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View Full Version : Audi RS4 Custom Clear Bra Install (Full frontal Coverage)


Rickrack
08-16-2012, 06:39 AM
This Audi RS4 is a few years old and has been very well maintained since it was new. The owner was interested in having the existing paint protection film (clear bra) removed and wanted it replaced with a better quality film with additional coverage.


Although the film did its job protecting the paint from stone chips, the original clear bra was starting to get cloudy and turn yellow, so it had to go! Our plan was to remove the existing film and perform a fully custom install to the entire front end of the car including the complete hood, complete fenders, complete front bumper, side mirrors, headlights, A-pillars, rocker panels and rear quarter panel splash guards.


As you can see in the pictures below, the existing film was starting to get discolored and was very dull compared to the factory paint finish.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311116.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311114.jpg



The first step was to remove the existing film by heating it with a heat gun in order to warm up the adhesive and make removal easier. Some of the adhesive remained on the panels, which was easily removed with some acrylic solvent.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311112.jpg



Once the film was fully removed and the paint was free of remaining adhesive, I clayed all paint surfaces being covered in film to ensure there weren’t any bonded contaminants present. It is very important to have the paint as clean and perfect as possible before the install to ensure there is a perfect foundation for the film to adhere to. Once clayed, I followed behind and polished all areas to remove any light scratches and paint imperfections.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311117.jpg



Full polished and ready for the install…

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311118.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311119.jpg



Now that the car was fully prepped for the install, we started by installing the hood using bulk film in order to cover the entire panel without having any seams. By using bulk film instead of pre-cut pieces, we have the ability to trim the edges about 1/8 inch longer than necessary in order to wrap all edges over for the clean and invisible end result.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311127.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311132.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311131.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311130.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311129.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311128.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311137.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311136.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311135.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311145.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311146.jpg



Full fenders…

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311138.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311141.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311140.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311139.jpg



Full front bumper coverage…

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311144.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311143.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311142.jpg
Rickrack
08-16-2012, 06:39 AM
Rocker panels completely covered…

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311133.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311134.jpg



A-pillars covered…

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311125.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311121.jpg



Rear quarter splash guards (high-impact area)…

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311120.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311126.jpg



Headlights covered…

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311122.jpg



And last but not least, the mirrors were covered using matte film in order to maintain the matte silver finish of the mirrors…

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311155.jpg



Here are the final results!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311162.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311161.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311160.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311158.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311157.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311156.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311154.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311153.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311152.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311151.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311150.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311149.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311148.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y296/rickrack/Audi%20RS4%20Clear%20bra%20install/Details11311147.jpg



Thanks for looking!
maga4
08-20-2012, 05:03 PM
Very nice! Film is definitely glossy looking, and the owner has done a great job keeping it in good shape for sure.
Khaavren
08-20-2012, 10:47 PM
I need someone to do this for me in L.A.! that's a very thorough job. Someone who won't take my car for a joy ride.
JJPquattro
08-21-2012, 09:08 AM
Top notch work done right there! Great job and beautiful/well kept car!
A4Turbo04
08-21-2012, 09:15 AM
wow that must have been a pain, but it came out great...how long did it take??
Rickrack
08-23-2012, 05:22 AM
Thanks guys!

The install took about 6 hours or so to complete...
beantown
08-23-2012, 05:43 AM
Great work. [up] First time I think I've seen all those panels clear bra'ed on a car before.
NewEnglandB7
09-02-2012, 08:43 AM
That is amazing and impressive. I wish I had the skills to take on such a job and achieve such good results. I'm sure the owner was pleased. Where are you guys? It might be worth the drive to bring you my car. I drive lots of highway miles here in the North East, which can be hell on a cars front. Do you mind me asking what such a thorough coverage job would cost on an A4?
Rickrack
09-05-2012, 09:08 AM
That is amazing and impressive. I wish I had the skills to take on such a job and achieve such good results. I'm sure the owner was pleased. Where are you guys? It might be worth the drive to bring you my car. I drive lots of highway miles here in the North East, which can be hell on a cars front. Do you mind me asking what such a thorough coverage job would cost on an A4?


Thanks!

My shop is located in Wakefield, MA

Feel free to drop me an e-mail and I will send along some pricing ([email protected])...
VroomVroom
09-05-2012, 11:50 AM
Absolutely outstanding work! Kudos on your patience as well as your expertise!
IbisS4
03-02-2013, 02:24 AM
how do you maintain the car once it clear braed,can ustill wash and wax and detail as normal?thanks
catch
03-06-2013, 09:59 PM
Great work and beautiful car!
DownhillA4
03-07-2013, 08:28 AM
Excellent. My car is clear-bra'd the exact same way, including the rear quarter panels in front of the wheels. Only thing I regret not doing (stupid me) is the pillars in between the windshield and doors.
Rickrack
03-31-2013, 04:53 PM
Thanks guys!!
RandysWay
04-27-2013, 11:41 PM
Looks great! You can't even tell... [:)]
A4TQS
04-28-2013, 12:28 AM
Wow that's amazing [:d]
sa_seahawker
04-28-2013, 08:03 AM
wow that must have been a pain, but it came out great...how long did it take??

More importantly, how much did it cost and with what film?
tadhgbrosnan
06-16-2013, 08:01 AM
I currently have the same clear-bra treatment on my car; am I crazy that I kinda want to remove it? I hate how the rest of the car sparkles while the laminated sections are dull, by comparison.
dougyfresh
06-24-2013, 06:13 AM
Superb work!

Once I repaint my B6 I am going to give you guys a call to come up and get the same treatment.
jayulzvern
08-27-2013, 04:11 AM
What film did you use?
NVRFollo
09-01-2013, 04:50 AM
What film did you use?

I think it was Xpel Ultimate. I just had my car done there recently and that is what they used.