Shinka in MD

How is the 3M film applied? Is it stretched over the front of the car, or is it a bunch of overlapping strips like the way window tint film is applied to a curved rear window?

vroom007

Nope, YOU don't need to even consider taking your pants off to fart, since it's obvious that you can and do perform that bodily function quite well through your MOUTH!! :p

blacxicano

^^^^^^ Hahahaha ^^^^^^^

jskup1

iTrader: (7)

It's stretched around the contours of the bumper.

hookupshop

Does any know if they made a clear bra kit for the mazdaspeed style front bumper? My front bumper is taking a beating by rock chip and debris.

Thanks

wndotinter

the mazdaspeed bumper kit isn't available from what i know. it can still be done easily by someone who knows what they're doing though.

window film is not applied in strips anymore. any tinter still doing that has no experience at all or is doing a Porsche 944. One piece rear windows have been the norm for atleast 10+ years.

Shinka in MD

thank you for the info... it's been way over 10 years since i had the windows on my rx7 tinted and i wasn't really happy about the results... applied in strips, optical distortion, i didn't remove it right away because the car was so low and so short behind the driver, having someone behind you on a motorcycle at a stop light was really annoying... and that was before HIDs! does the new film have the same optical distortion that it used to?

so the clear bras preformed film specific to a model that they are being applied to? i suppose they must be thicker than the window films with better adhesive? how hard is it to remove the film, if you don't like it or just want to restore the car to factory condition, or if you have body damage and need to repaint?

Astral

I haven't tinted the 8 yet, but my Protege was tinted with current-gen metallized film 2 years ago and I had just slight refraction along the defroster lines. Completely transparent otherwise (i.e. no distortion otherwise). I am not sure what you originally meant by "optical distortion", though.

The newest generation carbon film should have even less refraction (plus never fades).

One piece application, as other said, is a given. If someone claims you need two pieces, run run run!

the film is the same no matter the car. most places use the latest-generation 3M ScotchGard paint protection film, which is about 8mil thick. the kits that are specific to models are simply precut templates.

the film can be completely removed and your paint back to original condition. however, to do that, you need to use some special spray to soften up the glue and a heat gun to aid the job... but it's not all that hard (i would just find out exactly what's needed), and once you remove it, there's no traces left, it's just like you have never put it on.

if you had body damage, you remove it, repait and reapply.

Shinka in MD

Thanks Astral, that info is greatly appreciated... things have really improved since the last time I considered tinted windows and I'm definitely interest in finding out more about a clear bra...

glassetcher

The clear bra (VentureShield in my case) is fantastic. I couldn't be happier with the purchase. See this thread for my experience - https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/no-clearbra-bumper-58675/

However, Astral, I have to take exception to one comment. You said if you have body damage, just remove the clear bra, rapaint, and reaply. My installer said that is a No-No!. A "read the small print" caution seldom pointed out by installers is that repainted surfaces can not be guaranteed. Only the original baked-on factory paint can always withstand the clear-bra installation process. Repainted areas may peal the paint off during the application, which may require numerous apply-pull back-reapply steps. He told me about a job he had with a customer who had had other cars done by him and that had just bought a used 'Vette that the seller told him had never been damaged or repainted. When the installer started to apply the clear-bra, the paint pealed right off! He had to call the customer and tell him his hood had apprently been repainted, and thus .... Boy was that customer pissed! Not at the clear-bra installer, but at the seller!!

I don't know if this unique to VentureShield, but I doubt it. I had my hood redone because of a small blemish, and I'll admit I was VERY nervous as they slowly puuuuuuuled the film off. I can see how paint that is not REALLY bonded to the surface would come right off.

Thus, I would be really wary about any claims that the clear bra could be applied to a repainted surface.

Other than that, I really love it!!

Zoom, Zoom!

Astral

thanks for the info, i didn't know about the repaint!

glassetcher

Yeah, I didn't either. But, I feel my installer was on the up-and-up and tend to believe his story for now. I would like to hear others experiences with re-applying clear-bra to a repainted surface.

Zoom, Zoom!

truemagellen

another member on here bought the 3m kit on ebay for $170 and with the help of another member installed it for free (I think the one member gave the other member some beer and a heat gun for payment)

these prices are outrageous but standard

glassetcher

These members may be extremely talented or experienced, but after seeing what my installer went thru, I would not try this installation myself!

Zoom, Zoom!

truemagellen

not that experienced, maybe talented

well u can ask them yourself I'll email the guy this thread I just saw him today at a local MN rx8club meet