Clear Bra

[PJFLA]

Originally Posted by Patsc23

If you're going to wrap a frozen color, why not order a non-frozen paint then wrap it in a matte (frozen) film? That way you could rip it off should u ever want to have a regular shiny paint finish. Best of both worlds imo.

Funny you should say that Patsc23... I think this is the smarter way to go. I could even buy black and wrap in white (or some other completely opposite combo). You really would get the best of both worlds. The Frozen thing might get on my nerves after awhile.

[PatrickC23]

Originally Posted by PJFLA

Funny you should say that Patsc23... I think this is the smarter way to go. I could even buy black and wrap in white (or some other completely opposite combo). You really would get the best of both worlds. The Frozen thing might get on my nerves after awhile.

Yea one guy over in my C63 forum bought a white car - then the next day he had a flat black car. Pretty cool if you ask me.

[PJFLA]

mbworld? Im on there too! I have a Black Series on order but am 99% sure I am going to pass on it and go M6.

[PatrickC23]

Originally Posted by PJFLA

mbworld? Im on there too! I have a Black Series on order but am 99% sure I am going to pass on it and go M6.

Yeah, mbworld. I can't wait to get back in an M.

[mhh]

My car arrives in 3 weeks and the clearbra goes on a few days later. My Ventureshield installer says there are no patterns out yet on the new M5 so he's measuring a car at the dealer and will do a custom install - just everything in front of the windscreen.















.

[PJFLA]

Cool... please post before and after pics (hopefully looks exactly the same!).

[cmhsam]

Anyone doing a clear bra on their M5?

[cpdp]

why would anyone not?

Sorry, I am not an expert, but I haven't heard a bad thing about clearbra?

[jphughan]

I waited 6 months on my M3 before I got VentureShield and wish I had done it sooner. BMW uses such soft paint that after those 6 months it looked like my previous car did after 18! Definitely worth it IMHO. Hood might not be necessary on the M5 since unlike other BMWs, the hood doesn't dip down toward the front of the car because the front bumper panel rises so high, but definitely get the front bumper, mirrors, and headlights done.

[bobblehead]

Yes. Did it on the first day of delivery. Tinting as well at the same time.

Headlights, entire front bumper, rocker panel. No hood.

[cmhsam]

Good info. Was up in the air. Living on the East we have a lot of snow and kicking up salt is just a given

[bobblehead]

worst of all, when I tried to do touch up paint on the bumper on my last car, it was even worse looking as the paint did not match 100% to the factory.

[mwlmd]

Originally Posted by cmhsam

Anyone doing a clear bra on their M5?

Did the ED folks notice many paint chips when dropping off for shipment back home?

[lawpurv99]

Originally Posted by mwlmd

Did the ED folks notice many paint chips when dropping off for shipment back home?

I looked for chips when I dropped off and couldn't find any chips anywhere, but the car was fairly dirty with bugs and stuff stuck all over the front.

I am planning on having it coated right as I take redelivery in the US. Just debating whether I should get the whole car done or just parts. Any thoughts and any price ranges?

[mwlmd]

Originally Posted by lawpurv99

I looked for chips when I dropped off and couldn't find any chips anywhere, but the car was fairly dirty with bugs and stuff stuck all over the front.

I am planning on having it coated right as I take redelivery in the US. Just debating whether I should get the whole car done or just parts. Any thoughts and any price ranges?

Good to hear. I will probably get the front bumper etc done. Since there is a hood seam I will probably not do the hood. I did clear bra on my 08 M3 and It really did protect the front quite well over 32k miles. I think it helps a bit with resale. Cost should be less with no hood wrap.

[journeyguy]

I am also planning to get the Xpel ultimate, but don't know any good place in Columbus. Maybe we both can do at the same time and get a deal. You know any good place ?

Originally Posted by cmhsam

Anyone doing a clear bra on their M5?

[cmhsam]

Originally Posted by journeyguy

I am also planning to get the Xpel ultimate, but don't know any good place in Columbus. Maybe we both can do at the same time and get a deal. You know any good place ?

My CA has a company that they use in Cincy. If you are interested let me know. I believe price is $725 for bumper upto half the hood, lights, door sills, and side mirrors

[stealth.pilot]

I'm doing Xpel Ultimate too. I am doing full hood, full fenders, bumper, headlights, mirrors and rocker panels for $1200.

With a 1/3 hood and partial fenders it was $700. I would rather just do full hood and fenders so there are no seams and it looks like there is no clear bra.

[CarolinaM5]

Originally Posted by stealth.pilot

I'm doing Xpel Ultimate too. I am doing full hood, full fenders, bumper, headlights, mirrors and rocker panels for $1200.

With a 1/3 hood and partial fenders it was $700. I would rather just do full hood and fenders so there are no seams and it looks like there is no clear bra.

I agree with stealth.pilot, I did the entire front hood, front bumper, both front fenders and mirrors for about the same amount quoted. It is definitely worth it in my opinion. The job was so well done that you can't even tell that its on there unless you feel the hood. I had a E90 M3 in the past that I didn't do it on and when I sold it at 24k miles, there were many many rock chips. It will definitely help protect your investment. I also used Xpel ultimate.

[mwlmd]

My local installer uses Xpel ultimate and 3M. He said the Xpel is more expensive but doesn't have a clear coat and over time can become hazy. Has anyone experienced this? My car is white.

[stealth.pilot]

Originally Posted by mwlmd

My local installer uses Xpel ultimate and 3M. He said the Xpel is more expensive but doesn't have a clear coat and over time can become hazy. Has anyone experienced this? My car is white.

Actually the exact opposite is true. 3M doesn't have a clearcoat, and Xpel Ultimate has a self healing clear coat.

There are cheaper Xpel products without clearcoat, but the Xpel Ultimate is not one of them.

Quite frankly any installer who recommends 3M over Xpel Ultimate doesn't know his stuff. I wouldn't go with an installer who doesn't know the product space.

Regarding the yellowing, there are some products which will yellow any film. I emailed Xpel when I did my 550i, and this is what they told me:

Originally Posted by Tim Hartt, Xpel

What you want to watch out for is sealants, waxes or polishes that contain a large amount of either naphtha or kerosene. These are common ingredients, which if high enough in concentration, can cause polyurethane (no matter what brand it is) to discolor over time. One irony in the paint protection film industry is that one of the most commonly prescribed products by unwitting installers to use on paint protection film is Plexus, which is 23% naphtha. We have conducted lab studies with this product and found that it does indeed cause paint protection film to yellow horrendously if used repeatedly over time. Most customers simply don't notice because their car is not white or silver, and they like that it makes the film feel slippery.

[mwlmd]

Originally Posted by stealth.pilot

Actually the exact opposite is true. 3M doesn't have a clearcoat, and Xpel Ultimate has a self healing clear coat.

There are cheaper Xpel products without clearcoat, but the Xpel Ultimate is not one of them.

Quite frankly any installer who recommends 3M over Xpel Ultimate doesn't know his stuff. I wouldn't go with an installer who doesn't know the product space.

Regarding the yellowing, there are some products which will yellow any film. I emailed Xpel when I did my 550i, and this is what they told me:

Good to know. I don't put any crazy chemicals on my car so I am not worried about it. I suppose I will go with the Xpel ultimate. I am leaning towards not having the hood done at all.

Anyone else doing just the front portion of the car and not the hood?