Clear Bra Self Apply??

Ten4Lou · 08-22-2018, 11:08 AM

I’ve applied racing stripes and decals on vehicles but wasn’t sure just how difficult it would be to buy a precut kit (like 3M or Xpel) and apply myself. I’m going to do the front bumper and “bikini cut” hood. Seems like I will save a bunch doing it myself (upwards of $500).

Has anyone here had any success at doing it themselves??

Thanks!!!
Lou

wlsmoku · 08-22-2018, 11:24 AM

its a cross between doing window tint and vinyl wrap. it is very thick and it will not conform like vinyl wrap does. I would suggest having a second person help you, and a couple bottles of soapy/water and I like the felt flexible squeegees for the front bumper. Clay bar the areas you want to do as well as a 40-50% water/isopropel alcohol wipe down.

Trans damm · 08-22-2018, 11:30 AM

Where are you buying the material? When I looked the install was almost free compared to buying the material myself

kaamacat · 08-22-2018, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ten4Lou

I’ve applied racing stripes and decals on vehicles but wasn’t sure just how difficult it would be to buy a precut kit (like 3M or Xpel) and apply myself. I’m going to do the front bumper and “bikini cut” hood. Seems like I will save a bunch doing it myself (upwards of $500).

Has anyone here had any success at doing it themselves??

Thanks!!!
Lou

You will need a steamer. Steamer is excellent not only for (after a full clean) getting in the edge areas, and removing wax on those edges. On the front bumper, once you get the "anchor points" down... you'll see the need to stretch material to conform. That is where a blast from the steamer comes in. (Similar to doing the door cups where you'd anchor left and right, then steam the center quick so it stretches). The Xpel patterns are pretty darn good (better than the Suntek patterns but, my guy gets the Xpel patterns and uses the Suntek)

Ten4Lou · 08-22-2018, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trans damm

Where are you buying the material? When I looked the install was almost free compared to buying the material myself

Well... I am just starting to research this so I don't know if this is legit or not, however I found this 3M Pro kit on ebay for under $300.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevrolet-C...4AAOSwgv5ZOknR

So far, the two quotes I got here locally are between $850 - $950 at the XPEL shops. I live just north of Houston.

Ten4Lou · 08-22-2018, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaamacat

You will need a steamer. Steamer is excellent not only for (after a full clean) getting in the edge areas, and removing wax on those edges. On the front bumper, once you get the "anchor points" down... you'll see the need to stretch material to conform. That is where a blast from the steamer comes in. (Similar to doing the door cups where you'd anchor left and right, then steam the center quick so it stretches). The Xpel patterns are pretty darn good (better than the Suntek patterns but, my guy gets the Xpel patterns and uses the Suntek)

Thanks!! I don't have a steamer so I would need to buy that. I also noticed that the Xpel kits are expensive... around $800 - $900, which is the same as the installed price, just like Trans damm mentioned.

dfwcowboy · 08-22-2018, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ten4Lou

Well... I am just starting to research this so I don't know if this is legit or not, however I found this 3M Pro kit on ebay for under $300.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevrolet-C...4AAOSwgv5ZOknR

So far, the two quotes I got here locally are between $850 - $950 at the XPEL shops. I live just north of Houston.

I got Xpel done on my front bumper, rockers up to the crease, and rear bumper behind the rear tires done for $775 in Dallas. The install was first rate and took about 3-4 hours.

BMWM.D. · 08-22-2018, 02:13 PM

I’ve been told the front bumper is not an easy job on these cars. In my opinion, it’ll take some experience to make it turn out nice. Wouldn’t be worth saving a few hundred bucks; at least to me.

Harry320 · 08-22-2018, 04:30 PM

The front bumper on the ZL1 is one of the most challenging jobs out there. I wasted a expensive pattern trying it myself. I did all the flat areas will no problem but that bumper is a .....

mdmoore23 · 08-22-2018, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trans damm

Where are you buying the material? When I looked the install was almost free compared to buying the material myself

+1. If you haven't ever done this, I wouldn't bother trying a big complicated piece like a ZL1 bumper. My bumper was a hair over $500 installed. Much more than that is a ripoff. The material isn't cheap enough that you can really do it yourself and save money. I leave ppf to the pros, because they obviously get it at a cost we can't get, so they can afford to mess up. You mess up at all and you're screwed. Plus, I wouldn't go with anything other than Suntek or Xpel as a 2nd choice.

PorkchopExpress · 08-22-2018, 05:08 PM

I could see how one may attempt the install on their own if their car started off perfect, but most aren't.

Even from the dealer, my installer spent a day and a half with the clay bar, polishing, and fixing areas prior to the install. For that reason, the install cost was well worth it in my eyes.

Badgerbimmer · 08-22-2018, 05:19 PM

After watching my installer put on just the front splitter piece I can't imagine how tricky the bumper was. There is no way I would try this on my car. Plus if you have it done by an authorized installer it is warrantied.

Sig · 08-22-2018, 05:40 PM

I had the same plan as you and installed the bikini cut hood (3M) myself with a bit of effort but it came out really nice. My family could not even tell it was on.

