Clear Bra for Mazda 3 Worth It?

[RedRaptor]

In the market to get a 2004 Mz 3 Sport GT in the next month or so. So I have to plan what mods should be done on it first. I\'ve read a lot of threads on the clear bra with the 3M or the Lulluar film. I opted not to go for the OEM hood deflector and use the money to get a clear bra application. We have the hood deflector on our minivan and I don\'t find it very effective.

So...here are my questions:
Where should I go to for a clear bra? (FX Auto Markham?)
How much does it cost? (Would I get a discount with TorontoMazda3.com club?)
How much am I looking at?

I know there is a clear bra and tinting package. I\'m not really interested in tints. They look great on a minvan or SUV but I don\'t see the need for now on a hatch.

[Snipes]

I checked FX Auto in Oshawa. They quoted me $199 for the clear Lumar bra on the hood. Then they quoted me $299 for the clear Lumar Bra on the hood, fenders and mirros. Doesn\'t sound too bad and will help prevent rock chips. There will be no deal with this guy because they are not affiliated with our club.

[RedRaptor]

How about FX AUTO in Markham? I think they are affliated with our club and we should get discounts. Maybe Xenon or one of the mods can confirm?:D

[MajesticBlueNTO]

Originally posted by RedRaptor


How about FX AUTO in Markham? I think they are affliated with our club and we should get discounts. Maybe Xenon or one of the mods can confirm?:D

since your post count is already above 30, you now need to attend a meet or 2 to become part of the dealer affiliate program. however, the next round of members is not until january. IIRC.

cheers

[Xenon]

Originally posted by RedRaptor


How about FX AUTO in Markham? I think they are affliated with our club and we should get discounts. Maybe Xenon or one of the mods can confirm?:D

FX Auto in Markham IS an affiliate.

WRT what MagesticBlueN said, we are currently looking at members with 30+ posts. If your post count is high, but you have not attended any meets, you still cannot get on the lsit. After you attend one meet, Global Mods will determine whether or not to grant you an exception and put you on the list. This decision is based on how active you are in the forums and how active you are at the meet.

[fat mike]

I know I am all they way in the K-W area but I can get the hood, fenders, and mirrors done for you for $225+tax and the front bumper done for $175+tax

Cheers,
-Mike

[RedRaptor]

I just went for a test drive of the 3 (first ever). In the show room I saw the Mazda Hood deflector. Looks neat with the Mazda logo on the side in white but I don\'t think I\'m going to get one. It doesn\'t really do anything. I\'m going to go the clear bra way for sure.

[RedRaptor]

Need some info on the Clear Bra. Can someone post a picture of what the coverage of the bra? Just a simple diagram showing the front of the car and the coverage of the bra.

Thanks!

[fat mike]

Originally posted by RedRaptor


Need some info on the Clear Bra. Can someone post a picture of what the coverage of the bra? Just a simple diagram showing the front of the car and the coverage of the bra.

Thanks!

All depends my friend some kits are digitaly vut and will have more or less coverage. And some are hand cut and might have more or less. BUt usually your looking at about a 6\" Piece on the hood, Fronts of mirrors, Fender to wheel well, and wiht the bumber usually the entire thing should be covered.

[RedRaptor]

Thanks fat mike. I would go to FX Auto I guess since it seems like its the popular choice around with the members. But just for style/looks, I was thinking of adding the Mazda OEM hood deflector after I got a clear bra done. I don\'t think its very useful but hell does it look good or what?! ;) Saw it in the Mazda showroom...

Any ill effects against doing this (clear bra + hood deflector) other than its \"a big waste of money for looks\"?

[fat mike]

Originally posted by RedRaptor


Thanks fat mike. I would go to FX Auto I guess since it seems like its the popular choice around with the members. But just for style/looks, I was thinking of adding the Mazda OEM hood deflector after I got a clear bra done. I don\'t think its very useful but hell does it look good or what?! ;) Saw it in the Mazda showroom...

Any ill effects against doing this (clear bra + hood deflector) other than its \"a big waste of money for looks\"?



you kinda sumed it up there my friend lol But hey to each thier own :)

[Xenon]

The only thing about a hood deflector is the fact that it will eventually scratch the paint at the contact points, but if you have a clear bra there... then I guess it wouldn\'t scratch.

[RedRaptor]

Xenon, how much is the Clear Bra + Tint package without the affliation discount? Just wondering because I might need to get the package done before the next meet (Clear Bra for sure).

