Clear Bra?

[tanger]

Having sold my daily driver, have been driving the E500 more. I hate the thought of the paint getting chipped or otherwise blemished - have been thinking of clear bra-ing the entire car (or at least the critical areas). My hesitation is whether the paint is too "soft" (or too old) that when removing the clear bra down the road it will also take with it some of the paint. Is this a valid concern?

Once I get through this house remodel I'm going to hunt for a better daily driver (maybe another E500E!) but in the meantime need to properly protect this one...

 

[500AMM]

I propose you perform a proper paint protection on it, which is not a "clear bra", but makes the paint stronger anyway and at least easier to keep clean. Those protection systems do normally offer a chemical elimination process to be taken if paint work/corrections has to be done.

-a-

 

[texas993]

Tanger,

Good to see over here. i don't think that the success on the E500E will be much different than on our 993s. These cars were painted with high-quality, thick paint that has hardened for many, many years. I think you would be safe to clear bra an original paint job. Problems seem to occur on cars that are re-painted when the clear bra is removed.

However, like your sedans, these cars are not as susceptible to road rash as the 993. The areas that get rash are the front bumpers, areas around the headlights, fender flares and side moulding (front and rear) that really sticks out.

Good luck on your search!

 

[msq]

anyone actually try Clear Bra on their E500E? I did it on my 750i, about 1/3 of the hood, complete face of the car (bumpers, spoiler), mirrors etc. and it has worked great - not a single chip. Wish I did it years ago on my C43 when new (had that car for 17 years and repainted the bumper twice - I think Clear Bra would have saved me on that car, especially after first bumper repaint which never seems as good as factory hardness).

In any case, I know it can do a decent job at preventing rock chips, so I guess I am more worried about what its like when/if you peel it off i.e. does it damage or peel paint or clear coat, does the paint underneath fade at different rate than rest of the car etc.?

 

[Ntrepid]

On my 500E, I had clear bra applied to the entire front clip (hood and both fenders) to prevent any line or fading with doing a fraction of the area. The only issue one could run into is if any panel has been repainted and it was not properly prepared for paint. In a case like that, the paint may get pulled off with the clear bra.


Robert

 

[TerryA]

Mark,

After I removed it from the car and stripped off the SS wings, I had my lower fascia professionally re-painted. I then had clear-bra applied below the impact strip and to the wiper delete panels below my e-Code lights. I also applied 20 mm Laminex to the e-codes and 40mm to the new fog lenses I had installed.

My only mistake was I drove the car a couple of times w/o the clear bra and had to touch up a few paint chips first.
So far no problems but I would not guarantee the if removed that some paint might come with it.

I saw Matt Stockwell / LEISTUNG AUTOHAUS removing the clear-bra of his white C55 (it yellowed). It looked like a PITA but it came off.

Also, I know of no pre-cut kit. It was hard to turn the bumper corners and he had to make a small cut so as not to stress the wrap to much.

Advise: Don’t drive with out some kind of protection.

 

[msq]

Robert & Terry,
Sounds good. This is the kind of info/input I was looking for.
Given this, I'm going to do it this spring when I take the car out of storage.
Also the Laminex is a great idea - especially since Euro headlights are NLA.

Mark

 

[gsxr]

I don't have clear bra on any of my MB's, but sure wish I did. Don't forget to have it applied to the painted rear covers on the door mirrors as well. The rear portion of the lower rocker panels is another area that takes a beating; right in front of the rear tires.

I would very strongly recommend applying Lamin-X to good headlight lenses. The fog lights/lenses are still available, for now. Assuming those are in good shape, apply to them as well. If sandblasted, buy new ones first (they're not expensive). I'm not sure if Lamin-X offers 40 mil anymore, if not, 20 mil on everything is fine.

 

[msq]

I don't have clear bra on any of my MB's, but sure wish I did. Don't forget to have it applied to the painted rear covers on the door mirrors as well. The rear portion of the lower rocker panels is another area that takes a beating; right in front of the rear tires.

I would very strongly recommend applying Lamin-X to good headlight lenses. The fog lights/lenses are still available, for now. Assuming those are in good shape, apply to them as well. If sandblasted, buy new ones first (they're not expensive). I'm not sure if Lamin-X offers 40 mil anymore, if not, 20 mil on everything is fine.

