Grainy texture on clear bra

ver.e90 · 04-19-2006, 09:39 PM

I saw a car in a parking lot with the clear bra on it, and noticed it had a grainy texture to it. It wasn't smooth and clear like I had expected it to be. Furthermore, I could CLEARLY see the demarcation of the film. Is it supposed to be that obvious? I didn't know what brand paint protection film (PPF) was on this car.

My dealer (Westchester BMW) is offering the 3M brand film installed for $795. Isn't that a bit steep? Does anyone have the 3M product?

Thanks for any input...

andrew 330i · 04-19-2006, 09:41 PM

i all depends on the film manufacturer. 3M film is not this way.

go with the 3M... a very safe bet. i have it on all my cars.

the price you quoted for a "full" kit installed is within line. ask to see prior work from the same installer doing your car... it is an art.

Explorer3253 · 04-20-2006, 08:42 AM

Hey AWDriver...did you ask Elan to take a look at my car? Mines a little grainy as you describe it. It shows alot more on dark cars.... Hopefully my car is done today....if you want to check it out today...give me a call. I shipped back my cell this morning so I dont have your number.

BzsBimmer · 04-20-2006, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AWDriver

I saw a car in a parking lot with the clear bra on it, and noticed it had a grainy texture to it. It wasn't smooth and clear like I had expected it to be. Furthermore, I could CLEARLY see the demarcation of the film. Is it supposed to be that obvious? I didn't know what brand paint protection film (PPF) was on this car.

My dealer (Westchester BMW) is offering the 3M brand film installed for $795. Isn't that a bit steep? Does anyone have the 3M product?

Thanks for any input...

I just got mine done yesterday. I do notice that there are small ripples on it and it's not totally smooth but I think that just may be due to light refraction on the paint or something.
I think on lighter colored cars it's harder to see the seam but on darker cars if it's not done right, it's fairly visible.
I paid $495.00 cash for mine but I'm in No. Cali.... I have NO idea what New Yorkers would pay.

no_exit · 04-20-2006, 05:11 PM

I had the 3M PPF installed about a month ago - it looks perfectly smooth. I went to the 3M site to find a certified installer to make sure it was done correctly.

ver.e90 · 04-21-2006, 12:11 AM

Thanks all. My dealership told me they were going to use 3M RoadBlock. Is this the one most of you guys are familiar with? I don't want to see the textured pattern on the front. I'd much rather see little stone chips that are barely visible anyway instead of a grainy appearance on the front of my hood...

Jesse Wilson · 04-21-2006, 12:55 PM

Well its not grainy persay more of opaque. At the right angles some can look
"shower doorish" if you know what I mean. But that should only be right when the light is hitting at and only at certain angles. A few feet away you shouldn't see anything as it is with mine. Stone chips ruin a car IMHO.........

Jesse

bavarian19 · 04-21-2006, 03:43 PM

Once it has settled a little, you are supposed to treat it like any other surface on your car. Have you applied wax on top of it???

04-19-2006, 09:39 PM	#1
ver.e90 Second Lieutenant 19 Rep 211 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Grainy texture on clear bra I saw a car in a parking lot with the clear bra on it, and noticed it had a grainy texture to it. It wasn't smooth and clear like I had expected it to be. Furthermore, I could CLEARLY see the demarcation of the film. Is it supposed to be that obvious? I didn't know what brand paint protection film (PPF) was on this car. My dealer (Westchester BMW) is offering the 3M brand film installed for $795. Isn't that a bit steep? Does anyone have the 3M product? Thanks for any input...
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04-19-2006, 09:41 PM	#2
andrew 330i it can never be too clean... 163 Rep 1,100 Posts Drives: 2014 F31 M Sport Wagon Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: columbus, ohio iTrader: (1)	i all depends on the film manufacturer. 3M film is not this way. go with the 3M... a very safe bet. i have it on all my cars. the price you quoted for a "full" kit installed is within line. ask to see prior work from the same installer doing your car... it is an art.
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04-20-2006, 08:42 AM	#3
Explorer3253 Lieutenant 61 Rep 557 Posts Drives: 2014 f32 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Westchester County, NY iTrader: (4)	Hey AWDriver...did you ask Elan to take a look at my car? Mines a little grainy as you describe it. It shows alot more on dark cars.... Hopefully my car is done today....if you want to check it out today...give me a call. I shipped back my cell this morning so I dont have your number. __________________ '06 325Xi - Jet Black - SOLD, '08 328Xi - Jet Black, Coral, 6spd - SOLD, '07 328Xi - Jet Black, SOLD, '11 328Xi, Deep Sea Blue, Oyster/Black - SOLD '14 428XI, Alpine White, Coral, MSport, Auto, Premium, Tech, Heated Seats/Steering, Drivers Ass, Drivers+ - On Order for ED
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04-20-2006, 05:11 PM	#5
no_exit Private First Class 1 Rep 148 Posts Drives: R 1150 R Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Minneapolis, MN iTrader: (0)	I had the 3M PPF installed about a month ago - it looks perfectly smooth. I went to the 3M site to find a certified installer to make sure it was done correctly. __________________ 330i : Alpine White : Black Leather : Burl : PP : Step : CWP : CA : PDC : Sunshades : Sirius Prep
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04-21-2006, 12:11 AM	#6
ver.e90 Second Lieutenant 19 Rep 211 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Thanks all. My dealership told me they were going to use 3M RoadBlock. Is this the one most of you guys are familiar with? I don't want to see the textured pattern on the front. I'd much rather see little stone chips that are barely visible anyway instead of a grainy appearance on the front of my hood...
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04-21-2006, 12:55 PM	#7
Jesse Wilson Lieutenant 12 Rep 409 Posts Drives: 2006 325I Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Tempe, AZ iTrader: (2)	Well its not grainy persay more of opaque. At the right angles some can look "shower doorish" if you know what I mean. But that should only be right when the light is hitting at and only at certain angles. A few feet away you shouldn't see anything as it is with mine. Stone chips ruin a car IMHO......... Jesse
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04-21-2006, 03:43 PM	#8
bavarian19 General 517 Rep 18,858 Posts Drives: Car Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: VA iTrader: (23)	Once it has settled a little, you are supposed to treat it like any other surface on your car. Have you applied wax on top of it???
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