View Full Version : Group Buy: Clear Bra/Pait Protection Kits. Including the Mazdaspeed Front Bumper


Highway8
03-08-2009, 05:03 PM
What is a Clear Bra:

A Clear Bra is a paint protection product that is nearly invisible and will help protect your vehicle from rock chips, small scratches and the daily wear and tear your car goes through. Clear Bra’s are commonly applied to the front bumper, hood, fenders, and mirror backs. For the RX8 the hood only covers up about 10-18” depending on the design, and only the frontal portion of the fenders are covered. There are also designs for the headlights, wheel openings and rocker panel kits are also available.

See what motor trend has to say about Clear Bra’s. I believe the article is a little old, they mention that the film is as reflective as paint. Many films have a clear coat applied which has significantly reduced the dulling effect.
http://www.motortrend.com/womt/112_0401_clear_bra/index.html

What this group buy Includes:

This Group Buy is for any and all Paint Protection products, all makes, all models and just about any kit design pattern and Film. However, my main focus is a Pre-Cut Clear Bra for the Mazdaspeed front bumper, because as far as I know, no body else has the Kit Design Pattern. I have sourced a supplier that has the Mazdaspeed Front Bumper design and provided us with fantastic pricing on all RX8 products and has extended the same pricing to all makes and models. So if you have additional vehicles or friends and family members that have vehicle they want to protect, they can get in on the fantastic deal.

Pricing:

The retail price of the Precut Clear Bra for the Mazdaspeed front bumper is $400 Group buy price is $220 plus paypal or Credit Card fees (2.3%), includes domestic shipping (USPS priority mail) squegy, instructions and an instructional video.

Most kits will ship the same or next business day.

For all other kits, PM me and I will provide you with the price. Please include what film and Kit Design Pattern you want. If you can provide me with the Kit Design Pattern # it can speed things up and reduce confusion. If you don’t have the Pattern # then just provide me with the Year, make, model and if you have aero options you have.

If you have found the kit you want and think you have found the best price, PM me the link and I will forward it to my supplier, he promises me he can beat any ones price on a comparable kit. He has been installing paint protection kits as long as they have been available.

EBAY kits: Some of the really cheep ebay kits ($20 range) do not offer paint protection, that are only a vinyl product and offer no more paint protection then masking tape. There are some mid ranged kits that use quality film but use Cheaper Kit design Patterns. These cheaper pattern are also available if you want to save about $30-50.

If you would like tented headlight or taillight kits PM for pricing.

Clear Bra Information:

If you search the internet you will find many companies selling clear bra’s, but not all clear bra’s are created equally. There are 2 factors that will affect the quality of a Clear Bra. First is the Film and Second is the Kit Design Pattern.

Film:

I know of 6 companies making paint protection film Xpel, 3M, ClearShield, Avery Dennison (stoneshield), Llumar and Venture shield. Which film should you get? I won’t make that choice for you, you have to decide that for yourself. The 2 most popular flms are 3M and Venture Shield

See links for the film manufactures websites.

Xpel www.xpel.com
3M www.solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Scotchgard-PPF/Home/
Clearshield www.clearchshield.com
StoneShield www.iapd.averydennison.com/iapd/iapdsite.nsf/PG/L3B3C8
LLumar www.llumar.com/en/AutoPaintProtection.aspx
Venture Shield Link www.ventureshield.com/

Kit Design Pattern:

This choice is not as commonly talked about but still very important. Just like the film, there are many companies the design clear bra Patterns and not all designs are the same. For example, the Xpel design for the RX8 hood is straight acrossed and is 18” high in the center of the hood, however the proform design is a bikini cut that drops to 14” in the center. I purchased the proform design because I have a Siebon TS Hood and if I used the 18” high kit it would not properly fit. The big players in the Kit Design Pattern are Xpel, Proform, Invisible Patterns, ClearShield, Stonegard, and Ultra-shield. Most quality installers recommend Xpel www.xpel or Proform www.proformdesign.com . The kits you commonly find on ebay are cheaper for a reason. The Kit Design companies spend less time designing and modifying the kits and they don’t tend to fit as well. Many of the kits require relief cuts and they don’t fit as well around the edges. My supplier can provide you with these cheaper kits, in fact he usually uses these cheaper kits for dealer installs because most dealer only want to spend as little as possible.

