Clear Bra in Seattle?

[UGADawgFan]

Hi Guys,

Anyone know of a reasonably priced, but good shop to do a clear bra? I want to get it done on my F80.

Thanks!

[knightarmor]

Not sure what reasonably priced means, its all expensive 😁 . I used northwest autosalon, they're great and they offer a loaner car. (if you go there request the Cube, not the Smart!!!)

[M.a.r.k.u.s]

Originally Posted by UGADawgFan

Hi Guys,

Anyone know of a reasonably priced, but good shop to do a clear bra? I want to get it done on my F80.

Thanks!

Had mine done at nw autoshield in Seattle for a couple cars now and they're great and very reasonably priced.

Nwautoshield.com

[Shanh81]

Originally Posted by M.a.r.k.u.s

Had mine done at nw autoshield in Seattle for a couple cars now and they're great and very reasonably priced.

Nwautoshield.com

Second this

[UGADawgFan]

Ty Guys! I'll reach out to them tomorrow.

[jwzimm]

My go to has been Metropolitan Detail in Bellevue. Definitely top end price but their quality is second to none.

[Zermatt]

My conversations with Metropolitan Detail in Bellevue did lead me to believe they do exceptional work but they are also exceptionally expensive. Emphasis on 'exceptionally'.

Brian Churchill from Polished Image Detailing in Olympia or Blake from NorthWest Auto Salon in Lynnwood would be my recommendations.

My take is that the Seattle/Puget Sound area has seen demand skyrocket and prices have reflected that. Traveling beyond the Seattle is worthwhile on larger projects. Eastern WA is definitely cheaper. Prices drop even further in MT or Portland.

[UGADawgFan]

I'm definitely willing to drive to Portland to save money. I got one quote at $700 just for the front end. No thanks, I'll touch up the rock chips.

[HPIA4v2]

Anyone done Xpel on their car?
Wonder how much was it, TIA

[Shanh81]

Originally Posted by HPIA4v2

Anyone done Xpel on their car?
Wonder how much was it, TIA

Yep have the full front,roof and rocker panels. Got it done with Neal @ nwautoshield.com. Cost will depend on how much you want to get done and to what level. For example Metropolitan will remove handles etc for amazing protection but you pay for the premium service

[Raizon]

I recommend APC Auto Spa in Woodinville. They are the only shop that uses STEK clear bra. It's not same as Suntek. The great feature of the STEK is it's hydrophobic which I believe Xpel is not. I got full front and roof installed. It's been 8 months and it's still amazing watching water repel off the clear bra. I also have Alpine White and so far there is no yellowing. Plus they have 10 year warranty if anything wrong including yellowing.

https://www.apcautospa.com/clear-bra

They are also one of the few shops that is authorized Ceramic Coat installer which I did as well. If you get their STEK clear bra, the ceramic coat will be reduced in price because they don't have to Ceramic coat over the clear bra which is already hydrophobic.

Ask for Lance. He runs the shop and is a super cool guy. They have loaner cars for longer jobs too. When I brought my car in for work, they ran out of loaner cars so Lance loaned me his personal car which was his 2017 Lexus GS-F and it only had 6000 miles. No fear considering he doesn't even know me that well and told me to drive it hard. He also noticed some dirt buildup on my clear bra on driver fender side which I did not notice. He replaced that whole section without me asking.

Check them out. They do tons of high end cars. I saw 2 lambos and a ferrari while I was there. Also tons of GTRs and Teslas. Super clean shop too.

[F83]

Plus 1 on Northwest Autoshield. I’ve done 3 cars there.

[jwzimm]

Originally Posted by Raizon

I recommend APC Auto Spa in Woodinville. They are the only shop that uses STEK clear bra. It's not same as Suntek. The great feature of the STEK is it's hydrophobic which I believe Xpel is not. I got full front and roof installed. It's been 8 months and it's still amazing watching water repel off the clear bra. I also have Alpine White and so far there is no yellowing. Plus they have 10 year warranty if anything wrong including yellowing.

Metropolitan Detail also uses STEK BTW.

[XPEL]

Originally Posted by UGADawgFan

Hi Guys,

Anyone know of a reasonably priced, but good shop to do a clear bra? I want to get it done on my F80.

