I've been seriously considering the 3M clear bra for my '05, especially since winter is coming. I went down to the local shop that installs it and they actually have an '05 F-150 shop vehicle and it looks pretty good, the problem however comes from a partsman at Ford. He had told me that in the late 80's - early 90's Ford had offered their own clear bra but don't anymore because over time dirt would get under where the bra ends a little and create a black line of dirt right in the middle of the hood. Can anyone confirm or deny this for me?
Thanks,

 

I have a 3M Clear Bra on my upper front bumper. It looks perfect and I go offroad quite often so I wouldn't worry about it.

 

What about the hood? The bra on the bumper pretty much covers the entire thing so the only place where dirt could get under is where you can't see it anyways but on the hood it stops half way up. The truck I saw had a line of dirt but the truck wasn't clean either and I wasn't sure if that would come out or not with a normal wash.

 

Your Ford parts guy is correct. My co worker had it on for few years on her Madza van and the lines are showing. In fact, it started to yellow up a little. She had it for approx 3 yrs. Another guy had it done to his Chrysler 300M and lines are showing up only after 1.5 yrs. I really thought about it doing to my truck but not anymore.

 

That's what I was afraid of. Anyone actually have it on their own vehicles that have run into problems with it?

 

this must not be the 3M brand then, it must be a knock off. the 3M is a little more pricey, but it comes with a great warranty, and on all the vehicles ive seen it looks great, ive had no reports of fading or dirt under it. im a dealer for it, so you can PM me if you want, but its something that could install if you have a buddy to help, i dont want to imagine what that shops wants to charge for it

 

SoundPer4mance,
Do you have MSN? I can't PM you through the site as I'm sure you're aware and I don't have AIM.
I know the company I went to go see uses 3M. If the cover doesn't fade like Y2KWHT150 mentioned I'm sure no matter what brand you use they will all gather dirt at the edges, right?
This is the website of the company I went to. Those are Canadian funds inc. taxes. They don't use the rocker panel kit so its not as expensive as it says there. They said $200 for that. They also said they would take off the taxes so in my area that's an exta 15% off. I'm sure it's way more expensive then it needs to be but I'd rather let them do it then have me mess something up by putting air bubbles or something in it. Also I'm sure I don't get the warrenty with my own installation.

 

I've had my 3M clear bra for well over a year. Looks like the day I got it. Couple scuffs from large nasty objects, but my paint is safe and sound. No line on the hood, though when waxing you need to be careful around it. You can easily get wax-buildup along the seam, then dirt will collect and it will look like crap. Take care of your paint and you'll be fine. That parts guy was full of it. And the 3M film carries a 3 or 5 year warrenty (I can't recall). If it fades, peeles, whatever... it's covered. I will never own another vehicle without this stuff ever again.

 

I second what Dzervit say's....We have it on my wife's dark blue car (1.5 year old) and my son's black F150...it's great stuff!

 

I bought a knock off brand on ebay the other day. Maybe I need to rethink putting this on now!

 

knock offs are a no-no, you will be replacing it in a year

 

Being that it was $40 shipped it probably is not very high quality. Looks like I will just put it to the side then.

 

Excellent points on both sides it looks like. Winter's coming soon and haven't a clue what to do.

 

The 3m product is great. I have it on 3 cars and 2 trucks had no yellowing no lines and it does a great job protecting.

 

T: maybe you might want to consider the Ford bra. I just got one. I gave the front of the truck a total wax makeover, and installed the bra. It goes on in Nov, and will come off in Mar or Apr.



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