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Anyone DIY their clear-bra?

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Old 08-28-2013, 04:04 PM
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blnewt
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Anyone DIY their clear-bra?

I'm going to order an 18" x 20' sheet of 3M Venture Shield, I've done wet installs on vinyl headlight/taillight overlays and quite a bit of vinyl wrapping so I think I can DIY this without too much trouble. I've watched several videos and it seems pretty straightforward although very tedious The bumper is what I'd really like some help with.
Just wanted any helpful tips from someone that's done this before (successfully that is )
Thanks!
Old 08-28-2013, 05:22 PM
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teonguyen
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Originally Posted by blnewt
I'm going to order an 18" x 20' sheet of 3M Venture Shield, I've done wet installs on vinyl headlight/taillight overlays and quite a bit of vinyl wrapping so I think I can DIY this without too much trouble. I've watched several videos and it seems pretty straightforward although very tedious The bumper is what I'd really like some help with.
Just wanted any helpful tips from someone that's done this before (successfully that is )
Thanks!
Let me know how this turns out for you I am interested. I had my entire front bumper and hood covered but it costs so much. I wanna clearbra the fenders as well if I can DIY...
Old 08-28-2013, 06:59 PM
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blnewt
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Originally Posted by teonguyen
Let me know how this turns out for you I am interested. I had my entire front bumper and hood covered but it costs so much. I wanna clearbra the fenders as well if I can DIY...
When I do this I'll be sure to take pics & detail the process (assuming I don't totally f it up )
Old 08-28-2013, 07:43 PM
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Damn Dirty Ape
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Originally Posted by blnewt
When I do this I'll be sure to take pics & detail the process (assuming I don't totally f it up )
Then you HAVE to take pics LOL
Old 08-28-2013, 07:54 PM
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vwalkerg37
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clear bra

Originally Posted by blnewt
I'm going to order an 18" x 20' sheet of 3M Venture Shield, I've done wet installs on vinyl headlight/taillight overlays and quite a bit of vinyl wrapping so I think I can DIY this without too much trouble. I've watched several videos and it seems pretty straightforward although very tedious The bumper is what I'd really like some help with.
Just wanted any helpful tips from someone that's done this before (successfully that is )
Thanks!
Brad,
I have the xpel product on my car. It is self healing and I think it (and so does my vinyl guy) is a little better than venture shield.
GL with your install and the only thing I can say is have a ton of super sharp xacto blades on hand!
but...I did have the venture shield before and it stayed clear and worked excellent so either one would be better than none!

Last edited by vwalkerg37; 08-28-2013 at 08:26 PM.
Old 08-28-2013, 08:36 PM
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Damn Dirty Ape
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Originally Posted by vwalkerg37
Brad,
I have the xpel product on my car. It is self healing and I think it (and so does my vinyl guy) is a little better than venture shield.
GL with your install and the only thing I can say is have a ton of super sharp xacto blades on hand!
but...I did have the venture shield before and it stayed clear and worked excellent so either one would be better than none!
my ppf guy advised xpel was in his opinion better as well. been doing it quite a long time now.
Old 08-28-2013, 09:10 PM
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Thanks guys, I haven't ordered the product yet so I'll look into the Xpel too, I've heard both are compareable but if the Xpel has the edge and the price isn't unreasonable I'll give it a shot. Sorry Dirty Ape, if I f-it up there will be no further posts about it, this thread will just die a tragic death
Old 08-30-2013, 09:50 PM
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Looks like Xpel sheets are only available to pro installers, if anyone knows a source I'd appreciate it, otherwise it looks like my best option would be the sheet of Venture Shield.
Old 08-31-2013, 06:05 AM
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TOGWT
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PPF inatallation - DIY vs. Professional

The finished products quality is only as good as the installation. Most reputable companies wish to maintain their reputation and for this reason will only sell ther film to established professional installers
Old 09-19-2013, 12:35 PM
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Black car + Noob DIY installer = Epic fail
/thread
Old 09-21-2013, 03:16 AM
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quakerroatmeal
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So what happened lol. Did you attempted it and failed miserably? Take any pictures?
Old 09-21-2013, 09:11 AM
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Originally Posted by quakerroatmeal
So what happened lol. Did you attempted it and failed miserably? Take any pictures?
There was multiple issues~
The roll of Venture Shield had a few places where the adhesive side was free from the backing paper, this left lines on the sheet when it was applied. I also had a few lines left when I had to pull the sheet back and re-tack after releasing a bubble. I think I could have had an acceptable job on a lighter silver or white car but the black showed everything. I've still got 10 feet of the Venture Sield so I'm going to do some of the little stuff like the top of the back bumper to protect when you get items out of the trunk, the headlights, foglights, the side pillars and maybe a couple strips for the front bumper. The way the sheet is w/ that adhesion/backing issue I can't use it on big noticeable panels.
This is one job that's best left to the pros IME, at least on dark cars
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