My experience with clear bras on my RS4
08-23-2008, 12:27 PM
#1
AudiWorld Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My experience with clear bras on my RS4
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/147787/copy_of_sany0434.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/147787/copy_of_sany0439.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/147787/copy_of_sany0441.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/147787/copy_of_sany0442.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/147787/copy_of_sany0443.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/147787/copy_of_sany0445.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/147787/copy_of_sany0446.jpg">
I had 3M on my car and it is too visible and not clear enough for my taste. Plus there are many stretch marks, which make the bra very very noticeable.
The installor who did the 3M on my car was considered is one the best in Toronto area. They are the authorized installor for Ferrari's.
However, I think the installation is less than satisfactory, though they will still be better than the ones done by dealerships.
So, after talking to Kevin from GTA in detail and seeing his ventureShield, I decieded to redo mine by Marco from AdvancedMobileGroup.
I had Kevin reprep the car and Marco came next day to install the clear bra.
The area I did include full hood, full fenders, headlights, fogs, side mirror, rockers, bumper behind rear wheels and trunk area.
I am very happy with the results. The clarity is close to factory paint. It's much thicker than 3M. It's much clearer than 3M. The installations have ver very minor stretch marks which can only be seen very very close up.
This is what I have learnt in the process and would like to share it with you. There are 2 installation techniques and 2 type of wrapping.
The first technique is custom cut, which means the installor will lay a large piece of film on the area that to be clear bra. Then use a knife to cut the shape according to the area. Most people would freak when they see it because the installor is using a knife cutting stuff at about 1/2 inch from your paint. However, a good installor will never touch the actual paint. The advantage of this is you can create any shape you want and it will cover more area (in most cases) than the 2nd technique - precut kit. The disadvantage is (other than using a knife on your fresh new pain) the installors, while attempting to cover every single area, will easily overstretch the film and creates stretch marks. This is what happened to my 1st installation on 3M. Also, depending on the materials used, 3M is more stretchable than ventureShield. That's because it's thinner, which also makes it easier to manuvour around edges.
2nd technique is called pre-cut kit. The kit comes in pre-cut by a company which doesn't necessary manufacture the actual film. Some companies allow you to adjust the kit a little and some don't. Some kits fit like shxt and some fit 100%. The advantage of this technique is that if the you find pre-cut kit company that does really precise cutting, it will fit better than custom cut, while not having to worry about the knife issues. The disdavntage is you will usually get less coverage than a custom cut because pre-cut kit is usually more convervative they way they cut the film. The kit is designed to FIT 100% with the expense of not covering smaller, more hidden areas.
So, the 2 type of wrappings are to the edges and around the the edges.
To edges mean the film only cover to the edges. You will see the line on the edge, but not very noticeable.
Around the edges mean the film will wrap around the edges and you won't see the line. Obviously, there are areas that wrapping around the edges is impossible unless certain parts are removed from the car (ie. headlights, bumpers)
90% of the pre-cut kits are to the edges. Some pre-cut kits will allow the installor to extend the kit to make it become around the edges. For custom cut, it can either be to the edges or around the edges depending on the "material" and "the width of the area behind the edges".
For example, like I said, 3M is thinner and easier to manuvour, which means 3M doesn't need a lot of area underneath the edges to make it stay. it's a more flexible material and that's why installors love it. 3M can cover more area as it can go into smaller areas and stay down no problem. VentureShield, because of its thickness, requires a wider area udnerneath the edges to stay down. To summarize, 3M gives more coverage while ventureshield gives better coverage. However, in my experience, I just can't stand the clearness of 3M. A lot of people say 3M is clear haven't seen what ventureSheild can offer.
Having said all that, 3M has upgraded their films many times over the years. And according to my first installor, they are using the most current ones and they buy them in bulk to get a very good price.
For my car, some part are custom, some part are pre-cut, some wrap, some aren't.
If your installor knows what he is doing, he will get you the best coverage without breaking your wallet.
These are the guys who helped me
The GREAT things about them is THEY COME TO ME. I don't have to go to them.
Kevin: http://www.gtaindetail.com/
Marco: http://www.advancedmobilegroup.net/
Kevin is the optimum wax guy.
Marco is the plexus guy.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/147787/copy_of_sany0439.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/147787/copy_of_sany0441.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/147787/copy_of_sany0442.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/147787/copy_of_sany0443.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/147787/copy_of_sany0445.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/147787/copy_of_sany0446.jpg">
I had 3M on my car and it is too visible and not clear enough for my taste. Plus there are many stretch marks, which make the bra very very noticeable.
The installor who did the 3M on my car was considered is one the best in Toronto area. They are the authorized installor for Ferrari's.
However, I think the installation is less than satisfactory, though they will still be better than the ones done by dealerships.
