3M Clear Bra
- Thread starter CVsGX470
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3M Clear bras are very sensitive to how they are applied. Many places rush the application process and end up screwing them up, hence the premature peeling. My friend used to work at a car tint shop that applied the clear bras and said when they are installed correctly they should last a couple years.CVsGX470 said:
Sounds to me like your dealer or whoever your dealer contracts out to is doing a poor job installing the bra. I'd have them take it somewhere else.
Northof49
New member
That sucks man....I've had clear bra strips behind the rear mud flaps on both 4rth gens and never had a problem with pealing.
They were on there for 2 years on my black 4R and they take a helluva lot more beating in that location than the bra will.....they're obviously screwing something up at your shop.
They were on there for 2 years on my black 4R and they take a helluva lot more beating in that location than the bra will.....they're obviously screwing something up at your shop.
CVsGX470
New member
Got it back yesterday from the dealer. Looks better. I told them to re-do the whole thing or to just give me my money back. Also found out that Lexus offers the lifetime warranty with this stuff so whenever it gets dinged or something, I can take it back in to get it swapped out.
CV
CV
CVsGX470
New member
CRDNLPLT said:
I got mine from the dealer. I believe the cost was around $600 installed with a lifetime warranty. Essentially it is clear film that is affixed to the front of the hood, bumper and mirrors that protects your car from chips and etc. When washed, you can't see the film. It is a permanent replacement to those black leather bras of the 80s-90s. I hope to post some pictures soon.
here is an example:
http://www.1-stop-graphics.com/3mclearbra.html
CV
Last edited:
CRDNLPLT said:
CVsGX470 said:
It depends on region, depends on shop. It adds protection to a painted surface. You could apply it to any painted surface. If you have it done through the dealership, it will be a lot more expensive. Just kindof depends what you want to do. Most dealerships will outsource the work. The shop I worked for did work for dealerships.
Most popular packages are hood/fenders/mirrors, if the mirrors are painted. You could get door handles done, a-pillars, front and rear rockers, top of windshield, typically 12 - 18" on the hood (could go 24 but no real need for it imo), bumper (if you get hood/fenders/mirrors/bumper, its known as a full nose wrap). You could get your headlights done too, but I don't remember if they're is a special film for that.
Try and stay away from the brands that have UV filters. 3M doesn't, some other companies don't. But the ones that do are the ones that turn yellow with age.
yeah, if it happens again, chances are its installer.. could be a bad batch of product, chances are slim. it would be if for some reason the adhesive isn't very strong.. but then again, the shop probably went through more than one roll in between the applications.Casper said:
if the installer doesn't stretch the material enough, it could come up. if he/she doesn't activate the adhesive with the proper mixture, it could come up. if he/she doesn't lay it down properly, it could come up. if the sun hits it at a direct angle as it dries, it could come up. oh, and no car washes, hand washes only. i've seen cars come back for that reason. if there is dirt under it, then the installer didn't clean the surface enough. that could be a cause also. make sure it is clean, no specs of dirt.. some bubbles will dry out, some won't. don't touch them though.
give it about two weeks, have them look it over again to make sure its drying properly. try to keep it away from direct sunlight while its drying. don't wash the car for at least 24 hours, and when wash, hand wash. it can see sun, just try and not park it in direct sunlight for the first few days or so, and crucially for the first 24 hours.
RL Lemke
New member
I have 26 months and 68,000+ miles of use on the Xpel 4Runner kit here in the Texas sun. It still is as clear as the day it was new. I wax it with Zaino when I wax the 4Runner, along with all the rest of the hard plastic, like the head and tail lights.
http://www.xpel.com/
I bought the kit direct and a local installer did the install for $75. I had the hood and fender fronts protected. In hindsight I wish I had protected the thin area below the headlights.
http://www.xpel.com/
I bought the kit direct and a local installer did the install for $75. I had the hood and fender fronts protected. In hindsight I wish I had protected the thin area below the headlights.
loner
New member
3m Clear Bra stains?
A bird who had evidently eaten something radioactive dropped a bomb on my 3M clear bra the other day. I have been using this stuff for years, and have never had it stain before - but whatever was in this bird crap left some bright (almost fluorescent) stains all over the front of my 4Runner. It even left a stain in the paint on one spot.
Any ideas on removing a stain from this stuff?
A bird who had evidently eaten something radioactive dropped a bomb on my 3M clear bra the other day. I have been using this stuff for years, and have never had it stain before - but whatever was in this bird crap left some bright (almost fluorescent) stains all over the front of my 4Runner. It even left a stain in the paint on one spot.
Any ideas on removing a stain from this stuff?
4RunnerSE2006
New member
Re: 3m Clear Bra stains?
Damn, was your car parked directly in the sun after the bomb was dropped? This bird must had some serious liquid draino or acid for dinner the day before. Take it back to the dealer or call 3M to get your money back.
loner said:
Damn, was your car parked directly in the sun after the bomb was dropped? This bird must had some serious liquid draino or acid for dinner the day before. Take it back to the dealer or call 3M to get your money back.
CVsGX470
New member
Bump.
The piece of shit is now peeling off my mirror! I don't undertand what the problem is. I called the stealer to day and told them that they have two choices:
1) Fix the film for the third time and refund me 1/2 of my money
or
2) Take it all of and give me my money back. This is becoming a pain in the ass!
:bash: :dammit: :goinposta :gun: :rant: :twak: :upset: :cursin: :soapbox:
CV
The piece of shit is now peeling off my mirror! I don't undertand what the problem is. I called the stealer to day and told them that they have two choices:
1) Fix the film for the third time and refund me 1/2 of my money
or
2) Take it all of and give me my money back. This is becoming a pain in the ass!
:bash: :dammit: :goinposta :gun: :rant: :twak: :upset: :cursin: :soapbox:
CV