[majic]

I was wondering the same thing..

also would you guys thing FX Auto would let us get a discount without the afiliation or are they strict about it? Unfortunately i just learned about this site recently and i\'m hoping to get a new 3 before January and the clear bra would be the first thing for the car. thx

[majic]

@RedRaptor
looks like i just answered my own question..

check out this thread (http://torontomazda3.com/forum/read.php?TID=368)

[Xenon]

Originally posted by RedRaptor


Xenon, how much is the Clear Bra + Tint package without the affliation discount? Just wondering because I might need to get the package done before the next meet (Clear Bra for sure).

Without...

Tint = $250, Clear Bra = 150... so $400 + tax...

Affiliation price is $375, taxes in.

[RedRaptor]

Thanks. $375 tax in and $400 + tax is a pretty big difference.

But oh well, since I\'ll be getting my car in the next 2 weeks, I don\'t think I\'ll even have the chance to come out to a meet to gain membership for the discount.

I don\'t really mind the tints since I don\'t need it right away, but the clear bra is something I\'ll have to have done before I get any major stone chips on the car.

Guess I\'ll pay the \"regular\" price.

[wtom]

Originally posted by RedRaptor

I don\'t really mind the tints since I don\'t need it right away, but the clear bra is something I\'ll have to have done before I get any major stone chips on the car.


Do you drive on the highways often? If so, then yes, do consider the clear bra, otherwise, the clear bra can wait (for your membership to kick in). One month old car here, 2400km or so on it, no paint chips.

[RedRaptor]

During the weekday, most of my driving is city driving. However on the weekends and on Friday and Monday night I have hockey so lots of highway driving there. I want to get it done asap once I get the car.

[RedRaptor]

Gone the clear hood protection done at FX Auto today. Choice was easy between the 3M film and the LLumar film. LLumar film looked way better and clear. Wayne and Martin were great in terms of service and price. I\'m going to go back there for my tints in a few months.

While I was there, guys from Markham Mazda and Markville Toyota were bringing in Mazda 3s, MPVs, Toyota Camrys, Rav 4s all for rust proofing and some for tints. That just proves the dealer overcharges the customer for rustprotection and tints...

Thumbs up to FX Auto.

[Melenium]

When I get my 3, I\'d definately consider getting the clear bra, and probably a tint. I was just wondering though-- I know if you get a regular decal put onto the paintwork, over time the sun kills it, and its difficult to get off (and when you do finally get it off, the paint may have faded less than the paint around it).. does the same thing happen to either the 3M or the LLumar films? How easy are they to actually remove, and if/when do you remove it?

As for the OEM hood deflector, I have my doubts.. I could be wrong, but my guess it will just deflect the stones that may have chipped your paint on the hood to crack your windshield instead. Just my $0.02 though!

[Xenon]

LLumar Clear Bra Film is guranteed for life not to dry out or change colour.

And it comes off without leaving any marks or adhesive on the paint.

[Melenium]

Originally posted by Xenon


LLumar Clear Bra Film is guranteed for life not to dry out or change colour.

And it comes off without leaving any marks or adhesive on the paint.

Wow.. talk about a fast response ;)

Are there any other differences between the films? I mean 3M is a brand name that is pretty well known, but I haven\'t heard of LLumar before. If they\'re a smaller company, then if there is ever a problem, they may not be around to pick up the tab.

Under what conditions would you remove the film?

[Xenon]

Originally posted by Melenium



Originally posted by Xenon


LLumar Clear Bra Film is guranteed for life not to dry out or change colour.

And it comes off without leaving any marks or adhesive on the paint.

Wow.. talk about a fast response ;)

Are there any other differences between the films? I mean 3M is a brand name that is pretty well known, but I haven\'t heard of LLumar before. If they\'re a smaller company, then if there is ever a problem, they may not be around to pick up the tab.

Under what conditions would you remove the film?

3M is not as optically clear as Llumar (it is an older technology)...

Llumar is actually a part of FormulaOne Window Films, who are the industry standard in Tint Films....

You\'d remove the fil if it has been beat up too much and want to replace it (considered normal wear & tear)... other than that, you shouldn\'t have to remove it.

[RedRaptor]

Its been almost a month since I got my LLumar Clear Bra on my car. While most of it has settled in great with no bubbles, there are quite a few bubbles left on my passenger side fender. I was told it would be gone after a month or so.

Xenon, what are your experiences with your LLumar Clear Bra?

[Xenon]

Excellent, if you wax it with the car it works like a char. Bug guts come off a lot easier from the Llumar vs. Paint.

My hood has been hit with many chips since I got it installed... I can tell the stones leave some white dust on the clear bra. But the paint below is unphased and the dust just wipes off.

I did have a LARGE piece of gravel hit my hood, it went through the Llumar and a few layers of paint (it shows white paint), even made a small dent. But without the LLumar, my hood would have been far worse.

