What prep should I do before installing a clear bra?

Crazy Bimmer · 07-26-2007, 12:56 AM

Getting Avery Dennison clear bra installed on Saturday but should i just clay the front before he does it? Or put a layer of wax or sealant under?

Still debating how high i want the clear bra to go on the hood. Hmm.

OC Guy · 07-26-2007, 08:25 AM

Clay, no wax or sealant because they will probably take it off.

LEDZEP · 07-26-2007, 11:19 AM

I just had my clear bra installed Monday. I clayed the hood and front areas where the bra covers. It's not really necessary - but why cover any grime with a clear bra I figured...

Don't bother with wax, sealant, etc. because they will apply a solvent before installing to ensure there is no wax on the area (this would interfere with the film's adhesive).

bartman32 · 07-26-2007, 12:41 PM

Looking back I would have clayed mine before they did it. If only to make me feel better about what's under there. I probably would have waxed it too. Sure they may be taking it off (I hadn't heard that before this thread though) and it would be best to give it a good coat of protectant before they put it on there. I figure you'll never be under there again right? I'd want to do everything I can to make sure its the best it could be before they seal it all up.
Just my $.02. Things I wish I had done.

OC Guy · 07-26-2007, 02:34 PM

I typically clay then put a sealant underneath knowing that it will be stripped off. The reason? Because I don't want any contaminants in my paint from the time I clayed to when I wax. Yes, that's pretty anal, probably why I didn't mention it.

Crazy Bimmer · 07-27-2007, 03:37 PM

Forgot where i read it but they that adding wax before applying the clear bra will help for when its time to remove the bra.

I dunno.

fragadellic · 07-29-2007, 09:04 PM

They use an alcohol solution to strip everything off the paint before starting the installation. You can wax or seal it if you want, but you're wasting your time. Absolutely clay it first. No reason to leave contaminents in the paint that you're planning to cover for the purpose of protecting the paint.

They also spray an alcohol solution all over the area being covered so that the film can be moved. As the solution evaporates, they stretch the film and get it into its final resting place. Any bubbles that appear should go away after several days and any that don't can be relieved using an insulin syringe available at any drugstore. Barely pop one edge of the bubble and carefully squeeze the air from the opposite side to the side with the hole.

fragadellic · 07-29-2007, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazy Bimmer

Forgot where i read it but they that adding wax before applying the clear bra will help for when its time to remove the bra.

I dunno.

BTW, your car looks SCHWEET!!!!

picus · 07-29-2007, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazy Bimmer

Forgot where i read it but they that adding wax before applying the clear bra will help for when its time to remove the bra.

I dunno.

I've met installers who like it both ways. Some use isa:water to remove everything, some leave a sealant/wax on. The guy I generally refer people to leaves the sealant on.

Crazy Bimmer · 07-30-2007, 12:24 AM

already installed. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75101

I think he just used water only since he had to fill up his spray bottle. I clayed, added poli-seal and nattys blue. Should be good to go.

bartman32 · 07-30-2007, 11:23 AM

Congrats on your Clear Bra!

07-26-2007, 12:56 AM	#1
Crazy Bimmer The Jesal 391 Rep 5,859 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chicago IL iTrader: (20) Garage List 2009 BMW M3 [0.00]	What prep should I do before installing a clear bra? Getting Avery Dennison clear bra installed on Saturday but should i just clay the front before he does it? Or put a layer of wax or sealant under? Still debating how high i want the clear bra to go on the hood. Hmm. __________________ 2009 E90 M3 - SOLD
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07-26-2007, 08:25 AM	#2
OC Guy General 539 Rep 18,123 Posts Drives: AW 335D E90 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Irvine/Aliso Viejo, CA iTrader: (9) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00]	Clay, no wax or sealant because they will probably take it off. __________________ Current: 2010 Alpine White 335D LCI l 19" BBS LMs l KW V2 Coilovers l BMW Performance Grilles l MSport Front/Rear l Karbonwerke Trunk l F1 Pinnacle Tint 35% Former: E92 Space Grey 335i Latest pics
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07-26-2007, 11:19 AM	#3
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 418 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	I just had my clear bra installed Monday. I clayed the hood and front areas where the bra covers. It's not really necessary - but why cover any grime with a clear bra I figured... Don't bother with wax, sealant, etc. because they will apply a solvent before installing to ensure there is no wax on the area (this would interfere with the film's adhesive). __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
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07-26-2007, 12:41 PM	#4
bartman32 Colonel 101 Rep 2,317 Posts Drives: F87 M2 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The OC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 M2 [0.00]	Looking back I would have clayed mine before they did it. If only to make me feel better about what's under there. I probably would have waxed it too. Sure they may be taking it off (I hadn't heard that before this thread though) and it would be best to give it a good coat of protectant before they put it on there. I figure you'll never be under there again right? I'd want to do everything I can to make sure its the best it could be before they seal it all up. Just my $.02. Things I wish I had done.
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07-26-2007, 02:34 PM	#5
OC Guy General 539 Rep 18,123 Posts Drives: AW 335D E90 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Irvine/Aliso Viejo, CA iTrader: (9) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00]	I typically clay then put a sealant underneath knowing that it will be stripped off. The reason? Because I don't want any contaminants in my paint from the time I clayed to when I wax. Yes, that's pretty anal, probably why I didn't mention it. __________________ Current: 2010 Alpine White 335D LCI l 19" BBS LMs l KW V2 Coilovers l BMW Performance Grilles l MSport Front/Rear l Karbonwerke Trunk l F1 Pinnacle Tint 35% Former: E92 Space Grey 335i Latest pics
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07-27-2007, 03:37 PM	#6
Crazy Bimmer The Jesal 391 Rep 5,859 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chicago IL iTrader: (20) Garage List 2009 BMW M3 [0.00]	Forgot where i read it but they that adding wax before applying the clear bra will help for when its time to remove the bra. I dunno. __________________ 2009 E90 M3 - SOLD
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07-29-2007, 09:04 PM	#7
fragadellic Captain 15 Rep 949 Posts Drives: 335i Coupe BSM Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Arizona iTrader: (0)	They use an alcohol solution to strip everything off the paint before starting the installation. You can wax or seal it if you want, but you're wasting your time. Absolutely clay it first. No reason to leave contaminents in the paint that you're planning to cover for the purpose of protecting the paint. They also spray an alcohol solution all over the area being covered so that the film can be moved. As the solution evaporates, they stretch the film and get it into its final resting place. Any bubbles that appear should go away after several days and any that don't can be relieved using an insulin syringe available at any drugstore. Barely pop one edge of the bubble and carefully squeeze the air from the opposite side to the side with the hole. __________________ E92 335i Coupe Delivered 5.30.07 \| Black Sapphire \| Black Dakota \| Grey Poplar \| OEM 230 19" Wheels \| Michelin PS2s \| GP Thunder 8500K Angels __________________________________________________ __________
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07-30-2007, 12:24 AM	#10
Crazy Bimmer The Jesal 391 Rep 5,859 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chicago IL iTrader: (20) Garage List 2009 BMW M3 [0.00]	already installed. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75101 I think he just used water only since he had to fill up his spray bottle. I clayed, added poli-seal and nattys blue. Should be good to go. __________________ 2009 E90 M3 - SOLD
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07-30-2007, 11:23 AM	#11
bartman32 Colonel 101 Rep 2,317 Posts Drives: F87 M2 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The OC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 M2 [0.00]	Congrats on your Clear Bra!
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