everyone I speak to swears by Premier in the Bay area. They are high $$$ but worth every penny I am told. I have never heard a bad word about them ever!

 

You have not talked to enough people.

 

I have a ventureshield (not 3M) product on my wife's black MINI and my silver Porsche. I absolutely love it. It does not alter the look of the paint in my opinion especially if you take good care of it. If you have a very good installer you will not see any lines. I had the entire front fenders/hood done for $700.00 (just for your reference) and it was a job very well done. Just do a search on google under ventureshield vs 3M and looks like most car forums like the corvette, lexus and benz forums prefer ventureshield. Premier I believe uses Ventureshield and they have posted several pictures of their work for you to see in this forum. I would recommend you see the work of an installer before you have them do your car. A job badly done could turn out to be disastrous. But that does not mean you need to spend $$$$$..to get a really good install.

 

I had my done with Venture Shield. I don't believe it wears less well than something else. Very clear and no uneven finish, stretches, etc. I also disagree about doing it with a few chips. Yes the chips show a bit, but it will save you from getting more. They hardly show up and don't look worse than they would otherwise, i.e. no bubbles, etc. Pre cut clear bra probably saves a ton of money over a "custom" cut job. Granted, it will not be the perfect job you will get from Premier. If you are a perfectionist, you should go to them. Be sure to bring $2k with you. I had my bumper done as well and paid about the same as w00t. Just not worth it to pay more, IMHO.

 

Believe there is a site sponsor that might be in your area. Unsure of quality, but do guve them a call. Believe their name is Stuarts PNB.

 

I have ventura sheild bra and I like it. Cost was about $650.

 

I have full 3M front coverage (everything forward of the doors). I highly recommend getting the full hood done so you don't see the line. It cost me a grand for a perfect job.

I wouldn't recommend it for a white car, but for me it was necessary since I tend to tailgate people a lot.

 

Thank you Jim. It is always a pleasure to service your vehicles!

 

Well, back to basic question - To clear bra or not to clear bra. I've been quoted $450 labour plus pre-cut material ($260 from InvisibleMask) for bumper, hood and side mirrors. Headlights and front parking/fog lights are an extra $40 material cost. Does that sound reasonable cost?
However, I've also been told by a certified 3M installer here that it will yellow in time and may not be recommended for a white car. The OEM clear film on the rear fenders yellowed noticeably in 2.5 years and had to be removed.
Any further comments to help me make a decision?

 

I don't know about the yellowing, but that seems like it could have been b/c it wasn't taken care of..I'm sure someone can comment on that part. However, I wouldn't use the precuts. It costs more to do the custom, but they tuck it in so you don't have seams show up around your headlights.

 

Thx Mike for your comments. Hope some others can comment as well on the yellowing. I agree with your comment on custom vs. pre-cut. From what I have read, the polyurethane film is supposed to be UV resistant to yellowing eg Venture Shield guarantees it not to yellow for life???

 

it completely depends on the color of the car IMO. Seal gray works really well with a bra whereas white looks really noticeable.

 

WITHOUT A DOUBT YES!!!! protect your investment.

 

My car is white. You cannot tell where the 3M film is. Watch out for other products...

 

venturashield life time warrenty http://www.ventureshield.com/pdf/VSh...ranty_Card.pdf