Clear Bra - Paint Protection Information

[Auto Paint Guard]

Hello everyone!

I just installed a 2010 Prius on Saturday and thought I would share some information regarding what I have learned over the past 9 years. I’ll keep it short, sort of. J I also wanted to say the new Prius patterns are available, they fit perfectly and are easy to install.

There are three factors which affect the price of a clear bra. They are Film, Design Pattern and Installer. The $10-40 kits on ebay are not paint protection film. It is a thin vinyl that is permanent and I would not recommend putting that on your car. (You have to use special chemicals to remove the film.)

Film Choices:

The most common films are 3M, Clearshield, Venture, Xpel, Avery and Llumar films. I currently stock all of them and use them on a regular basis. Depending on the environment you live in, I would recommend different films. In Florida, we have a bad love bug problem. I only recommend 3M and Clearshield as they have the best clear coats available. The clear coat allows for easier cleaning and is scratch resistant. The non-topcoat films do not hold up against insect acids like the topcoat films do.


Film Warranties:

3M – 5 Years: Covers Film and Labor
Clearshield – 5 Years: Covers Film and Labor
Venture – Lifetime: Covers Film but NO Labor
Xpel – 7 Years: Covers Film and Labor
Avery – 5 Years: Covers Film and NO Labor
Llumar – Lifetime: Film and NO Labor

Design Patterns:

There are many design pattern companies such as Xpel, Proform, Computer Cut, Llumar, and Invisible Patterns. The top two pattern companies, hands down, are going to be Xpel and Proform. Since they are the best, they are also the most expensive. You always get what you pay for. The main differences are the quality of the kits. Xpel and Proform strive to make sure the edges wrap or they are perfectly 1/16” away from the edge. Most of the kits you find for sale on-line are other pattern designs. The fit is not as good, the coverage can be minimal and the kits are free for the installer to plot and cut.

Installer:

The experience, skill and knowledge of the installer are critical to any successful installation. A properly installed kit does not have stretch marks, “grab” marks, lift lines, bubbles, razor cuts or large gaps around the edges of the pattern. You do not want just anyone installing a paint protection kit. You also do not want the inexperienced installer using a razor blade near your paint. I’ve seen horrible installs when an installer damaged the paint with a razor blade.

Quick Notes:

1.There are full hood and full fenders available for people who do not want to see a line going across the hood.
2.Use spray wax or plexus only on the film. Regular paste waxes will build up a white line around the edges.
3.Wax the car prior to installation. This will allow the film to be easily removed years down the road.
4.When removing the film, slightly lift the film and stretch the film towards you at a slight angle.

Summary:

At the end of the day, all paint protection films do an outstanding job protecting your paint. The main concern for the consumer is to find optimal coverage and hire an experienced installer who does an excellent job without damaging your paint with razor blades. Hopefully this information will help answer some questions about Paint Protection Film and installation. If you have any questions, please let me know.

Thank You.
Ryan Burroughs
Auto Paint Guard

[FireEngineer]

XPEL's web site does not the 2010 Prius as being available yet.

It also looks like the manufacturers recommend cleaning and removing wax before installation, not freshly waxing.

Wayne

[smith6806]

Chat members:
Ryan, at Auto Paint Guard, did a great job installing full hood, bumper and mirror protection on my new 2009 Barcelona Red Prius, back in April. Just this weekend, after driving across the state and back, the front of my car was covered with love bug remains. After hosing the car down, I applied soapy water to the hood, bumper and mirrors and let it set for a few minutes. With no effort at all, I was able to wipe away almost all of the love bug debris with a soapy rag. A gentle wipe with a soapy plastic sponge pad, removed the few remaining bodies, without damaging the film, allowing me to finish washing the rest of the car.
I decided to get the film protection after reading, on our site, how Prius paint was susceptible to chipping. After experiencing the ease of cleaning off love bug debris, I can recommend the product for another purpose.
The film appears invisible, especially with the full hood application.
Although the cost is more than a removable bra, the invisibility and full time protection makes it worthwhile for me.
The film has a 5 year warranty and Ryan has been installing the product for 9 years.
I will keep the members updated, if I experience any problems with the product or the installation.
Thanks, Ryan, for educating the members on the different products and care.

[ETP]

I visit my children and grandchildren in St Pete from time to time. How much for this product?

[Auto Paint Guard]

Hello. FireEngineer, Correct Xpel doesn't have the pattern yet but Computercut does. It really does fit perfect. Xpel will get there pattern up in the next week. Removing the wax was the old way of doing things. We have done lots of testing with and without wax. We have found that putting wax down allows for a better install, (the adhesive will glide better over smooth paint with no marks) and most importantly it is 100 times easier to remove the film down the road. Night and day difference. So we wax every hood and then use alcohol to remove the wax only on the edges about 2 inches in.

Thank you David. I hope you enjoy the bra, if you have any problems please let me know.

In regards to prices it really depends what you want covered with what type of films and design patterns. Welcome to e-mail or call any time.

