Anyone Into Protective Front-End Films?

[musher51]

When I bought my 530i years ago and joined a Bimmer site like this for a while, there was a flurry of postings by new owners who were anxious to have a transparent film applied to the front end of their cars to protect the finish from rocks, bug guts, etc. (A much smaller subset installed the so-called "bras", but most rejected that option as bras tend to create a two-tone paint effect over time.)

Are any of you Genesis owners inclined to install a clear protective film around the grille and headlights? I'm thinking about it, and it occurs to me that one would have to get it done sooner rather than later in order for it to be worthwhile (otherwise you just end up covering whatever initial "dings" you've picked up from gravel and the like).

It's probably too soon to expect a commercial outfit to have custom-fit pieces for Genesis, but perhaps not. I checked koreanautoimports, but didn't see anything there.

Whaddya think, gang?

 

[jwaters943]

I considered it, but it's pricey and I was always bugged by the visible cut lines. I had it on my Lexus GS430 and it did a great job protecting the car, but never looked quite as shiney as the rest of the paint. In bright sunlight it was good, but in overcast conditions it was quite noticeable.

FWIW, we also had our Mitsubishi Outlander done because it sees less garage time and is our "winter beater". It cost us $1000 to do the mirrors, front of the fenders, bumper, headlights and the full hood wrap. It was $750 if we just wanted to do the bottom 1/3 of the hood.

You can see pics of my GS430 on the installer's website here (must scroll through the pics all the way to the last 3 pics): http://www.sierrainvisibleshield.com/assets/portfolio/gallery/lexus/index.html

FWIW, at the time I did tons of research and it seemed the general concensus at the time was that Venture Shield was both thinner and more durable than 3M Scotchgard & XPEL. 3M has since upgraded their product since then, so I'm not sure who is better to be honest, but they seem to be the 3 biggest names in the business.

http://www.ventureshield.com/
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Scotchgard-PPF/Home/For_the/Consumer/
http://www.xpel.com/

More info. on "Clear Bras" at Motor Trend:
http://www.motortrend.com/features/car_care/112_0401_clear_bra/index.html

Good luck, and let us know if you decide to get it done and what product you go with! As far as patterns go, they're not yet available for the Genesis which means you would have to find an experienced installer that could do a custom fit ($$$). I would try to hold out because most of these are lazer cut and will look better.....this may have been part of the reason why I was unhappy w/ it on my Lexus. They had to cut the patterns by hand and some of the lines weren't very even. They even had to redo the bumper and a headlight.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

I don't own a Genesis but I've been considering it for one of my cars.. I probably won't go through with it. In the past, I've just gone to a company like Carsmetics that touches up cars and does paintless dent removal...

 

[musher51]

Thanks for the very helpful info/links! I'll have to mull this one over for a while. As HyunGen points out, one could always collect a few dings and just get 'em fixed... cosmetic repair technology has come a long way of late.

And the fact that Genesis-specific templates are probably a ways off is a factor, too. I'd really want to be assured that I'm hiring someone with the skill to do a custom job.

That said, I sent some inquiries to local installers of VentureShield (thanks to your link) just to see what they have to say about working on a new model. I'll keep ya updated as events/decisions unfold.

PS I see I've been promoted from jr member to regular ol' member by virtue of 30 posts. Shoot...it's been a long time since anyone referred to me as 'junior' in any way, and I kinda liked it. It sort of offset the fact that there's an AARP card in my wallet!

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Do keep us posted on VentureShield, Musher! If you want a custom title, send me a PM or write me a message in my profile. I'll hook you up. As a matter of fact, I believe the option to change your user title already exists in your UserCP (control panel)...

 

[RichieRichLancair]

I got mine from eBay. It's the same material that protects a cell phone screen when you get it. A corner came loose on mine about 3 weeks ago and I took it off the bumper. Still on the hood and front fenders. You can see it if you stand about 3 from it. I haven't had anyone say anything to me yet about it.

I think it was $19.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HYUNDAI-Azera-2006-08-Clear-Bra-made-for-your-Hood_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1016Q7c39Q3a1Q7c66Q3a3Q7c65Q3a12QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14Q2el1318QQhashZitem350087055642QQitemZ350087055642

Real easy to install. Bumper was the hardest.

Was a custom kit made for the model.

He also has window tinting kits $20 plus shipping. Installation kit with DVD $10.

 

[BaywayRic]

And the fact that Genesis-specific templates are probably a ways off is a factor, too. I'd really want to be assured that I'm hiring someone with the skill to do a custom job.

If the vendors who do this have computer controlled cutting you might be surprised. When I got my window tint last week, it was computer cut. The tech said he typed in 2009 Genesis and up popped the templates. He claimed the people in the "template" business get their specs loaded in the computer from the earliest pre-production models.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Just an FYI.. I saw a fairly new Mercedes today - silver - with this protective film.. It looked VERY bad... It was very noticeable and dirty looking. It may be better with darker colors but seeing this today made my decision to never use this stuff very easy...

