Best clear bra

[Grayhair]

I just purchased a 2015 X5 and want to have a clear bra installed. I've looked a what I believe to be the top four companies and have ruled out 3m. I can't find any studies or comparisons on the net. I would appreciate your input.

[Stunnaz]

Why did you rule out 3M? 3M's known for their adhesive and should be the best. I've never had clear bra installed, but I have purchased the material (3M) and use it on my electronics like phones/tablets/laptop screens... I just cut it into the shape I need. Some companies market it as Invisible Shield and such, but it's actually just the clear bra material. Works very well. However, over time the clear material will get dirty and change color (yellow). On a white car it'll be noticeable after maybe half a year but on a dark-colored car it should be fine. This is just based on my experience using this material on my electronics over the past 5 years.

[Artdnj]

I think that's most of the problem with 3m...yellowing. pia to redo every 6 months imo. Look at Xpel

[M3 Chris]

I have X-Pel Ultimate and Opti-Coat Pro with top coat. Those two are great products.

[kskpsu]

I have Xpel Ultimate on my 1M with 5,400 miles on it, and it is yellowing considerably. My installer has switched to Suntek, which is also self-healing. So far so good, but obviously not 4 yrs under my belt like on the 1M. It has great clarity like my Xpel had. 3M also has a Pro Series now that is supposed to be pretty solid as well.

[Terp335]

Originally Posted by kskpsu

I have Xpel Ultimate on my 1M with 5,400 miles on it, and it is yellowing considerably. My installer has switched to Suntek, which is also self-healing. So far so good, but obviously not 4 yrs under my belt like on the 1M. It has great clarity like my Xpel had. 3M also has a Pro Series now that is supposed to be pretty solid as well.

Wouldn't that be covered until expel's warranty and replaced for free? I don't blame you for not wanting to put a faulty product on your car only to have it replaced every 6 months.

[kskpsu]

Originally Posted by Terp335

Wouldn't that be covered until expel's warranty and replaced for free? I don't blame you for not wanting to put a faulty product on your car only to have it replaced every 6 months.

Yes, intend to do it soon. I think companies pay out differently for warranty work (i.e. how they handle material and labor), but as long as you go back to your original installer, or have a good rapport with a shop, shouldn't be an issue.

[Grayhair]

Thanks for the information.

[jmeyers278]

i had awesome luck with suntek. I had it on my cayenne and it never looked anything other than perfect for 2 years...it is going on my x5 thursday

[dubsesd]

Avery nano fusion. Had the entire front wrapped on my dad's mclaren 650s. Had little to no orange peel at all! Looks fantastic

[5tony]

Originally Posted by jmeyers278

i had awesome luck with suntek. I had it on my cayenne and it never looked anything other than perfect for 2 years...it is going on my x5 thursday

Same here. In fact, the installer prefers it over X-Pel because it's easier to form without leaving stretch marks. More than two years later, it still looks like it did the first day.

[Art777]

Same with me. Have a X-Pel installed on whole front almost for a year. Totally happy with condition. Especially after Boston's winter.

[jettie1767]

I've always used Xpel Ultimate on all my cars and they are great. Never had any problems with them.

[Terp335]

I'll shoot some pics and post some of my install later this week. I need to find time to wash it first

[Grayhair]

I went with Xpel.

[kskpsu]

Just an update for your film considerations. I had my installer work with Xpel on getting the yellowing film replaced. They pay out something paltry like $50 in labor for the hood /fenders/rear flares, so he wanted to do that first instead of adding in the complexity of the bumper at the same labor rate per sq. ft. Improved, but the net result makes my front bumper look like something is up with it. I know of another installer that cited how 3M handles warranty work markedly better on their pro-series, and they stopped carrying Xpel. Something to consider. All top tier films have strong warranties on the film itself, but I also want an installer to be compelled to install with the same care and precision as the original application if an issue arises, particularly since my job has me relocating from time-to-time, and it may not end up at the same shop where they would be more inclined to do so (e.g. customer service, better financial proposition given a higher margin install up front, etc.). In this case, it was initially done with an Xpel authorized installer when I lived in IL, and now an authorized installer in Minnesota is trying to rectify it.

Suntek all the way.