Clear Protective Bra. Auto Detail. Paint Chip Repair. Shades vs Tint

[ETAction]

Planning a couple additions to the ZHP with spring around the corner.

All of these modifications will act as a sedative, so to speak, allowing me to drive the car as much as I yearn to throughout the summer without my insides collapsing from paranoia.

Paint Chip Repair:

Few spots on the hood that need repairing and I plan to do this myself which is by far the most cost effective method, also, the only mod/repair I feel comfortable completing. Considering using http://www.chipex.com/


Shades vs Tint

Having my 2 year old strapped to the backseat, uv & heat protection, cosmetically altering etc... are all reasons for considering tint. I love the look of the car without tint but for practicality reasons I believe its the best choice.
The screens that BMW once made are a nice alternative but are just as expensive and hard to find nowadays. Pro being no real alteration to the car and can be easily taken down with the clips remaining in place.
These are really the only ones I can locate:
http://www.nm-motorsport.com/PBShoppingCart.asp?ItmID=21452794&XMLOpt1=-1&XMLOpt2=-1&RelatedPdtIDs=&PackagingID=undefined

Ceramic tint would be used. I am torn between tinting all windows or just the rear half of the car. Back window being the definite darkest... with a fade becoming lighter towards the front windows....??

Clear Protective Bra

I'm sure most are familiar with these applications. My biggest 'irk with the car right now are the paint chips in the hood and the fear of inevitably accumulating more.
I am a bit apprehensive with this mod..... It being the most expensive and IMO, the most drastic modification
Few good brands including 3M, Llumar, and Solar Guard (my understanding is they are all technically 3M, who only make the adhesive used by all brands)

How does the community feel about all of these options? Hate tint? Love tint? Non OEM = Non bueno?

The clear bra is my biggest concern and it is that which I am seeking most feedback on. Personal experience with these???

I live in Flagstaff, Az (fairly small town) but will be Vegas'ing in Las Vegas at the end of April, which apart from mode of transportation, my car will remain unused for the duration of my time there as I will be... well, Vegas'ing.

Have been quoted from I what have found to be reputable shops in Las Vegas the following prices:

Auto Detail: Exterior - $175. Interior included - $215

Ceramic Window Tinting for all rear windows $160

Llumar or Solar Guard clear protective bra: $600.

Figure I can haggle around a bit and slide out for a total cost of $930


All feedback wil be greatly appreciated.

-Eli

[ELCID86]

As far as tin, go with ceramic to reduce cabin heat (and uv ray?). I think at lease one member here went with a clear-ish? Tint so see what the options are if you don't like the limo look... or just go with a 50% or so lighter tint.

I forget your car color.

A few pics. This was my son's car with 30% all around.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170331/e194c47378db86eb7d32aa561e3011b9.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170331/908dd7d33f69519571d3ccc3271a05ca.jpg


His and mine (old car) before I got tint.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170331/b70be4b952f6b6bf71820f714cf63067.jpg

[AZBP2]

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[John in VA]

There should be excellent tint installers in AZ as most cars probably have it. Search for your state's tint laws, and get it on all the side glass & rear glass. Many will apply tint darker than allowed, but I fear getting a ticket & having to remove it, or the difficulty of seeing cross traffic at dawn/dusk if the tint is too dark. The dot matrix on the edge of the windows can be problematic, so talk to them about how they are able to minimize bubbles there.

I haven't heard for Chipex, but have had decent results with Dr, ColorChip and factory touch-up along with the Langka product. We have detailers here that will perform the detailing, touch-up, and then apply the paint protection. This way any problem is on them, vs. then saying your touch-up job resulted in the poor adhesion of the paint protection, etc.

I plan to have my coupe tinted later this spring. LA Tint in Manassas & Sterling VA do great work!

[ETAction]

Im sure there are great installers of tint down in Phoenix, 2 hours away from me. Which isn's bad, but for a trip like that it would require arrangements for transportation and what not. In Vegas, I will have a couple days where everything is within walking distance or a short cab ride away enabling me to have time for my car to be dropped off.

I'm confident in my ability to repair the chips adequately. Following with a professional detail prior to the install of a clear bra should I decide to go that route.

I'm sure I will get tint. Ceramic all the way around. Darkest being the rear window.

