Review Clearbra: Ventureshield | Auto Armour Columbia MD

[Blade929]

Hey guys

Just wanted to relate my experience at Auto Armour in Columbia MD. I decided to get clearbra on my car for possible track days and because I do a lot of driving and based on my last car no matter how well I cared for the paint the front bumper got pretty much destroyed from chips etc. I did some research and decided that the VentureShield product is what I was interested in. I also knew that I didn't like the line across the hood from the typical install and wanted the entire hood covered.

I contacted a couple of vendors in the area strangley many were unresponsive to my inquires. I did get in touch with Cliff from Auto Armour who told me to come by and check out the shop. Cliff carries both 3M and VentureShield and pretty much reenforced by decision about the VentureShield based on warranty etc. Cliff showed me a bunch of pictures of work he does for area dealerships like Ferrari of Washington and VAG. He did Veyron for VAG.

Cliff convinced me to do an entire front clip wrap meaning everything forward of front doors is covered. Also covered is the rear bumper behind the wheels, the top of the rear bumper right below the trunk and he made a custom pice to cover my front lip. He pretty much told me he can cover whatever I want and does his pricing kinda a-la-carte.

I dropped off the car on a Sunday morning and picked up the car the next morning. I'm extremely pleased with the work.

Some pictures of the install:









Finished Product:




Other pictures he sent me when I was deciding:

[ase2dais]

wow!

[URBAN LEGEND]

I have seen this M3 and for sure this guy does great work. You can't tell the film is on the car until you really look for it.

[ase2dais]

it looks pricey. but Im sure he gives out good deals for M3posters

[mdrobc13]

Originally Posted by Blade929

Hey guys

Just wanted to relate my experience at Auto Armour in Columbia MD. I decided to get clearbra on my car for possible track days and because I do a lot of driving and based on my last car no matter how well I cared for the paint the front bumper got pretty much destroyed from chips etc. I did some research and decided that the VentureShield product is what I was interested in. I also knew that I didn't like the line across the hood from the typical install and wanted the entire hood covered.

I contacted a couple of vendors in the area strangley many were unresponsive to my inquires. I did get in touch with Cliff from Auto Armour who told me to come by and check out the shop. Cliff carries both 3M and VentureShield and pretty much reenforced by decision about the VentureShield based on warranty etc. Cliff showed me a bunch of pictures of work he does for area dealerships like Ferrari of Washington and VAG. He did Veyron for VAG.

Cliff convinced me to do an entire front clip wrap meaning everything forward of front doors is covered. Also covered is the rear bumper behind the wheels, the top of the rear bumper right below the trunk and he made a custom pice to cover my front lip. He pretty much told me he can cover whatever I want and does his pricing kinda a-la-carte.

I dropped off the car on a Sunday morning and picked up the car the next morning. I'm extremely pleased with the work.

Okay Blade...give up the contact info. Where is this shop at. Have been postponing and thinking about this for a minute. May have to get it done before the white stuff and salt gets here as my M3 will be driven this winter instead of in storage now that they wife has the SUV for a daily driver. PM or reply where I can check this shop out too. Especially since all the Texas M3ers are saying I need to clear bra the car before coming down.

Come one...play nice and share with others!

[Blade929]

Cliff's contact info is:

Auto Armour
9691-D Gerwig Lane
Columbia MD 21046
443.226.4303
email cliff@parabolica-autosport.com

My price was $1100 for all the stuff I had done. I think the price for the basic install is around $650. I'm not sure if he is offering discount for the forum or not I would ask him. When I was trying to find an installer in the area I found little information thought this would help.

[crazycarl16]

I'm thinking about getting this done as well. I have received a recommendation for Driven Dynamics in Rockville, and I was quoted 450 for the front bumper and fenders, hood, and side mirrors. Has anyone had any experience with them?

[Blade929]

Originally Posted by crazycarl16

I'm thinking about getting this done as well. I have received a recommendation for Driven Dynamics in Rockville, and I was quoted 450 for the front bumper and fenders, hood, and side mirrors. Has anyone had any experience with them?

That seems cheap. Most places are around 650 for what you describe. i would also check what type of film they are using. I suggest making sure they are going to do a good job by asking to see other work they have done.

