Tint question & clear bra
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AudiWorld Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 64
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Tint question & clear bra
My last car was a Cayman S and I had the car tinted before I even took delivery (clear bra also). I will probably do the same with my incoming S4, but had a couple questions for you all:
1. Should the car be detailed before it's clear bra is applied? My Porsche was white and therefore it didn't matter as much; my S4 is Phantom Black. This will be my first black car in roughly 20 years, so I am a little concerned.
2. I read some chatter about the tint on the back window not coming out so great because of all the defroster elements. I had a similar issue with the Porsche and wasn't happy, but did get used to it after a while. I am considering tinting just the door windows and not the back. Thoughts? Anybody done this or seen it that way? I will not go crazy dark on the windows.
I'm getting excited and have been tracking the boat. I am pretty confident that my S4 is on the Marina Ace which left port on the 11th and should be here on the 25th after a quick stop in Canada. I can't wait, but it's agonizing watching a ship move at 15 knots across the ocean!
Chris
1. Should the car be detailed before it's clear bra is applied? My Porsche was white and therefore it didn't matter as much; my S4 is Phantom Black. This will be my first black car in roughly 20 years, so I am a little concerned.
2. I read some chatter about the tint on the back window not coming out so great because of all the defroster elements. I had a similar issue with the Porsche and wasn't happy, but did get used to it after a while. I am considering tinting just the door windows and not the back. Thoughts? Anybody done this or seen it that way? I will not go crazy dark on the windows.
I'm getting excited and have been tracking the boat. I am pretty confident that my S4 is on the Marina Ace which left port on the 11th and should be here on the 25th after a quick stop in Canada. I can't wait, but it's agonizing watching a ship move at 15 knots across the ocean!
Chris
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,040
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From: Edmonton, Alberta
The S4s come wrapped in plastic, so IMO there's no need to have a complete detail before the clear bra is applied. Just make sure that it has been throuoghly washed.
Also, save yourself some money by having someone other than the dealer do the tint and clear bra. Most dealerships just sub that work out to another company and make money for doing nothing. For example, the company that did my work does it for my Audi/VW dealer and the Mercedes dealer just down the block. $700 total for the tint (all 7 windows) and 3M. The dealer would have charged $2k for the same work.
Also, save yourself some money by having someone other than the dealer do the tint and clear bra. Most dealerships just sub that work out to another company and make money for doing nothing. For example, the company that did my work does it for my Audi/VW dealer and the Mercedes dealer just down the block. $700 total for the tint (all 7 windows) and 3M. The dealer would have charged $2k for the same work.
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
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Even new cars can stand a good claying and detailing, no matter what they come wrapped in. I certainly wouldn't let the dealer do it though, unless you want the additional dealer installed swirl option. Either way, it won't hurt, and I wouldn't want any bonded contaminants stuck under my clearbra.
+1 on not getting your clear bra done at the dealer also.
+1 on not getting your clear bra done at the dealer also.
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Jan 2008
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Even new cars can stand a good claying and detailing, no matter what they come wrapped in. I certainly wouldn't let the dealer do it though, unless you want the additional dealer installed swirl option. Either way, it won't hurt, and I wouldn't want any bonded contaminants stuck under my clearbra.
+1 on not getting your clear bra done at the dealer also.
+1 on not getting your clear bra done at the dealer also.
+1 I had mine done by a private shop.
My dealer didn't so ceramic tint anyways.
If you detail before the clear bra is applied, you may want to polish but not seal/wax it. The shop may need to remove any wax/sealants before application of the clear bra for better adhesion.
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 228
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Get a reputible shop with good tech. The back window is tough.
I got both done. The clear bra on black car is noticeable only when you get dirty. Bra still catch and keep more dirt than untreated area.
I got both done. The clear bra on black car is noticeable only when you get dirty. Bra still catch and keep more dirt than untreated area.
Last edited by xtr3ma; Mar 14, 2011 at 05:42 PM.
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 73
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From: Beaverton, Oregon
You might want to consider a custom job that does full hood and front quarter panels. No lines, and not really that expensive all things considered.
(after the door scuff I got last week, I'm thinking I should have had my doors done also...)
I have ClearShield, can't tell it's there unless you touch it. (Deep Sea Blue)
(after the door scuff I got last week, I'm thinking I should have had my doors done also...)
I have ClearShield, can't tell it's there unless you touch it. (Deep Sea Blue)
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AudiWorld Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 130
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From: Jamesburg, NJ
I've been waiting to get this done as well, but now I got a big rock chip on my hood and now I think I'll have to get it properly fixed before I do the clear bra and detail. For the clear bra, I want to do the full hood, fender, bumber, side mirrors and probably now the front quarter panels. The rock chip looks really bad. I was thinking if I had done the clear bra sooner, it could have saved my paint.
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From: Gainesville,TX Colorado Springs,CO
This is why you should go straight to the clear bra place after you leave the dealership. I even went as far to cover the entire front on blue masking tape for the drive over to my clear bra installer. I have seen people put clear bra over chips and you can really see them under the film. There is no need to detail first a good installer will clay bar there area before they put on the film.