I just came across a new shop today... Tint America... that installs a ClearBra from Madico for under $400. There are two locations... West Palm Beach, on Okeechobee Blvd. about a mile west of the turnpike, and Boynton Beach (not sure where). I haven't seen any installs from them, but at least Madico is a good brand.

For that price, it's worth a look-see.

 

The brand is not the issue...its the install...Iv seen some SHOTTY install jobs, and Alan has yet to leave a stretch mark on any that I have seen (but i havent seen black ).

Most of the time u get what u pay for...

 

+1.

 

would u guys recommand a clear bra on a black coupe...?

 

Yes. At least for the front bumper. It shows the most on black, but the front bumper is virtually invisible if you have it installed by Alan Seligman. Do you have the OEM front lip? If you do, the 3M kit for the front bumper he uses is one-piece, if you don't, you'll get a little seam across your bumper but it doesn't look too bad. A lot of FGC members have had their clear bras installed by Alan, so you'll be able to check it out in person at the meet. I just came back from Warren Henry Infiniti where I met a guy with a black 05 coupe with 10k miles on it, his front bumper and hood were totally destroyed by paint chips and nicks, I couldn't believe my eyes. I'd cry if that happened to my car. There's an old thread on here with arguments for and against clear bras vs repainting the front down the line.. go back a few pages and you'll find it.

 

I personally wouldnt which is why im not getting it...to each their own.

Iv seen a clear bra on a black car that was NOT done by Alan and it was horrific, stretch marks everywhere....alan can probably do much better but i dont wanna spend $600 to find out since its $180 to repaint it. I can do that 3 times (9 or 10years) and still be cheaper & better looking...

The kit alan uses is TWO pieces!!!

 

You only spend $380 for the bumper, not 600.

This is from an email I got from Alan: "The aero package kit comes in a one
piece bumper. " Gspotter who has the aero kit too confirmed it.. so one piece it is.

And I agree with you, I've seen a black coupe with a horrific job done to it. The whole point is that the clear bra should be invisible, if it's not then repainting would be a better option.

 

thanks for all the info guys. also i bought my car at Warren Henry Infiniti

 

Having a clear bra professionally installed is the way to go to have it look right while protecting your investment. Installing them is not a simple matter of 'slapping it on'. There are many options available when it comes to clear bra's.

There are several different 'raw materials'; 3M is the industry leader - and up until recently the ONLY film with a clear coat. Avery has com out with a coated film, but it is as of yet unproven, their non-coated film wasn't that hot. Venture, LLumar, Bekaerd, etc have a variety of non-coated films. Every non-coated film that our supplier has tried has turned an un-cleanable gray in less than a year. Although they may look good initially, I would avoid them if you are in it for the long haul.

Pre-cut kits are the only way to go, but again there are a lot of coverage choices. How much does it cover, how well does the pattern fit, are there noticeable seams, etc. We saw a new Mercedes with a 6" strip across the leading edge of the hood, and the guy thought that's what a clear bra was - all of them.

Cost is relative. When you get right down to it having a 3M clear bra professionally installed is like opening a CD at the bank. You put your money in and in a few years you get your money back. Want to know how much you will get back? Look it up on NADA, KBB, etc. Look at the various paint conditions of a 3 year old (what ever car you have) and see what the impact on value is.

Keep in mind that a top shelf full clear bra for the 05 G35's runs $525-575+ (depending on model and coverage) UN-installed, so I'd be leery of a $400 price installed.

FYI & FWIW.