So, after talking to Kevin from GTA in detail and seeing his ventureShield, I decieded to redo mine by Marco from AdvancedMobileGroup.
I had Kevin reprep the car and Marco came next day to install the clear bra.
The area I did include full hood, full fenders, headlights, fogs, side mirror, rockers, bumper behind rear wheels and trunk area.
I am very happy with the results. The clarity is close to factory paint. It's much thicker than 3M. It's much clearer than 3M. The installations have ver very minor stretch marks which can only be seen very very close up.
This is what I have learnt in the process and would like to share it with you. There are 2 installation techniques and 2 type of wrapping.
The first technique is custom cut, which means the installor will lay a large piece of film on the area that to be clear bra. Then use a knife to cut the shape according to the area. Most people would freak when they see it because the installor is using a knife cutting stuff at about 1/2 inch from your paint. However, a good installor will never touch the actual paint. The advantage of this is you can create any shape you want and it will cover more area (in most cases) than the 2nd technique - precut kit. The disadvantage is (other than using a knife on your fresh new pain) the installors, while attempting to cover every single area, will easily overstretch the film and creates stretch marks. This is what happened to my 1st installation on 3M. Also, depending on the materials used, 3M is more stretchable than ventureShield. That's because it's thinner, which also makes it easier to manuvour around edges.
2nd technique is called pre-cut kit. The kit comes in pre-cut by a company which doesn't necessary manufacture the actual film. Some companies allow you to adjust the kit a little and some don't. Some kits fit like shxt and some fit 100%. The advantage of this technique is that if the you find pre-cut kit company that does really precise cutting, it will fit better than custom cut, while not having to worry about the knife issues. The disdavntage is you will usually get less coverage than a custom cut because pre-cut kit is usually more convervative they way they cut the film. The kit is designed to FIT 100% with the expense of not covering smaller, more hidden areas.
So, the 2 type of wrappings are to the edges and around the the edges.
To edges mean the film only cover to the edges. You will see the line on the edge, but not very noticeable.
Around the edges mean the film will wrap around the edges and you won't see the line. Obviously, there are areas that wrapping around the edges is impossible unless certain parts are removed from the car (ie. headlights, bumpers)
90% of the pre-cut kits are to the edges. Some pre-cut kits will allow the installor to extend the kit to make it become around the edges. For custom cut, it can either be to the edges or around the edges depending on the "material" and "the width of the area behind the edges".
For example, like I said, 3M is thinner and easier to manuvour, which means 3M doesn't need a lot of area underneath the edges to make it stay. it's a more flexible material and that's why installors love it. 3M can cover more area as it can go into smaller areas and stay down no problem. VentureShield, because of its thickness, requires a wider area udnerneath the edges to stay down. To summarize, 3M gives more coverage while ventureshield gives better coverage. However, in my experience, I just can't stand the clearness of 3M. A lot of people say 3M is clear haven't seen what ventureSheild can offer.
Having said all that, 3M has upgraded their films many times over the years. And according to my first installor, they are using the most current ones and they buy them in bulk to get a very good price.
For my car, some part are custom, some part are pre-cut, some wrap, some aren't.
If your installor knows what he is doing, he will get you the best coverage without breaking your wallet.
These are the guys who helped me
The GREAT things about them is THEY COME TO ME. I don't have to go to them.
Kevin: http://www.gtaindetail.com/
Marco: http://www.advancedmobilegroup.net/
Kevin is the optimum wax guy.
Marco is the plexus guy.
08-23-2008, 08:30 PM
#3
AudiWorld Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My installer Marco also has Venture on his car.
It's been there for 3 years.
75,000 miles.
All highway.
One perforation only.
Compare to my previous car, 3 years of driving
50,000 miles.
All highway.
Front end totally trashed with millions of chips.
I touched them up initially but couldn't keep it up after a while.
75,000 miles.
All highway.
One perforation only.
Compare to my previous car, 3 years of driving
50,000 miles.
All highway.
Front end totally trashed with millions of chips.
I touched them up initially but couldn't keep it up after a while.
08-24-2008, 05:01 AM
#4
AudiWorld Member
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Florida
Posts: 439
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My results with 3M
<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/12650/dsc_0003.jpg"></center><p>Just had my RS4 done with 3M. Same guy that did my Ferrari 3 years ago, which is still perfect. The picture was taken 12 hours after the install - so it still needs cure (Clear more). Mine is a mix of precut (front end and lights) and custom (rocker panels.
The guy that did it:
http://www.invincaman.com/
The guy that did it:
http://www.invincaman.com/
Trending Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
citanest
Canadian Discussion
5
08-24-2008 04:28 PM
kem
RS4 (B7 Platform) Discussion
14
08-09-2007 09:25 AM
