Lamborghini Factory Clear Bra

Has anyone gotten the factory clear bra installed directly from Lamborghini? Do they do a decent job, or would it be better to go through a local shop?

I would stay away from factory applied clearbra regardless of the manufacturer.  It is SO dependent on installer skill that I prefer to vet my installer by checking references to determine if they are skilled, and if they stand behind their work.

Even if the factory did a great job (it’s possible, but how do you know who is doing it?) - things happen afterward.  Edges may lift, there could be slight defects.  Who will address issues after delivery?  The dealer?  And if so, who does the dealer’s work?

Other questions:  what method of installation is employed?  Are they cutting film on the car?  Is it fully custom or is it a pre-cut template? (Not necessarily bad - but good to know).  Are all edges wrapped when possible?  Are they covering the headlights and is it recommended?  

I could go on but you get the point.  I’d rather choose my installer and know that if I need an issue addressed, I’ve got someone willing to stand behind their work.  I’ve heard too many horror stories to allow PPF applied without knowing (and choosing) who does it.  I assume the manufacturers probably sub-contract.  My Porsche dealer subcontracts, and in their case - I am still choosing the installer but sometimes he does the work at the dealer.  We’ve also gone to his shop (120 miles) and he’s also applied film in our garage (most recently the Clearplex on the GT4 windshield)

Best of luck with your project!

23 hours ago, cake said:

I would stay away from factory applied clearbra regardless of the manufacturer.  It is SO dependent on installer skill that I prefer to vet my installer by checking references to determine if they are skilled, and if they stand behind their work.

Even if the factory did a great job (it’s possible, but how do you know who is doing it?) - things happen afterward.  Edges may lift, there could be slight defects.  Who will address issues after delivery?  The dealer?  And if so, who does the dealer’s work?

Other questions:  what method of installation is employed?  Are they cutting film on the car?  Is it fully custom or is it a pre-cut template? (Not necessarily bad - but good to know).  Are all edges wrapped when possible?  Are they covering the headlights and is it recommended?  

I could go on but you get the point.  I’d rather choose my installer and know that if I need an issue addressed, I’ve got someone willing to stand behind their work.  I’ve heard too many horror stories to allow PPF applied without knowing (and choosing) who does it.  I assume the manufacturers probably sub-contract.  My Porsche dealer subcontracts, and in their case - I am still choosing the installer but sometimes he does the work at the dealer.  We’ve also gone to his shop (120 miles) and he’s also applied film in our garage (most recently the Clearplex on the GT4 windshield)

Best of luck with your project!

That's a great way to think on it...Thanks for the break down!

On 8/28/2021 at 8:02 PM, Supercar Ace said:

That's a great way to think on it...Thanks for the break down!

You'll never go wrong listening to Cake. She knows her stuff better than most! 

4 hours ago, Destructo said:

You'll never go wrong listening to Cake. She knows her stuff better than most! 

I knew I cam to the right place! Now for a local clear bra installer recommendation and we're in business...

14 hours ago, Supercar Ace said:

I knew I cam to the right place! Now for a local clear bra installer recommendation and we're in business...

Check with the guys at SP Engineering in City of Industry. They should know who is good and who to avoid.  https://www.sp-power.com/philosophy

On 8/28/2021 at 3:38 AM, cake said:

I would stay away from factory applied clearbra regardless of the manufacturer.  It is SO dependent on installer skill that I prefer to vet my installer by checking references to determine if they are skilled, and if they stand behind their work.

Even if the factory did a great job (it’s possible, but how do you know who is doing it?) - things happen afterward.  Edges may lift, there could be slight defects.  Who will address issues after delivery?  The dealer?  And if so, who does the dealer’s work?

Other questions:  what method of installation is employed?  Are they cutting film on the car?  Is it fully custom or is it a pre-cut template? (Not necessarily bad - but good to know).  Are all edges wrapped when possible?  Are they covering the headlights and is it recommended?  