Thanks
Ryan

[Dobey]

I'll add here my experiences in installing front 3M pre-cut kits for a 2008 and 2009 Prius (bumper, hood and side mirrors):

1. I've tried the $20 kit from ebay about a year ago - poor fit, non-conforming and I had to cut in many areas just to keep the film edges adhered to the surface... it looked ragged and I took it off after a few months but I didn't need any special chemicals, it came off leaving some sticky residue in a few patches which came off easily enough with Goof Off. Do not bother with these cheap films.

2. The pre-cut 3M films I got came with a syringe, two spray bottles, a microfiber towel, a box cutter and a rubber spatula. The film fit the Prius really well, but the trick is to do the installation on a warm day, preferably above 80F. Unrolling the film and laying it out in the sun for a few minutes also helps to stretch and soften the film. Make sure the car surface is also warm by leaving it in the sun for a half hour or so.

3. I used 50-50 mix of isopropyl alcohol and water as lubricant. Make sure to clean the car surface prior to installation.

4. Spray the 50-50 mix on both sides of the film and the surface of the car to be covered. You can start from either end, and make sure to use the rubber spatula as you proceed to stretch and conform the film to the contour of the car surface. Use plenty of lubrication.

5. The instructions that came with the kits say to use a hair dryer to stretch the film on severe curves, but I found it unnecessary if you do it on a warm day. I've read other people say that using a hair dryer can decrease the longevity of the film. YMMV.

6. The films have stayed on for at least 6 months so far, with no warping, peeling or bubbling. Right after installation there were a few spots with air and water bubbles, but the syringe took care of those. To use the syringe, make sure the needle enters on a very shallow angle to the surface of the film (i.e. not perpendicular to the film), and use a finger to squeeze the air/water as you use the plunger to flatten the film. Be careful not to penetrate into the paint.

I can understand those who would want to use a pro to install these films, it's not really an easy job and it requires some patience, but for the adventurous with some manual aptitude, it can be very rewarding.

[crackshot35]

Originally Posted by Auto Paint Guard

Hello everyone!

I just installed a 2010 Prius on Saturday and thought I would share some information regarding what I have learned over the past 9 years. I’ll keep it short, sort of. J I also wanted to say the new Prius patterns are available, they fit perfectly and are easy to install.

There are three factors which affect the price of a clear bra. They are Film, Design Pattern and Installer. The $10-40 kits on ebay are not paint protection film. It is a thin vinyl that is permanent and I would not recommend putting that on your car. (You have to use special chemicals to remove the film.)

Film Choices:

The most common films are 3M, Clearshield, Venture, Xpel, Avery and Llumar films. I currently stock all of them and use them on a regular basis. Depending on the environment you live in, I would recommend different films. In Florida, we have a bad love bug problem. I only recommend 3M and Clearshield as they have the best clear coats available. The clear coat allows for easier cleaning and is scratch resistant. The non-topcoat films do not hold up against insect acids like the topcoat films do.


Film Warranties:

3M – 5 Years: Covers Film and Labor
Clearshield – 5 Years: Covers Film and Labor
Venture – Lifetime: Covers Film but NO Labor
Xpel – 7 Years: Covers Film and Labor
Avery – 5 Years: Covers Film and NO Labor
Llumar – Lifetime: Film and NO Labor

Design Patterns:

There are many design pattern companies such as Xpel, Proform, Computer Cut, Llumar, and Invisible Patterns. The top two pattern companies, hands down, are going to be Xpel and Proform. Since they are the best, they are also the most expensive. You always get what you pay for. The main differences are the quality of the kits. Xpel and Proform strive to make sure the edges wrap or they are perfectly 1/16” away from the edge. Most of the kits you find for sale on-line are other pattern designs. The fit is not as good, the coverage can be minimal and the kits are free for the installer to plot and cut.

Installer:

The experience, skill and knowledge of the installer are critical to any successful installation. A properly installed kit does not have stretch marks, “grab” marks, lift lines, bubbles, razor cuts or large gaps around the edges of the pattern. You do not want just anyone installing a paint protection kit. You also do not want the inexperienced installer using a razor blade near your paint. I’ve seen horrible installs when an installer damaged the paint with a razor blade.

Quick Notes:

1.There are full hood and full fenders available for people who do not want to see a line going across the hood.
2.Use spray wax or plexus only on the film. Regular paste waxes will build up a white line around the edges.
3.Wax the car prior to installation. This will allow the film to be easily removed years down the road.
4.When removing the film, slightly lift the film and stretch the film towards you at a slight angle.

Summary:

At the end of the day, all paint protection films do an outstanding job protecting your paint. The main concern for the consumer is to find optimal coverage and hire an experienced installer who does an excellent job without damaging your paint with razor blades. Hopefully this information will help answer some questions about Paint Protection Film and installation. If you have any questions, please let me know.

Thank You.
Ryan Burroughs
Auto Paint Guard

Ryan:
I live in Bradenton. I have a new 2010 prius and would like to have a clear paint guard installed. I looked for "Auto Paint Guard" for Tampa in the white pages directory, but found no listing. Please email or post contact information.