DIY Clearbra :: A VICTORY!

[echase]

So, eschewing the advice of experts I did my own install of Paint Protection Film (aka PPF or Clearbra.)

While it required significant patience, a clean environment and attention to detail I consider it a success. My prius now has full protection bumper, fender, hood, lights, side moldings, door edge guards and a strip to protect from fuel spills. Total cost $207.

Here are some things I learned along the way:

Invisimask.com is great to work with. Their web site offers an instant price match (I found better prices on ebay, some too low to match, so I just pushed the back arrow and put in a higher price until the site was willing to beat it.) I wanted to put some of this material on the moldings, but that wasn't in their catalog so I called, and the guy threw in some "reminants" for free that were more than large enough to cut the strips I needed from.

They give free door edge guards, but only four were included. Call in to ask for a fifth so you can put a strip on the hatch.

Thier "house brand" stuff is better than the 3M. It's actually ventureshield film, and has a smoother texture, and is easier to install (more flexible). The guys on tintdude.com say it hold up better with wear as well.

Work in a clean environment. Dust is your enemy with this stuff, so I had a good excuse to clean the garage, then I misted the floor with a spray bottle to keep any dust from coming up while I was working. I also had soem really bright halogen shop lights on a stand that I set up at a low angle to the car, that made the dust show up so I could wipe it with the (included) microfiber cloth.

RTFM! Instructions are very important here, especially the part about keeping everything very wet (especially your hands). The videos on the site were also helpful. Clean your hands very well (and rinse them very well) before you start.

Start with the easy stuff. I had never done this before, so I started with a strip below the gas door (not included, I cut it from the remnants provided) I think this order is very good: Fenders, Hood (Large, but easy, once it's in the right position) mirrors (stretching is key), headlights (clean them with undiluted rubbing alcohol first), then the bumper. I recommend the two-piece kit for the bumper. The seam is not noticeable, and it's much easier to put on.

Have some help for the bumper, it's a very large piece, and unwieldy. It also helps if you have ramps to bring the front end up.

Be patient! If it's not going down right don't be afraid to peel it back a bit, re-spray, and try again. Same thing if you see dust. Don't forget to keep the back wet, if you squeegee dry film hard it can leave a mark. If there are difficult fingers that won't stay down get all the water out, then come back in an hour, they will probably go down then. If not, you might need to carefully cut a little wedge out with the (provided) blade.

Sleep on it... It won't be perfect when you are done, but a lot of those little details seem to cure themselves overnight. The next day I took the car out in the sun and pulled any little bubbles with the (included) hypodermic needle. This worked great!

Or, take it to a pro. If you require absolute perfection take it to a pro. I was quoted $700, but I know folks have had it done for a little over $500. Mine looks great— it's not perfect, but it's certainly not $300 worse than perfect.

If you inspect closely (and nobody ever will) you can find little dust specks under the paint, and place where it's not lined up perfectly, but overall it's invisible, and the imperfections look a lot better than the little chips my previous prius did with just one month's unprotected driving...

If you have questions and are considering doing this yourself, let me know.

[chrisspaulding]

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Cool. You did it! That mod has earned a lot of frustration. Nice DIY.

Appreciate the info. I'm thinking of doing the same.
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[Rae Vynn]

This thread has a serious need for pictures.

[echase]

But it's an "Invisible bra"

It's going to happen... hopefully tomorrow. I'll have to bust out the macro lens so you can see the imperfections. You really do have to get in close.

At $500 I thought this was dubious, but at $200 it seems like a solid value.

They layers of protection are a bit mind boggling, I have PPF protecting the clear coat, which protects the paint, which protects the moldings, which protects the clear coat on the door, which ...

[chrisspaulding]

Originally Posted by echase

But it's an "Invisible bra"

It's going to happen... hopefully tomorrow. I'll have to bust out the macro lens so you can see the imperfections. You really do have to get in close.

At $500 I thought this was dubious, but at $200 it seems like a solid value.

They layers of protection are a bit mind boggling, I have PPF protecting the clear coat, which protects the paint, which protects the moldings, which protects the clear coat on the door, which ...

Nice. But what about the imperfections (dust particles). Are they taking the place of chips - both small noticeable marks on the care?
I am worried about dust, but otherwise I'm going to do this just like you did!

[echase]

Yes, I would say the level of imperfection shown by my install is approximately equivalent to the damage that was suffered within the first month of driving my previous Prius.

"Detectable" is more appropriate than "noticeable" since they would not be noticed without a close-up inspection. The dust particles are also reversible by removing the bra, where ships are not.

Pictures will help with this, but I must be getting back to work now.

[touringlover]

Wow. Thats cool. I payed a guy 550 to do my front end. The whole thing took him about 2 hours. He used a 3m material and it turned out really nice...I'm super picky.
But what a neat product.

[johnford]

How did you do the stretching? I am about to do mine a second time. It looks OK, but has some wrinkles I couldn't get out. I am going to try a hair dryer this time to help the product mold to the contours. The hood went on perfect though. I used the "very" cheap Ebay kit and have no problems with ordering it again. It looks very good except for the places where I couldn't get the wrinkles out. BTW.. Also did side graphics, hood graphics, and window tint. The pre cut window tint was the easiest of all and really cuts down on the heat inside the car.... jf

[chrisspaulding]

Originally Posted by johnford

How did you do the stretching? I am about to do mine a second time. It looks OK, but has some wrinkles I couldn't get out. I am going to try a hair dryer this time to help the product mold to the contours. The hood went on perfect though. I used the "very" cheap Ebay kit and have no problems with ordering it again. It looks very good except for the places where I couldn't get the wrinkles out. BTW.. Also did side graphics, hood graphics, and window tint. The pre cut window tint was the easiest of all and really cuts down on the heat inside the car.... jf

Hey, I did side graphics too! Check my pics.
Do you have any pics of yours?

[johnford]

Originally Posted by chrisspaulding

Hey, I did side graphics too! Check my pics.
Do you have any pics of yours?

I finally have mine at a point where I can photograph it so I will be posting pics of it here soon. Quite pleased with the outcome of all my work except for the clear bra which is coming off as soon as the new one comes in.....jf