Thanks!

UGADawgFan,

Congrats on the F80! We are huge fans of anything with a Roundel on it here at XPEL.

Let's start with installers. We have a list of certified XPEL Installers in your area. For a list of these, please visit this link - XPEL in Seattle.

Second, let's talk coverage and pricing. On an F80, we would at minimum do the full front end. This includes the full hood, full front fenders, front bumper, headlights, and side mirrors. This package ranges from $1,895 - $2,195.*

If you are going to drive the car often, take it to the track, or on rallies, then we would suggest doing the rocker panel areas along the sides of the vehicle, and behind the rear tires. Adding these can increase the price another $500 - $800*

*Labor rates vary based on location, installer experience, and more.*

Lastly, no matter what brand it is, be sure to go to the shop and ask for examples of their work. This will let you grade their workmanship and their customer service quality.

Check out this video of a fellow F80 owner in Malibu talk about his love for this M4 and the XPEL product.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCkPZRQ4e7U

Hope this info helps, let us know if we can answer any other questions.

[THEROK]

I remember the days when $600 got you a front end kit. Insane pricing nowadays for marginal gains.

I regularly went to Ben @ Park Place in Bellevue, WA. Not sure if he's still there or whether Joey is still running the show. Ben's awesome.

[UGADawgFan]

Agreed- my car already has 21K miles on it with a few minor rock chips and I'll drive it maybe 5000 miles a year. I'll pass on this entirely...not worth the cost. Thank you all for the suggestions.

My brother has knows a tint guy in Omaha, NE (bought the car in Ohio and was driving it to Omaha for shipment to Washington from there) who clear wrapped the top of the rear bumper, the rear fenders, behind the door handles, and tinted the windows for $250.

Should have had him do the front end, but was thinking I'd get the two rock chips filled in first.

[XPEL]

Originally Posted by THEROK

I remember the days when $600 got you a front end kit. Insane pricing nowadays for marginal gains.

I regularly went to Ben @ Park Place in Bellevue, WA. Not sure if he's still there or whether Joey is still running the show. Ben's awesome.

Agreed, Ben Williams is an awesome guy, and is running a shop in Bellevue called East Side Auto Salon. If you're in the area, look him up as he has excellent quality and customer service.

Originally Posted by UGADawgFan

Agreed- my car already has 21K miles on it with a few minor rock chips and I'll drive it maybe 5000 miles a year. I'll pass on this entirely...not worth the cost. Thank you all for the suggestions.

My brother has knows a tint guy in Omaha, NE (bought the car in Ohio and was driving it to Omaha for shipment to Washington from there) who clear wrapped the top of the rear bumper, the rear fenders, behind the door handles, and tinted the windows for $250.

Should have had him do the front end, but was thinking I'd get the two rock chips filled in first.

We understand completely. Let us know if we can ever answer any questions or help in any way.

[ItsaGoose]

I purchased 3M pro on eBay and installed it myself, full hood. It was a little tricky but the film was $200 vs $600 as I was quoted by accutint Seattle.

PM me if you want any tips

[Raizon]

Originally Posted by jwzimm

Metropolitan Detail also uses STEK BTW.

Good to know. I thought at the time I was looking APC was the only dealer but the more the merrier. I'm loving my STEK.

[HPIA4v2]

Haven't got my M3 yet but that bulging rear fender may take the full brunt of rocks kick up by fat rear/front tires. Especially I am thinking about putting wheel spacers. I have this funky smooth to the touch rock chips on my X6 rear fenders, but for around $2K I am having second thought

[Eric S]

if you are going to Portland, check out www.immaculateessence.com
Tell Hector or Zhonna Eric with envious detailing sent you

[HPIA4v2]

Originally Posted by ItsaGoose

I purchased 3M pro on eBay and installed it myself, full hood. It was a little tricky but the film was $200 vs $600 as I was quoted by accutint Seattle.

PM me if you want any tips

Just Google it, 10' x 60" roll is $380 on eBay.
Need to keep looking for something that will cover the rear fender in one sheet. Hopefully smaller and cheaper than that