Thanks for this. This is quite helpful. I will definitely also do mirrors (I did that on my 7 series and it paid off) and rear lower portions of rocker panels also. I'll buy the foglight lenses anyway. Is the part number for the lens the same on Euro as US spec? Any idea where I would find the part number for the lens and a good source? I remember getting a foglight lens for my C43 from AutohausAZ and it was inexpensive ~$20 a number of years back.

 

[gsxr]

Any idea where I would find the part number for the lens and a good source? I remember getting a foglight lens for my C43 from AutohausAZ and it was inexpensive ~$20 a number of years back.

I sent you a PM with some part numbers. They are not $20 cheap though - that was crazy low. I looked it up, the C43 fogs were also used on many R170 and W210 chassis, and those lenses are very, very cheap. The 500E fogs were only used on the R129 and cost more.

 

[msq]

I sent you a PM with some part numbers. They are not $20 cheap though - that was crazy low. I looked it up, the C43 fogs were also used on many R170 and W210 chassis, and those lenses are very, very cheap. The 500E fogs were only used on the R129 and cost more.

Thanks much. I appreciate the help.
Yes, when I bought those C43 fog lights the local MB dealer had "flunked my car" on inspection for a hairline crack in the foglight (inside not outer surface) that you literally needed to get down on your knees and use a magnifying glass to see. He then told me it was going to be $300 to replace and that they don't make/sell the lens separately, which was simply not true. I was really surprised at how low the cost was of the lens when I found it. I don't think I have ever bought any part for an MB that was that inexpensive. I know I will pay a lot more for E500E ones and I saw your PM.....great info/help.

 

[gsxr]

Yes, when I bought those C43 fog lights the local MB dealer had "flunked my car" on inspection for a hairline crack in the foglight ... He then told me it was going to be $300 to replace and that they don't make/sell the lens separately, which was simply not true.

Funny you mention this. The EPC for the C43 does not show the lenses available separately... so the dealer was likely basing what they told you off that alone. This is an EPC error, the lenses are not shown as available for *any* 202 chassis, not just the C43.

To find the lenses, you have to do a reverse lookup on the C43 lamp assembly, and check what is shown on a different chassis. On other chassis, the lens does show as available. 99.999% of dealers would never, ever put forth this extra 5 minutes of effort.

 

[msq]

Funny you mention this. The EPC for the C43 does not show the lenses available separately... so the dealer was likely basing what they told you off that alone. This is an EPC error, the lenses are not shown as available for *any* 202 chassis, not just the C43.

Ok that clears up the confusion. I could see the lens was replaceable and the dealer insisted it was not, so they must have been basing it off of that. I forgot how I found the part numbers for the C43 fog light lens' P/N: 1708261090 for right lens and and P/N: 1708260990 for left lens. I think I went to the parts department head at the dealer and I insisted it was a separate item and he started doing some hunting around - maybe he did exactly as you said - did a reverse look up, and they did not have the part anyway and I bought it online at AutohausAZ. They were fast and inexpensive.

p.s. this is longer ago than I thought, just looked up the part and now it is $35.

 

[Ntrepid]

A car which does not have separate fog lenses is the W202 C36. Those are a bit pricey at $425/side from MBOEMparts. The part was also available on the R129 but only on a specific model [late Sport models with AMG bumpers].

"Pass me the roll of Lamin-X please"


Robert

 

[msq]

A car which does not have separate fog lenses is the W202 C36. Those are a bit pricey at $425/side from MBOEMparts. The part was also available on the R129 but only on a specific model [late Sport models with AMG bumpers].

"Pass me the roll of Lamin-X please"


Robert

So these P/N: 1708261090 for right lens and and P/N: 1708260990 from the C43 turned out not to be interchangeable with C36 I guess.....ouch, $425 a side!

 

[Ntrepid]

Correct. Each C43 lens was more like an egg laying on its side which was sliced slightly diagonally in 1/2 where the C36 lens is like the bottom left or right 1/4 of an oval on its side.


Robert

 

[195910]

Previous owner had it installed on the Baron and its now 11 years old, wise decision if you have factory paint.

 

[msq]

I just called the local shop here in MA (Protection Plus LLC) that has been doing clear bra since it first came out (they get good reviews) and the owner/guy that does it says he will not do it on a E500E from '93 because:

1. you can't get the kit for the car (I believe there are premade ones by body type)
2. he would never put in on a car that old (????)
3. he said these cars have lacquer paint (????) and if you ever have to take it off it may damage the paint
4. separately, he also said he stopped using Laminex on headlights because of the "heat" (assuming he is talking about heat from the headlights) and he has had problems with it

This does not seem to synch up with other peoples experience here. I definitely want to get some paint protection on my car (I'll get it done when I take it out of winter storage)

I know people have used clear bra on the E500E.