[M3Blurr]

You guys are the bomb!
I really appreciate all the opinions.
I have it on my E-Class which is Pewter in color. I was really curious what you folks thought since they use a pale gray primer under white paint, and figured the pings might not be as noticeable.
However, being a bit fanatical about my mechanical toys (nobody like that around here), I vividly remember how pretty my new ’99 Fern Green over Magma e36 M3 looked the day I took it off the dealer lot, and how disheartening it was after a mere 3 years, to see all those sands pelts on the front end.
Yep, it’s a no brainer! I’m not sure I can pony up 1100 (Yikes! – that’s the price of another Kimber), but it’ll get a layer of the next best thing.

Thanks again guys.

Cheers

[Jean-Claude]

Whoa....

I met Cliff while doing detailing work for VW of America at a press release at VIR in North Carolina. We sat and chatted for about a hour about cars in general. He was VERY knowledgeable and fun to talk shop with. It's crazy how his name is now being brought up.

[Blade929]

Originally Posted by Jean-Claude

Whoa....

I met Cliff while doing detailing work for VW of America at a press release at VIR in North Carolina. We sat and chatted for about a hour about cars in general. He was VERY knowledgeable and fun to talk shop with. It's crazy how his name is now being brought up.

Yup he does a bunch of VW NA cars including their Veyron so I figured our cars are worth about a bumper cover on the Bugatti so the M3 shouldn't be a problem.

[tunnie]

does he do work in northern va area, or do you have to drive up all the way to columbia?

does he prep the paint before the clear bra or is that your responsibility?

Any idea how much for the critical areas of the car?

[Blade929]

does he do work in northern va area, or do you have to drive up all the way to columbia?

He has installers that work at several NOVA dealers including Ferrari of Washington but I'm not sure if he has shops where you could take to

does he prep the paint before the clear bra or is that your responsibility?

yes he preps it

Any idea how much for the critical areas of the car?

not sure what you mean the regular bumper and half the hood and other areas is around $650 I would check with Cliff on the details for what you want.

[330iTiAg]

Is your M3 Space Gray? Looks darker than that.

[Blade929]

Sparkling Graphite

[mdosu]

do you have to wash the front of you car beforehand or does he do it? You literally just show up with your car?

[mdosu]

Originally Posted by crazycarl16

I'm thinking about getting this done as well. I have received a recommendation for Driven Dynamics in Rockville, and I was quoted 450 for the front bumper and fenders, hood, and side mirrors. Has anyone had any experience with them?

that's cheap, did they estimate it with your car on site or just over the phone as a "starting price"

[sandwood]

Cliff came out to my house this past weekend to do the bumpers on my wife's Mini. Great job. They cleaned/prepped the bumper before applying. I'm going to take my car to him next week to repair a few stone chips and then apply film to the bumpers and hood.

[VonSwoopington]

$1100 doesn't seem too bad for a well done job. I'd rather pay a little more and get a quality finish than go cheap.

Do you know if he will do any group buys? I have a couple friends who are willing to join in (non-M3 cars though).

[richardbb85]

Originally Posted by sandwood

Cliff came out to my house this past weekend to do the bumpers on my wife's Mini. Great job. They cleaned/prepped the bumper before applying. I'm going to take my car to him next week to repair a few stone chips and then apply film to the bumpers and hood.

how much do you know? i am trying to get mine done too

[MDyDinanM]

do you have to wash the front of you car beforehand or does he do it? You literally just show up with your car?

I took the time to wash my car before hand. However, Cliff went ahead and detailed and prepped the areas to be clear-bra'd anyways.

I highly recommend him. I paid $1,175 for whole front hood, front bumper, both fenders, and side mirrors. That price was for a M5. Not sure if M3s are lower in cost.

He has cheaper options you can select that varies in clear-bra coverage of your car and prices.

here is my review w/ pics:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=425241

[Blade929]

Originally Posted by VonSwoopington

Do you know if he will do any group buys? I have a couple friends who are willing to join in (non-M3 cars though).

he's very easy to work with he would probably work something out for you guys. Just tell him you saw the thread here. My name is Darby.