Having Clear Bra Installed - How to Prep?

[Sivart321]

I am having Xpel Ultimate clear protection film installed tomorrow. What do I need to do to prep the car to make sure I get the best protection, adhesion and gloss once applied? The car is only a week old and garaged, so the paint is still nearly perfect. I am not sure if it should only be washed, or if anything else would help? They told me they will clay bar it and quick detail it but that it should ideally come in clean.

Also, what areas do people usually have done?

So far I plan to have the following covered:
-Full Hood
-Front bumper
-Front Fenders
-Headlights
-Rear trunk deck sill (area that might get scratched putting stuff in and out of the car)
-B-pillars (gloss black trim that people touch when closing the doors)
-Mirrors
-Door handle pockets

Options:
-Door edges (I do not want to see a seam though)
-Rocker panels/side skirts
-Door sills
-Vertical portion of trunk lid where people might grab to close the trunk

What are peoples thoughts on the optional areas?

Thanks for the help!

[evanescent03]

Originally Posted by Sivart321

I am having Xpel Ultimate clear protection film installed tomorrow. What do I need to do to prep the car to make sure I get the best protection, adhesion and gloss once applied? The car is only a week old and garaged, so the paint is still nearly perfect. I am not sure if it should only be washed, or if anything else would help? They told me they will clay bar it and quick detail it but that it should ideally come in clean.

Also, what areas do people usually have done?

So far I plan to have the following covered:
-Full Hood
-Front bumper
-Front Fenders
-Headlights
-Rear trunk deck sill (area that might get scratched putting stuff in and out of the car)
-B-pillars (gloss black trim that people touch when closing the doors)
-Mirrors
-Door handle pockets

Options:
-Door edges (I do not want to see a seam though)
-Rocker panels/side skirts
-Door sills
-Vertical portion of trunk lid where people might grab to close the trunk

What are peoples thoughts on the optional areas?

Thanks for the help!

how did it go? did you end up doing your optional areas? how much did it cost?

[Sivart321]

It went OK. I am not too thrilled with the installation, but I had nothing to compare it to before.

I had everything on my original list done. None of the options.

-Full Hood
-Front bumper
-Full Fenders
-Headlights
-Rear trunk deck sill "luggage kit"
-B-pillars (gloss black trim that people touch when closing the doors)
-Mirrors
-Door handle pockets

I paid around $2400 out the door for the xpel ultimate.

Pictures are here - you can see where some of the edges and corners are not great. Not sure if I am being too picky?

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/s1f4ymz1t...K93Bjzcna?dl=0

[dmk08]

Originally Posted by Sivart321

It went OK. I am not too thrilled with the installation, but I had nothing to compare it to before.

I had everything on my original list done. None of the options.

-Full Hood
-Front bumper
-Full Fenders
-Headlights
-Rear trunk deck sill "luggage kit"
-B-pillars (gloss black trim that people touch when closing the doors)
-Mirrors
-Door handle pockets

I paid around $2400 out the door for the xpel ultimate.

Pictures are here - you can see where some of the edges and corners are not great. Not sure if I am being too picky?

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/s1f4ymz1t...K93Bjzcna?dl=0

I'm no clear bra expert but I wouldn't be happy w/ that. ESP not for $2400.

[stevenc]

That is a horrible install. Sorry. I paid $650 for my install and it's got perfect edges.

[Sivart321]

Originally Posted by stevenc

That is a horrible install. Sorry. I paid $650 for my install and it's got perfect edges.

Can you take pics?

[stevenc]

Your clear bra appears to have been hand cut. Most shops these days use computer software and computer plotters to cut the film ahead of time for clean edges.

[Sivart321]

They definitely used a plotter/vinyl cutter to make the patterns, but it looks like some features were not in the patterns (like the PDC sensors next to the cameras, etc). Do you have close up pictures of the corners where it was wrapped on the bumper near the hood?

[MWcoupe]

Originally Posted by stevenc

Your clear bra appears to have been hand cut. Most shops these days use computer software and computer plotters to cut the film ahead of time for clean edges.

Wow I would not be happy about that tow hook cover area!

[stevenc]

There is a template for the side view cameras and PDC, they probably cut the wrong template.



Im not sure where you want additional pictures from. Kind of hard on a white car.

[ddas]

Hybrid clear bra installation right here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121682341@N02/15374743446

This is a 2014 BMW X3. There were no full hood pre-cut pieces available so it was custom wrapped. The fender was covered with a pre-cut full fender piece.

The corner of the hood has a relief cut but even from up close it's near invisible and fender simply does not show film despite not being able to wrap the upper edge and against the rubber seal.

[SakhirM4]

I had the full front of my M4 done. It doesn't have any of the edges like that. All of the hood and fender edges are wrapped. The tow hook cover is fully covered to the edges. The only place you can see an edge is by the gills on the fenders, since there is no edge there. I sure wouldn't want to see all those edges like are in the pictures.

[ddas]

Originally Posted by gmcconn535

I had the full front of my M4 done. It doesn't have any of the edges like that. All of the hood and fender edges are wrapped. The tow hook cover is fully covered to the edges. The only place you can see an edge is by the gills on the fenders, since there is no edge there. I sure wouldn't want to see all those edges like are in the pictures.

The bumper was fully wrapped and you can't see any edges on it as well? Nice. What did that job cost you if you don't mind me asking?