Hey all... Just wanted to get input to see if recommendations have changed.

We've got a new car coming and I'd like to get the windows tinted (legal) and clear bra installed ASAP. I believe LA Tint was highly recommended as they are professional, laser-cut and high quality (ceramic?) tint... If there's someone else like this, I'd be happy to consider them.

Also, aside from a member here, I'm not really sure about clear bra and how that's come along in the last couple of years (better films, better tech, etc). Also, since the car's brand new I'm not sure if shops will have the measurements for the machine cutting.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions and recommendations!

Oh and the new car = 09 Fit Sport.

 

Have you heard about this? http://www.cilajet.com/

Fairfax Honda and Landmark Honda both offer this. It sounds like BS but my friend who is a car enthusiast got it done on his and his wife's car and swears by it.

If it didn't come as a recommendation from my friend I would say its BS, but considering he recommended it, I would think its decent.

For those that know him, I-MOD (Dennis) is the one who recommended cilajet.

 

Sounds like Simonize. If there were such a thing that worked that well, professional detailers would know about it and swear by it. I don't trust that kind of thing at all.

And it won't protect against rock chips like a clear bra.

 

I do both of those for a living. My company is fairly new and i'd love to help a fellow s2ker out and i also have a computercut system. www.cuttingedgetint.com 301 740-3556
Ask for TJ. Hope to here from ya.

 

Congrats on the car, My mother bought an 08' and I love it. A very well put together car for the price (as like any other Honda).

I have debated trading in my Jetta for a 09' Fit as well to complement my S2k. Either that or a Ridgeline. All depends really on the future of oil prices.

Lets see some pics!

 

Chris, have you thought about installing the clear bra by yourself? I've done about five cars now by myself... G35 sedan, G35 coupe, FX35, Honda Civic, S2000, and I'm now in the process of installing one on the Tahoe. I've bought all my clear bras from the same guy below. They're about $200 or less shipped. He uses 3M PP film, and it's very durable. It's saved the S from a lot of rock chips while on track. It takes practice, but if you screw up a piece of the clear bra, the same guy will sell you just the piece that you messed up. The only draw back is that it takes about five hours or so depending on your experience.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2007-HONDA-...emZ110010798135

You can also get pre-cut tint from Ebay too. I'm going to be installing front tint for the Tahoe soon too. Just a thought...

 

Yeah Calvin, I definitely appreciate the idea of doing it myself but that just doesn't feel like the kind of thing I'd be good at, or really be willing to tackle myself without practice. I'd really prefer to have an experienced pro do it right the first time. Though $400+ difference between just the film and film+install...

Thanks for the offer, TJ. I'll keep you in mind! Where have you worked in the past?
We don't have the car yet - maybe in a week or so.

 

The first time I did a clear bra by myself, I had to buy a separate bumper piece beause I messed it up. Even then, the total material cost was less than $300. It does take some practice, especially when you're applying it over compound curves. There are plenty of instruction/tips videos that you can watch to see if this is something you want to try yourself. I have several videos that I can forward to you if you're interested.

 

Here are a few videos...

http://www.pro-tectfilm.com/videos/

EDIT: They make it look too easy. Trust me, it's not.

 

Well, I finally finished installing the clear bra on the Tahoe. I was installing one piece at a time at night. It came out better than I expected. This was the first application where I didn't have any noticeable fingers on the lips of the bra. I figured out a few tricks during this application too. I guess that comes with having done about six cars now. One thing I noticed was that any lint that you have trapped in the clear bra shows up very easily on white paint. I also installed pre-cut tint on the front driver and passenger-side windows. They were really easy. I just need to let them dry out and then wash the SUV.