Clear Bra vs. No Clear Bra??? (Paint Protection Film)

[Vectors2final]

You know, it's actually not really all that hard to install. You just have to have a little patience and some time on your hands. I've been around it, and have messed with it a little... I wouldn't recommend a n00b cutting with bulk film, but with the pre-cut kits, almost anyone can install them if you have any sort of common sense. There are tons of resources available to do it. The soapy(baby shampoo) water is your friend, and with a lot of the good films, you wont even need to use the alcohol spray.

I understand it a bit as I like to detail as a hobby, and I'm very tempted to do it. I just have a lot on my plate when I return to the states, so I'm not sure if I'll bother. However, you figure 35-40% of the cost is on film, and the rest is installer pocket.

[dmk08]

Originally Posted by MENAC3

My take on this..

if the car is leased no need for protection.. if financed wrap up the whole thing!

You really think a couple rock chips will lower the value > $2000 full clear wrap? Yeah me neither. I got premium trade on both of my other M3s. Both had a couple rock chips.

As Lups said don't tailgate and you have a lot less to worry about.

[4DRS55]

I think if you want full protection u need to clear the whole car for those of you who cleared the rocker look right above the rocker where the front door is and there are those small little white chips. I feel like these cars need mud flaps those wide fenders and sticky tires throw up all kind of things.

[Doctor///M]

Originally Posted by Lups

Btw op. @karussel is the man for anything. I met him last summer, and rarely anyone makes an impact on me.

Coming from rally tracks, first actual street car and he shred me to bits. Now I am safer because I watched him driving and when he told me what (everything) all I was doing wrong, I learned a lot.

yes ma'am. Unfortunate I wasn't able to meet up with him though.

Originally Posted by huatian

I've looked into the price of some of these clear bras.To be honest I'm not sure why it cost so much for a some saran wrap (xpel). I'd think if you get a good sized chip it would be easier to just repaint the front. Wouldn't the plastic stuff look just as bad and can it be repaired? How long does this stuff really last in real world driving, rain, summer etc?

Agreed to some degree. Someone should do an objective analysis of wrapped vs. non-wrapped body panels and shoot projectiles at it at different speeds. Not even the vendors do this (which I think is a shame). I do know the bumper gets a smattering of small dimples from regular highway driving over time, but for the larger pieces, makes me wonder if it's all a gimmick?

Originally Posted by SYP247

I think if you want full protection u need to clear the whole car for those of you who cleared the rocker look right above the rocker where the front door is and there are those small little white chips. I feel like these cars need mud flaps those wide fenders and sticky tires throw up all kind of things.

...agreed on the rocker panels! That tiny piece of protection on the fender flare that BMW puts on the factory (at least on the F80) is pathetic!! Like I mentioned somewhere before, film should come as a factory option. It adds to BMWs profits, but I'm sure that it will still be a lot cheaper for us consumers in the long run (compared to the exorbitant aftermarket prices).

[Launch Control]

I did Full Hood, Front Bumper, Front Fenders and Luggage Strip. I also highly recommend doing both B-Pillars on the door. The black gloss pillars are prime targets for swirling and scratches.

[Lynchmob6]

Love the XPEL...did the whole hood, fenders, bumper and mirrors. Totally worth it as I make some long road trips every year. Already had two chips repaired in the windshield and I have another from my last trip. Hood and bumper look great with the coverage and I know they have taken some rocks.

[Doctor///M]

Wow, poll shows that most are either fully in it, or just opted out completely. I fall in the minority with just covering the essentials.

For those interested in the process:

[hyperboost]

i think the paint on this car is pretty thin. I had to wait for a week before I could do clear bra/venture shield. there was already a chip. I drive very careful....

[dmk08]

Originally Posted by Doctor///M

Wow, poll shows that most are either fully in it, or just opted out completely. I fall in the minority with just covering the essentials.

For those interested in the process:

To me it's either all in or none. I can't handle having lines.