[ETAction]

Ceramic window tint is $300 for all windows.... bit more than I had anticipated.

sheesh

[BMWCurves]

That's not a terrible price, I don't think. Especially for ceramic and a sedan w/ seven sections to do.

[ELCID86]

That's not a terrible price, I don't think. Especially for ceramic and a sedan w/ seven sections to do.

+1. Well worth it. I think I paid @$350.

[fredo]

My wife has mentioned ceramic tint for her x3 a couple of times. On a black/black car in TX is justified, IMHO.

[ETAction]

That's not a terrible price, I don't think. Especially for ceramic and a sedan w/ seven sections to do.

After doing more research I have found that $300 is a competitive price. Also, I believe paying for ceramic will be worth it. Much of what I have read and asked tint shops about seem to have the same opinion.

BMWCurves, what is your stance concerning a clear protective bra?


My wife has mentioned ceramic tint for her x3 a couple of times. On a black/black car in TX is justified, IMHO.

Right, and having a little one in the back, she is constantly being blinded, poor girl.

fredo - Have you had any experience with Ceramic vs a normal carbon type tint? I of course have much experience with regular tint but this is the first time I am considering Ceramic.

[John in VA]

After doing more research I have found that $300 is a competitive price. Also, I believe paying for ceramic will be worth it. Much of what I have read and asked tint shops about seem to have the same opinion.
The best Llumar ceramic is nearly twice that around here (DC area). Llumar make a good paint protection film as well = self-healing!

[ZHPizza]

Ceramic is well worth it. Llumar CTX is about $300-350 in our hood too.

[BMWCurves]

After doing more research I have found that $300 is a competitive price. Also, I believe paying for ceramic will be worth it. Much of what I have read and asked tint shops about seem to have the same opinion.

BMWCurves, what is your stance concerning a clear protective bra?

Sadly, I have no stance on a clear bra. If I was buying a car new, I think I'd go for the whole hood/fenders if I had the cash. But I don't know what it takes for a used car to touch up and prep the paint prior to covering a car with a clear bra. Unless you do a lot of highway miles, I think you'd be okay with just doing touch up paint, but that's advice coming from someone who has no real background in that sort of stuff.

[ETAction]

Sadly, I have no stance on a clear bra. If I was buying a car new, I think I'd go for the whole hood/fenders if I had the cash. But I don't know what it takes for a used car to touch up and prep the paint prior to covering a car with a clear bra. Unless you do a lot of highway miles, I think you'd be okay with just doing touch up paint, but that's advice coming from someone who has no real background in that sort of stuff.

I think you're right. I ordered a color matched kit from ChipEx. I will share some pics of how it turns out.

Thanks again for the insight and opinions. Much appreciated as I tend to be rather indecisive.

[L0veZHP]

I don't think you should get a clear bra on the car unless you repaint the whole hood. At least my opinion


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[ETAction]

I don't think you should get a clear bra on the car unless you repaint the whole hood. At least my opinion


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Opinions are what I am looking for, thanks!

Considering the cost of the clear bra, I am not sure I can full justify the expense. I have another car that gets more use but I am considering selling it and making the ZHP have all the daily duties which is why I was considering the bra initially.

I just need to 'let go, let God" as they say ha ha and drive the damn thing without being overly paranoid about damage.

[L0veZHP]

Opinions are what I am looking for, thanks!

Considering the cost of the clear bra, I am not sure I can full justify the expense. I have another car that gets more use but I am considering selling it and making the ZHP have all the daily duties which is why I was considering the bra initially.

I just need to 'let go, let God" as they say ha ha and drive the damn thing without being overly paranoid about damage.

Lol tell me about it. I live in NYC in Manhattan too lol. I daily drive my car too. I was also thinking of putting a clear bra on it this year. But also think it's too expensive. I baby the car too. I don't drive fast or redline and I only park in certain spots. And I'll drive 5mph if the street is bad and idc about the car behind me. But all in all I have to remember my car is almost 15 years old and is daily driven I can't expect it to be as perfect as a brand new car. Go for the touch up paint and maybe a paint correction you'll be happy [emoji1360]


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[az3579]

I don't think you should get a clear bra on the car unless you repaint the whole hood. At least my opinion


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I agree with this. In my opinion, putting a clear bra on a hood with any rock chips on it at all is a waste of money. I'd touch it up or repaint it, putting on the clear bra afterwards.

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