 

[Stormy]

I would not do this. I had a 2001 Acura and had the ClearBra put on the entire front end. It does protect it from dents and rock chip damage, however, over time, the clear material discolors from the sun and turns into a yellowish tint. It also becomes very dingy and not as glossy as the clearcoat, and doesn't look very good. It looked great when I first got the car, but after a couple years I was wishing it wasn't there any more. Also, there is no way to remove it as far as I know, without extensive body work.

I would never defile another car with this material again. They say this is the same treatment they do on airplane propellers to protect them from birds, and I can believe it, because the stuff is strong. But nobody cares if their airplane propeller gets discolored and turns yellow over time.

 

[musher51]

Thanks for the input, Stormy. I ultimately opted to forego this whole thing, largely due to the issues you raised. One can get a lot of little dings and such repaired for a reasonable fee these days...

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[gipp]

Check out www.getclearbra.com . They claim that they use a different film that will not crack yellow fade or peel over the years and guarantee it. Also claim to have the custom cut outs for the Genesis. Standard price is $399, Plus is $899 up to $1299 for the Ultimate package.

 

[Stormy]

All I can say is that I had it and it did get yellow over time. Ask them about the guarantee. I bet it only covers the cost of the ClearBra itself, and not the damage done to your car if you want to remove it.

Check out this quote from http://www.clearbrafilms.com/faq#10

Does a clear bra film resist yellowing?

Yellowing can occur due to UV rays affecting the material or by little dust particles getting stuck in the porous clear bra material. You can lessen the chances of your clear bra film and headlight overlays from yellowing by waxing the material whenever you wax your vehicle.

 

[GS300rich]

I had it done on my GS and I can honestly say I wouldnt do it again. It does protect from bugs and slight rock chips, but I have a large gash in the bra in the lower part of the front bumper from a rock being shot by a lawn mower at work and it is much more unsightly than a small rock chip that the impact would have created. I paid $750 to have it installed on my GS because I had to have it custom fit because of the Wald kit, but I wish I would have just kept that to have it repainted in a few years. Rock chips bother me but can be dealt with and made almost unnoticeable with a little touch up paint and some time spent making it look right.

Yes it will yellow if you do not take care of it, but if you wax it then you wont have a problem.

 

[BigElm]

Well, I guess I'm in the minority because I have it on my Mazdaspeed6 for over two years and it's been nothing but great. It's a 3M clearbra custom made for my car since the pre-cut was short around edges and stuff. The shop wasnt' happy and neither was I. Cost me $695 to get the whole front and side mirrors - and almost half way up the hood. No regrets.... it has done well with rocks, paint chip and held up to a flying milk carton on the highway while doing 75MPH The carton hit the corner of the bumper and nothing.... paint, vinyl, everything intact. If I didn't have the bra, that would've been a costly paint job for sure. 3M gaurantees no peeling, discoloration and body damage for 5 years. If I didn't have the bra, that paint job would've been well over $695. Make sure you find a reputable clearbra like 3M and a good shop to install it.

 

[genesis@genesisworld.com]

Well, I guess I'm in the minority because I have it on my Mazdaspeed6 for over two years and it's been nothing but great. It's a 3M clearbra custom made for my car since the pre-cut was short around edges and stuff. The shop wasnt' happy and neither was I. Cost me $695 to get the whole front and side mirrors - and almost half way up the hood. No regrets.... it has done well with rocks, paint chip and held up to a flying milk carton on the highway while doing 75MPH The carton hit the corner of the bumper and nothing.... paint, vinyl, everything intact. If I didn't have the bra, that would've been a costly paint job for sure. 3M gaurantees no peeling, discoloration and body damage for 5 years. If I didn't have the bra, that paint job would've been well over $695. Make sure you find a reputable clearbra like 3M and a good shop to install it.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to do it on my V6, especially after your post BigElm. My guy that just did the windows has done clearbras in Denver for years (now doing them here in Tyler TX). I just want him to do the bumper and the mirror backs, not onto the hood. I'm not keen on the line it would leave.

My guy pointed out that Hyundai actually uses the same material right in front of the rear wheel wells on the very bottom panel!


You're right about hte 3M guarantee, from what 'tint-man' tells me. Oh- and he quoted me right at $300.

 

[GS300rich]

If you dont like the lines from the clear bra you can do something ultra custom and actually remove the bumper so they can wrap the clear bra clear around to the back side of the bumper. So you wont see any lines and wont have to worry about using a q-tip to remove the residual wax on those lines.

 

[GS300rich]

The two best companies are ventureshield and 3M. An installer in CA that installs both said that ventureshield is more transparent but you have to wax it more often to keep up with it. The 3M has a clear coat in it so you dont have to keep waxing it as ofter, although I would at least once a month to keep the yellowing effect away

 

[BigElm]

You can use this:

Install shop recommended it for the clearbra... works very well

 

[genesis@genesisworld.com]

Thanks guys. I've seen the Ice product but haven't purchased it yet. I'll definately pick it up if I get hte 'cb'.

'Tint-man' feels 100$ that if we confine it to the bumper, he can tuck it so I'll never see an edge. He WILL trim around the front sensors, but will remove the front licenseplate holder before installing (TX requires the front plate unfortunately).

 

[GS300rich]

sounds like a great deal. If no visible edges on bumper that would be better. They can also wrap the full hood, but that would be more $