I could go on but you get the point.  I’d rather choose my installer and know that if I need an issue addressed, I’ve got someone willing to stand behind their work.  I’ve heard too many horror stories to allow PPF applied without knowing (and choosing) who does it.  I assume the manufacturers probably sub-contract.  My Porsche dealer subcontracts, and in their case - I am still choosing the installer but sometimes he does the work at the dealer.  We’ve also gone to his shop (120 miles) and he’s also applied film in our garage (most recently the Clearplex on the GT4 windshield)

Best of luck with your project!

thanks for the info man  i was looking to do the same thimg

8 hours ago, hobzzlambo said:

thanks for the info man  i was looking to do the same thing

192.168.100.1 192.168.1.1

9 hours ago, Destructo said:

Check with the guys at SP Engineering in City of Industry. They should know who is good and who to avoid.  https://www.sp-power.com/philosophy

I'll scope 'em out 

Howdy! Contact Kris over at CFT Films. They've done a handful of high dollar vehicles for us and their work is top notch. 

www.cftflims.com

I have seen the factory clearbra and I am UNDERWHELMED.  It is also not cheap. If you really want protect your paint, do it professionally aftermarket. You service etc will be much better too. Just find someone reputable.  I for one also use exclusively XPEL--I have tried other and well, the experience and durability is just not there IMHO. Not saying the others aren't good--just my experience has been the best with the XPEL tech. As you know, I don't believe in garage queens, so my cars are driven and XPEL PPF is quality product. if paint is super special consider using 10mm product.

6 hours ago, David@SPE said:

Howdy! Contact Kris over at CFT Films. They've done a handful of high dollar vehicles for us and their work is top notch. 

www.cftflims.com

Thanks for the recommendation, I'll be sure to ring them up! I'll definitely let them know you sent me 

5 hours ago, DoctaM3 said:

I have seen the factory clearbra and I am UNDERWHELMED.  It is also not cheap. If you really want protect your paint, do it professionally aftermarket. You service etc will be much better too. Just find someone reputable.  I for one also use exclusively XPEL--I have tried other and well, the experience and durability is just not there IMHO. Not saying the others aren't good--just my experience has been the best with the XPEL tech. As you know, I don't believe in garage queens, so my cars are driven and XPEL PPF is quality product. if paint is super special consider using 10mm product.

Awesome, good to know. My next logical question was to be which clear-bra tech to go with...I definitely drive all my cars properly so glad to hear that XPEL works well. Definetly will be looking into 10mm, the paint costs too much not to go with the best of the best 

Thanks Destructor for the kind words!

 

The one exception I didn’t consider would be Euro delivery.  In that case, it could make sense to have factory film installed so you can enjoy the Euro experience without concern.  It might be considered disposable, and if not up to par - have it removed and redone once delivered stateside.  Obviously an expensive consideration, but when protecting cars in this “ball park” - it could be the difference between enjoying a much lower stress delivery in Europe versus worrying about chips and dealing with the aftermath of road rash on an unprotected car.

I’m also a fan of Xpel.

I just took delivery of my black STO and thankfully the paint was in good condition from the factory but my Perf had really bad swirls so imagine the factory applying PPF on swirled paint. 

 

 

On 9/2/2021 at 8:31 PM, cake said:

Thanks Destructor for the kind words!

 

The one exception I didn’t consider would be Euro delivery.  In that case, it could make sense to have factory film installed so you can enjoy the Euro experience without concern.  It might be considered disposable, and if not up to par - have it removed and redone once delivered stateside.  Obviously an expensive consideration, but when protecting cars in this “ball park” - it could be the difference between enjoying a much lower stress delivery in Europe versus worrying about chips and dealing with the aftermath of road rash on an unprotected car.

I’m also a fan of Xpel.

I thought about Euro delivery but then knowing me I'd want to bring whoever I choose as my installer with me so they can wrap it right on the assembly line 

There is no Euro delivery available for Lambos...

8 hours ago, sl55 said:

There is no Euro delivery available for Lambos...

I thought there was? But in any case the air delivery for $20k was definitely not an option I wanted to go with 

SL55 is not wrong; but he's not entirely correct either. 

