With delivery scheduled for early July, I set out in search of a "clear bra" for protecting the front end of my soon-to-arrive Dark Silver 'S' from stone chips and bug splatters. At this time the number of kits for the 'S' was limited to those from Armourfend and Invinca-Shield. Since there were no Armourfend installers in California, I contacted the two Invinca-Shield installers in my area for a quote on the labor to install the almost $200 kit. I ruled out the installer closest to me due to a "language barrier". The second installer told me he only did certain cars (ie. ones he had experience doing). He explained that the kits were not easy to install and that if he messed up a piece, he had pay for replacing it [this dispelled any notion I had of undertaking the install as a DIY project]. This installer referred me to Clear Armor Inc in Mountain View, and told me they would install their own custom made kit for $700.
In the week's time it took this Invinca-Shield installer to return my initial call, I had obtained a Clear Armor brochure from Mountain View MINI (who was having them install kits on some of their "loaded" MINIs) and called Clear Armor to see what they were charging. Failing to specify that the install was for a MINI, I was quoted a price of $1,095. The $700 quote was a little more in my comfort zone, so I called back. Simon Yiu, one of the owners, confirmed the $700 price, explaining that the higher price was what they had been charging for most cars. Simon was very friendly and answered my numerous questions. He told me to call back to make an appointment once I got a confirmation on my delivery date. Just to get more of a "warm fuzzy" feeling about the price I was going to pay, I called the Stongard installer in the area to get a quote. He quoted me $375 for installation plus the price of the kit ($404.95 for full kit, $59.95 for headlight protection and $19.95 for foglight protection). Feeling I was getting a fair price, I booked a July 3rd appointment, which was the day after I would be taking delivery of my 'S'.
I showed up at the Clear Armor Inc about 9:15 AM on the day of my appointment. Simon introduced himself and informed me the install was going to take quite a bit of time because, even though they had done a number of MINIs for the Mountain View dealership, mine was the first 'S' they had gotten their hands on. The R&D of the kit was done by Ruel "The Tailor" Cardona, a nickname I gave him after catching glimpses of him walking around with a cloth tape measure around his neck [I was not allowed to watch the patterning or cutting of the kit]. After seeing the finished product emerge from the room where he did his computer wizardry, I think "The Magician" would be more appropriate. Calling the kit a "clear bra" isn't really accurate because there are pieces for the side mirrors, door cups, vertical door edges, lower fuel filler surround and top of the rear bumper below the hatch, as well as protection for the front end [thus the term "paint protection system"]. The kit installation was not completed until 7:30 PM. Simon allowed me to hang out the whole time. I reviewed my Owners Manual while sitting in the waiting room when Ruel was designing the kit for the front end of the car, and then got to watch Simon (and others) install the pieces [I'm glad I didn't attempt to tackle this as a DIY project]. Click
here to see some pictures of the installation process and the installed kit.
Simon, Ruel, Kenny, Lou and Jerome for a job well done 
More about Clear Armor Inc
Clear Armor has been in business for about a year. They started out as installers of Stongard kits. With too many middle men limiting their profit margin, they decided to purchase the computer software and plotter for making their own kits. Much like Stongard, their kits provide maximum protection while minimizing the number of unsightly seams. Clear Armor has 8 - 10 installers providing mobile service, with two PT Cruisers, to high-end (Jaguar, Mercedes, Porsche) auto dealerships in the Bay Area, plus in-shop service to private parties. On Saturdays they do custom installs for exotics at their shop. Clear Armor uses 3M ScotchCal film with 8 mil protection for painted surfaces and 40 mil protection for lights.
Brochure (scan)
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Pricing: $700 for Cooper and $800 for 'S'
More on Paint Protection 
Jul 15th, 2002, 02:42 PM
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