tmv22

looks like Venture Shield is the best deal to get right?
im ready to get one now. wondering if you have gotten it done in the philly area...
the only listing i see from venture shield is the one in bala cynwyd.

BurgBoxstr

Here's a listing of "certified" clear bra installers in PA. Hope it helps

PA Clear Bra Installers

tmv22

so "clear bra" is the same as "venture shield?"

BurgBoxstr

Honestly, I'm not 100% sure about venture shield but most likely it's also 3M film. Most (if not all) clear bra "brands" (i.e. XPel, etc.) are 3M films and are backed by 3M w/ regards to fade, yellow and peeling. The "brand" aspect of it has to do w/ making a precut template for each specific vehicle. Let me know if you learn otherwise w/ Venture Shield but I suspect it's the same.

MikeOO

I've had both Ventureshield and 3M and liked the Ventureshield better. The 3M gave an orange peel look while the other didn't.

whlkev

last i heard, 3M bought venture film, so aren't they essentially the same now

tmv22

i called the one in allentown from the venture shield website, she wanted 650, 550 if its cash.

after checking out your link, i called the one in willow grove (warminster), ABS M.A.R.S. Phone: 215-659-9650. he wanted $550. im told the price includes two kits that should fully protect the vehicle against debris. and yes, that includes installation.
oh, Gary said the 5 year warranty is for the installation and fading and yellowing and stuffs... i dont really mind if its 3m or whatnot, but 5 years is more than enough for me!

whlkev

what does he mean by 2 kits, which part of the front end does that cover?

my full hood protection alone is 400

tmv22

yeah, the hood itself is 350.
what hes offering is everything, the mirror, the bumper, the fender.... i gotta see for myself too.

BurgBoxstr

Guess you don't want to know I paid $350 cash LY for the XPel kit on this side of the state so I won't tell you . It included both kits - bumper and hood (24" on the hood, fender corners and mirrors). Actually it was a phenomenal deal I was able to snag b/c the weather was horrible and all the car dealers and custom shops were way off in biz b/c the Auto Show here got postponed at the last minute (that's a whole 'nother story on it's own). The shop was absolutely desperate and my timing was great!!! As they say - better to be lucky than good, right .

Anyhoo, definitely get the hood kit - 24" (IIRC that's the kit I got) it ends up being even w/ trailing edge of the corner/side light. Even w/ the kit, due to the hood's slope, we've (my wife) managed to get a decent sized nick in the hood. I can't tell you how many dings were in the shield (only) on the bumper even after just 8 months. Good thing is..... they clean up nicely w/ a little polish. Worthwhile investment if you own the car.

cliffud

iTrader: (3)

good job shopping around fellas!

tmv22

thanks for the info Burg!
i will shop around further

BurgBoxstr

TMV22-
FWIW, I recently had the front bumper resprayed on another vehicle of mine. In order to hopefully prevent from having to do that again, I priced out a clear bra for it. On the difficulty scale, I'd rate it equal (maybe a tad harder) to the GS350 (approx equal amount of materials). The quote just came back:
$285 Bumper
$200 Hood, fenders and mirror
$485 Total (cash)

Since you live on the expensive side of the state , I think $550 sounds reasonable. Incidentally, $525 is what I paid to have the front bumper resprayed so bouncing it up against that # the "ounce of prevention" from a clear bra seems priced right on.

tmv22

here are the kits i was referring to earlier.
you can find them directly from www.xpel.com
first choose the center panel from the homepage and then choose the car model.