Digitalwiz
New member
I'm looking for a recommendation on a clear bra installer for my hood and front end. If you know someone or company who does this in the north or east bay I'd appreciate the details.
Thank you
Thank you
SF Bay Area clear bra installers
- Thread starter Digitalwiz
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rick.deckard
New member
Can't recommend one since I live in fly-over land. However I drove about 2500 highway miles during the summer, and I think I collected the most bugs just above the windshield. I'm thinking about adding a strip of film there.
I did it several times with my FJ. It's kind of like putting plastic on your furniture, but I just don't want to deal with resprays or touch-ups for areas that get sandblasted by highway miles.
Magnetic4R
New member
That's why I cover the entire front end, fenders and a-pillars.
If you want to drive to the South Bay, I have someone that does it Milpitas area. Otherwise there's shop in Fremont or Pleasanton area.
If you want to drive to the South Bay, I have someone that does it Milpitas area. Otherwise there's shop in Fremont or Pleasanton area.
mikey's2010SR5
New member
My guy is in Belmont. He has tinted 7 of my cars, did my moms clear bra, and numerous friends have gone to him because he does great work at a good price.
Auto Image in Belmont
Auto Image in Belmont
What is a great price there? Here a hood and bumper is about $700 materials & install and I have seen very few last more than a year before showing serious deterioration. Every year from different manufacturers I hear about new & improved product and can only think, what about the poor guys that paid big $ for last year's product!? Great in theory but would want to see longer durability.
Cheers!
Member
I have always been tempted to try this.
3M spray on clear bra.
Amazon.com: 3M 90000 Paint Defender Spray Film: Automotive
Everything I have read says prep has to be perfect. Not even finger oil is allowed on the surface you are going to apply to. The masking has to be nice and crisp and also advice on the various forums say to use base masking tape, and then put a 2nd layer of masking tape for quick easy peel off.
Also people say you have to buy the spray on handle attachmemt.
Your mileage may vary.
After owning a Subaru for 10 years, a tom of miles (200k+) the areas worse were:
Hood leading edge up to 6inch up and then the roof from windshield to 3inch up.
Of course a truck is shape differently, but I noticed the plastic bumpers and mirrors were perfectly fine. I drove my Subaru through 10 winters in toronto where lots of sand and salt was used. The headlights were completely destroyed... Yellowed, scratched, hazed.... I used those head light restorer kits when the car was 8 years old... It worked for a summer and when wonder hit it got bad again .
I wouldn't waste your money on covering the plastic bumper covers or the side mirrors. Typically the hood (partial) + front bumper cover on a car is over 1000$.
I would hope a small strip on the front hood and roof is less than 200$.
When I get my new 4runner I plan on adding a sheet onto the back 1/2 of the roof where the racks are. I scratched up my Subaru over the years loading and unloading mountain bikes all the time.
If price is right I would do a strip on the hood edge and roof edge.
Just remember when you remove it the paint will have faded differently for areas protected vs unprotected.
3M spray on clear bra.
Amazon.com: 3M 90000 Paint Defender Spray Film: Automotive
Everything I have read says prep has to be perfect. Not even finger oil is allowed on the surface you are going to apply to. The masking has to be nice and crisp and also advice on the various forums say to use base masking tape, and then put a 2nd layer of masking tape for quick easy peel off.
Also people say you have to buy the spray on handle attachmemt.
Your mileage may vary.
After owning a Subaru for 10 years, a tom of miles (200k+) the areas worse were:
Hood leading edge up to 6inch up and then the roof from windshield to 3inch up.
Of course a truck is shape differently, but I noticed the plastic bumpers and mirrors were perfectly fine. I drove my Subaru through 10 winters in toronto where lots of sand and salt was used. The headlights were completely destroyed... Yellowed, scratched, hazed.... I used those head light restorer kits when the car was 8 years old... It worked for a summer and when wonder hit it got bad again .
I wouldn't waste your money on covering the plastic bumper covers or the side mirrors. Typically the hood (partial) + front bumper cover on a car is over 1000$.
I would hope a small strip on the front hood and roof is less than 200$.
When I get my new 4runner I plan on adding a sheet onto the back 1/2 of the roof where the racks are. I scratched up my Subaru over the years loading and unloading mountain bikes all the time.
If price is right I would do a strip on the hood edge and roof edge.
Just remember when you remove it the paint will have faded differently for areas protected vs unprotected.
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