3M Invisible Bra

I'd recommend it. I had it on my previous car and my current Prius. In both cases, the material held up well and is virtually invisible. If you look hard you can see where it ends, but from beyond 3 or 4 feet away you'd never know it's there. It really does protect the coated areas from chips, and it can be removed if needed although you can't reuse it once you've removed it.

Be sure to find a good installer to do the work, especially if you intend to get the bumper covered. Because of the extreme curves on the bumper, it's one of the more difficult cars to install.

Count on paying around $400 - $500 if you want the hood, bumper, front fender edges, headlights, and mirrors.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(RBW111 @ Dec 14 2006, 02:30 PM) [snapback]362477[/snapback]</div>

I chose white for the color. Regular bras come only in black. I didn't think that would look good. They look good on grey and black (to me).

My 3M bra looks great. Most of the time, I am not aware that it is there. It requires no mainenance like removal for cleaning under and there is no problem with paint fade at a different rate. But it is expensive. I recommend it if your budget can handle it.

Some people have tried to do their own. They report that it is not easy but some have had success. They say things like the second job would be easier.

 

I got an invisible bra on mine - couldn't find someone local to do a 3M bra, but found someone local who uses a different brand of film. I paid $795, probably because there's so little competition in Central New Jersey and the company I used has deals with a lot of luxury car dealers like Porsche and Mercedes.

Was it worth it? Definitely yes, or I wouldn't have paid so much! I didn't have much of a problem with my 'local' driving, but my first road trip put several scratches on my front bumper. (My car is white, so they really showed!) The installer was able to buff them out.

So the price you'll pay will in part be based on how much local competition there is. If there's competition in your 'neighborhood', that's great. If there isn't, consider travelling to have it done - I read posts from people who had it done in one of the Virginia DC suburbs, and took the opportunity to go sight-seeing in DC that day.

(FYI - my install took about 2.5 hours.)

 

I may go for the invisable bra in the spring.I just put on a reg front end bra for the winter months.The winter around here sprays lots of road depris,ill see how the bra works.I know that ill need to keep sand from getting under the bra.If its too much work then ill see about scraping up some money for the clear bra in the spring.

 

Its totally worth it and if you can get it for $300 its a no-brainer. I paid $600 to have mine installed at a highly praised local shop and this seems to be the going rate. The installer did a fantastic job and you can't see it at all unless you're less than 3 feet away.

 

I also agree that having the invisible bra is worth it. I had mine professionally installed to cover the front of the car, hood, back of the mirrors. The installers have a kit for the types of cars. I had one on my former Camry, which was hit by a large rock that flew out of an 18 wheeler. The invisible bra saved my hood and my paint; so I peeled it off when I traded it in to buy my Prius and the Camry looked like new. Our family has them on all our cars, and have been pleased with them for years.

 

My 3M invisible bra on on the hood, the side mirrors, and the bottom of all the doors.

Highly recommend, you'll be happy 5-10 years later.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mark Derail @ Jul 12 2007, 10:30 AM) [snapback]477514[/snapback]</div>

When I bought my '05 I had them install it before it even left the lot. Two and a half years and 70.000 miles laters, not a single complaint

Worth the extra couple of hundred bucks.

(You should have seen the dealer squel when I refused take delivery of the car until the third party installer installed it :lol: )

 

WOW...$795 for a clear bra. That is a little steep. I paid $400 for mine, hood, head/fog lights, mirror backs, bumper, door edges, and small piece under the gas flap. I have 60K miles on my car (this weekend) and the front end still looks damn good. Highly endorse this product.

 

I just had the 3M invisible Bra installed on my 2008 Prius and am very satisfied. He installed the 3M 8-mil film on my hood, bumper, headlights,
side-view mirrors, and side of front fenders.
You must find a very good installer. My installer was highly recommended and did an excellent job, very precise and particular. He comes to your house and does a custom install, not a precut install. His name is Julius Poa and his cell number is 937.830.2797 (Dayton, OH area). See the attached photos. The images in the photos are reflections from objects in my garage.
yort in the Buckeye State

 

How much did he want for the entire job?


ZC1

 

The cost was $575 without the headlights, another $100 for the headlights. He stated
that the cost of his material is increasing with each purchase due to the cost of oil. Also, if I were to have it done again, I would have the entire hood covered. It took him 7.5 hours to complete the job. Again, very meticulous and well worth the money.

 

i'VE GOT A SALE ON A FEW KITS i HAVE LEFT.

 

Can someone in greater los angeles area recommend a qualified installer?

2012 Prius Five

Thanks

 

Ditto, 3m. Should be under 200. Unless you want it all over the place on the front of your car. You can install yourself if you are really good with your hands. I don't recommend it. I have done it and it can be tricky if you don't do it all of the time.
My suggestion is to ask a quality body shop for the name of the guy that does 3m or different graphics for them.
My 3m has nicks and divots from rocks and bugs so you know it is protecting the front end for sure.