Clear 3M Front End Protection...Good and How Much?

10228 Views 12 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Matt_RN, May 19, 2011

bondguy

Discussion Starter · May 18, 2011

I would like to hear from someone who has installed this on their car...either the CT200 or in the past. How much should it cost installed? And, does it really work? If a stone that would normally chip the paint hits this clear plastic, wouldn't it still chip the paint? And, it it gets scratched up do you then remove it after awhile and redo it?

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LexusGuy

· #2 · May 18, 2011

I have the 3M ClearBra installed on my personal vehicle and have had it in the past on other vehicles. It DOES work !! Even though it is not "thick", it's strong enough to prevent most damage to your paint. If I remember correctly, they say it can prevent paint damage from an object up to a size of a half dollar at 60 mph.
As far as pricing goes, it's like anything else, that will depend on who's doing it and where. Just remember, pick a place that will stand behind the installation and product.

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bondguy

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 18, 2011

Decided to do it based on your recommendation. The dealer is installing it out of state so as far as standing behind it, not too sure that would work unless it's the kind of product that has a warranty service center in different parts of the country. A guy I work with has a Lexus ES350 and said his car looks like crap from all the stone chips---he wishes he had done it.

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Bob259

· #4 · May 18, 2011

bondguy said:
Decided to do it based on your recommendation. The dealer is installing it out of state so as far as standing behind it, not too sure that would work unless it's the kind of product that has a warranty service center in different parts of the country. A guy I work with has a Lexus ES350 and said his car looks like crap from all the stone chips---he wishes he had done it.

If you don't mind, what kind of price did they quote you for the kit and install?

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jimmyc13

· #5 · May 18, 2011

I'm getting a clear bra put on the front of my car (from the dealer). I don't think it's a 3M product, but there are some other reputable brands out there now that it's been on the market for a while. The brand my dealer is installing is called Autobahnd (::AUTOBAHND INTERNATIONAL::) and it's $695. It covers fronts of both mirrors, the front 6" or so of the hood and the entire front fascia/bumper.

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Flyarnk

· #6 · May 18, 2011

Bought 3M full kit (hood, fenders, bumper & side mirrors) from ebay for $220. Paid a local certified 3M installer to install it and paid $150.................not bad for few $$$ saving!

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bondguy

Discussion Starter · #7 · May 19, 2011

Flyarnk said:
Bought 3M full kit (hood, fenders, bumper & side mirrors) from ebay for $220. Paid a local certified 3M installer to install it and paid $150.................not bad for few $$$ saving!

Yes..you can get the original 3M kit from Sewell Lexus (list price of about $430 for only $230) and get someone to install it...like the other person, I too got Autobahnd installed on my car but negotiated a deal for $495 installed...it covers mirrors and is a very complete system. They told me it lists for a litte over $700 but when I was kind of negotiating, they gave me a break and like I said did it for $495

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bmoy88

· #8 · May 19, 2011

I own a Starfire Pearl CT200h with the clear bra and have noticed that there is an obvious color difference from where the bra meets the hood. The bra is a tad "yellower". I wonder if this will get more pronounced as it ages. Also wonder if it is as obvious on the other colored vehicles.

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YuDanJa

· #9 · May 19, 2011

more questions on clearbra

I have no doubt these films protect your paint from being chipped by debris and keeps your car's paint looking great, but are there scratches, nicks and chips left on the bra itself? If so, can those scars on the ClearBra be...repaired? Or, do you have to replace the whole thing again?

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Flyarnk

· #10 · May 19, 2011

bmoy88 said:
I own a Starfire Pearl CT200h with the clear bra and have noticed that there is an obvious color difference from where the bra meets the hood. The bra is a tad "yellower". I wonder if this will get more pronounced as it ages. Also wonder if it is as obvious on the other colored vehicles.

I have 3M on black. Not visible at all....

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bilmat

· #11 · May 19, 2011

My '09 ES350 came from the factory with the clear bra that Lexus calls "Paint Protection Film." I wasn't thrilled about the $429 option, but because the car had the Mark Levinson premium audio package (rare for a 2009 standard ES350) and was otherwise equipped exactly how I wanted, I decided to take the car.

With the money already spent, I am now glad that the car came with the clear bra despite its cost. I once got stuck behind a sand and gravel truck on a lousy stretch of pavement that was causing the truck to scatter some of its load on the tarmac. Because of heavy traffic I could only back off so far, but I could still hear stones striking the car for a period of a quarter-mile or so. When I got home I went over the front end with a fine toothed comb and couldn't find one solitary chip.

On the Starfire Pearl paint the film is virtually invisible, except where it ends about a foot back from the front of the hood. When the car hasn't been washed for a period of time some fine dust that has adhered to the edge of the film is visible. But a run through the car wash eliminates the dust, making the film invisible again.

I was unaware that Lexus exported some vehicles with the clear bra installed at the factory until I bought the ES. I've attached a portion of the sticker to show that some cars do.

If I was to use the CT for anything other than short trips around town I would probably have the film installed on it too.

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bmoy88

· #12 · May 19, 2011

bilmat said:
My '09 ES350 came from the factory with the clear bra that Lexus calls "Paint Protection Film." I wasn't thrilled about the $429 option, but because the car had the Mark Levinson premium audio package (rare for a 2009 standard ES350) and was otherwise equipped exactly how I wanted, I decided to take the car.

With the money already spent, I am now glad that the car came with the clear bra despite its cost. I once got stuck behind a sand and gravel truck on a lousy stretch of pavement that was causing the truck to scatter some of its load on the tarmac. Because of heavy traffic I could only back off so far, but I could still hear stones striking the car for a period of a quarter-mile or so. When I got home I went over the front end with a fine toothed comb and couldn't find one solitary chip.

On the Starfire Pearl paint the film is virtually invisible, except where it ends about a foot back from the front of the hood. When the car hasn't been washed for a period of time some fine dust that has adhered to the edge of the film is visible. But a run through the car wash eliminates the dust, making the film invisible again.

I was unaware that Lexus exported some vehicles with the clear bra installed at the factory until I bought the ES. I've attached a portion of the sticker to show that some cars do.

If I was to use the CT for anything other than short trips around town I would probably have the film installed on it too.

Hopefully you're right about washing the car. With all the rain we've had in the last month, I haven't really washed the car. A quick hose down, a quick wipe - nothing serious. I'd really like to give it a thorough wash and Armor-All my tires!

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Matt_RN

· #13 · May 19, 2011

Oooo. I didn't know it was factory installed. I always thought it was dealer or port installed.

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