www.Xpel.com
www.proformdesign.com
www.invisiblepatterns.com
www.clearshield.com
www.stongard.com
www.ultrashieldusa.com

Quotes and Payments:

Quotes:
Please PM me the following:
1- Year, make, model, trim package and any aero package you have.
2- Kit Design Pattern wanted. Brand and item number if possible, description will also work. If it is the Mazdaspeed Kit, just say mazdaspeed front bumper.
3- Film wanted.
4- Shipping city and state or country for international orders.

Once I receive the above information I will respond with a quote.

Payments can be made with Paypal or a Credit Card. Reply to your quote and provide the following:
1- Full Name
2- E-mail Address for paypal account or Credit card information Name on card, card number, expiration date and security code.
3- E-mail Address if different then your paypal account
4- Full shipping address. If different then address on CC or paypal account please disclose that information.

I will keep an on going list of orders placed and orders shipped.

1- Highway8 - Mazdapseed bumper and hood, fender and mirror kit and clear headlights in clear thick film (Proform design and venture shield Film). Shipped
2- Transam kid 01: MS bumper, hood, fender and mirror back kit. Venture shield Film. Pending fittment review of MS bumper kit by Highway8.
3- Greenblurr93: MS bumper- Film??? Pending fittment review of MS bumper kit by Highway8
4- canaryrx8: MS bumper in 3M, hood, fender and mirror back kit (maybe). Pending fittment review of MS bumper kit by Highway8.

Update on fit of the clear bra for the mazdaspeed bumper.


I went to install my clear bra on my mazdaspeed bumper. Most of the kit fits well but there is extra material the requires the kit to be stretched and then cut. In my trial and error process I ruined my kit. I will be getting a second one to install very soon. 2 big things that would have helped my install. 1- watch the video, some how I did not see it in the box. 2- A second set of hands to get started.

Highway8
03-09-2009, 04:03 AM
PM's recevied and replyed. Thanks

Greenblurr93
03-09-2009, 09:51 AM
You know what im about to ask, so just PM me the info, thanks

and congrats on the group buy approval :)

Rx8 Fanatic
03-09-2009, 12:35 PM
Any possibility of this being available at the current GB price for other aftermarket front bumpers like my Autoexe SE-02?

Highway8
03-09-2009, 12:39 PM
Any possibility of this being available at the current GB price for other aftermarket front bumpers like my Autoexe SE-02?

There is no pre-cut bra for your bumper. I can get you the film at a great price and you can cut it yourself. Guys have done it ith there MS bumper before, it just takes a lot more time and effort.

Rx8 Fanatic
03-09-2009, 12:42 PM
There is no pre-cut bra for your bumper. I can get you the film at a great price and you can cut it yourself. Guys have done it ith there MS bumper before, it just takes a lot more time and effort.

Yeah I was thinking that would be the case. Do you know around how much it would cost to get professionally installed? Also, how long do you have to wait after a bumper has been painted to install it? Is it like 30 to 90 days?

Greenblurr93
03-09-2009, 12:45 PM
90 days would be the best, the longer you wait, the more time solvents have to evaporate. if you seal them in too early you can get a condition called 'solvent popping'

Highway8
03-09-2009, 12:46 PM
Yeah I was thinking that would be the case. Do you know around how much it would cost to get professionally installed? Also, how long do you have to wait after a bumper has been painted to install it? Is it like 30 to 90 days?

