"Stretch marks" on Clear Bra

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(gilahiker @ Apr 18 2006, 01:33 PM) [snapback]241561[/snapback]</div>

I have not had mine done yet, but my installer assures me that when he is done it will be perfect. No flaw’s, none.

Also, every thread I read about clear bras says that you can’t see it until you get right up to it. That’s what all the advertisement’s say. I will be driving 500 miles to get mine done so I have had many discussions with my installer about paying for a perfect job and getting it. I think it’s supposed to be perfect but hopefully you will get some more feedback from people who have it.

Check and see if your installer has tap dance shoes on? What about them taking it off and you going somewhere else to have it done? Is that an option, or does the installer say that getting it off will screw things up.

If he’s going to screw you, try to at least get dinner and a movie out of him.

This sounds bad.

I wish ya luck!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer @ Apr 18 2006, 12:46 PM) [snapback]241643[/snapback]</div>

I had the fish mouths whcih may be the same as a wavy edge? (I don't know what the technical industry term is for them.) You are correct to be suspicious, these problems just don't fix themself once they sit for awhile in the sun. It sounds like a sloppy job and I don't think this is going to be an easy fix unless it is redone. Dirt trapped under the film is not acceptible. When applied correctly the film lays flat and even, no stretch marks or other flaws. Stand your ground.

 

I installed the clear bra on my mirrors a little over a month ago. When first installed I had some very small bubbles and what looked to be stretch marks. After about a month of the car sitting in parking lots out in the sun I have to say they are virtually gone. If your car looks like a bad tint job you see on old beat up wanna be poser cars then I would have you installer repair their work. If its very minor see if you can wait 30 days and see what it looks like then. My instructions say that if you have any small water bubbles to just let them dry out. Takes about 30 days. Air bubbles you need to prick and let the air out. But on a good install you should not have air bubbles.

 

My hood and front bumper are perfect. Can't see any bubbles or stretch marks.

My side mirrors are a different story. I can see what are best described as stretch marks and the edges are getting a little rough.

The installer has assured me he'll make it right. I had it installed back in January.

 

The 3M clear bra material can be stretched up to about 20% without degradation. In fact, it must be stretched to map a 2-dimensional piece of plastic over a 3-d shape. But it done properly, with the material stretched over a large area, it should be invisible. The fact that there are bubbles, sand, and other imprefections leads me to believe this is a novice installer.

I did my own 3M bra from a kit I bought on ebay. I studied the installation videos from several sources so I was prepared for the difficulty. Mine isn't perfect, but it does not display stretch marks or visible bubbles. I do have a couple of ridges on the sharply-curved bumper which should have been stretched tighter. I did not have to trim any part of the kit to make it fit. This also leads me to believe your installer stretched it beyond the recommended 20%.

 

Hey, as long as the stretch marks are only on the bra, you're fine.

 

Most people can not tell I have a clear bra installed. You can see the line across the hood but it is very easy to overlook, it's that good. I have no stretch marks or waves Now there are a couple of seams on the bumper, but those are in the pattern and were not hand cut. If my memory serves me right I think I have a couple very small gaps at some of the seams, nothing huge but they are there. Overall I was very pleased with my installation.

I'd stick to your guns and get the job done right.

Good luck !!

Ken

 

Hmmm, I dont want to have any stretchmarks on my front end Ill stick with the classic cotton leatherett bra for now...

 

i've had the 3M bra on for 2 years. mine was the first one the guy did here in san diego. after it was done, and i came to pick up the car....he agreed to re-do the thing. there were all kinds of imperfections, much like what has been described above.
i returned 2 days later, it was perfect except for wavy-ness here and there which he said would go away and it did, totally.
so, what's my point? have him do it over perhaps, and yes, some imperfections do appear to disappear in time. 30 days at the max.

however, yes my paint is protected, no scratches, but the bra is now "pinged" from the road debris for which i bought the bra, and so i still see the effects of the road detritus, which still is bothersome, and the bra is as expensive as painting the hood and bumper, or nearly, i think i paid $600, so, to some extent it's six of one and half a dozen of the other.
my 2 cents only.

 

No 3M, but DigiShield installed on my car. No cuts, bubbles, or waves. 3M should act the same. Sounds like a bad install.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(gilahiker @ Apr 18 2006, 04:19 PM) [snapback]241764[/snapback]</div>

I had some small bubbles that went away after a couple of weeks. My installer said to make sure he is using 3M product. Some knock offs show excessive stretch marks. Good luck.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jbarnhart @ Apr 18 2006, 03:42 PM) [snapback]241676[/snapback]</div>

I am considering buying the bra kit on Ebay. I believe the material is thinner than the 3M material.
My question is, is it thick enough to prevent stones damaging the paintwork?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Orf @ Apr 18 2006, 11:06 PM) [snapback]241971[/snapback]</div>

You can get the thin stuff very cheaply, or you can pony up about $185 and get genuine 3M Paint Protection Film, which is what I did. The hood isn't hard to do, and the mirrors aren't that bad. The bumper is a chore, though, so know what you're in for.

In my case, I wanted to experience the installation for myself. The film is actually considered a "consumable" product -- 3M warrants it for five years. It is expected to take the dings and abuse of the road debris which will dull its finish and require its replacement eventually. So I wanted to know how to do it myself to save some money. Installers in the S.F. Bay Area wanted between $650 and $850 for the full bra installed.

I put my installation comments towards the end of this thread: Clear Bra Poll

 

You can't even see mine unless you look for it. The install job is bad, have them redo it, maybe even get a different installer

 

I am much happier and I spent far less for the installation than the rest of you, about the same for the product. It's probably because it is a small town.

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Oh, so we help you out and all you can do is rub it in that you got a better deal than the rest of us dummies?



Glade it worked out.