours (~7). After an accident, the insurance company paid to have it re-installed, so I found an installer and he did it in a couple hours.

I had an installer add it to my 2003 Pilot - he said the hood was the hardest one he'd ever installed. It took him about 4 hours.

I had my dealer install it on my 2006 Pilot.

I've never had a rock go through the film and damage the paint. I've had a small number of rocks damage the film, but not the paint. Of course if another rock would of hit the exact same spot, then the paint would of been damaged by the second rock.

The 3M film takes wax very well. I normally use a cleaner and then a wax, and the film shines almost as well as the paint.

Complaints: The film doesn't wrap around the lip of the hood, so I always get a few chips right on the lip part of the hood. I think they don't wrap it around the lip because it wouldn't stick.

Mark B

[CrownCity Pilot]

Originally posted by SD_GR
I've looked at the clear bra threads and seldom, if ever, does the poster specify when the film was applied.

The reason I'm asking: on a 7-month-old Pilot there are invariably going to be small pinspots or scuffs already there on the nose pieces. IOW there will be existing, albeit minor, damage.

Is it too late? Or can a film be applied over this stuff without worry about bubbling or other problems due to the surface not being perfect? Are small existing chips OK to deal with? The product website did not list this as a FAQ, so I'm asking here.

Thanks!

I know it's a little late but, you should be worried about your paint oxydizing in the area where the chips are. If the chip is deep enough to where it is showing metal, you should also worry about rusting.