Clear bra protector or not

Something to consider. If you have darker paint that you like buffed to a deep lustrous finish, it will never look as good with clear bra. I have Ventureshield on my Bianco Avus 458, but would hesitate to put it on a Nero car. With Rossa Corsa, you are somewhere in-between. Try to find a clear-bra'd Corsa example so you can see the trade-off for yourself.

I'd venture that a bumper respray at time of sale is cheaper and for volume production V8s it doesn't have any impact on value unless you want to flip it with low miles.

 

I hate to disagree but I have clear bra on my nero daytona 458 and it's very hard to detect that area from the un-bra'd roof. If the car's going to be driven infrequently in protected environments or a garage queen, then clear bra is not a must however if you take it on a single Ferrari run, it will get hit with a barrage of small stones that will chip the paint and pit the windshield without a doubt. Not sure I agree about the cost of re-spraying the entire front end and replacing the pitted windshield being cheaper than the clear bra and yes, it will effect the resale value. Who wants a used Ferrari 458 with chips in the paint?

 

For paint protection (clearguard), it is important to note that there are two critical factors determining the outcome:

1. Installer Experience - this is priority #1. A bad installer would make the install turn out very visible.

2. Quality and Clarity of the product. Today, there are many products on the market...even when an install is done properly, if the film's clarity and / or gloss level does not match the paint, then it will be visible in all colors. If you are picky, you will notice

Here are some photos of an install we recently completed on the most critical of colors - Black

Product Used on this MP4: ClearGuardX by Prestige Film Technologies
Site: www.prestige-films.com
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The implication of black being critical is that you can see just about everything:

1. installation flaws
2. orange peel texture in the film

As you can see in the Mp4 in the photos, there really is no orange peel texture or flaws

 

I have dealt with several "quality" installers for front of car (all usual places) and you can plan on between $1900-2400. Best

 

Typically the clearer the product the more difficult to obtain max clarity results. There are some products that have quite a bit of orange peel texture that essentially makes the front end look like it has been poorly repainted

 

As mentioned earlier, quality of installer is extremely important. Case in point below. New owner of a 2012 R8 V10 came to us recently because he was unhappy with the clear bra install on the car installed by the dealer vendor. He trusted that the dealer utilized a quality installer, but the installation was riddled with installation flaws - bubbling, heavy stretch marks, adhesive distortions.....and worst of all PAINT CUTS FROM RAZOR BLADES.
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The other price quotes are about in line with my dealer's accessory price sheet....$1,950 for front bumper, hood, wheel arches, rockers, headlights and mirrors.

 

A must! Continental uses a very thin but strong product. Most can't tell I have the protection. It makes bug removal very easy. You usually have a choice of a minor or major protection install. My mirrors and lower rocker pannels are protected as well as most of the hood.

 

Don't get the half bonnet but cover the entire section. This eliminates any seams.

 

Yup. Get the whole bonnet done. I don't get why people only do half the bonnet nowadays. I had the best in the biz (premiere, the sponsor on this thread) do it for 5 or 6 of my cars and it is completely undetectable. I don't remember what premiere used, but it's clear like glass.

 

While I have clear bra on mine, remember you can always just respray the bumper if any major chips appear. Minor stuff that doesnt penetrate the clear coat can be buffed out. Probably the same cost as a bra but you get to enjoy the pure paint color on the car instead of the dull clear protective coating. No clear bra is going to appear as deep and lustrous and the original paint.

 

Actually I am amazed at how good the new materials have become in this respect. They have a clear coat themselves and it is very hard to tell the difference between film and bare paint. Only the rare tiny bubble gives it away to my eye.

 

My black 458 (my 7th Ferrari) which I drive in the NY metro area has none of this ridiculous protection. Reminds me of my ex mother in law who put plastic slipcovers on her living room furniture to protect it. Looked ugly as does the film on any car. What are you guys protecting it for-the next owner? These cars aren't museum pieces; they're meant to be driven and enjoyed the way they were built. If you get a stone chip, that's the purpose of touch up paint. Save the cost of the "protection" and don't sweat the details. Life is too short.

 

I read all the posts and think this one is the best. Choice of installer is VERY important. 3M product is excellent and I have had no issues on any of my cars. Ask around who is the best installer in your area because the 458 is a difficult car to do correctly.It will be expensive but you are protecting something really expensive so go with the best. This is a must.

Now what to cover? I covered the entire front end, the mirrors, rocker panels and then removed the factory shield protector at the rear wheel aft quarter panel and replaced it with the 3M piece which is wrapped into the wheel well ( all edges should be wrapped as was said before).

Finally, tell your detailer ( even if its your wife )not to use his/ her regular waxes on the covered areas. Your installer will give you some special wax for polishing and cleaning these areas. Good luck!

 

+1 on all points.

 

Maybe, after 7 Ferrari's, you might buy a Bugatti and drive it behind some dump trucks, in order to recollect how you felt that first day you could afford a "special" car. For some here, their Ferrari is the realization of a dream. What a shame it would be for people like us to afford these cars and take them for granted. I am not saving my car for anyone. It gets driven and driven hard. However, I can tell you I feel like a very lucky guy. I remember when I could barely afford a Volkswagen, and my parents covered our furniture with plastic. Without meaning disrespect, the word "ridiculous" is not a word I would choose. Best

 

That's too high. The dealer is likely marking it up way too much. The dealers use outside vendors for the work so just ask around and find out who the best guy is and it should be in the $2000 range for a quality job at your home or his shop.Look the car over carefully when it's finished and if there are issues make sure they are corrected right then. Don't let them tell you the car will need to sit in the sun a few days to get rid of air bubbles. If there are bubbles have them redo the panel if necessary. For a high quality job it's expensive but you will feel much better knowing you have the protection.

In the LA area there is one true artist I know, and his name is Bain. All the dealers know him and his work is flawless. If anyone around here needs his number please PM me and I will connect you up.

 

The front section alone without mirrors or other extras should be more in the $15-1600 range.

 

The extra 1k is probably worth not seeing the obvious seam.

 

Absolutely. Bain did my 458 clear bra...he's amazing.

 

It is true, when it comes to paint protection film installation, there are two general options:

Dealer Installed - this does not mean the dealership service techs would install it. It is typically subbed out to a local installer and the dealer would mark up the work order. Some dealers better than others would choose the vendor based generally on pricing and not on quality (assuming quality is equal, which is an incorrect assessment by pricing)

Direct Installer - you can bypass the dealer option and go direct, but this would require some research on the part of the vehicle owner.