Educate me on the 3M clear bra

Auto Trim Design in my area covered my replica cobra with InvisiGuard last year, they switched due to issues with the 3M film

The owner took out a large piece, stretch it with his hands and had me try to penetrate it with a screw driver. Needless to say if a rock hits hard enough to tear this film, you also have a good size dent in the panel.

They sell a kit for the 355:

http://www.autotrimdesign.net/category_29979.html

It can be removed, will not harm the paint.

 

Both my Ferraris have the clear 3M film professionally fitted to them. But my advice to you is get it fitted by an expert and don't buy a kit with the intention to put it on your self. Trust me, if you have never done it before and a good a few dozen times you will only be waisting your money. You WILL get unsightly air bubbles and finger prints on the glue It will look bad and you will just peel it of and throw it away. With an expert fitment it will not been seen on the car because its perfect.
So now there my warning But no doubt in good old Fchat style some one will come on and argue the point saying they have done it by them self's first time out and done a perfect job

 

+1----I had mine done by a Pro and it looks great after 2 years...

 

Here is more info from our website... http://www.premiermobilegroup.com/paint_protection_film.shtml

Paint Protection Film is a semi-permanent application. It is meant to stay on your vehicle, but may be removed if need be. It will not harm your vehicle's paint if your paint is OE. The only time we see paint being pulled up is when it is bad quality, poorly prepped aftermarket paint. Do keep in mind that the look of the clear bra is only as good as the experience of the installer who installs it. Always check the work in person and ask for references to make sure you will be happy with the work.

For what this should look like, take a look at the following links:

http://www.premiermobilegroup.com/paint_protection_film_supercar_gallery.shtml
http://www.premiermobilegroup.com/paint_protection_film_gallery.shtml
http://www.premiermobilegroup.com/gallery_race_car.shtml

Hope this helps. PM me if you have any further questions.

 

I'm plannnig on doing 3M this winter in conjunction with a respray on the front bumper. I am planning on taking the bumper off myself, take it to the bodyshop for the spray then get the 3M put on afterward. I was told that with the bumper off you can wrap the film around the edges for even better protection. What do you guys think? Also, how long, even with a 'bake-in' drying system at the bodyshop, should you wait, (if any), before applying the film?
-Billy

 

Most installers are using pre-cut kits now-a-days because of the difficulty and expertise involved with custom wraps. So even if you do take off your bumper, pre-cut kits will not give you the extra wrap that you prefer. To achieve the wrap around the edges would require a custom installation, and unfortunately, those who are unfamiliar with this process are often damaging cars when doing so. My recommendation would be to find a good pre-cut installer rather than pushing for a custom installation from someone unfamiliar with custom work.

As for the curing period for paint before a film application, we normally recommend 30 days. Having the paint double baked would speed up the curing period as well. Do make sure that you take your vehicle to an experienced, reputable paint shop.

 

Hey, thanks for the advice.
Yup, I have seen some terrible, just abhorrid jobs before so I will search for a good installer here in the Overland Park/K.C. area.
-Billy

 

Had clear bra on the front bumper....damged the lower section of the bumper and when I went to remove the clear bra the clear coat came off. This was a factory OEM painted bumper.

 

I have 3M on my front also. I have not tried to remove this stuff, but I've read here that you need to use a hair dryer or carefully use a heat gun on low and carefully peel it off. Is that how you did it?

 

Unfortunately, Ferrari's paint system of the past were not too flattering. If it pulled up the clear, did it pull up in the area it was damaged? The paint system even up to the 360s were not nicely prepped / primed. With current production cars (within the past 5-6 yrs), this is not an issue. Anything prior to that, especially from Ferrari is a toss up. Fortunately, Ferrari moved into robotics for paint work for their current painting system. If anyone is planning on repainting their front end be sure to note to the body shop that you want a nicely primed paintwork. Whenever bodyshops cut corners, the film can pull up paint in the areas that are not painted well.

 

Did not heat it up.

It pulled the clear coat off even in NON damaged areas.

Maybe a hairdryer works plus being really really slow in removal. I just pulled it off and the clear coat was destroyed...oh well, had to repaint anyway..lol