As many of you know, the 2011 Journey/X bumper is very similar to previous years' Sport bumper, except we have the fog lights.

I'm planning on installing a clear bra on my hood, fender, lights, mirrors and bumper. I'm going to assume the first four items remained the same through the years, so I'm not worried about getting a kit for them. I can't find a 2011 Journey/X bumper kit though, however. Does anyone know whether or not the 2008-10 Sport bumper kit will be able to fit my 2011? Looks pretty similar but I'm not 100% sure.

Here's the website I've been looking at: Invisible Mask - Clear Bra Automotive Paint Protection, 3M Scotchgard, Carbon Fiber 3M Films

If anyone can chime in, it'd be very much appreciated. Thanks!

 

What if you just go to a professional place that does clear bra's and have them take a huge sheet of clear bra, wrap it around your car, and then cut out the corners according to the shape of your bumper and so forth? That is how I had mine done, so I don't know why people bother with the pre-cut kits. Are you doing it yourself?

 

Yeah I plan on installing it myself. All the local installers are charging my at least $800. There's even places going for >$1000 ugh. The more reputable shops are about 1.5 hours away. Don't want to drive that far b/c by the time I drive that distance, I'll have dings/scratches all over the place from the highway.

 

the #1 thing to remember when installing this, is to fully examine the defects already in the bumper. If its bad, you'll want to get it resprayed before installing a clearbra over it or it will show all the defects through the bra. A clear bra is a great tool...but its best to install it after fresh paint...not to mention you have to wait atleast 30 days after a spray for the paint to cure.

 

bah! Just got my hood/bumper/fender replaced/painted. ugh there'd be no point in getting the clear bra after driving around with it for 30 days...so I guess I'll pass on it. I'm hoping the paint that the shop uses is better than the crap that Infiniti uses.

 

When I had mine done I only had to wait for 2 weeks after repainting. I told the paint shop I was having the clear bra done after they were finished and they said they could bake the finish a little longer than usual so it would help it cure better, but they said 2 weeks should be sufficient even with normal baking time.

I was just careful for that 2 weeks and had no blemishes when I went to do the bra. I was warned by several people including the paint shop to stay away from the 3M clear bra product.

 

^^really? what was their reasoning? what product did you end up going with?

 

PM me about the bumper. I have a source for it. Invisible Mask may not have it... and I have heard some horror stories about unhappy customers of theirs.

 

a word of caution -- it doesn't really answer your question -- however, i had venture shield applied after the front of the car (fenders, hood, bumper, lip) were all repainted. venture shield (made by 3M) although a great product...'s relatively THIN. 3M makes a more durable/thicker clear bra. use it for your lip (if you have one) or piece UNDER your bumper. i had a friend who rubbed the entire under fascia of his car on a hill. it scuffed up the clear bra a little bit, but saved the paint. mine on the other hand, did terribly. ate the bumper (that I JUST HAD REPAINTED) and the clear bra. UGH:SL fdj;dj fsldfj!!! GL!

 

If at all possible, get a 3M clearbra. From what I hear its a little harder to install, and a little more expensive, but by far the best choice. I have a cheap clear bra that the dealer installs on my G37, and it has swirls and is already faded. I had a 3M clear bra installed on my widebody C6 corvette, and it was AMAZING. It has automotive clear coat on it, and its super clear, I could hardly notice it against my black paint unless it was dusty or I was really looking closely.