[RedRaptor]

Good to hear...I am very happy with the clear bra also since it is pretty much invisible when your car is clean and waxed. Do you have any bubbles left on yours? I\'m going to FX soon for tints, I guess I\'ll ask them if having bubbles after a month is normal.

Other than that, no complaints here. Now if the bubbles would go away...then it would be perfect.

[Xenon]

No, I have no bubbles.

[firstmazda]

How do I know if I\'m on the affiliation list?
I\'d like to get a clear bra too, esp before winter when the cars ahead of you
whip road salt on your front end.

Did someone also mention they had a clear film on the top of their bumper too?
that would be real nice when loading stuff in and out of the trunk


Ray

[firstmazda]

Oh, and I think at the next meet all the girls should show up with
clear bras!!!

[MajesticBlueNTO]

Originally posted by firstmazda


How do I know if I\'m on the affiliation list?
I\'d like to get a clear bra too, esp before winter when the cars ahead of you
whip road salt on your front end.

Did someone also mention they had a clear film on the top of their bumper too?
that would be real nice when loading stuff in and out of the trunk


Ray

i have the clear film on top of the rear bumper in front of the trunk opening. :)

it has saved my bumper numerous times when the mom drags the grocery bags out of the trunk :(

[Melenium]

Originally posted by MajesticBlueN


i have the clear film on top of the rear bumper in front of the trunk opening. :)

it has saved my bumper numerous times when the mom drags the grocery bags out of the trunk :(

Roughly how much does it cost for just the top of the rear bumper? From the sounds of things I\'d cover the whole car in the stuff if my wallet was thick enough ;)

[RedRaptor]

Where did you get the clear protection done on your bumper? How much did it cost?

[MajesticBlueNTO]

Originally posted by RedRaptor


Where did you get the clear protection done on your bumper? How much did it cost?

I got it done at Thornhill Tints.

I honestly can\'t remember how much i paid...it was part of the group deal that someone at VWvortex set up. I got the hood, fender, side rear view mirrors, and top of rear bumper done. it was definitely less than $200

[Xenon]

Originally posted by firstmazda


How do I know if I\'m on the affiliation list?
I\'d like to get a clear bra too, esp before winter when the cars ahead of you
whip road salt on your front end.Ray

If you are on the affiliation list, you would get a PM saying that you qualify.

[RedRaptor]

Got the tint done today at FX Auto Markham (35% Front/20% Rear) with Premier film. Lifetime warranty and bring it back to them at anytime.

Martin also inspected the Llumar Clear Bra on my car that I got done a month ago. There are some very small \"suspect\" spots on my passenger side fender. Wayne suggested that I take it through the winter punishment and if I\'m not happy with it, they will redo it. While I was in the shop they cleaned the front end for me and I noticed that there are a lot of stone chip spots on the clear bra. I don\'t want to imagine how my hood would look like now if I didn\'t install it. So for those of you who haven\'t done so yet, getting the a hood deflector or the clear bra is a very very good investment.

Just wanted to put a final comment on FX Auto\'s service. It was a pleasure dealing with Wayne & Martin at FX Auto. Service is great, workmanship is excellent also and they really know how to treat the customer.

I highly recommend FX Auto Markham for Tints & Clear Hood Protection.

[firstmazda]

how long does it take them to install the Llumar bra?
do I have to leave the car there for a day or do I just stick around for a couple of hours?
Are their kits pre-cut or they do it all custom?

Ray

[bluntman]

It\'s like installing a tint to your car, leave it there, go across the street to Markville Town Centre, do some shopping and in a few hours you\'re done. AFAIK, they are given the template from the manufacturer and their vinyl cutters cut out the appropriate pieces.

[RedRaptor]

Ray,

Its exactly as Bluntman described it. I got my LLumar Bra done when I first got my car so it took 2 hours or so. But if you get the tint and bra done at the same time, then it should take 2.0 to 2.5 hours total.

I went to Markville mall as well to grab breakfast and do some reading while I waited.

[MGPWR]

About a month ago, I got the Llumar clear bra put on by FX Auto in Markham. They did a great job and I highly recommend this place. I dealt with Wayne who is very professional, easy to talk to and, overall, just a great guy.

Even though FX was really busy, Wayne took the time to show me the difference between the 3M and the Llumar hood tape even though I had already decided on getting the Llumar tape based on what I read about it. Some businesses/people don\'t care to explain things either because they too busy, lazy or apathetic. Also, I noticed that Wayne walks the customers to their cars to ensure they are satisfied, which is a nice customer service gesture. :)