Clear Car Bra's

What's the GRM way to get this done? My E30 is leaving the paint booth in a few weeks, and I've put tons of effort into it. I really really don't want to see any rock chips on this car, and I also don't want the paint to fade at different rates. That said, I also don't have $1k more to put into it right now.

So, what are the good options?

3M and other companies make a film that goes over the paint, kind of like vinyl. If there isn't one made specific for the E30, you can get it in a roll and cut it yourself.

The front of both my dad's late model Corvair convertibles has this on it.

Should cost as much as an actual car bra.

http://clearmask.com

you're so worried about the rock chips that you won't even notice when someone opens their door into your door in a parking lot..

I'm a fan and do them after fresh paint as well. Previously I had a tint guy who would do them on the cheap but sadly he's no longer around. I would check with any tint guys locally to see if they are up for the job but beliw is a link to precuts on ebay. There is some art to doing it so expect a serious learning curve but the price is right. Fleabay

Btw - you want to wait a month or so to let the paint offgas and settle before putting it on.

I've got a few shops to check out already. 3M makes a few different grades of the stuff, and I've found quite a few more companies as well. Any ones to stay away from?

Also, anyone use Opti-Coat?

novaderrik wrote: you're so worried about the rock chips that you won't even notice when someone opens their door into your door in a parking lot..

Huh? One is preventable, the other is chance. I don't understand your comment.

i don't understand putting something that looks bad onto your car to keep it from looking bad.

belteshazzar wrote: i don't understand putting something that looks bad onto your car to keep it from looking bad.

That's why I'm looking at clear coverings and not a leather cover.

It's a factory 5 speed M-Tech 2 E30 'Vert in Diamondschwartz, Canadian spec. Not many made, and I'm guessing most of the other ones, being Canadian, have rusted away at this point. I really want this one to last, and anything I can do in that regard is a good thing.

A buddy of mine has an Mtech e30 convertible - they are neat little cars. I know a couple guys who have used the 3M clear bra (although not on e30s) and it's real nice, if you look close you can see the edge of the bra but otherwise it's invisible and it holds up well.

While you're at it you may want to consider some of the clear protection film used on headlights and foglights. I have it on the euro lights in my M535; it's been on there for over ten years and still looks good

Lamin-X is in the works as well for the lights, thanks!

belteshazzar wrote: i don't understand putting something that looks bad onto your car to keep it from looking bad.

I agree. I have the 3M stuff on one of my Porsches and while it protects the paint on the hood, it looks E36 M3ty doing it. I do like it for the headlights and wheel flares though.

I would like to cover the whole front bumper. Not 100% sold on the hood as that is a very visible part of the car. Perhaps just the leading edge, that seems to get the most strikes, e30 hoods are pretty flat.

Anyone do this as a DIY buying the materials themselves? Seems like everyone online who got a clear bra just bought a new car, so they don't DIY. Very little info on the subject.

Has anyone used Opti-Coat? It's a silica based paint protectant that bonds to the clear coat.

Basically, painting a car was expensive, and now it's 100% chip and rust free, and I'd like to keep it that way. I'm open to all options that don't include leaving it parked somewhere.

My mother in law has a clear bra on her Pontiac. 6-8 years in, it looks bad. It's lifting on the tight corners. We put it on one of our race cars years ago and the stone chips in the clear cover look as bad as stone chips in the paint would.

I also put clear covers on some headlights on the Land Rover. After 13 years in our high uv, they're opaque yellow and welded to the glass. I'm going to have to throw them away.

So I'm not a fan.

Do you know which product was installed on your cars? 6-8 year life is OK with me. Have you peeled it off yet? Is the paint a different color underneath?

If a few chips occur on the clear bra that's ok, it can be peeled off and re-applied in the future. I just don't want to have to deal with painting the car again. "Doing it right" is proving to be a ton of work.

In reply to mr2peak:

Ok first off, are you going to be DDing this car or is it a nice weekend car?

My dad's '66 Corvair convertible is white and he's had the 3M version on for about 10 years. I always forget it's on it until I walk up to the car. On a white car it's hard to tell it's there, other colors, it's a bit easier to see.

For a car that's going to be a DD or racing, it's going to wear out in a few years, but if it's a car that's going to spend most of it's time in the garage, then it will last a while.

It's a DD, which is the whole reason I want to put the film on there, it will see real miles with more chances for chips and damage.

mr2peak wrote: Do you know which product was installed on your cars? 6-8 year life is OK with me. Have you peeled it off yet? Is the paint a different color underneath? If a few chips occur on the clear bra that's ok, it can be peeled off and re-applied in the future. I just don't want to have to deal with painting the car again. "Doing it right" is proving to be a ton of work.

I don't remember any of the brand names for the bras. The lights have Stonguard on them, that may be rebranded from something else. We don't have any reason to peel the bra off the racer and my mother in law's car is not mine to peel.

Just don't drive as close.

I don't kmow what the latest and greatest is in films, but I had VentireShield on one car a few years back. I was pleased with the results, and would definitely consider it again in any car that I was substantially concerned about protecting the paint integrity. From what I recall, as long as you're looking at one of the better quality films, which specific one you get is ultimately less important than who installs it.

The 3M kit on my Elise looked horrible after five years. Most of the problem areas were scuff marks from cones that no amount of elbow grease or product would take off. Rubber from track days also took its toll. I think I'd rather use many good coats of wax.

I can only judge how the old stuff ages because whatever magical new stuff there is hasn't had time to age yet. We've got extreme UV here which is a worst case scenario. All I know is that every contact I've had with the stuff has now resulted in a car that is now worse than if it had been left alone.

Real cars don't have nice paint for long, accept it and go with Rustoleum / rattle can / Plasti-dip

I ran into this company when I was in Monterey, and later saw them during the SEMA show. Their film looked impressive. They recommend professional installation for best results though--- so DIY at your own risk:

http://www.xpel.com/

It sometimes amazes me that shortly before or after an issue/question is brought to me (I'm the resident "car" guy in the office) that the answer/question shows up here. My boss just bought a new Cayman GTS and asked me about this for his car. All my cars are older so I don't mess with this and didn't have much of an answer for him. Just an side note, he asked me about Ferrari scheduled maintenance before he decided to trade his 2 year old Cayman in on a new Cayman GTS. Thought it was interesting when he bought the first Cayman that he let everyone in the office drive it EXCEPT me.

Tearoffguys we can cut you patterns help with install GRM hookup Check www.xpel.com for pattern availability see what you want then give us a call . James ships out of New york