Euro delivery applies to vehicles that conform to the EU safety regulations only.  Hence, vehicles that are in North American specs (e.g. red rear side-markers) cannot be delivered in Europe.  The Giro and the Esperienza have exemptions because they are one-off events and they are escorted or on closed course.  Euro-delivery is an ongoing program and not really escorted so North American-spec'd cars cannot be exempted.  What Euro delivery does offer for North American clients is that you can see your completed car at the factory.  You can even sit in it but you cannot take it onto the public road.  After seeing you car, Lambo SpA will provide the client with one of their factory cars that's as close to the same specs possible as the client's car and the client then embarks on a trip in that car and visits the designated destinations and accommodations as designed by the factory.  At the end of the trip, Lambo SpA collects their car back, the client flies home and his own car gets shipped to his dealer in North America.  Not sure if Lamborghini SpA had reinstated the air-freight option or not but for the past 14months, air-freight was suspended due to the unpredictable and ludicrous pricing of logistic costs.

Back on topic, I fully concur with what cake and DoctaM3 had said.  In all honesty, the factory clear bra is not that great, it does not cover the panels entirely; stopping just short of the edges instead of wrapping around with some overlapping on the underside (to which IMO is a superior application).  We don't know and we cannot control if the factory had given proper curing time for the paint before the wrap is applied so there could be potential problem in the future when the wrap needs to be removed.  The only bragging rights for the factory wrap is the translucent Lamborghini shield logo near the side mirrors; beyond that, there really are more negatives than positives.  The proper way is to find a professional wrap shop that really knows what they are doing and have plenty of experiences of wrapping Lambos.  Establish a good relationship with them so they would take great care of your car.  Wrapping is one thing, properly prepping it for the wrap is another.  It all boils down to experiences and skills and there are no shortcuts.  At the very least, talk to your Lambo dealer and see if they have connections to a good shop; not just as a causal referral but as a place they can actually vouch and would use or have been using.  Lastly, I also vouch for XPEL.  Hope you'll find what you are looking for.  Best of luck.

On 9/6/2021 at 10:42 PM, VCR said:

SL55 is not wrong; but he's not entirely correct either. 

Euro delivery applies to vehicles that conform to the EU safety regulations only.  Hence, vehicles that are in North American specs (e.g. red rear side-markers) cannot be delivered in Europe.  The Giro and the Esperienza have exemptions because they are one-off events and they are escorted or on closed course.  Euro-delivery is an ongoing program and not really escorted so North American-spec'd cars cannot be exempted.  What Euro delivery does offer for North American clients is that you can see your completed car at the factory.  You can even sit in it but you cannot take it onto the public road.  After seeing you car, Lambo SpA will provide the client with one of their factory cars that's as close to the same specs possible as the client's car and the client then embarks on a trip in that car and visits the designated destinations and accommodations as designed by the factory.  At the end of the trip, Lambo SpA collects their car back, the client flies home and his own car gets shipped to his dealer in North America.  Not sure if Lamborghini SpA had reinstated the air-freight option or not but for the past 14months, air-freight was suspended due to the unpredictable and ludicrous pricing of logistic costs.

Back on topic, I fully concur with what cake and DoctaM3 had said.  In all honesty, the factory clear bra is not that great, it does not cover the panels entirely; stopping just short of the edges instead of wrapping around with some overlapping on the underside (to which IMO is a superior application).  We don't know and we cannot control if the factory had given proper curing time for the paint before the wrap is applied so there could be potential problem in the future when the wrap needs to be removed.  The only bragging rights for the factory wrap is the translucent Lamborghini shield logo near the side mirrors; beyond that, there really are more negatives than positives.  The proper way is to find a professional wrap shop that really knows what they are doing and have plenty of experiences of wrapping Lambos.  Establish a good relationship with them so they would take great care of your car.  Wrapping is one thing, properly prepping it for the wrap is another.  It all boils down to experiences and skills and there are no shortcuts.  At the very least, talk to your Lambo dealer and see if they have connections to a good shop; not just as a causal referral but as a place they can actually vouch and would use or have been using.  Lastly, I also vouch for XPEL.  Hope you'll find what you are looking for.  Best of luck.

Very interesting about the "euro delivery" program...I'll inquire with my dealer about that, could be a fun getaway idea for next year. I can assure you air freight is an active option, I politely declined it 

 

Makes sense to go local, especially when it come to maintaining and eventually replacing the wrap...I knew I came to the right spot! I'll be looking into XPEL a lot more over the next month or so, the car's not due till spring '22 so I have some time.