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Clear bra new install issue!!

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by jgerbodegrant, Mar 7, 2012.

  1. Mar 7, 2012 at 4:38 PM
    #1
    jgerbodegrant

    jgerbodegrant [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Added skid plate, Leer 180 Cover, Wet okole seat covers. Plan: Full LED's, Light bar, running boards, Roof rack.
    My dealer dropped off my truck today after having the clear bra installed. I paid almost $400 for it to be installed (normally $479, but I talked the dealer down). All they covered were the little portions under the lights, the mirror, the hood and the fender just aft of the lights. They didn't do any of the bumper at all and neither of the windshield columns. I'm sort of pissed because I figured the damn bumper would be covered!

    Who has one of these clear bras installed and what does it cover? What would you do?
     
  2. Mar 7, 2012 at 4:49 PM
    #2
    Bobbb

    Bobbb "Rumors of Bob, but never Bob. It is Bob, right?"

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    There seems to be variations among installers of this stuff. I got the hood, fenders, bumper and headlights, but not the A-pillars. Some others here have gotten them included as well as what I got. I'm okay with what I got, but I am going to have the pillars and leading edge of the flares done. If your knuckleheads didn't include the bumper for that price I believe I'd be bitching at someone until they did it. Hell, that's the most important part because it takes the most abuse for chripessake!
     
  3. Mar 8, 2012 at 12:02 AM
    #3
    landphil

    landphil Fish are FOOD, not friends!

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    Clear bra? To show off man boobz?:confused:

    Or do you mean the 3M protective film or a varient? It comes in a roll, and can be applied where ever you want, with the exception of bigger compound curves. Where it got applied on your truck is between you and your dealer, and if you're not satisfied, they are the ones to discuss the issue with. Sounds like you got the discount job to go along with the discounted price.
     
  4. Mar 8, 2012 at 2:47 AM
    #4
    BRYLONATOR

    BRYLONATOR Building 06 Suburban K2500 with LBZ D-max and ZF6!

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    Had this done on the wife's rav4. Paid extra big bucks for the bumper to be included which I think cost around $400! What you got was a $250 job and I truly would make a complaint but don't go in swinging! Just let the service people know that you were upset about what you got for your money and that you really need the bumper to be completed in order to remedy the situation.
     
  5. Mar 8, 2012 at 3:37 AM
    #5
    leveltwo

    leveltwo Well-Known Member

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    Have the 3M bra on mine.

    First 12" of the hood, continues on that line down the fenders, complete front bumper, grille, head lights and fog lights, mirrors, door trim, and door handle cups

    This was not done by dealer, but a private company in Stl.
     
  6. Mar 8, 2012 at 3:52 AM
    #6
    jharden03

    jharden03 Active Member

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    Thinking about having this done, is it worth it?
     
  7. Mar 8, 2012 at 7:06 AM
    #7
    Bobbb

    Bobbb "Rumors of Bob, but never Bob. It is Bob, right?"

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    Judgement call. I do a lot of highway driving in the desert where high winds and blowing sand/dirt are common. As such, for me it was a must if I wanted to keep any sort of decent-looking front end. If I lived in a city and only went on the road in good weather then I doubt I'd have thrown the nickel for it. I also do my share of off-road driving so the added patches on the leading edge of the rear flares (done by the dealer w/ the door handle scratch zones before I put the bra on) is a good thing also.
     
  8. Mar 8, 2012 at 7:29 AM
    #8
    AstroluxAtom

    AstroluxAtom Well-Known Member

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    I have so much covered. Lower valence. Bumper. First 1/3 of hood, headlights, and in the debris firing line of my fenders.
     
  9. Mar 8, 2012 at 9:51 AM
    #9
    jgerbodegrant

    jgerbodegrant [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Added skid plate, Leer 180 Cover, Wet okole seat covers. Plan: Full LED's, Light bar, running boards, Roof rack.
    Yeah, I don't know...it also doesn't wrap any of the edges. Like on the hood...comes down and in some places is really close, in other places is a few mm away from the edge. I also found a bubble in the film down on the left side, near the light.
     
  10. Mar 8, 2012 at 9:59 AM
    #10
    Boerseun

    Boerseun Well-Known Member

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    It sounds like you have to go back and talk to them. I suggest nice and polite to start with, but if they don't want to do it right, move it up a notch to show them you are serious.
    I hate it when I have something special done and then get a disappointment like that.
     
