Clear Bra / Protective Cover for Viper

[Danny Boy]

Hey Guys,
I'm looking for some info on the transparent protective cover / Bra for the nose of a Viper.
Any feedback would be appreciated: pros / cons, and where to get these things would be great?
Im planning to drive from FL to Canada this spring and road rash is obviously a serious concern.
My goal is more of a short term solution, for this long haul.
Thanks,
Dan

 

[Danny Boy]

Found this product:
3M ScotchGard Clear Bra and Paint Protection for your car

Has anyone here used these?

 

[Mike 123]

I would go with Xpel or Venture Shield film. Either one of these films will hold up very well during you road trip. As it has been stated in a few of the other post about clear bra's be sure to not let who ever installs the film, cut the film on your car with a razor. Make sure they are using a quality kit cut with a good pattern (Xpel probably has the best patterns IMO). You can go to Xpel's website and put in your zip code and it will show you the installers in your area using their kits. I would have the front bumper done as well as the rocker panels.

Enjoy the trip and be sure to post some pictures.

 

[texas_venom]

Danny, where are you located? I may be able to help you find an installer in your area. I am in the industry and know of a lot of good installers throught the country. I will be more than happy to help you out.

 

[bushido]

As it has been stated in a few of the other post about clear bra's be sure to not let who ever installs the film, cut the film on your car with a razor. .

Again, I disagree.You will get better coverage with a custom cut clear bra job. Kits can only cover so much. None of them will cover 100%..

 

[Mike 123]

bushido I agree with you that custom cut installations will cover 100% of the area and will look very good. The problem comes with how they make that installation look so good. They take a large piece of film and stretch it over the bumper of your car and then take out a razor and start cutting away on your bumper around all the edges and openings. The amount of pressure to cut just the film (the film is typically 8 mils thick that is .004" thick)and not your car is very slight. I have personally seen cars that had bulk installations as well as kits that were install and then trimmed to look good and when you lift the film the cuts are there. The reason you are putting the film on the car is to protect the paint from damage and in my opinion it is not worth the risk to have someone cut on the car with a razor.

 

[texas_venom]

Bushido I do custom installs when there is no kit available... but I can tell you Xpel and Proform kits will cover the EXACT same area as a custom install... from the windshield forward. If you are talking about wrapping a full door, full rear quarter panel, rear bumper then yes for most cars you will have to do a custom install since the patterns arent there. But dont think for one second that the only way to get 100% coverage is to go the custom install route. The two above pattern makers design their patterns to have wrapped edges and to cover the panel entirely. And 90% of the custom installer out there WILL cut your paint. Reason being is most "custom" installers are only doing that since all they need to buy are bulk rolls... thus eliminating the need for a computer, the cutting software, and a plotter. There are a few exceptions around the country such as Premier... but they are few and far between. So telling people to go with a custom install is like playing Russian Roulette... with only one empty chamber.

 

[Danny Boy]

Danny, where are you located? I may be able to help you find an installer in your area. I am in the industry and know of a lot of good installers throught the country. I will be more than happy to help you out.

Clearwater, FL.
If you know anyone in the area installing these kits, please let me know.

Personally I like the idea of using a Kit to help Eliminate as much cutting & trimming as possible. Im assuming that during installation even with a fitted kit, air bubbles sometimes need to be purged out with a slight puncture in the material.

 

[bushido]

bushido I agree with you that custom cut installations will cover 100% of the area and will look very good. The problem comes with how they make that installation look so good. They take a large piece of film and stretch it over the bumper of your car and then take out a razor and start cutting away on your bumper around all the edges and openings. The amount of pressure to cut just the film (the film is typically 8 mils thick that is .004" thick)and not your car is very slight. I have personally seen cars that had bulk installations as well as kits that were install and then trimmed to look good and when you lift the film the cuts are there. The reason you are putting the film on the car is to protect the paint from damage and in my opinion it is not worth the risk to have someone cut on the car with a razor.

A good reputable installer will only score the film. With that said. You don't want to have ANY exposed areas on a clear bra. Exposed corners/areas will lift in time. Especially from car washes..

A good installer will also remove your sidemarkers, headlights, etc, when doing a custom cut job.

Premier Clear Bra Install -- Review - M3 Forum 2010 2009 BMW M3 2008 BMW M3 BMW E90 M3 E92

Premier Signature Full Body Clear Bra Wrap - '10 GT3 - Rennlist Discussion Forums

 

[texas_venom]

A good reputable installer will only score the film. With that said. You don't want to have ANY exposed areas on a clear bra. Exposed corners/areas will lift in time. Especially from car washes..

