so basically, i would like to get the 3M clear bra, but at the 300+ dollor price tag, its a little pricey for me right now

i saw this on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HONDA-Accord-4Dr-2006-07-Invisible-Paint-Protection-Bra_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ50457QQihZ002QQitem Z120051216701QQrdZ1


anyone know if this actually works, and is worth it?

or is it just a cheap knock off?



anyone purchased from them before?

heres the 3m bra that baldwin auto supplies is selling on ebay

http://i15.ebayimg.com/02/i/06/52/0f/3e_1_b.JPG

89 dollors,

my dealership charges 300+ for bra and installation

I got an 18" 3m clearbra installed for 180. Call around and get some quotes. I think that Lumar makes them too, although they might be more expensive. The tint shop owner gave me a sales speech about how much better than 3m it is (Also he was also charging about 2x as much and I hate being treated like a target) when I went to get my windows done. Tint shop owner was kind of shady and I overpaid a little bit simply because I wanted to get it over with, but they did a good job except for the whole mangling my door release cable thing. Anyway, my point is, lumar might very well be cheaper and I just got a bad quote, I don't know. Anyway, I've heard as high as 320ish for the clearbra, and as low as 180 with 300+ being more uncommon than those in the mid 200's. I live in Colorado where every other car has a clearbra, so I don't know if that impacts prices at all. Call around, or you can try to do it yourself and get an ebay one, which still will probably run you around 100. Install probably wouldn't be that bad since with our hoods you wouldn't have much to contour. Don't go through the dealership. If they do it themselves expect to be paying out the nose, although they'd probably just contract it out to a cheaper installer and pocket the money anyway. Call both tint shops and the stores that specialize in the clearbra stuff if you have them, you'll find a cheaper one eventually.

I have a ClearGuard on my car and it seems to be doing pretty well. Any high speed impacts do go through it (leaving little "blisters" which do annoy me), however I'm 99% sure its already lived up to what I payed for it ($150 installed when I purchased my car).

As for the ebay listing in the first post...personally I'd steer clear of it. They don't list what make they are selling, some of the graphics on their page look like they were ripped off another website (and then enlarged, hence the crap resolution). Most if not all current "clearbras" come with warranties against peeling and yellowing over time, and if you buy online I'd figure it would be harder to take it back if there is a problem down the road.

Just my 2 cents...

how about the Bonnet Protector on the following page:

http://www.collegehillshonda.com/honda_accord_4dr_accessories/06_07_accord_import.htm

Are we talking just the hood or full front end protection? I'm actually checking on an install for one of our cars and full front end protection including hood (24") ,fenders, bumper, mirrors, and headlights are around $650 installed with a 4 year warranty. Others want upwards of $1000 for exotics. The install looks similar to tinting, but all the pieces come precut to fit each part of the car.

paid 180 for 18" hood and fenders. Might get bumpers and mirrors done later, haven't decided.

or is it just a cheap knock off?



Cheap knockoffs...on Ebay?? Unheard of.

how about the Bonnet Protector on the following page:

http://www.collegehillshonda.com/honda_accord_4dr_accessories/06_07_accord_import.htm


lol i dont want a nose guard for my car



i would like the full package to protect my car, but that seems somewhat out of my price range, might just go for the hood


my dealer (rather large honda dealer) does tints in house so, im sure they will do the clear bra's

we tried to talk the salesman into a giving us a clear bra when we bought the car, but he said those just cost way to much to give away :dunno:


----------------------------
has anyone actually installed a clear bra onto thier car? how hard is it? how long did it take?

im thinking i might just be able to buy the precut 3M pieces and do it myself if its not to hard

I was lucky that one of the ebay sellers was local. I called him directly and he wooked me up with some clear protection for my hood, fenders, and mirrors for $180. His stuff was not 3M, but better (he claimed). He and his buddy were former trainers on installing the 3M product. They said their product was stronger and easier to work with. I tried to search for him on ebay, but it looks like he doesn't need that anymore. He and his buddy did these clear bras for several dealerships (inlcuding a Benz+Beamer place). Their motorcycle applications were starting to boom. When my folks bought new cars, I had them put on a full hood, fenders, headlights, fogs, front bumper, mirrors on both. He charged $700 for my dad's 750LI and $600 for my mom's RX330. Because I brought him some more business, he gave me a free strip on the rear bumper (for protection from stuff going in and out of the trunk) and he covered my headlights. Pretty nice guy... :thumbsup:

On a side note, all the material was pre-cut. Some of the 3M stuff is and some is not. The bulk installers will cut the material (with a razor blade) as they apply it. If they are not good, they could cut into the paint. My guy said that one of the other BMW installers was a known paint cutter... :yes:

Also, I'd say my hood piece looks better than the regular 3M applied pieces I've seen. On those, the material is a straight edge going across. Mine has some bends and shape to it. Looks much better.... :cool: I'll get some pics of it in the morning...

