Clear bra kits

[mform]

Has anyone tried one of these? What has your experience been? In severe winter areas? Installation? Washing and maintenance? (Interested in general, but particularly with the Trail and how its cut around the non-painted bumper areas.)

Thanks!

Clear Bra Kits Toyota SR5_Limited_Trail paint protection film to protect your vehicles painted surface from rock chips and road debris.

 

[1engineer]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/110881-clear-bra-invisible-mask.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/95983-protective-film-2011-te.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/75662-5th-gen-clearbra-paint-protection-films.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/86612-anybody-have-clear-bra-installed.html

 

[cbielat]

I used the 3M product on my front bumper, grill surround and headlights. I had also installed it myself. Not being a professional installer, I feel I did a fairly decent job. Although, when applying the bumper portion, I recommend having someone to help. The pice is large and you need to heat and stretch it to get the right fit. I tried as best I could using a hair dryer but really needed a heat gun which I didn't have. I spent hours on this section and finally gave up and accepted that I'm not a professional installer and that's the best I could get it. There are some creases on lower the corners. These creases have collected dirt over the year I've had it on and shows yellowing. But only in those spots. Otherwise, everywhere else you can't even tell there is anything on it. I wash and wax the film as if it weren't on there and it really keeps it looking good and hidden. After this winter I will be replacing it with new film.

 

[Barry694]

Clear Bra

I do not have it on my 4 RUNNER. But on my other vehicle I have the entire front wrapped. It is the 3M product. It has been on there for 18 months and looks as good as when installed. Mine also came with a lifetime warranty to the original owner of the vehicle. No nicks, chips, scratches and the bugs wash off real easy.

 

[Shogun]

I went to a local car show and many of the high end sports cars at the show were sporting these. These were on Ferrari, Corvette, Lambo, Benz etc.

I read up on it and it is kind of interesting about the self healing and leveling properties. There are a few videos on there as well. I called to get a quote for my wife's car and it was over $1.5k :nono:

Self Healing Paint Protection Film - XPEL ULTIMATE Paint Protection Film

I read another post on here a while back about a product called Optimum or something. That was a spray on but the paint underneath must be flawless I think.

 

[Yotta]

Clear bras are for girls, not trucks :bolt:

 

[Barry694]

Clear Bra

The cost quoted at $1500 is really over the top. I paid $775 for my LS 460 AWD Lexus. An independent contractor provided the service through Lexus' service department. I did ask for a quote on my 4Runner and was told it would be about $500. I opted out as my previous 4RUNNER had virtually no front end damage from stone, salt, sand, over an eight year period. If you drive on gravel roads though I would definitely get it.

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

I went back and fourth on weather or not to get one. Decided not to, and got 2 decent chips within the first month of ownership. Made me slightly angry. Not really sure why I hesitated though, both other vehicles I owned at the time had significant chipping and pitting all over the front and up the hood.

 

[MAJWood]

For those of you that applied it themselves, did you do it wet or dry?

 

[vt100]

For those of you that applied it themselves, did you do it wet or dry?

Clear film is always applied on soapy wet surface. The film itself and hands should be wet as well all the time during installation.

 

[jayw]

I had mine done with Expel Ultimate June 2014 (60k miles ago) by a local renowned detail shop. Now they have Ultimate Plus. Claims they are self healing... maybe. I had the front clip + full hood and went back for the tailgate about 3 months later. Tailgate was picking up grit and road grime, and closing the tailgate was scratching it badly. They had to polish out the swirls first even though it was new due to buttery Toyota paint and auto washes by dealer. It still looks GREAT, I keep it waxed once in a while with the synthetic stuff. NOTE, I keep it in the garage in the Midwest. If you live in a hot/sunny state and the 4R is in the sun a lot, it won't looks as good for as long I don't think. I go thru auto washes now and do have paint swirling which I can buff out, I only say that because the clear bra can swirl too and CANNOT be buffed. I sorta got over the swirl anxiety. But it has prevented endless chips and debris scratching. I paid a lot for it all but was worth it, 7 1/2 years or pretty good protection. Nautical Blue is notorious for showing defects. I almost traded it in for white I got so frustrated.