A good installer will also remove your sidemarkers, headlights, etc, when doing a custom cut job.

Premier Clear Bra Install -- Review - M3 Forum 2010 2009 BMW M3 2008 BMW M3 BMW E90 M3 E92

Premier Signature Full Body Clear Bra Wrap - '10 GT3 - Rennlist Discussion Forums

Again you are missing the point. Premier is the exception in the industry... and you will not find them in Florida. Your blanket statement of getting a custom job is simply wrong and bad information seeing how 90% of the installers out there DO NOT KNOW HOW TO PROPERLY DO A CUSTOM INSTALL. I dont know how much more clearly I need to make that statement. yes you have had a great experience with Premier, but they are the best in the industry, not the norm. Kits will cover the same area if the kit is well designed. Edges will not lift if they are heat sealed properly... I have customers I have installed film on their vehicle over 5 years ago... and yep no lifting yet.

 

[Sellshomesdrivesviper]

I have used 3M on four cars so far, no issues, no yellowing, and each had its own kit.

 

[white out]

I'm actually removing mine this spring as it is starting to discolor.

But the front of the car was done, halfway up the hood, behind the front & rear wheel wells too.
It definitely saved the paint.

you can see it ends just before the fender vents

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just behind the rear wheel well

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just behind the front wheel well, easy to see as it's stained brown

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but it doesn't come out as far as the rear

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Nick

 

[HyperViper]

Whiteout....How long has the clear been on your car and what brand? Will you be puting more on?
thanks

 

[white out]

It was on the car when I bought it, so I do not know the age or the brand.

I might leave it on the hood/front bumper. But it's coming off of the wheel wells and fog covers (peeling). I am keeping it on the headlights.

Nick

 

[ViperGeorge]

A couple of points. Venture Shield is guaranteed for life against discoloration. Just had it replaced on my white Saleen because it yellowed. This is apparently more common on certain color cars particularly white. Covered under warranty.

For temporary protection, Walmart sells (or did) transparent shelf film (I'd call it paper but it is more like a clear plastic film). It goes on easily and removes easily. Some folks in the club have used it to protect their cars while on track.

 

[Sneaky Pete]

Just a note, I manufacture this product for one or more of the highly regarded companies mentioned.

All urethane's will yellow with enough exposure to heat and UV light, regardless of brand. These products are marketed as non-yellowing. They have protective additives in them, plus a top-coating over them to protect them, as well as guarantees that they wont yellow, but the truth of the matter is that ALL of them will yellow and discolor a little over time, especially under heavy UV and heat exposure. Obviously certain color finishes will show this more easily than others. But regardless, with enough time and UV exposure, they will yellow.

The other thing that should be avoiding if you want to preserve your urethane film is harsh chemicals. Stay away from these touch-less car washes (also called laser car washes), the chemicals/detergents they use are VERY concentrated and harsh. These touch-less car washes will damage your clear bra. On the same note, dont use harsh chemicals to clean your clear bra.

One other thing I would suggest is to keep them waxed and make sure the edges get a coating of wax as well, this will extend the life of your clear bra and help keep it from peeling.

 

[HyperViper]

gbatejan...How long had the venture shield been on your car before you noticed the yellowing? Was it easy to remove? and after it was peeled off could you see a difference in color on your paint?

Seems to me with Sneaky Petes comments that black, or certainly darker colors, the yellowing would be worse do to heat

 

[Sneaky Pete]

Seems to me with Sneaky Petes comments that black, or certainly darker colors, the yellowing would be worse do to heat

It takes a lot of heat and UV exposure, plus time to yellow the film. For a car like your typical Viper (that sits in the garage for a good portion of it's life), a clear bra should last a very long time. A car that sits in the Flordia sun 24/7 will obviously fade the clear bra a little faster than a garage queen in ME, but the paint will also be shot a lot quicker as well.

Black might accelerate the yellowing process a little, but it also wont be noticed as easily. I would not worry about having a black car, you'll still get a lot of life and protection out of the urethane film.

 

[ViperGeorge]

gbatejan...How long had the venture shield been on your car before you noticed the yellowing? Was it easy to remove? and after it was peeled off could you see a difference in color on your paint?

