Bras! New Car Xzilon, 3M Bra, Scotch guard

gdh · Nov 24, 2010

At the conclusion of successfully dealing on a new car, the finance manager always attempts to sell a paint protectant (Xzilon), 3M clear plastic car bra for rock chip protection, windshield treatment, scotch guard for the interior etc. Well I heard a pretty convincing sales pitch today and almost bought it but I have never had these products on my other cars and they turned out just fine. Does anybody have any thoughts good, bad or otherwise about Xzilon, 3M clear car bra etc.

blueriver · Nov 24, 2010

gdh said:
Sorry if this is misplaced? I just wanted to tap into the collective wisdom of TBN members.

I wish someone would make a Bra for a tractor ... fine screened ... keep the dust and such from the radiator.

Bird · Nov 25, 2010

Primarily just extra profit for the dealer. I reject all those things myself.

Kays Supply · Nov 25, 2010

It had better be good. I went to a page that sold the products. It would be just under $2000 for the works on my Tacoma.

Brad_Blazer · Nov 25, 2010

The paint protectant package from the dealer is purely a profit engine. Congrats on resisting the hard sell. For the same price you can pay someone else $25 to vacuum, wash & wax every 60 days for 13+ years.

I don't have direct experience with the clear film protectors but I like that concept. The leading edges of your car will experience erosion and no wax will stop it.

gdh · Nov 25, 2010

For the same price you can pay someone else $25 to vacuum, wash & wax every 60 days for 13+ years.

That really puts it into perspective.

gdh

tsteahr · Nov 25, 2010

I have installed and used the 3M clear film on two of my vehicles and it is a excellent product. I believe it is the only way practical to minimize paint chips from stones and to prevent the front if the car from slowly being sandblasted. The film in commonly applied to more expensive cars to minimize road damage.

The skill of the installer determines the quality of the install. I installed precut "kits" on two of my vehicles and the kit went on well. I was able to get right to the edge of the panels in most places. A good friend of mine paid a very experienced professional (found through a local Corvette club) to do his car. A good installer uses the material in bulk sheets and cuts it to shape directly on the car. It is an art to see a installer like this work.

Based on my direct, first hand experience with 3M film I recommend it highly.

If you want a perfect, flawless, install I would suggest doing a little research to find a experienced installed. I would suggest you talk with a local car club and see some installs first hand. This will give you an idea of the skill of the installer. If you take your time you can do a pretty decent job with one of the precut kits and save some money compared to paying a professional.

I don't have any direct experience with Xzilon or interior Scotchguard. My only comment on Xzilon is from the owner of a constructions company that did work at my house. I gave the guy a hard time one day because his van always looked clean when the vehicles his crew use are dirty. He told me he never washes it but he let his dealer talk him into the Xzilon stuff and now he likes it.

The clear film rock protector is great stuff. I highly recommend you find a good installer. Well worth the money. Expect to pay $500-800 depending on the size and complexity of the install.

Sigarms · Nov 25, 2010

Couple years ago when my father visited, I talked him into buying himself a new "sporty" coupe (he won't part with his money on his own LOL).

He surprised me and bought the car at a local dealer around my house, and for his Christmas present, I had a clear bra put on the car and at a local "car shop" that was mentioned to me. It was the 3M brand. Shop did a great job with it, I believe it came out to $400 to put on (including the side view mirrors). Kind of funny and ironic that you actually have to look real hard to notice it's there on the front of the car.

That bra has been on now over two years, and it's held up great (nothing wrong with it at all and I saw it a couple of weeks ago).

I still have the paperwork, and I believe it came with a pretty good warranty (less labor to reinstall one on again, God knows how much that came out to be as I don't believe they broke it down on the invoice).

If you're going to spend money on a car and want to baby it, from what I've seen, those clear bras are worth the money. Dad has close to 60k on the car, and as mentioned no real wear or tear where the bra is located. Guess the real question would be what would the car look like if it didn't have the bra on?