Hey every,
Just thought that I'll upload some fotos of my car. I got my baby in mid August. So far, so good. Just had a clear car mask install by my dealer. Hope to have it a long long time. My last car I owned for 11 years before I sold it. It was nothing like the Mini.
Peace out
Did you have the clear bra installed over the stripes, or vice-versa? I was wondering about this as I want stripes immediately, but will have to save a bit for the clear bra. Thanks!
Lean, Mean, British Green, MINI Cooper S Machine!
(Queen Anne's Revenge)
Yes the clear bra thingy was installed over "factory" stripes. I was given a squeegee by the installer to push water out trapped between the stripes and film. I was also told to leave the car out in the sun for a few days so that the film could cure onto car evaporating still trapped water.
Peace out
THanks! I just spoke with my dealer today, and he said that the clear bra should be done when the car is new (prior to any paint chips, etc) for best adhesion. So now I have three weeks to figgure out if I want to shell out for it. hmmm.... being in the salty-sandy north, I am leaning that way...
Lean, Mean, British Green, MINI Cooper S Machine!
(Queen Anne's Revenge)
I have the supercharged "S" model. Old style vinyl car mask aren't yet available, as far as know, for this model. So I had no alternative.
While I like the clear mask, the mask itself covers about 95% of the front of car. The car's Hood Scoop, and a portion of the recessed areas surrounding the Fog Lamps is not protected.
Even standing as close as 5 feet from the car, it is difficult to detect the mask. Mine was installed 2 weeks after I took delievery. However the car had no paint chips. The installer washes the car first, stripping the wax, before installing the film.
I also live in the Northeast. I'm not going to drive my car on snowy, salty, rainy dazes. In fact, it's so pretty, perhaps not at all! hehe
I notice that you are in New Jersey. I'm in Stroudsburg, PA, right by the border. Might I ask where you had the clear mask installed? (location and company)
Lean, Mean, British Green, MINI Cooper S Machine!
(Queen Anne's Revenge)
I purchased my car from PRINCETION BMW MINI (3466 Route 1, Princeton, NJ 08540-Phone: 609-452-9400).
I at first phoned my sales person about "clear bra" after learning about it on this site. He was aware of it. Then he forwarded me to the service manager. He however KNEW NOTHING OF IT and NEVER SEEN IT INSTALLED!
My dealer's installer works for many dealerships. He drops by only once a week. I believe his shop is located in Connecticut.
There was quite a turnout by the dealership's employees as they watched the film being applied. Apparently mine was the first Mini to get this treatment! It was also the first Mini for installer as well. Afterwards he said that the Mini was the MOST DIFFICULT CAR HE EVER WORKED ON!
Well then we were discussing you today! I asked if they knew where I could have it done, and he told me about the installer coming out and doing the instalation. He also told me it cost $650-$700! Without asking what you paid, is that a high estimate? Because my car will be coming through Princeton Mini, and if they have done it before, they can do it again, I'm sure!
Lean, Mean, British Green, MINI Cooper S Machine!
(Queen Anne's Revenge)
Well if I was mentioned at all, then I hope you guys said something nice about me.haha
The price is about what I paid. However make certain that the headlights, turn signals and fog lamps are included. Although I asked, only the headlights and turn signal were covered with the film. I ordered the film for my car's fog lamps fromstonegard
This I'll install myself. Haven't gotten the film yet. I should have it later this week.
I'm not sure from whom the film is ordered from. There seems to be a few who die cut the film. The film itself is a 3M product. For the Mini, the cost of the film is $400. Some kits I've found on the web, provide protection not just for the bonnet, bumper, mirrors and lights but for the door cups as well as other areas of the car.
Someone on this once posted pictures of the installation of the film to their car. Perform a search to see if you could find it. I found that helpful to me understanding it.
Top 4 reasons way my car is better.
1st. It's has the faster white wheels.
2nd. It painted in the lovely chili red.
3rd It has white bonnet stripes making my car that much faster .
And number 4. It's paid for! haha
Peace
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Well then we were discussing you today! I asked if they knew where I could have it done, and he told me about the installer coming out and doing the instalation. He also told me it cost $650-$700! Without asking what you paid, is that a high estimate? Because my car will be coming through Princeton Mini, and if they have done it before, they can do it again, I'm sure! 