Seems to me with Sneaky Petes comments that black, or certainly darker colors, the yellowing would be worse do to heat

The Venture Shield was on my car for about 3 years. Started to notice the yellowing after about 2 1/2 years. Took the car back to my installer he removed a sample from behind one of the wheels and sent it to Venture Shield and they authorized complete replacement. The covering came off rather easily, only a few spots had adhesive left behind. This was removed with some 3M adhesive remover. The paint underneath looked fine, no discoloration at all to the paint. After replacement the clear bra is once again invisible and still guaranteed.

 

[97snk]

I m going in today to get my car dropped off at a local installer for clear bra installation. I'll take some pics and ask him about what product he's using.

 

[texas_venom]

The Venture Shield was on my car for about 3 years. Started to notice the yellowing after about 2 1/2 years. Took the car back to my installer he removed a sample from behind one of the wheels and sent it to Venture Shield and they authorized complete replacement. The covering came off rather easily, only a few spots had adhesive left behind. This was removed with some 3M adhesive remover. The paint underneath looked fine, no discoloration at all to the paint. After replacement the clear bra is once again invisible and still guaranteed.

One thing I noticed in your psoting that caught my eye is that you said "use a wax on the edges". I am a VentureShield Installer and I have never heard that before... and in fact I discourage anyone from using wax on their clear bras. Wax will yellow over time nd cause the film to look yellow. If you dont beleive me wash an area of your car with Dawn and see what color the water coems off in. Wax is nto a good solution for clear bras, period. The best product I have found over the years is made by LP Aero Plastics. It is an acrylic polish/sealant used for aircraft windscreens. It is outstanding for clear bras and I give them out with every install now. It seals the film up preventing any contamination in the film such as bug juices and bird droppings from staining it. I highly recopmmend you start using it. My mom just had her VentureShield clear bra replaced (she had some customization work done to her car) after sitting out in the elements for 5 years. Guesss what??? No yellowing or discoloration. She used this product and Zaino on it. So something must be working right.

Here is the link to the sealant. Try it. I know you will be impressed. 1 bottle will last you for years.

Chief Aircraft Inc - Chemical - Acrylic Cleaners & Polishes

 

[HyperViper]

Got my appointment for 4/01/2010 to have Venture Shield installed

Yes, I know it's April Fools Day I told the installer he better show up Haha

 

[ViperGeorge]

One thing I noticed in your psoting that caught my eye is that you said "use a wax on the edges". I am a VentureShield Installer and I have never heard that before... and in fact I discourage anyone from using wax on their clear bras. Wax will yellow over time nd cause the film to look yellow. If you dont beleive me wash an area of your car with Dawn and see what color the water coems off in. Wax is nto a good solution for clear bras, period. The best product I have found over the years is made by LP Aero Plastics. It is an acrylic polish/sealant used for aircraft windscreens. It is outstanding for clear bras and I give them out with every install now. It seals the film up preventing any contamination in the film such as bug juices and bird droppings from staining it. I highly recopmmend you start using it. My mom just had her VentureShield clear bra replaced (she had some customization work done to her car) after sitting out in the elements for 5 years. Guesss what??? No yellowing or discoloration. She used this product and Zaino on it. So something must be working right.

Here is the link to the sealant. Try it. I know you will be impressed. 1 bottle will last you for years.

Chief Aircraft Inc - Chemical - Acrylic Cleaners & Polishes

You quoted the wrong post. I never said I waxed the clear bra or put was on the edge.

 

[white out]

I had mine clay barred and it really cleaned up. But some areas are beyond repair.

Nick

 

[BlknBlu]

Has anyone aver hear of CLEARSHIELD brand.

Bruce

 

[ViperGeorge]

Has anyone aver hear of CLEARSHIELD brand.

Bruce

My installer says there are a lot of cheaper brands out there. Some don't have the same type of clear coating to protect against yellowing, some have crappy adhesive that makes installation difficult or removal difficult. He will only use Venture Shield or 3M and he will only use 3M if someone insists. If someone wants something else he won't put it on because of all the problems later with warranty work. He says some of the cheaper ones will pull the paint off the car when you try to remove it. Some take much longer to install properly. Venture Shield is owned by 3M by the way.

 

[texas_venom]

Has anyone aver hear of CLEARSHIELD brand.

Bruce

Yes. Its made by Bekeart. Terrible film and not recommended. VentureShield Ultra or 3M is the way to go. I install VentureShield and have had great results with it. 3M would be your next best bet. There is a new filnm out by Avery Dennison that is supposed to be the next generation of film but I have yet to test the durability of it yet. PM me if you have any questions... I will be happy to help out.

 

[BlknBlu]

Thanks for the input. My plan was venture shield to begin with but had not heard of this brand and was curious.

Bruce