Clear Bra on the Tacoma

Anyone had one installed? Experiences opinions?

 

I just happen to be looking for a retailer in West Tennessee for my 2012 Tacoma. I have had Clear Bras on my last four vehicles, including the 2008 Mazda Miata (Grand Touring) I traded for my Taco. Although the Miata was four years old, it looked showroom new without a blemish or ding on the front end. I also has Xpel headlight film on the headlights and they were still crystal clear. The Xpel product is 50 MM thick and is said to withstand an impact with a reck or other object traveling at 125 MPH.

We also have a 2006 Prius with a clear bra installed and it too looks new. I swear by these products and will have one installed on my newest addition, if I can find a dealer.

 

Here's a couple threads to check out-

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/205703-hood-protector-2012-taco.html

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/208622-clear-bra-new-install-issue.html

I like it plenty and am damn glad I got it done.

 

I have the clear bra on my car and truck. I also swear by it. I drive alot of interstate and I can say from experience with out the clear bra the front of my truck would look like someone took a sandbaster to it.

 

do it! we had toyota put it on after i got my my truck last year. well we paid for it with the truck but had to go back a few weeks later to have it put on. i clean bugs off of it with a tires brush. lol. unless you get like a foot away you can’t tell it is there.

 

Good to know. Thanks for all the info guys.

 

Anyone know a cheap place in San Diego to get one installed. I'm thinking about just ordering one on eBay for like 250 but not sure the quality. Bumperdoc and toyota both quoted me near 950 to install for hood, lights, fenders and bumpers that just seems a bit ridiculous to me

 

Ask Toyota why toyota.com says it is a $395 accessory. The place I got mine installed advertises $700 installed and did it for me for $350. I'm in Nebraska so no help, but I have to go back and have some re done. Had the hood, fenders, bumper, and mirrors done. I found two minor flaws so they will fix it again, no biggie.

 

I just looked at Toyota.com and didn't find a price? And it said some hoods and fenders are done but no bumpers or anything like that.

 

Personally, I would not put too much faith in the Toyota product. We had a dealer in Tallahassee put one on our 2006 Prius and within six months you could see mold growing between the film and the paint. It looked like the applicator pricked holes in the film rather than working out the air bubbles. Bottom line - the dealer refused to honor the product's warranty, so we pulled their crap off and had a reputable retailer apply the 3M product.

I asked Robinson Toyota, in Jackson, TN for a quote and they gave me the same answer everyone else has been getting - $395 installed - without the center grill or lower bumper. I see no logic in covering the leading edges of the front end and leaving the grill and bumper exposed. I will pay the $675 for the 3M product. I have confidence in their workmanship and the training of their installers.

This stuff has to be applied in a clean environment unless you are willing to have trash between your paint and the film. Most reputable installers have a booth similar to a paint booth where they do their installations. If you are willing to pay the price for a professional job, retailers should be professional enough to stand behind their work. Incidently, the 3M material comes witha seven year warranty.

 

^^ toyota of Knoxville did my front bumper, hood, little pice under head lights, and part of finder and finder flare. i have chrome grill so i think that why they did not do it. and my mirrors are black.

 

If you have paint protective film (PPF) installed on your vehicle, tell the retailer you will be back in 3 to 5 days to go over the vehicle with him then. As with window film, it will take a few days for the material to dry out and set into the curvature of the vehicle. Don't be surprised to see a little Orange peel (similar to window film) as the moisture dries out from under the film. The film will shrink to the vehicle and any foreigh matter trapped under the film. Not to worry though, the retailer will repair or replace and resolve the issue.

If you have had window film applied, you understand what I am saying. There is nothing to fret about, all will come out in the end. And, your vehicle will keep that showroom appearance for years to come!

 

it looks like they changed the accesories price on the build your own option...actually I can't add it anymore with the build your own feature but last year it was $395. I would try to find a deal by shopping around. I did have mine done and a few days later saw a small section begin to peel up as the product shrunk. Going to get it adjusted this week. Again, all the front, bumper, painted grill pieces on the 2012 under the headlights, fenders, hood and mirrors for $350 + tax. He did give me a deal, but it's A LOT cheaper than many other places.

 

So I got a quote for $650. To do bumper, hood, fenders and lights. Think that is a good deal?

 

I think you can do better. $300 less for me, they didn't do the lights, but did the mirrors, bumper, fenders, hood and little piece below the grill above the bumper on the 2012...so I would say $650 not that great of a deal. He did give me a military discount but I think you can do better.

 

Had mine done yesterday. Hood, bumper, grill, fender, fender flares, headlights, fog lights, door edge guards, and door cups plus the two front windows tinted with the ceramic tint for $600. The film is Xpel. I'm in Vegas and these guys have done all my cars and do an awesome job! If you don't mind a day in Vegas I can get you their contact info.

 

Maybe that an option in vegas not too far a drive for me. Has anyone bought the $250 3m kit on ebay? There are two suppliers just wondering if it was the same quality, I could do it for 1/3 the price.

Elytravis where do you live? Dang $300 bucks it would already be done.

 

$650 or thereabouts is pretty standard. If you don't have any experience installing the product, you may want to think it over. It's not rocket science, and it doesn't take many specialized tools but it's way too easy to end up looking like crap. You may have some luck with smoother flatter surfaces like the front of your hood, but I personally wouldn't tackle a job like the front bumper.

The product itself is awesome and does exactly what it claims. I considered getting this when I first purchased the truck but in the end I'm glad I saved the $$ since I'm getting a steel bumper and I don't suffer from many rock chips. If you are prone to getting a lot stone chips on your cars, it is great.

I did get some on eBay and put it on the tailgate and couldn't be happier with the results.

 

Ya I know it wouldn't be that easy of a task, maybe ill just buy the hood for now and try it out. Haven't decided about the bumper getting aftermarket or not and always could sell the bumper in good condition.

I moved to San Diego Ca so I shouldn't see a lot of rock chips, I just think I still live in the desert. I usually make a trip to whistler and vancouver twice a year so that was another reason for the bra.

 

A really cool product too is tinted clear bra. Basically it makes the original paint color look matte. So a black truck with it world turn the color matte black. I'm thinking about that for the next truck.