3M Clear Bra Installed Price Check?

therink · February 26, 2015

I have 3500 miles and two months on the Denali and already have two or more stone chips on the front painted bumper. I was quoted $450 from a local 3M dealer to install clear bra on the front bumper and the two exposed painted areas between headlight assemblies and bumper. I normally would do this myself but it is too darn cold and I dont want to wait until warmer. How does this price sound?

KMGZ400 · February 26, 2015

Dosent sound like a terrible price... I paid about 250 for my xpel clear bra.... Also was quoted 750 for the same work at a different dealer... Obviously didn't go with that one

POS VETT · February 26, 2015

I wouldn't let them use 3M film nowadays. I have a very good friend whose day job is installing custom-cut (not pre-cut) clear bra for the last 15 years or so; he has installed clear bra on 5 of my vehicles so far. Before the truck, he installed clear bra on my '5 CTS-V using the latest 3M film which 3M lately tried to improve and they failed miserably.

He uses a different film nowadays and that's what is on my truck. He never gave me a price for the film on my truck so I gave him $700. Areas covered are front bumper cap, hood (24" film), fenders, painted areas on wing mirrors, headlights, foglights, and exterior door handle pockets (to resist scratching from nails). The hood section has front and side edges folded in, so there is only one visible seam. If I had removed the headlights and grille prior to installation, the fenders and the bumper cap sections would have only one seam or completely hidden seams.

The film is very shiny and has a hydrophobic finish that outperform the paint. He wants to do paint correction on it once the weather has warmed up; he thinks he can improve the paint to match the film with glass coating. We'll see in a few months.

Skeeter McSkeet · April 1, 2015

I wouldn't let them use 3M film nowadays. I have a very good friend whose day job is installing custom-cut (not pre-cut) clear bra for the last 15 years or so; he has installed clear bra on 5 of my vehicles so far. Before the truck, he installed clear bra on my '5 CTS-V using the latest 3M film which 3M lately tried to improve and they failed miserably.

He uses a different film nowadays and that's what is on my truck. He never gave me a price for the film on my truck so I gave him $700. Areas covered are front bumper cap, hood (24" film), fenders, painted areas on wing mirrors, headlights, foglights, and exterior door handle pockets (to resist scratching from nails). The hood section has front and side edges folded in, so there is only one visible seam. If I had removed the headlights and grille prior to installation, the fenders and the bumper cap sections would have only one seam or completely hidden seams.

The film is very shiny and has a hydrophobic finish that outperform the paint. He wants to do paint correction on it once the weather has warmed up; he thinks he can improve the paint to match the film with glass coating. We'll see in a few months.

Any idea what he uses? I'm in the same boat as the OP. Have a little over 5k miles on the truck and just got a nice day and some time to do a thorough wash this afternoon. Noticed multiple chips on the upper front bumper and am looking to add some sort of clear bra protectant. I have never used any of them before so I have no experience with them.

therink · April 1, 2015

A few weeks back I had 3M Pro installed from one of tthe most reputable installers in my area. I had front bumper, areas between headlamps and bumper, front 16" of hood and a out 16" back on front fenders.

I have edge peeling at all 4 bumper sensors and below each fog light. The entire rear edge of the hood film (about 1" of the edge) is cloudy.

I am not happy. I took it back for them to look at it. They agreed to fix. I have yet to make the appt and not sure what they consider "fixing". I believe I am going to make them reinstall the entire thing. They were talking about trimming. For $700 I expected more.

KMGZ400 · April 2, 2015

I have had Xpel for over a year and about 15k miles and am very happy with it... Not peeling or fading or yellowing at all.. Also was very reasonable

Skeeter McSkeet · April 2, 2015

I'm going to call around today to see what is offered around here.

-Skeet

POS VETT · April 2, 2015

A few weeks back I had 3M Pro installed from one of tthe most reputable installers in my area. I had front bumper, areas between headlamps and bumper, front 16" of hood and a out 16" back on front fenders.

I have edge peeling at all 4 bumper sensors and below each fog light. The entire rear edge of the hood film (about 1" of the edge) is cloudy.

I am not happy. I took it back for them to look at it. They agreed to fix. I have yet to make the appt and not sure what they consider "fixing". I believe I am going to make them reinstall the entire thing. They were talking about trimming. For $700 I expected more.

In the installer's defense, it's not the fault of the installer; 3M has been producing ultra crappy film. Insist on using Premium Shield instead.

You want this addressed immediately because the exposed adhesive WILL accumulate dirt, tiny rocks, and debris that will beat on and scratch your paint when flapping.

POS VETT · April 2, 2015

Any idea what he uses? I'm in the same boat as the OP. Have a little over 5k miles on the truck and just got a nice day and some time to do a thorough wash this afternoon. Noticed multiple chips on the upper front bumper and am looking to add some sort of clear bra protectant. I have never used any of them before so I have no experience with them.

Premium Shield.

newdude · April 11, 2015

A few weeks back I had 3M Pro installed from one of tthe most reputable installers in my area. I had front bumper, areas between headlamps and bumper, front 16" of hood and a out 16" back on front fenders.

I have edge peeling at all 4 bumper sensors and below each fog light. The entire rear edge of the hood film (about 1" of the edge) is cloudy.

I am not happy. I took it back for them to look at it. They agreed to fix. I have yet to make the appt and not sure what they consider "fixing". I believe I am going to make them reinstall the entire thing. They were talking about trimming. For $700 I expected more.

Yea pushing for a redo might be the thing to do. Who did it if I may? Ziebart? Tint Shop? Hi-line?

therink · April 11, 2015

Yea pushing for a redo might be the thing to do. Who did it if I may? Ziebart? Tint Shop? Hi-line?

It was Tint Shop. They ended up replacing the hood piece and repaired the bumper piece. It looks good. Still a few air bubbles that should disappear when it dries/cures. It is supposed to be warm and sunny tomorrow. I am going to let it bake in the sun. I will keep a close eye on it.

FWIW, it was very cold when they first installed it (below 20 or less for first couple weeks). I think that played a role in the peeling.