30 days usually. Depends on humidity and temp. Ask your painter. Guys have spend around $400 for a custom cut clear bra. The film should only be around $100 so you could try it 2-3 times and still be less. If you got the pre-cut kit for your hood and fenders you would get soem practive before having to do the bumper.

Rx8 Fanatic
03-09-2009, 12:48 PM
90 days would be the best, the longer you wait, the more time solvents have to evaporate. if you seal them in too early you can get a condition called 'solvent popping'

Thanks. I had a feeling it was the same as if you were going to wax it. I just wanted to get it right away to protect from rock chips, but I would rather wait for it to be done right once the paint cures. Would clear coating the film be expensive or somewhere around $100?

Greenblurr93
03-09-2009, 12:50 PM
wax can be done about a month after paint, as it still lets the paint breathe... the clear bra would seal everything completely so you want to make sure its as cured as possible... i would even go as far as to wait a month, then bring the bumper back to have it baked again to accelerate the curing process.

Rx8 Fanatic
03-09-2009, 12:51 PM
30 days usually. Depends on humidity and temp. Ask your painter. Guys have spend around $400 for a custom cut clear bra. The film should only be around $100 so you could try it 2-3 times and still be less. If you got the pre-cut kit for your hood and fenders you would get soem practive before having to do the bumper.

Ok thanks for the info. The $400 included installation, right? I will probably get it custom later on when I have the money and the paint is cured since my bumper is a little custom from the basic Autoexe SE-02.

Highway8
03-09-2009, 03:04 PM
Ok thanks for the info. The $400 included installation, right? I will probably get it custom later on when I have the money and the paint is cured since my bumper is a little custom from the basic Autoexe SE-02.

Call around and find a local installer if you are going to have it professionaly done but $400 should cover it. Ask if you have your own film what the cost would be, I might be able to save you some money on the film. The rest of the car you can do yourself with a pre-cut kit.

canaryrx8
03-09-2009, 09:13 PM
Can you send me a price on the Mazdaspeed? My poor bumper is starting to look like swiss cheese with all the annoying little black dots everywhere :(

Highway8
03-10-2009, 11:21 AM
Can you send me a price on the Mazdaspeed? My poor bumper is starting to look like swiss cheese with all the annoying little black dots everywhere :(

PM Sent.

Highway8
03-11-2009, 02:41 AM
All PM's replied.

rddragoness
03-11-2009, 09:59 AM
Eventually I'll want one for the Vertex Lang as well. I'm glad they are available.

canaryrx8
03-11-2009, 05:16 PM
PM Sent.

thanks man, I'm definitely down for the bumper in 3m for the Mazdaspeed, and more than likely the hood/fender/mirror deal you mentioned to me as well.

Highway8
03-12-2009, 06:54 AM
Fitting the pre-cut clear bra to my car today. Review and pictures coming soon.

Transam kid 01
03-12-2009, 07:19 AM
thanks man, I'm definitely down for the bumper in 3m for the Mazdaspeed, and more than likely the hood/fender/mirror deal you mentioned to me as well.

for the few bucks more that it is, I would say it's worth it....clean paint/looks as opposed to that hole-ey dirtyy look those chips leave....do it LOL

Highway8
03-12-2009, 09:54 PM
Added info about the mazdaspeed bumper fit on post #1. 3/12/09

Transam kid 01
03-17-2009, 12:00 PM
Did you get the new kit installed? If so, how did it come out, and pics?


Thanks,

Sean

and1kidd
03-17-2009, 12:06 PM
Pm'd

Highway8
03-17-2009, 12:31 PM
Did you get the new kit installed? If so, how did it come out, and pics?


Thanks,

Sean

I added info above. basicly I made some mistakes. I did not see the DVD in the box so I was on a step learning curve and in my process of learnign I made some mistakes that jeopordized the install. Even if I had watched the video I may not have gotten it right anyways. Turns out that the kit has some extra material between the headlight and the marker light. I called and send pics to my supplier and he explained how to resolve the issue. Basicly stretch it and cut it off. I have another one coming and I will get it installed in about a week and a half. The car is off to the dealer for a motor.

