You're welcome.

Just looked at where you are. Brrrr, hope you have a heated garage if you plan on doing it before warmer weather comes. It's definately easier to work with when it's at least warm. In freezing weather I hate to even think what it be like trying to install it.

 

2hot, when you were peeling off the rear bumper one, how did you do it? Did you use that window film removing thing?

Friend of mine is tint installer and I saw him at work and it looked pretty easy if you knew the correct steps in tinting. I didn't know you had to shape the tint by applying the tint on the outside of the window and applying heat gun to it. He said sometimes installers would goto Wal-mart and buy films when they run out. Some wal-mart tints are good enough he says.

I'm just going to have him do mine..

I saw this article about waxing.. may help some of you.
http://www.autopia-carcare.com/inf-wax.html
I didn't know Carnauba wax wasn't durable.

 

I loaded the dvd installation video from the ebay clearbra material onto Youtube in 5 parts, it is really quite boring but gives you the right idea of how long it takes to get a pc. of this installed.

Here is the link,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOtYUXiBKpI
the links for parts b-e should be listed on the right hand side of the screen.


From my experience the stuff looks great and fits well onto my car. I am probably going to buy another set just for a back up. I also tried removing one of the side pcs. about five days after I applied it to reset it slightly and it came off well at that time and is still stuck on there as well as the first time i applied it. I had waxed my car just five days previous to applying the clear bra.

I am satisfied with the product but was not too happy with the shipping charges to canada compared to the price of the actual material. It was still cheaper that getting it done at a local shop by a few hundred dollars.

 

I just picked the edge up with my fingernail and peeled it back a few inches so they wouldn't overlook it when they went to repaint the bumper. It was tough but it was coming off and wasn't taking the paint with it.

Yes on curved windows you have to heat shrink it. Rear windows that is the only way it will fit because of the curve. You heat shape it on the outside so it will fit on the inside.

Unless the customer knows what they're getting then sure they would just get the cheapest tint they could to do the job. Most people just know how dark they want it and don't know anything else about the tints available.

The bra film is a LOT thicker than window tint so you're better off letting him do it. You'll see why.

 

Can it be applied on carbon fiber hood ?

 

Well, I just ordered myself a California Water Blade. This will be a nice add-on to my car washing technique...

I was my car once every 1-2 weeks.. Wax pretty much when i feel like it (once every 3 months or so)

Step #1 Wet the car
Step #2 Wash the rims
Step #3 Wash it with microfiber towels and soapy water
Step #4 Rinse
Step #5 Dry with Water Blade & Microfiber Towels
Step #6 Add some wet shine to the tires
Step #7 Clean Windows

This process takes about 1 hr.. hopefully with the Water Blade it will take up less time!!

What are your Car Washing techniques?

 

For me... I can hardly finish in an hour, unless I rush rush rush.

1. Wait till sunset (sun away from my driveway)
2. Hose down
3. Lather and rinse each panel above rub strip height (estimate it!)
4. Different mitt and bucket and do the same thing for the bottm half
5. Water blade (not the same brand.. but similar)
6. Microfiber dry vehicle
7. Wash rims & tires (reason is cause water will dry by the time I'm done washing my rims... causing water spots)
8. Dry overspray + rims + tires (with different cloths)
9. Damp microfiber and just do a quick wipe in the interior

Thats a normal wash.. which takes bout an hour-ish. But every year I do one hardcore detailing.. takes me about 9 hours. Its a pain, but its beautiful after

 

this thing is the best invention since women....lol............ive got the california jelly blade and i loooove it

 

Ive had the water blade for years now. My dad ordered one from those infomercials years ago when they first came out. Now we have the jelly style.

The plastic handled ones leave scratches when they hit the car. Sucks, I suggest the jelly style.

Also. Its a must that you rinse and wipe the blade clean before use!
If little bits of sand is on it scratches will be left everywhere you swipe it.

 

You guys dont use the absorber? It works pretty well for me.

 

I wet the car
wet a synthetic wool mitt and spray no bucket car wash
start lathering by section and rinsing
use the california jelly blade
spray Was as U Dry and use Absorber to finish up.
do not touch wheels cuz spoons are black and cant tell diff. lol

total time 25 min on average.

 

So my 2nd fit is due to arrive in a couple of days (first order came in wrong).

I had a difficult winter this year, not working much, decided to go back to school and ended up dumping a bunch into my weekend car.

Anyway, my original plan was to have an appt for clearbra the same or next day I picked up the car, since I am obsessive about car care (my profession is detailing).

Now though, if I decide to follow through with that, I would not have the "comfort" zone in my savings that I like to keep. The thing is though, I feel like if I don't get it right away, I will regret it, since it is not worth it to get unless the paint is virgin.


Sooooo. . .anybody here get some chips or knicks or anything a few months later and wish they get the film in the begining? Is the fit paint still chipping easily like it was when it came out last year?

 

The absorber is all you need, doesn't it eliminate the need for the blade. I'd be afraid it would scratch my car. After washing,I wipe it done once for each section .ring it out and do a finish dry (no water spots ever)

 

it's faster w the blade cuz it's like a squeezee to wipe the flat areas. saves me a ton of time especially on my truck. you can just use the absorber or a leather chamois but it's just more time consuming. I have a black fit so scratches are definitely a concern. here's a recent pic and no scratches. you just need to clean it. it's made of silicone.

 

rcantu. where'd you purchase your braille battery

 

My Fit is only 5 weeks old and I have not noticed any chips...thank goodness. I was in the same line of thinking as you in terms of getting a clear bra installed. The front-end kit (entire hood, front bumper, part of fender) that I wanted was a 3M and costs $380CAD PLUS installation, taxes, AND shipping. On top of this, my plan was also to protect the rocker panels, roof, door edges, rear bumper (I don't like the Honda rear bumper applique), and side mirrors - basically the whole nine yards. However, I didn't realize the prizes were that high, so I had to back off - despite my willingness to do the installation myself.

For now, I'm doing a few things to avoid stone chips:

- Stay away from the highway as much as possible.
- Keep to posted speed limit (I do this all the time anyway, so not a big deal).
- Avoid roads/highways where truck traffic is heavy.
- Avoid high speed limit roads.
- Keep a minimum of 3-car length of space from the car in front.

As I keep a mental note while driving, I find that my rocker panels need more attention than the front-end when it comes to stones though. Can't wait for the weather to warm up so I can finally wax my Fit. Anyone else have any other ideas on protecting your paint?

 

There's a local place with a good rep that can do it installed for less than $500, with warranties on the film and the install.

even though it's a good price, it's still a good amount of money. It's not like I'm getting a 911 turbo or something. ehh, such a hard decision.

 

it came from my ae86 when i bought it. he bought it direct i believe. I would just get the Deka battery for 1/3 the price and same performance. it's much lighter than stock too.

 

Sounds like you are being smart with your money keeping a savings "cushion" which everyone should have. It also sounds like you are trying to talk yourself into buying something that your probably don't need. My Fit has about two or three rock chips on the front and I live in a pretty rural area. It has never crossed my mind to buy something like you're talking about because I doubt I would ever get that money back when I go to sell the car in the future.

I love taking care of my cars, but to me being financially Fit makes more sense.

 

I use the water blade first, then my absorber.

Then I drive my car up the street to get the water out of the cracks and wheels/rims. When I get back I use a blow gun and dry wherever water is.
Takes time but my car never has any streaks or drips.