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      08-19-2015, 07:08 PM   #1
col4bin
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Clear bra or not?

Not sure what to do. I have done them in the past but it limits the ability to really make the car shine. I love detailing my car and will spend a couple of days cleaning and prepping the paint and polishing and waxing. What do others think?

I live in San Francisco but moving to San Diego. The day I take delivery will be the day I drive it to my new house.
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      08-19-2015, 07:23 PM   #2
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Lack of chips beats a slightly greater shine. Xpel Ultimate without doubt. And, you can OptiCoat Pro right over it and use whatever sealants you like for slippery feel.
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      08-19-2015, 07:31 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by col4bin View Post
Not sure what to do. I have done them in the past but it limits the ability to really make the car shine. I love detailing my car and will spend a couple of days cleaning and prepping the paint and polishing and waxing. What do others think?

I live in San Francisco but moving to San Diego. The day I take delivery will be the day I drive it to my new house.
Do full hood instead...
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      08-19-2015, 07:52 PM   #4
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I would at least do the front bumper. It has an almost vertical profile and takes a lot of heavy hits from bugs and anything else that happens to be in front of the car.
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      08-19-2015, 08:29 PM   #5
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Lease no....

Own - hell yes
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      08-19-2015, 08:37 PM   #6
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I say do it. I've had it on my last 4 cars - up here in the North East it's a must. I've had both 3M and Expel and I would go with Expel. My car is AW and I actually have to show people the line on my hood so they will believe me.
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      08-19-2015, 09:55 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Midwest M235i View Post
Lease no....

Own - hell yes
Wise words.
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      08-19-2015, 10:06 PM   #8
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I am buying the car, not leasing.

In the past I have done bumper, mirror backs, front pillars and part of the hood. I have never done a full hood wrap. I never had an issue with product build up at the line as I was able to work around it. I guess that is the decision I need to make. What are others thoughts on the hood?
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      08-20-2015, 08:02 AM   #9
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I'm leasing, but might want to keep after. Thinking of having someone clear bra the bumper. And doing the hood myself. Watching some video's make it seem like nice flat areas wouldnt be too bad. The bumper, way to many bends.
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      08-20-2015, 09:17 AM   #10
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Do it, I just did. My 135i had the more rock chips than any other car I owned so I had it done to the M235i. I am thinking like sportstick "Lack of chips beats a slightly greater shine".
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      08-20-2015, 07:25 PM   #11
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I didn't do my hood and now I have 3 chips...entire front end is still perfect because of bra. This should be the first thing everyone does!!!
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      08-20-2015, 10:33 PM   #12
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Alot of these films are only guaranteed for 10 years. Good luck trying to get it off yourself. You will have to most likely use harsh chemicals to get it off after 10 years. You could buy a new bumper and mirror covers and repaint the hood for close to the same price. Not to mention the bumper on a 2 series is so low you will have scraped and hit things in the road over the course of a few years which these films do not protect against. I would rather get a new bumper after if it gets trashed over the course a few years if I even still have the car. It just seems kind of silly that some people are wrapping up the entire front end of the car! Hood, fenders, bumper, lights, mirror covers. If it was lifetime warranted would be more worth considering. I not against the films, just saying they cost to benefit may not be favorable ratio necessarily, I want to also add the fact that I am still undecided on this issue. :P
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      08-21-2015, 12:43 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dfwmods View Post
Alot of these films are only guaranteed for 10 years. Good luck trying to get it off yourself. You will have to most likely use harsh chemicals to get it off after 10 years. You could buy a new bumper and mirror covers and repaint the hood for close to the same price. Not to mention the bumper on a 2 series is so low you will have scraped and hit things in the road over the course of a few years which these films do not protect against. I would rather get a new bumper after if it gets trashed over the course a few years if I even still have the car. It just seems kind of silly that some people are wrapping up the entire front end of the car! Hood, fenders, bumper, lights, mirror covers. If it was lifetime warranted would be more worth considering. I not against the films, just saying they cost to benefit may not be favorable ratio necessarily, I want to also add the fact that I am still undecided on this issue. :P
I keep my cars for about 5 years so this should not be an issue for me but time will tell since this is my first wrap. I would think to remove the film some Goo Gone wold get it off. anyone removed their Xpel?
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      08-21-2015, 01:16 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IDBMW View Post
I keep my cars for about 5 years so this should not be an issue for me but time will tell since this is my first wrap. I would think to remove the film some Goo Gone wold get it off. anyone removed their Xpel?
It comes off with a steamer easily but the longer it has been on, the harder it is to get the stuck on adhesive residue left behind off, but yes you are correct Goo gone automotive spray gel will get the adhesive off. Overall I definitely agree it has benefits that create some value in its use. The revolution in plastics cost and technology make paint protection films an attractive add on/mod. I just really dislike the fact that it is a wear item that will need to be replaced in around 10 years. You can buy a carbon fiber bumper, cf mirror covers and cf hood on Ali express for a cost that is nominal over getting films. That's why I am undecided and believe it really boils down to a personal choice in this case rather than an overwhelming yes or no.
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      08-21-2015, 02:16 PM   #15
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I am leaning towards front bumper, mirror backs and front pillars. I really do not want the entire hood. My 335 had partial hood and the line was very hard to see. I am leaning that way again.
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      08-23-2015, 11:30 AM   #16
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Quote:
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I am leaning towards front bumper, mirror backs and front pillars. I really do not want the entire hood. My 335 had partial hood and the line was very hard to see. I am leaning that way again.
It's a good call. You can't go wrong either way.
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