Clear Bra Installation Technique and Eventual Removal

Do yourself a favor and have the clear bra professionally installed. It's not as easy as it looks and should not be attempted without a lot of experience. I've had it installed on six of my cars so I speak from some experience. Professionals know how to get the bubbles out and cut the product without damaging your paint. The product is removed with a heat gun and peeled off. It's definitely worth the investment.

 

When doing a custom application, not from a pattern, you don't cut through the film but score the top layer of the film.

Removal is dependent on how long the film has been on the car and the quality of film used. Some film comes off with almost no adhesive, while others leave lots!

 

I'm in the sign business. I would never cut or score on a high end vehicle. We use a special tape like product which is applied before the application where the cuts need to be. The tape is then pulled off after the application and is what makes the cuts in the material.

 

Yes, sometimes some paint comes off during the removal also as it happened on my car.

 

I used to have a business installing clear bras and based on my experiences I will never have one on my vehicles again.

Rock chips in paint can be fixed, they cannot be repaired in a clear bra. Thus when a clear bra becomes worn it must be replaced and now you run the risk off the paint coming off with it and then you need to paint the entire panel. For the cost of a front end bra installed you could probably get a couple panels painted. I think the material is a good idea for headlights, I have it on all my lights keeps them from getting pitted and the small amount of material is cheap headlight units are not.

It was 14 yrs ago that I was in the business and the material would eventually start to yellow and go brittle. I imagine the quality is better now.

Anyway if you cant tell I dont like them.

 

RossoDiamante,
That is one way to install but with today's technology, installing paint protection is much more worry free. Here at XPEL Technologies, we have a design team with the sole task of creating patterns for each make and model available today. Using certain techniques, they're able to perfectly match each body panel taking into account the contour, shape, and amount of stretch needed to complete the installation. Once the design is complete, any of our world wide dealers can log into our software, chose the year, make, model, and trim level of the vehicle and essentially plot or print out the exact kit for their car. Using our software also enables the installer to leave an excess to wrap the edges, and since the film is cut on a plotter instead of your car, you don't have to worry about slicing your paint.

Depending on how long the product has been on the car, and depending on the quality of the paint whether if was prepped correctly or if it's OEM will determine how easy it is to remove the product. In any scenario, it's best to go to a certified installer to have them remove the film. Using the correct tools, including heat guns and proper techniques the film can be removed without any damage to the paint.

If there's any left over adhesive, just as you mentioned, with a light polish it will come off easily.

Going back to when I mentioned today's technology. Discoloration isn't really an issue with today's more durable films with low surface energy. What I mean by low surface energy is that it acts similar to the way a teflon frying pan works.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGsPQePiwKk&feature=share&list=UUkDcFBIrveYt1mmZjy0f0Tw]Permanent Marker Versus XPEL Paint Protection Film Clear Bra - YouTube[/ame]
Because of the low surface energy of the film, the permanent marker comes right off. Imagine how easy it would be to clean off bird droppings, and other every day debris.

Our film is also self-healing. It's one thing to say it, but another to show it.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6oEgfdwUU0&feature=share&list=PLdt-trDPShIfyU_0k_h-NLq0XlUQBGW3x]XPEL Ultimate Film Self-Healing Clear Bra Scratch Test Demo - YouTube[/ame]
Most films are very easy to scratch, or more accurately, easy to swirl. Simply wiping something off a clear bra with a microfiber when it's warm can cause it. Self-healing films like our ULTIMATE film return to their pristine un-swirled appearance right in front of your eyes. While we all know that paint cannot heal itself.

All of that being said, it's still possible that a clear bra can obtain rock chip damage.

Also note that anytime you repaint your car, touch up or respray, it devalues the vehicle. On a car as pricey as Ferrari's, this devaluation, could be as much as the cost of a clear bra.

 

A friend with triple layer yellow paint on his 458 spider has extensive clear bra including his windshield. Says the windshield is guaranteed against breakage...if broken the windshield will be replaced. guaranteed against rock chips.

Never had a broken windshield but had had a rockchip which was repaired and left a mark the size of a pin hole. This was on the passenger side and was almost impossible to see.

My concern with windshield clear bras is that I use a plastic pad to clean my windshield with windex to get the bugs off easily. Afraid it would scratch/damage the clear bra on the windshield.

Anybody have experience with clear bras on windshields?