Any thoughts/comments on the above and any idea on where a good place to get clear bra in Central MA (or MA in general)?

 

[gsxr]

That all sounds like the guy doesn't want to touch the car, and is making excuses as to why. Maybe he's nervous due to the rarity and value of an E60?

If there's no kit available for paint protection, it has to be custom-cut. Some places may not want to do this, it requires far more skill, same as with custom-cut window tint vs pre-cut. One of my 500's has paint protection film on the lower half of the front bumper, courtesy of the PO, so obviously some shop was able to do it.

I've never heard of anyone having issues with Lamin-X. I have thick (20 mil) film on my E500 with 100-watt H3+H4 bulbs (and relays, and heavy wiring), which is probably as hot as anything will ever get in 124 lamps. Zero issues.

 

[msq]

That all sounds like the guy doesn't want to touch the car, and is making excuses as to why.....

Yes, for sure. He pretty much said so. I think since supposedly there's potentially no "kit" for the car, like there are for say air cooled Porsches of the same era, he does not want to do the work and potentially have dissatisfied customer.

MA is a funny place - seems like many retail places (stores, restaurants, body shops etc.) have initial knee-jerk reaction that is mostly a "No". I grew up here and have lived in other places (and other countries) and besides the lousy winters this - the "Mr. No" attitude is a killer for this region.

CA is the opposite - they will say yes to almost anything and do it with a smile (which I like and is great), unfortunately they just charge you a fortune - far more than what you would pay in other parts of the country.

In any case, I called another guy who does this, seems like he may be able to do it, he asked for pics. Will post update once I find out more.

 

[ace10]

I don't see anybody with a pattern for the 036, which means it will be a freehand install. Gotta make sure they really, REALLY know what they are doing. Too many nice cars with razor blade cuts in the paint from boneheaded PPF installers.

 

[vatc5637]

On a BMW related site that I follow, they've experimented with an upscale, clear version of plastidip called AutoFlex and/or Spray Shield. It's an aerosol spray so no need to worry about applicator expertise, finding a pre-cut pattern, or cuts on the paint. I have no idea how long it lasts (though distributor claims 5 years) or whether or not it will "yellow" or change color over time or with sun exposure. I'm thinking of trying it on a road rashed front bumper I'm going to repaint in my garage to see how well it prevents the re-painted bumper from being nicked up again. Since it will go on the front lower bumper, I'm less concerned about how the finish and how it looks, its the protection factor I care about. They offer a high-gloss version but you apparently need paint spraying equipment to apply it. For me, rattle can is all I can handle.

In the video I watched, he sprayed the entire front end (hood included) of a 2015 M3, drove it across the country, then peeled the coating off 3 months later, with no apparent ill effects.

 

[kwontumspeed]

Side note, if anyone wants to Acad the pattern we have the ability and sources(3M, etc.) to do this in one piece on a specialized flatbed machine. I imagine the list of takers would be pretty long...

 

[msq]

I don't see anybody with a pattern for the 036, which means it will be a freehand install. Gotta make sure they really, REALLY know what they are doing. Too many nice cars with razor blade cuts in the paint from boneheaded PPF installers.

Thats what the original guy said i.e. much more difficult install if there is not pre-existing pattern

 

[msq]

Side note, if anyone wants to Acad the pattern we have the ability and sources(3M, etc.) to do this in one piece on a specialized flatbed machine. I imagine the list of takers would be pretty long...

I don't have tools and knowledge to do the CAD stuff, but if you end up doing this count me in as customer, I also have another W124 I would do it on.

 

[gsxr]

Just FYI... the E500E (and E60) front bumper is shaped differently than all other 124 front bumpers. If a pre-cut kit is made for the 036, it would not work on standard 124's.

 

[TerryA]

Mark,

When my car was done there was no pattern for the 036 . The Clear-Bra on my car was custom cut. He would not do the bars in the lower fascia and he only had to make one cut on the corners under the turn signals. The cuts are about 2” and pretty invisible. The guy I used was really good and he installed the ClrBra on a lot of high end cars.

Also I had panels under the headlight covered. When I removed the headlight wipers the original panels were really beat up w/ stone chips.

Anyway I have been very happy with my installation.

Also that paint shield sounds promising.

 

[msq]

Thanks Terry! Good to know someone did it for you without pre-cut pattern. I am waiting for a quote from the new guy I found.