So, I tried the bumper and basically destroyed the film. I think you would need 3 people to do that front bumper. Very complicated to hold and apply at same time. . I would have it done professionally.

One thing is I did have a couple of bubbles, but if you leave the car in the hot sun for a couple days, they do disappear, so don't worry if after either you or the pro end up with some small bubbles. What I was told is the film does have some microscopic holes to relieve this. I believe it.

Gunkk · 08-22-2018, 06:45 PM

In increasing degrees of difficuly...

1. 2 bucket wash a car.
2. Applying a paint sealant.
3. Using a foam cannon to get a good shaving cream.
4. Changing an air filter.
5. Changing oil.
6. Polishing paint.
7. Beating KTTXZ06 in a roll race.
8. Beating Mr. Wyndam on the track.
9. Conving my wife to let me build another garage on the house so I can get more cars.
10. Winning the lottery.
11. ...
12....
...
...
30. Winning an argument on the internet.
...
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
87 ... Sucessfully installing PPF perfectly on the front bumper of a 6th gen ZL1.

08-22-2018, 11:08 AM	#1
Ten4Lou Drives: 2018 ZL1 NGM Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Magnolia, TX Posts: 43	Clear Bra Self Apply?? I’ve applied racing stripes and decals on vehicles but wasn’t sure just how difficult it would be to buy a precut kit (like 3M or Xpel) and apply myself. I’m going to do the front bumper and “bikini cut” hood. Seems like I will save a bunch doing it myself (upwards of $500). Has anyone here had any success at doing it themselves?? Thanks!!! Lou

08-22-2018, 05:19 PM	#12
Badgerbimmer Drives: ZL1 A10 Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 306	After watching my installer put on just the front splitter piece I can't imagine how tricky the bumper was. There is no way I would try this on my car. Plus if you have it done by an authorized installer it is warrantied. __________________ My rides: 2017 Camaro ZL1 A10 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel 2012 Audi S4 1992 Porsche America Roadster 1990 BMW 325Ic

08-22-2018, 11:24 AM	#2
wlsmoku Drives: 2018 ZL1 A10 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Missouri Posts: 133 View My Garage	its a cross between doing window tint and vinyl wrap. it is very thick and it will not conform like vinyl wrap does. I would suggest having a second person help you, and a couple bottles of soapy/water and I like the felt flexible squeegees for the front bumper. Clay bar the areas you want to do as well as a 40-50% water/isopropel alcohol wipe down.

08-22-2018, 11:30 AM	#3
Trans damm Drives: Trans am Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Nyc Posts: 565	Where are you buying the material? When I looked the install was almost free compared to buying the material myself

08-22-2018, 02:13 PM	#8
BMWM.D. Drives: ZL1/335i Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Santa Barbara Posts: 870	I’ve been told the front bumper is not an easy job on these cars. In my opinion, it’ll take some experience to make it turn out nice. Wouldn’t be worth saving a few hundred bucks; at least to me.

08-22-2018, 04:30 PM	#9
Harry320 Drives: 2017 Camaro Zl1 Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Dallas Tx Posts: 15	The front bumper on the ZL1 is one of the most challenging jobs out there. I wasted a expensive pattern trying it myself. I did all the flat areas will no problem but that bumper is a .....

08-22-2018, 05:08 PM	#11
PorkchopExpress Drives: 2018 Camaro ZL1 Garnet Red Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Kirkland, WA Posts: 24	I could see how one may attempt the install on their own if their car started off perfect, but most aren't. Even from the dealer, my installer spent a day and a half with the clay bar, polishing, and fixing areas prior to the install. For that reason, the install cost was well worth it in my eyes.

08-22-2018, 05:40 PM	#13
Sig Drives: 2018 Camaro ZL1 met-black/manual Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: NH Posts: 9	I had the same plan as you and installed the bikini cut hood (3M) myself with a bit of effort but it came out really nice. My family could not even tell it was on. So, I tried the bumper and basically destroyed the film. I think you would need 3 people to do that front bumper. Very complicated to hold and apply at same time. . I would have it done professionally. One thing is I did have a couple of bubbles, but if you leave the car in the hot sun for a couple days, they do disappear, so don't worry if after either you or the pro end up with some small bubbles. What I was told is the film does have some microscopic holes to relieve this. I believe it.

08-22-2018, 06:45 PM	#14
Gunkk Thank you Al Oppenheiser! Drives: Red Hot A10 ZL1 Convertible Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 5,183 View My Garage	In increasing degrees of difficuly... 1. 2 bucket wash a car. 2. Applying a paint sealant. 3. Using a foam cannon to get a good shaving cream. 4. Changing an air filter. 5. Changing oil. 6. Polishing paint. 7. Beating KTTXZ06 in a roll race. 8. Beating Mr. Wyndam on the track. 9. Conving my wife to let me build another garage on the house so I can get more cars. 10. Winning the lottery. 11. ... 12.... ... ... 30. Winning an argument on the internet. ... ... . . . . . . 87 ... Sucessfully installing PPF perfectly on the front bumper of a 6th gen ZL1.

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