I'm going to put a clear bra on my E92. Over the years I've seen many posts about folks seeking installers, and I have found an installer in my area. I also noticed that one website seems to think that one doesn't have to use a professional installer and that it can be effectively done as a DIY. (
http://www.invisiblemask.com/howto.html)
I'm seeking input from folks who have done it as DIY Specifically, I'd like to know what you can offer in the way of "lessons learned" and "if I knew then what I know now, I would have...." thoughts that resulted from your having done it installed it yourself.
Some potential examples of the kinds of things I'm seeking to find out about as potential pitfalls, or factors to consider if not specifically pitfalls, might be:
- It takes a very long time time to install it because you have to....
- The adhesive is very unforgiving and you'll mess up the bra if you very careful
- It's not hard to install it, but if you have a tiny divot in the surface, air will be trapped there and eventually it will cause the bra to start bubbling
- Be sure to use some dish washing liquid to remove any wax on the relevant surface of the car. The adhesive doesn't stick as well to wax.
- Beware of installing it over an area where the paint has already been chipped or is peeling. It's not an issue for applying the bra, but if and when you want to remove it, that chipped or otherwise damaged paint will peel away and act just like a run in a lady's stocking.
- Be very careful when handling the parts of the bra having corners. Even though it's quite good at protecting your car, you can start a tear at a corner far more easily than you'd suspect.
- I watched my installer put it on my car and had I known it's so easy to do, I sure would have done it myself.
- When you order the clear bra, what the installation instructions/kit doesn't tell is....
- Such and such is a PITA that can be mitigated to some degree by....
I will then use the facts folks provide to make a decision about whether to have it done by an installer, or whether to make it a project for my son and myself. I can pay to have it installed, but I see no point in doing so if installing it isn't laden with too many gotchas.
(Note: this same inquiry is also in the E9x forum, so no need to post in both places.)