[F82speed]

I had Llumar PPF installed first, but wasn't really happy with it. Super glassy finish, but seemed to scuff/swirl way too easily, so just had the installer remove and replace with Xpel Ultimate. Full hood, fenders, bumper, mirrors, A-pillars and front 12" of roof. Paint seems pretty soft so figured it was a worthwhile investment, but should've just gone with Xpel to begin with. It was a bit pricier than the Llumar (which is why I did it first), but the extra $$ for Xpel Ult is probably worth it between the self-healing and 10yr warranty.

My .02 on PPF is all-in w/Xpel Ultimate.

[chris s]

it's a no-brainer if you buy new...full frontal protection. If you lease...total waste of money...as is leasing to buy.

[Longbow64]

I'm going naked with sunscreen.

[Doctor///M]

Originally Posted by Longbow64

I'm going naked with sunscreen.

Carnauba sunscreen??

[Longbow64]

Originally Posted by Doctor///M

Carnauba sunscreen??

SiO2 nano coating

[CSanto]

Everyone commenting in warm climate areas has no idea how shitty our NE roads get.

Clear bra or deal with your bumper looking like sand paper after 2 years of ownership

[Longbow64]

I'm familiar and if I lived up there I'd wrap my whole car. I have to go turn my A/C up now, I'll be right back.

[Vectors2final]

Apache guy?

High Above The Best

[Doctor///M]

...and the votes keep coming in!

[Longbow64]

Originally Posted by Vectors2final

Apache guy?

High Above The Best

Yep, just recently went Sim Ops. Posturing for that post retirement job.

[AutoPG]

I'm biased for the film since it's what I do every day. I'm very anal and can't stand to see a chip so I covered my entire car. I also put Opti Coat Pro over the film to make the film last longer and even easier to clean.

From what I see on driven M4s, I would recommend the following.
Full hood, full fenders, mirrors, lights, bumper, rocker panel and thin strip on rear bumper and underneath the wheel well on the rear bumper.

I had a m4 that came in last week with 4200 miles on it, and the paint was destroyed.

A lot of people may be on the fence about the film. It's simple, if you care about the condition of your car while you drive it and when you go to sell it then get the bra, otherwise drive it like you stole it and take less of a trade in when you give the car up.

15 years in the business, I have never seen a re-paint that was good as factory. Well, I've seen good, but very expensive. $1200-$1500 for a repaint on just the bumper or you can have the bumper covered for approx $500.00

I also have 4 different brands of films on my car. Xpel Ultimate, Suntek, Clearshield Pro and 3M Pro. Which one is the best? Hmmmm

[JB.M.]

Originally Posted by AutoPG

I'm biased for the film since it's what I do every day. I'm very anal and can't stand to see a chip so I covered my entire car. I also put Opti Coat Pro over the film to make the film last longer and even easier to clean.

From what I see on driven M4s, I would recommend the following.
Full hood, full fenders, mirrors, lights, bumper, rocker panel and thin strip on rear bumper and underneath the wheel well on the rear bumper.

I had a m4 that came in last week with 4200 miles on it, and the paint was destroyed.

A lot of people may be on the fence about the film. It's simple, if you care about the condition of your car while you drive it and when you go to sell it then get the bra, otherwise drive it like you stole it and take less of a trade in when you give the car up.

15 years in the business, I have never seen a re-paint that was good as factory. Well, I've seen good, but very expensive. $1200-$1500 for a repaint on just the bumper or you can have the bumper covered for approx $500.00

I also have 4 different brands of films on my car. Xpel Ultimate, Suntek, Clearshield Pro and 3M Pro. Which one is the best? Hmmmm

I got my first chip on the car and I was on the phone the next day scheduling to get this done. I only did the front bumper, and from how often I drive the m4 it was sufficient. The clear bra has been on for over 3 months now and is flawless, and super easy to keep clean. He does great work there, and if anyone is around the Tampa area I would highly recommend seeing him.

[Fahrvergnügen]

Just curious, how much should one expect to pay to have Xpel applied to the full frontal vs. complete wrap.

Also, I can't tell from the pictures but does Xpel give a 'candy gloss' to the paint after installed?

Thanks