Clear Bra

[carmymausten]

I have a GT350R arriving soon (avalanche with black stripes) and trying to figure out what to do for protection. I've talked to four different shops and have heard everything from install clear bra over stripes to not covering stripes as it will change the matte look. I've also heard that some of the pre cut manufactures only do partial hood with stripes and not full hood. Any advice on what others are doing would be much appreciated. Thanks.

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[El Diablo]

My installer covered each stripe individually with xpel ultimate. Meaning the hood is several stripes.
Completely undetectable.

He told me if you put one sheet over the entire hood to cover the stripes it will create air pockets along the edge of the vinyl.

You need to cover the stripes.

Good luck.

 

[jonesd]

My installer covered each stripe individually with xpel ultimate. Meaning the hood is several stripes.
Completely undetectable.

He told me if you put one sheet over the entire hood to cover the stripes it will create air pockets along the edge of the vinyl.

You need to cover the stripes.

Good luck.

This is exactly what my installer did as well, each stripe is an individual piece of Xpel.

My stripes aren't Matte like yours OP so i can't comment on that.

 

[firestarter2]

I have on sheet over the whole hood. It looks fine even where the stripes are. Id be worried about dirt in the seams

 

[shelbydave]

I have the same exact color combo as yours with ppf . It's fine

 

[KS10]

I have an AG R with black stripes also. I wrapped the entire car in xpel ultimate, stripes and all with no seams. It does gloss up the stripes, but still looks fantastic and the original paint and stripes are properly protected. I am very OCD and went this route to preserve the car, I am happy with the results even though I do prefer the look of the matte stripes. My installer told me not to do the stripes independently because it would show over time as the aged. He has been doing it for 15 years and did a killer job, took a week.. You can't tell its wrapped except for the stripes are glossy now.

 

[ARS1]

My installer covered each stripe individually with xpel ultimate. Meaning the hood is several stripes.
Completely undetectable.

He told me if you put one sheet over the entire hood to cover the stripes it will create air pockets along the edge of the vinyl.

You need to cover the stripes.

Good luck.

This sounds to me as someone who's installed vinyl on hoods as one entire sheet that he doesn't know how to put it down right... If you do it right there shouldn't be any bubbles just because of a stripe seam Yes doing it in strips makes it way easier to apply, but as already stated now you have 4 areas in the middle of your hood that eventually will most likely start to peel. It's probably undetectable now but after a while dirt and dust will start to show at those seams being that it's a clear wrap. If I get mine done I won't let them do it any other way than one solid piece. I've been contemplating an entire matte clear wrap on mine

 

[El Diablo]

This sounds to me as someone who's installed vinyl on hoods as one entire sheet that he doesn't know how to put it down right... If you do it right there shouldn't be any bubbles just because of a stripe seam Yes doing it in strips makes it way easier to apply, but as already stated now you have 4 areas in the middle of your hood that eventually will most likely start to peel. It's probably undetectable now but after a while dirt and dust will start to show at those seams being that it's a clear wrap. If I get mine done I won't let them do it any other way than one solid piece. I've been contemplating an entire matte clear wrap on mine

Time will tell how either method of covering the hood holds up.
With the one sheet there is a slight air gap between the stripe and the paint. Will that small gap widen over time? Who knows.

I can't see xpel peeling. Shouldn't matter if there are several peaces or just one. Edges are there no matter what size the sheet of xpel.

The person who did my installation is highly experienced with xpel for many, many years. Does all the high end super cars for many of the local dealers.
But what do I know? I went with his advice. I think it will be just fine.

Worst scenario you can always do the hood again down the road should there be an issue.

I'd like to hear what others have done to cover their hoods that have stripes.

 

[TORQUEJUNKY]

I'm going to have paint protection film installed next week as well as ceramic coating. I spoke with several installers and some said to do my strokes in pieces and some said to cover hood in one piece.

 

[El Diablo]

xpel sells 2 templates for the hood. One for the hood with stripes and one without.

They don't make a full hood. Mine was custom.

you can see that xpel has the stripes individually laid out in their template for hoods with stripes.

No stripe hood is one piece.

Again, I'm sure there is more than one way to skin a cat and I'm sure both methods will offer the exact same protection .

 

[Acksman]

Mine is Suntek which is a bit thinner than Xpel. Went with one sheet over the stripes, looks great and no issues with seams.

If you have a brighter car ordered like the Race Red, look at Suntek. Has a much better gloss look. If you have a darker car then you should be fine with Xpel.

My dealer also sells 3M but recommend Suntek or Xpel over it.

He did say the Xpel was a bit harder to work with being thicker, so that could be why that one installer did not go over the stripes, but in pieces.

 

[TORQUEJUNKY]

I have on sheet over the whole hood. It looks fine even where the stripes are. Id be worried about dirt in the seams

I see you're in the NYC area. Which installer did you use? And did you go with Expel or Suntek? Also, did you go with a ceramic coating? If so, which one?
Sorry for all the questions, mines going in next week and I want to make sure I'm choosing it right.

Thanks,
Rob

 

[El Diablo]

I see you're in the NYC area. Which installer did you use? And did you go with Expel or Suntek? Also, did you go with a ceramic coating? If so, which one?
Sorry for all the questions, mines going in next week and I want to make sure I'm choosing it right.

Thanks,
Rob

I went with XPEL ULTIMATE

Joe D. did my installation. He does all the cars for Ferrari of Long Island.
Tons of Super cars. Super great guy with very fair prices.
Tell him the guy with the Black with white striped GT350 recommended you to him. He just did my car last Sept.

His contact info is on his instagram page.
https://www.instagram.com/xtremevci/?hl=en

I have not done a ceramic coating but I do plan to have it done. I forgot the brand name.

FYI: You do not apply it over the clear bra areas so the cost should be less than a whole car.

 

[Hack]

I have Xpel on my car and if I had it to do again I would have a single sheet covering the entire hood. The seams show too easily from wax or dirt, etc.

 

[firestarter2]

I see you're in the NYC area. Which installer did you use? And did you go with Expel or Suntek? Also, did you go with a ceramic coating? If so, which one?
Sorry for all the questions, mines going in next week and I want to make sure I'm choosing it right.

Thanks,
Rob

I went with Xpel I have no experience with suntek. I didnt have the budget for a ceramic coating i am not certain what they do to be honest sounds like snake oil to me IM SURE ITS NOT:headbonk:

I had it done in NJ
http://signaturedetailing.com/

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