Transam kid 01
03-17-2009, 12:58 PM
I added info above. basicly I made some mistakes. I did not see the DVD in the box so I was on a step learning curve and in my process of learnign I made some mistakes that jeopordized the install. Even if I had watched the video I may not have gotten it right anyways. Turns out that the kit has some extra material between the headlight and the marker light. I called and send pics to my supplier and he explained how to resolve the issue. Basicly stretch it and cut it off. I have another one coming and I will get it installed in about a week and a half. The car is off to the dealer for a motor.

Bummer about the motor, but thanks for the heads up

Asurada
03-24-2009, 03:12 PM
Any pics yet ?? Does this kit cover to the bottom of the bumper ( grey paints area ) ?

Highway8
03-24-2009, 05:06 PM
Any pics yet ?? Does this kit cover to the bottom of the bumper ( grey paints area ) ?


No pics yet, it might cover the grey area.

Transam kid 01
04-09-2009, 11:07 AM
Update?

KRMRX8
06-27-2009, 01:26 PM
Is this the same? They use th best, 3M multi film and their price is good.

http://www.nextlevelride.com/store/clear-bra-kits-autos-trucks-vans-mazda-rx-8-2008/

It is about $120 for the whole bumper and they sell the hood and lamps covers as well. How is your advertised price that is twice the cost considered to be a good deal for a group buy?


[quote=Highway8;2903510]What is a Clear Bra:

A Clear Bra is a paint protection product that is nearly invisible and will help protect your vehicle from rock chips, small scratches and the daily wear and tear your car goes through. Clear Bra’s are commonly applied to the front bumper, hood, fenders, and mirror backs. For the RX8 the hood only covers up about 10-18” depending on the design, and only the frontal portion of the fenders are covered. There are also designs for the headlights, wheel openings and rocker panel kits are also available.

See what motor trend has to say about Clear Bra’s. I believe the article is a little old, they mention that the film is as reflective as paint. Many films have a clear coat applied which has significantly reduced the dulling effect.
http://www.motortrend.com/womt/112_0401_clear_bra/index.html

What this group buy Includes:

This Group Buy is for any and all Paint Protection products, all makes, all models and just about any kit design pattern and Film. However, my main focus is a Pre-Cut Clear Bra for the Mazdaspeed front bumper, because as far as I know, no body else has the Kit Design Pattern. I have sourced a supplier that has the Mazdaspeed Front Bumper design and provided us with fantastic pricing on all RX8 products and has extended the same pricing to all makes and models. So if you have additional vehicles or friends and family members that have vehicle they want to protect, they can get in on the fantastic deal.

Pricing:

The retail price of the Precut Clear Bra for the Mazdaspeed front bumper is $400 Group buy price is $220 plus paypal or Credit Card fees (2.3%), includes domestic shipping (USPS priority mail) squegy, instructions and an instructional video.

Most kits will ship the same or next business day.

For all other kits, PM me and I will provide you with the price. Please include what film and Kit Design Pattern you want. If you can provide me with the Kit Design Pattern # it can speed things up and reduce confusion. If you don’t have the Pattern # then just provide me with the Year, make, model and if you have aero options you have.

If you have found the kit you want and think you have found the best price, PM me the link and I will forward it to my supplier, he promises me he can beat any ones price on a comparable kit. He has been installing paint protection kits as long as they have been available.

Transam kid 01
06-27-2009, 02:50 PM
What you're looking at isn't for a Mazdaspeed bumper.

...besides, I don't know where highway8 went; I tried bumping this for updates and PMing him...nothing.

Highway8
06-28-2009, 11:03 AM
I just got busy with other things. PM me to get the contact info for the company who can supply the clear bra. Keep in mind that the clear bra for the mazdaspeed bumper is not a perfect fit. Needs a little triming.