bkkkk93

i'm getting a new oem front bumper and a cf hood soon so i'm looking to get a clear bra but dont want to spend alot on one i dont do alot of backroad driving so i dont need anything like heavy duty just something to help out a little i was looking at this its like only like $50 so i'm not sure on the quality can anyone help out?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mazda...Q5fAccessories

ZumnRx8

Yes, Clear bras are a very smart choice in protecting your investment and you cant even tell that they are on there. Its helps from rock chips, and bugs come off more easily. Just as member "AZLizard" he has a lot of his car covered in Clear Bra and you cant even tell. As far as the quality, you cant really tell until you get it in person, but from what I remember AZLizard also got his clear bra from Ebay or a NoBrand source.

csl

I bought a set before and still remain in the roll box. But my front light did put on some expensive film. After a year+ , need to be replaced. Polish won't help.

Things are cheap but time is more important.

expo1

Pay the money and get a quality kit. My xpel kit has been on my 8 since 5/2004 and I am still happy with it.

bkkkk93

did you install the xpel kit by yourself?

expo1

Nope, I paid a tint shop to do it. Check their site you might have a dealer near you. But it can be done if you have the time and a garage.

bkkkk93

oh okay so what kit do you have and in the end how much did it cost?

invasion08

iTrader: (7)

Xpel and 3m are good kits. First i would find a clear bra installer. Unless you are going to install it yourself. But i would have someone do it for you. After searching the internet i found a company called Monster Coatings Inc. He has been doing this for 15yrs and cuts his own kits out. I know its no help for you since i am in nj.

mysql101

xpel and 3m are similar in protection. be careful with low cost "clear bras" because they're usually just clear vinyl that won't protect you from anything.

it should usually cost over $100 for your front bumper. I'd be suspicious of anything cheaper.

The 3M stuff has a clear coat on the outside, so you can wax it like it's paint.


I just installed 3m clear bra on my new VW TDI... it was around $400 for complete hood, entire front bumper, fenders, headlights, half of my roof, side view mirrors, and A pillers.

mysql101

I also installed the clear bra under my mud guards, because the plastic can rub on the paint.





Unless you're right on the car, you can't see any of it.

mysql101

btw, here's the site I bought it from:

http://www.cleardefender.com/auto-br...zda/RX-8/2004/

They're local in Tampa, so anyone in the area can also save on shipping by dropping by their office.

expo1

My 8 doesn't have the appearance package. I purchased from X-pel the stuff needed to do Hood, Fenders, mirrors & headlights. That ran about $510 and the shop wanted $230 to in stall it. The key to the xpel kit is that it is pre cut to the RX-8, you pat extra for that. You can get similar results from a shop that works with tints / vinyl wrap.

bkkkk93

okay thanks

jefecito87

iTrader: (3)

i love the idea of the clear bra but i have seen them go bad i saw an S5 a few months ago white with the clear bra and im sure it was not a cheap one but you were already able to see the bra was turning yellow and the line was quite noticeable i was a little disappointed in it i mean it may have been the bra but its a brand new car and only after a year its already turning yellow..... i mean if the car is dark i guess though

expo1

I guess I avoided that by getting a yellow 8

mysql101

i had 3m on my rx8 for years. it looked fine.

with that said, if you start using regular wax (instead of zaino or plexus), you can turn it yellow.

kersh4w

iTrader: (3)

i bought an ebay kit for $50 shipped.

it took me a few hours to install and it worked great.

invasion08

iTrader: (7)

The xpel kit is 8 mil thick which is great for paint protection. There are other kits out there that are only 2 mil thick, easy to put on, but offers little paint protection. That is why there are big differences in the prices. Then there are also 3m which is 8mil and Avery Dennsion which is 6 mil. Clear bra care: wash it like you are washing your car and use a non colored wax becasue after a while it will start to change to the color of the wax you are using. 3m makes a nice wax.

bkkkk93

how thick is it?
and how hard was installation

tiresmokindad

I think it is really cheaper price. If it is only $50 for the bra, I think the bra is not guaranteed that the quality is good. I think you should have it at average of 69 dollars to ensure the quality of the bra. I am pretty sure that it will last longer. :D