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Wondering whether to buy the clear plastic bra?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by Mitchellsprius, Sep 6, 2009.

  1. snowykim

    snowykim New Member

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    Is this DIY job or should I go to the installer? If you can do it yourself, any tips from previous experience?

    I love this forum, lots of useful information...

    Many thanks!
     
  2. rachaelseven

    rachaelseven New Member

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    I watched my installer do it (they let me in the shop) and it sure wasn't something I'd want to do myself. Looked reasonably straightforward in principle, just wet the car and smooth the stuff on. But it looked to me like it would take enormous amounts of patience and I could see a very real possibility of tearing the stuff if you messed up.
     
  3. LRKingII

    LRKingII New Member

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    I watched mine being installed and i wouldn't touch that job at all.
     
  4. rrolff

    rrolff Prius Surgeon

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  5. ALS

    ALS Active Member

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    Yep that is it, The leading 6-8 inches of the hood, the fender tips and the front flat area of the bumper. Over priced at $350 for what you get is a nice way to put it.
     
  6. Pohaku

    Pohaku Member

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    OK. I got my car done today and it looks great. Took the installer about 4 hours to do it and he clearly knew what he was doing. This firm trains other installers and contracts with auto dealers to supply them with kits and train their installers. I agree with other posters, I wouldn't do this myself, and I'm a reasonably handy guy. I'll post pictures later this evening.
     
  7. RadioZero

    RadioZero Member

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  8. rrolff

    rrolff Prius Surgeon

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    It's all good - but there are $50 solutions on Ebay - has anyone tried these???
     
  9. blippo

    blippo New Member

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    It looks similar to the way you apply window tint.
     
  10. Pohaku

    Pohaku Member

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    Here's some pics from today's 3M film installation. Installing film on fender, hood and mirror. Film is applied to wrap around the leading edges.
     

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  11. Pohaku

    Pohaku Member

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    Installing film on bumper - the hard part.
     

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    1 person likes this.
  12. Pohaku

    Pohaku Member

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    Finishing bumper.
     

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    1 person likes this.
  13. Pohaku

    Pohaku Member

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    Finishing bumper, applying door edge guards and finished fender.
     

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    1 person likes this.
  14. Pohaku

    Pohaku Member

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    Finished mirror and car.

    It is actually difficult to have the film stand out in a picture when the application is finished. From 3 feet away it essentially disappears. This application covered the full bumper, the fender fronts, a bit less than the first half of the hood, the mirrors, and the edges of all 4 doors. Took 4 hours to complete. The bumper is clearly the most difficult piece to do - it consumed more than half of the installation time.
     

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    1 person likes this.
  15. Pohaku

    Pohaku Member

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    FWIW, for those of you considering the DIY route, the installer said that the 3M film is the most difficult film to install because the clear coat on it makes it not as flexible. Might be a consideration if you have a choice of film.
     
    2 people like this.
  16. Wifey2njchpd

    Wifey2njchpd My other car is.... out of gas

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    Great pics!! Nice job!
     
  17. yadax3

    yadax3 Member

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    I've had an Invisibra on my 2007 Prius since it was new and now I have it on my 2010 Prius as well. My advise is 1) don't buy the bra from your dealer no matter how much money they claim they are saving you and, 2) call around for the best deal but be sure you are getting quality materials and workmanship. Prices in my area for the 2010 Prius are generally around $650 to $799. I paid $559 to a guy who does all custom work rather than using precut kits. He also happens to be the same guy my dealer uses but my dealer charges unsuspecting customers $799 for the same job and even told me I would have to pay $999 if I hired the guy on my own.