Paint protection film -self install
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Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 72
From: Seattle, WA
Paint protection film -self install
So after getting a quote for over +$1000 I am thinking of installing the paint protection film myself. Has anybody on here done this before? I am a DIY shade-tree mechanic but the only experience I have doing anything like this would be yellow protection film I installed on my Subaru Outback's foglights, and then a 36"x48" one-way mirror tint I applied to a window in our bedroom. -We have a bird feeder mounted on the other side of the window to entertain our cats w/o the birds seeing the cats. Drives them nuts that they can see the birds 2 inches away. Anyways, here are my questions:
1. Should I wait until a kit is available specifically for the 2015 fit like this?:
2. Should I just buy a roll like this and cut it myself? My main objective is protecting the first couple inches of the hood:
3. Bite the bullet and just pay to get it done
1. Should I wait until a kit is available specifically for the 2015 fit like this?:
2. Should I just buy a roll like this and cut it myself? My main objective is protecting the first couple inches of the hood:
3. Bite the bullet and just pay to get it done
Last edited by ADVphotography; Jul 18, 2014 at 11:44 AM.
Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 77
From: Austin Texas
Not saying I am skilled or anything, but I bought the bulk film years ago for my 2002 WRX and was able to easily do the hood and other bits. However the complex shape of the front bumper made that a no go for me. Lots of pulling, stretching, and massaging around curves to get a smooth, bubble free fit. Not saying it's not possible, but definitely tougher than I expected. Maybe get a bid for just the front bumper and DIY the smaller and easier parts?
So after getting a quote for over +$1000 I am thinking of installing the paint protection film myself. Has anybody on here done this before? I am a DIY shade-tree mechanic but the only experience I have doing anything like this would be yellow protection film I installed on my Subaru Outback's foglights, and then a 36"x48" one-way mirror tint I applied to a window in our bedroom. -We have a bird feeder mounted on the other side of the window to entertain our cats w/o the birds seeing the cats. Drives them nuts that they can see the birds 2 inches away. Anyways, here are my questions:
<br />
1. Should I wait until a kit is available specifically for the 2015 fit like this?: Amazon.com: Honda Fit Sport (2012-2013) 3M Clear Bra Paint Protection Film Kit: Automotive
<br />
2. Should I just buy a roll like this and cut it myself? My main objective is protecting the first couple inches of the hood: Amazon.com: 3M Clear Bra Paint Protection Bulk Film Roll 12-by-96-inches: Automotive
<br />
3. Bite the bullet and just pay to get it done
<br />
1. Should I wait until a kit is available specifically for the 2015 fit like this?: Amazon.com: Honda Fit Sport (2012-2013) 3M Clear Bra Paint Protection Film Kit: Automotive
<br />
2. Should I just buy a roll like this and cut it myself? My main objective is protecting the first couple inches of the hood: Amazon.com: 3M Clear Bra Paint Protection Bulk Film Roll 12-by-96-inches: Automotive
<br />
3. Bite the bullet and just pay to get it done
Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 47
From: Austin, Texas
It seems like if you bought the pre-cut kit it should be much easier to install. I might go this route myself because I'm not going to pay $1000+ for a professional install. That's about 5% of the purchase price of an EX-L!!
Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 139
From: Western North Carolina, Shelby
Go precut...I had 2015 precut kit -bumper, headlight, fenders,
both mirrors done including window tint for 950.00 oh, also including the entire hood. I had a pro install done and watching the entire 5.5 hour install I would never try it at home. Many tricks of the trade to making this paint protection look seamless and perfect. If you make any mistakes it could be an expensive lesson ..had this installed on an 04 Accord EXL 10 years ago...looked like new 217000 miles later on the day we traded it in on our 14 Accord EXL. All of our vehicles have it, no chips, dings or scratches. It can easily be replaced if ever needed.
Good Luck!
On second thought....I would highly recommend having the clear bra professionally installed...just spend some of that rusty money
both mirrors done including window tint for 950.00 oh, also including the entire hood. I had a pro install done and watching the entire 5.5 hour install I would never try it at home. Many tricks of the trade to making this paint protection look seamless and perfect. If you make any mistakes it could be an expensive lesson ..had this installed on an 04 Accord EXL 10 years ago...looked like new 217000 miles later on the day we traded it in on our 14 Accord EXL. All of our vehicles have it, no chips, dings or scratches. It can easily be replaced if ever needed.
Good Luck!
On second thought....I would highly recommend having the clear bra professionally installed...just spend some of that rusty money
Last edited by 15/SILVER/EXL; Jul 18, 2014 at 07:18 PM.
Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 466
From: Arizona
So after getting a quote for over +$1000 I am thinking of installing the paint protection film myself. Has anybody on here done this before? I am a DIY shade-tree mechanic but the only experience I have doing anything like this would be yellow protection film I installed on my Subaru Outback's foglights, and then a 36"x48" one-way mirror tint I applied to a window in our bedroom. -We have a bird feeder mounted on the other side of the window to entertain our cats w/o the birds seeing the cats. Drives them nuts that they can see the birds 2 inches away. Anyways, here are my questions:
1. Should I wait until a kit is available specifically for the 2015 fit like this?: Amazon.com: Honda Fit Sport (2012-2013) 3M Clear Bra Paint Protection Film Kit: Automotive
2. Should I just buy a roll like this and cut it myself? My main objective is protecting the first couple inches of the hood: Amazon.com: 3M Clear Bra Paint Protection Bulk Film Roll 12-by-96-inches: Automotive
3. Bite the bullet and just pay to get it done
1. Should I wait until a kit is available specifically for the 2015 fit like this?: Amazon.com: Honda Fit Sport (2012-2013) 3M Clear Bra Paint Protection Film Kit: Automotive
2. Should I just buy a roll like this and cut it myself? My main objective is protecting the first couple inches of the hood: Amazon.com: 3M Clear Bra Paint Protection Bulk Film Roll 12-by-96-inches: Automotive
3. Bite the bullet and just pay to get it done
Last edited by Stingray; Jul 18, 2014 at 01:24 PM.
Thread Starter
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Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 72
From: Seattle, WA
The link was just to an example using the previous gen fit. Haven't seen one available for the 2015 yet.
Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 139
From: Western North Carolina, Shelby
My installer went to a Honda dealership traced out the 2015 full clear bra pattern with a digital pen which transfers the pattern to a computer laser pattern cutting machine back in his shop. Then laser cut all the areas ...bumper, headlights, full hood, fenders, mirrorsMy clear bra install was the first one in the Charlotte area....as the pattern was not available as mentioned. It took about 5 hours for the install.
The pattern turned out perfect. FWIW....
Last edited by 15/SILVER/EXL; Jul 20, 2014 at 02:03 PM.
Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 229
From: Monterey
Got a quote here in Cali.
$650 for full bumper, partial hood, partial fender and side mirrors.
$1200 for same deal but full hood and fender. They didn't care that the hood and fender are so small it should be considered partial compared to most cars.
$650 for full bumper, partial hood, partial fender and side mirrors.
$1200 for same deal but full hood and fender. They didn't care that the hood and fender are so small it should be considered partial compared to most cars.
New Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 13
From: North Carolina
My installer went to a Honda dealership traced out the 2015 full clear bra pattern with a digital pen which transfers the pattern to a computer laser pattern cutting machine back in his shop. Then laser cut all the areas ...bumper, headlights, full hood, fenders, mirrorsMy clear bra install was the first one in the Charlotte area....as the pattern was not available as mentioned. It took about 5 hours for the install.
The pattern turned out perfect. FWIW....
The pattern turned out perfect. FWIW....
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