Just let'n you guys know the tint , whether it's smoke or even transparent ClearBra, 3M, or anything quality drastically reduces the light output on your low-beam xenons. I have gone through a whole bunch of setups including:

1. OEM
2. OEM w/ clearbra
3. OEM w/ clearbra & 6000k Philips Ultinon D2S
4. JDM w/ clearbra & 6000k Philips Ultinion D2S
5. JDM w/ clearbra

a.CLEARBRA/TINT: In terms of clearbra or tint or not, you will notice the cutoff on your lights will become fuzzy and blurred & not as razor sharp as before because the tint is actually blocking the light, but not dangerously refracting. I personally prefer the added light output without the clearbra, but to each his own.

b.4300k VS 6000k: In terms of 4300k stock HID vs 6000k Philips Ultinon , the 4300k is still much better. However, for looks 6000k philips looks hot & is the best one out of all the aftermarket blue xenons. Philips doesn't filter the light capsule with a blue tint or filter. Rather, Philips adds an additional gas element to the capsule which illuminates a blue tint.

c.JDM Headlights: The only problem with JDM is the cutoff is high on the left side, blinding opposing traffic. You will have to lower the high-part of your JDM low-beam to be the same as the low-part of your OEM headlight. Unfortunately, doing this will also reduce the distance of your lights as the low beam distance forward will be shorter.

d.A-SPEC SUSPENSION: I have also installed A-spec suspension, which actually required me to lower the angle of the lights because the A-spec suspension lowers the back more than the front of the car. You should do this as a courtesy not to blind the cars in front. You can tell if your blinding the car in front of you if your headlights are hitting their rearview mirror & side mirrors.

Conclusion:After going back to stock headlights with stock bulbs and no clearbra, I've realized the light output on our tsx projector lights is seriously amazing & one of the best. I'm done modding my headlights! but those BMW Angel Eyes......


_just my 2 cents


this is quoted from tsxclub.com
i was gonna clear bra/ tint my lights too but now i think i wont do it.
i like how my HID sharp cutoff line haha :D

On a side note, all the material was pre-cut. Some of the 3M stuff is and some is not. The bulk installers will cut the material (with a razor blade) as they apply it. If they are not good, they could cut into the paint. My guy said that one of the other BMW installers was a known paint cutter... :yes:

eeeeee...I think mine was cut with a razor (and I think you just confirmed it). Luckily there was no damage that I could see, and if there had been, I never would have signed for the car (since I had it installed before taking ownership).

Good thing to watch out for though...esp for those clearbra'ing their car AFTER purchase. :paranoid:

so basically, i would like to get the 3M clear bra, but at the 300+ dollor price tag, its a little pricey for me right now

i saw this on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HONDA-Accord-4Dr-2006-07-Invisible-Paint-Protection-Bra_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ50457QQihZ002QQitem Z120051216701QQrdZ1


anyone know if this actually works, and is worth it?

or is it just a cheap knock off?



anyone purchased from them before?

I would stay away from anything that is not brand name.

Venture shield installs tend to be a little cheaper than 3M.

check them out: http://www.ventureshield.com and look for a dealer in your area.

I've read several times in forums that venture shield is better than 3M. I have it on my car. I have nothing bad to say about the film itself, but the installer did a very bad job cutting it.

Ron

i have a complete 2004 kit if anyone wants it. :)

i have a complete 2004 kit if anyone wants it. :)


does the hood of teh 2004 happen to be anything similar to that of a 2006?

would i possibly be able to mod some of the pieces?

thanks for offer :thmsup: :banana:

I would stay away from anything that is not brand name.

Venture shield installs tend to be a little cheaper than 3M.

check them out: http://www.ventureshield.com and look for a dealer in your area.

I've read several times in forums that venture shield is better than 3M. I have it on my car. I have nothing bad to say about the film itself, but the installer did a very bad job cutting it.