  11. Mar 8, 2012 at 10:04 AM
    #11
    XXXX

    XXXX Well-Known Member

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    OP - I am guessing you have nothing in writing?

    Never get this stuff from the dealer. They aren't installing it they are subing it out. Just go direct next time. Any car wrapping place can do this. It's as simple as they come.

    He should of also advised you to "prep" your car before hand or done it himself.

    Installing film over wax = bad job.
     
  12. Mar 8, 2012 at 10:09 AM
    #12
    DrewH

    DrewH Well-Known Member

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    We install the 3M Stoneguard here at my work and I have seen it installed many different ways. The edges should be wrapped, you should have between 1/8" and a 1/4" on the underside of the hood. The only place it should be near the edge is at the corners of the hood, there should be a relief cut there for folding.

    Most vehicles have more than one kit made for them, some are just hood, hood / fenders and so on. If I remember correctly there were options for the tacoma when I did mine.

    And let me tell ya, shit ain't cheap. haha
     
  13. Mar 8, 2012 at 10:13 AM
    #13
    TnRedNeck721

    TnRedNeck721 Nick Namer

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    my bumper, hood, little pice under lights. and part of finder and finder flair are done. no A pillar. my mirrors are black and chrome grill. so i think thats why thats not done.
     
  14. Mar 8, 2012 at 10:13 AM
    #14
    chyknees

    chyknees nomadic wanderer

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    Most dealerships only install the partial Hood and Fenders, sometimes they do the grille and mirrors. But most clear bra installers at dealers do not have the full skills needed to install a bumper. The $400 range sounds about right for what the dealership will charge.

    Independent shops will usually charge about $350-$500 but I have seen upwards of $1000 for the partial hood/fender/mirror/grille and full bumper. Usually the A-Pillar/Cabtop/door cups/rocker panel strips/flare strips/etc are extra.

    Most standard clear bra kits do not wrap the edges, they usually stop within about a 1/16" of the edge. If there is a air or water bubble under the film, I would take that back and have them fix it. It won't affect your car if it is left there, but will affect the visual appearance after awhile, especially if it is an air bubble.

    FYI, I design clear bras for cars, so if you have any questions, pm me.
     
  15. Mar 8, 2012 at 10:14 AM
    #15
    TRD Larry

    TRD Larry trd larry

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    I had my truck done, well worth it. I do alot of highway driving and my last truck the front was all nicked/chipped up. The complete front of the truck is wrapped and 1/3 of the hood. Mirrors, door edges, handle inserts. I had it done by a private company. They did such a excellent job I had them do my car.
     
  16. Mar 8, 2012 at 10:40 AM
    #16
    Aw9d

    Aw9d That one guy

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    Didn't you ask what was covered before you paid for it? Spending that much money on a clear bra I'd be damn sure what I was getting before the laid it down.
     
  17. Mar 8, 2012 at 11:42 AM
    #17
    jgerbodegrant

    jgerbodegrant [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Added skid plate, Leer 180 Cover, Wet okole seat covers. Plan: Full LED's, Light bar, running boards, Roof rack.
    Yup, definitely did. The answer was, "they do pretty much the entire front end of the car, but they can't do the lights, because it's against the law."
     
  18. Mar 8, 2012 at 12:43 PM
    #18
    RugbyTaco

    RugbyTaco Rhum.

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    I just bought some 3M Scothgard Paint Protection film of ebay(12"x60") for $35. THey also had precut kits for tacomas but it wasn't 3M. Im thinking bout getting the precuts for the bumper and using the roll stuff for my doors/rockers. id rather spend $60 and a few hours doing it myself than several hundred dollars or more
     
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  19. Mar 8, 2012 at 12:49 PM
    #19
    XXXX

    XXXX Well-Known Member

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    so nothing in writing?

    I understand your frustration, but I hope you learned from it so you won't make the same mistake again.

    Get everything in writing. Pay for everything by credit card or DO NOT pay until it's completed and you approve.

    I would report them to the BBB after you get the issue resolved.
     
  20. Mar 8, 2012 at 2:28 PM
    #20
    Aw9d

    Aw9d That one guy

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    I'd request them to 'pretty much the entire front of the car then'. I guess since they said 'pretty much' that's very limited.. Sucky, good luck man. Hope you get your money back or the full product you paid for.
     

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