Clear Bra & Waxing?

I've found a few front end tiny road chips. After I learn the repair process and determine repair procedure I am considering installing a Strongard Clear Shield over the front to protect it further. I understand many install various lengths up to and including mirrors. Can anybody tell me how installing a clear bra affects or changes waxing procedures and the underlying paint condition?

I have the Xpel Clear Bra on my car and I just wax over it like it's not there.

I Zaino over my Invinca-shield clear bra all the time, no problems at all. The only problems I've ever seen are when colored waxes are used like say Zymol Carbon which is blue, it can stain the edges of the clear bra the wax color as if the wax coloring was absorbed into the clear bra material. So I'd test in an out of the way spot first to see if there is anything like that or go with a wax that has been tested like Zaino. If you need info on clear bra kits let me know, I can tell you the ins and outs of each. I know Kirby loves his Xpel, but what he may not know is that he's got the least coverage.

I know Xpel has less coverage than some, but so far so good. It does the job...

Just wax as normal. You may have to put some extra effort into cleaning the edges as wax and polishes do tend to accumulate there.

Q-tips do a nice job of cleaning the wax at the edges of the film. And you don't have to worry about rupturing an eardrum.

I Zaino right over the Xpel without any special technique. I have the full Xpel kit on my car. IIRC the Xpel hood piece goes higher than some of the others; it's been a while since I researched this. I do remember my installer saying that he went with Xpel since their patterns fit better, needing less trimming and requiring no relief cuts. The work he did is outstanding. After you get your paint work done, don't forget to let the finish cure before you put on the material. The paint needs to fully dry and won't be able to breathe with the film covering it.

Ghost... I just started the research on clear bra's. Any info you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

Where can I find a clear protector ? Question - On My Black Targa, would you be able to see the clear protector ?

My advice... find an experienced installer that has done the 996. You can have the best film with the best possible cut but if the installer sucks it will turn out poorly (just like window tint). The compound curves of the 996 bumper makes it difficult for the inexperienced installer. The place that did my clear bra does all their training at their local location. One of their practice bumpers is from a 996.

I have Expel on my Sterling Grey M5 and Venture film on my Lapis C4S. The Grey is a far more forgiving color for film but the venture material is more transparent on the Porsche. Check out www.dynashield.com. Mike Messer who is an awesome installer gets cars shipped to his Atlanta location from as far away as San Francisco. He does variety of cars and says that the Porsche is one of the most challenging (especially wide bodies). The quality of the film is important. The skill of the installer is critical.

Even experienced installers may mess it up, but they'll do it again for no charge. That is what happened w/ my TT. I used the same guy who did my C2 and he did a great job on the C2. On the TT, it was totally messed up, so he's doing it again. I got Stongard... it has the best coverage of them all. I'm a 2nd time customer of Stongard on Porsches now. PS. Black is possibly the worst color for these films. I'd go look at it on another black car first.

I have the 3M film covering the front of my daily car. I wax right over it. Just take a soft makeup brush, or something and gently remove it from the edge. I like the idea of a q-tip, im going to try that next time.

My car is black metallic. I have the 3M film applied infront of the rear wheels (like a 930 or 944), on the mirrors, behind my door windows (where people close the door from), inside my door handles, about 1/3 the way up the hood, the entire front bumper and grill, and on my side skirts all the way back. On the bumper, the clearmask ends right about where my turn signal is. The quarter panels are masked off as far back as the hood goes. My headlights also have an even thicker version of the 3M film. (so do my foglights and headlights on the S2) Basically you can't see it, its CLEAR! If you drive somewhere VERY dusty and the car gets covered or you car is just filthy, you can make out the line. Its probably harder to detect on a silver or a white car, but its sure beats the hell out of having rock chips and mosquitos splatter all over your bumper. My chin spoiler would have been chipped bad by now if i didnt have the film. I can recommend the best place in MD if anyone is interested around here.

Tony, Who did your work? I had Rob Freeman at MD Performance Works do mine.

Rob is the man im talking about! I wouldn't go to anyone but him! I'de pay more to have his work and his commitment to the customer than anyone else! Very cool guy as well!

Tony, I agree; I like Rob and his work. The only issue I had with him is that he originally told me that he would not be using an exacto knife to trim the film. I remember specifically asking him. When he did the install, what did he use? An exacto. He said he never told me he wasn't going to use it, but my memory is not that bad. In fairness, I checked his work with a loupe and he never touched the paint. Steady hand.

Mark, Good installers that need to trim film will score the film with an Exacto style knife and then pull it apart the rest of the way, there is no need to cut clear through the film and possibly hit the paint and damage it. Of course watching someone take a knife to your baby can be unsettling. TitanL, What would you like to know? Material differences? Pattern differences? What to look for in a good installer? I have a lot of this on my old Boxster site at http://www.smiley.net/boxster in the Pictorials section, I would advise starting there as a background and then fire some questions at me and I'm happy to answer. I concur with others that a good installer makes all the difference in the final results, but there are certainly some things you can do in terms of pattern and material selection to up your chances of having a better install.

Ghost, Agreed. I usually prefer the answers to my questions to be a reflection of the truth and not what someone thinks I want to hear.

I was with Rob the whole time he did my application. I even had him cut custom pieces for me for sections i wanted covered that were "unusual." He used an exacto knife as said. He even cut the pieces right against the car. He must have gone through at least 5 blades while i was there. His work is great, and he is very steady and knows his craft very well. I would not worry about your paint while with him.