Ron

Yep, this is what's on my car... :thmsup: I went to that website and double checked the kit. I also found the guy who did my install. His website isHERE (http://www.bravoautobra.com/main.htm).

does the hood of teh 2004 happen to be anything similar to that of a 2006?

would i possibly be able to mod some of the pieces?

thanks for offer :thmsup: :banana:

hood and fenders should be the same. want to just buy those?

lol thought you were giving em away :naughty:


pm me with a price

www.lamin-x.com, I have it on my Pilot and my past 2 bimmers.

www.lamin-x.com, I have it on my Pilot and my past 2 bimmers.

they dont have a thing on thier site to search for installers or what not, any one know any in the houson area?

they dont have a thing on thier site to search for installers or what not, any one know any in the houson area?

I installed the clear film for the paint, yellow for the fogs, and clear for the headlights with no problems, it's very user friendly, you apply it wet which allows you some time to maneuver it into place, after it's where you want it you take the supplied squeegee to work the water out, finally take a hair dryer to work the contours.

OR you can take it to any competent bodyshop.

I think if you are going to search for an installer after purchasing the film, it may be more cost effective to just have a regular clear bra establishment supply and install it. This way, you can be sure it's done correctly and if it's not, the installation company is on the hook to make it right. Also, they will take care of any warranty issues which might arise in the future. This is important because an installer will charge you to remove and reinstall the bra because they did not supply the film. You just have to weigh the cost/benefit factor.

well the laminex accord package is 29.99, the 3m one is like 200 just for the hood...the whole package is like 600.


..egk2, do you just use regular water or do they supply a special liquid for the job?


thanks for info guys, i might just get the laminex, seems like it will save me a couple hundred dollars that i dont have lol :lmao:

well the laminex accord package is 29.99, the 3m one is like 200 just for the hood...the whole package is like 600.


..egk2, do you just use regular water or do they supply a special liquid for the job?


thanks for info guys, i might just get the laminex, seems like it will save me a couple hundred dollars that i dont have lol :lmao:

Instructions tell you to mix a mild soap such as baby soap and water, they supply a soft plastic squeegee, you supply the heat gun or hair dryer.

I'd recommend Lamin-x to anyone, like I said before I've had it on 2 of my bmw's and currently have it on my wife's Pilot.

I would recommend starting with the headlights to get a feel for it. It isn't difficult, just time consuming. The film takes a few days to dry completely so a slight haze is mormal if it develops and will go away.

This stuff holds up great, no more rock chips and sand blasted front end.

The film takes a few days to dry completely so a slight haze is mormal if it develops and will go away.

is the car still drivable during this period? like when you tint the windows and you can still drive it but u can roll the windows down for 48 hours?


thanks for info :thmsup:

is the car still drivable during this period? like when you tint the windows and you can still drive it but u can roll the windows down for 48 hours?


thanks for info :thmsup:

Yes, I was just giving you a heads up especially on the headlights, the film takes time to cure/dry, you can speed up the drying time by driving with your headlights on. As with any clear film, don't wash the car for a couple days as well.

I am also in the market for front end protection against road hazards. Are these clear bra's easy to take off and replace if they have been damaged too much? How lick is the laminx compared to the 3m brand? Will the paint fade differently over time with the clear bra on?

Lamin-x comes in different thicknesses to choose from, it is very high quality
and if and when the clear film becomes damaged it can be easily peeled off with no paint damage.

I used it on my entire front end of my lowered bmw, the front lip spoiler was about 2 inches off the ground which takes a beating but with the Lamin-x applied there were no rock chips or sandblasting.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v191/egktwo/DSC08790.jpg

when i looked at the site a couple days ago it said 29.99 for accord package, now its like 300 :thumbsdow

when i looked at the site a couple days ago it said 29.99 for accord package, now its like 300 :thumbsdow

You seriously thought it would cost $29.99 to cover an entire front end?

when i looked at the site a couple days ago it said 29.99 for accord package, now its like 300 :thumbsdow

At that price I'd rather go with the 3M

it seriously said 29.99 other day....hey i thought it didnt cost them much to make it and 3m was just upping the price cause of hte name..but i would rather go with 3m now..and at that price..i can have the dealership install as well

rather go with a known brand..than a kinda-of known brand

Brand name whores :)

Seriously though, Lamin-x is big with the BMW/Audi/VW crowd.