MazdaCX 7 mask installation.

[Alpha Wolf]

Pretty easy.

Clean the front of car first.


You will need to pull out one strand of thread to remove covering for fog lights (I did that) and also for front license plate (I did not do this).

 

[Alpha Wolf]

A Few More Pictures..

 

[Kansei]

just make sure you take it off and clean under it veeery often. Those things tend to destroy the paint much faster than rock chips ever would sadly.

Thanks for the install info though!

 

[Alpha Wolf]

Yep..

I have used this type on my bugs, trans am etc...

Already had to take it off and clean it as the wifey took it out for a drive in the rain without taking it off first.

Never had a problem with them ever messing up the paint as long as you take it off and clean it when you wash your car and when it gets wet.

Way better than having the front and hood chipped away the first time you get stuck behind a truck or a car on a road with chip seal or pea gravel

Another owner suggested the newer clear plastic type that have to be professionally installed and are permanent but are less obvious.

 

[mikey1981]

wont having that on for a while mismatch the paint with the rest of the car?

 

[Alpha Wolf]

wont having that on for a while mismatch the paint with the rest of the car?

Not sure what you are stating. The mask is black as are most of this type.

Hence its name....


Comes off in seconds unlike paint chips all over the front of your car.

Your choice. There are the clear glued on ones many younger guys use.

This was a present from the wife, so I just feel lucky to get a car accessory from the wife.

 

[Kansei]

mikey is referring to the paint on the car. UV rays will gradually fade the paint, but not the paint that is underneath the mask. Of course it all depends on the color of the paint, so yellow and red will fade a lot faster than a silver.

 

[mikey1981]

yea, thats what i figured.

 

[delwad]

Invisible Bra

I put an invisible bra on mine. Film is made by 3M. Guaranteed for 5 years.

I've done my last 3 cars, Audi a4, Mazda Millennia S, Mazda 626. Just make sure you have a nice warm garage (I live up in Boston, did my CX-7 last fall). Also read instruction and take your time or you'll screw it up and get wrinkles. You can slide it around before squeegying it down.

It cost a few hundred dollars. Dealer wanted $1,000. ; Detailer wanted $600. I did it for $200.00 goto:

As I said I had it my other cars, never had a problem, never dulled or yellowed, won't hurt paint. (my A4 was pearl white...no yellowing seen). You can barely see it once on and the film is thick enough to handle all kinda crap that gets thrown up there.

The CX-7 mask is cut to fit half-way up the hood (good protection), separate piece covers the front portion of fender (near headlamp lens). Or you can get the full kit that does bumper, hood, mirrors, the works. If you're brave...

good luck

John

 

[CXRabbit]

I'm experiencing deja vu...

 

[UpNorth]

I put an invisible bra on mine. Film is made by 3M. Guaranteed for 5 years.

I've done my last 3 cars, Audi a4, Mazda Millennia S, Mazda 626. Just make sure you have a nice warm garage (I live up in Boston, did my CX-7 last fall). Also read instruction and take your time or you'll screw it up and get wrinkles. You can slide it around before squeegying it down.

It cost a few hundred dollars. Dealer wanted $1,000. ; Detailer wanted $600. I did it for $200.00 goto:

As I said I had it my other cars, never had a problem, never dulled or yellowed, won't hurt paint. (my A4 was pearl white...no yellowing seen). You can barely see it once on and the film is thick enough to handle all kinda crap that gets thrown up there.

The CX-7 mask is cut to fit half-way up the hood (good protection), separate piece covers the front portion of fender (near headlamp lens). Or you can get the full kit that does bumper, hood, mirrors, the works. If you're brave...

good luck

John

Thanks for the info. I was a total skeptic, fearing yellowing and all that. How long has it lasted for you and did you have to remove it at some point? That's assuming you keep your cars that long.

I appreciate learning that it is difficult to see. I had worried about seeing the edge of the mask if it only goes halfway up the hood.

I'm not handy enough - I mean - I don't have a warm garage so I'm going to have to have a pro install it. It may be worth it as I live in rock central.

 

[Alpha Wolf]

mikey is referring to the paint on the car. UV rays will gradually fade the paint, but not the paint that is underneath the mask. Of course it all depends on the color of the paint, so yellow and red will fade a lot faster than a silver.

So you are complaining that it does its job too well? (evil)

I have seen guys get a difference but their cars sat outside for years. Mine is always in my garage. If I see a difference it tells me the whole car needs to be painted anyway..

 

[delwad]

Thanks for the info. I was a total skeptic, fearing yellowing and all that. How long has it lasted for you and did you have to remove it at some point? That's assuming you keep your cars that long.

I appreciate learning that it is difficult to see. I had worried about seeing the edge of the mask if it only goes halfway up the hood.

I'm not handy enough - I mean - I don't have a warm garage so I'm going to have to have a pro install it. It may be worth it as I live in rock central.

Hi UpNorth,

I had it on my A4 for 5years - no yellow, no peeling, no dings and I had it on my MillenniaS for 4yrs. The A4 had pearl-white paint and the MillenniaS was Black on Black. No color fade or difference in masked versus unmasked.

I never removed it. If you did, you'd have to buy a new kit, since once removed, the adhesion system is not good enough to reuse.

Go for it...

John

 

[UpNorth]

Hi UpNorth,

I had it on my A4 for 5years - no yellow, no peeling, no dings and I had it on my MillenniaS for 4yrs. The A4 had pearl-white paint and the MillenniaS was Black on Black. No color fade or difference in masked versus unmasked.

I never removed it. If you did, you'd have to buy a new kit, since once removed, the adhesion system is not good enough to reuse.

Go for it...

John

Thanks John. I'm so glad you checked back in. As my car is red, I was also concerned about uneven fading - you read my mind. I tend to keep my cars a long time so I may get a chance to see what the film looks like after more than five years. But if I like the job the product has done, for however long it lasts, I can always re-up with a new kit if I need to.

Hmmm. I may go for it. I really appreciate your sharing your first hand experience.

 

[the black one]

that works!!!

I put an invisible bra on mine. Film is made by 3M. Guaranteed for 5 years.

I've done my last 3 cars, Audi a4, Mazda Millennia S, Mazda 626. Just make sure you have a nice warm garage (I live up in Boston, did my CX-7 last fall). Also read instruction and take your time or you'll screw it up and get wrinkles. You can slide it around before squeegying it down.

It cost a few hundred dollars. Dealer wanted $1,000. ; Detailer wanted $600. I did it for $200.00 goto:

As I said I had it my other cars, never had a problem, never dulled or yellowed, won't hurt paint. (my A4 was pearl white...no yellowing seen). You can barely see it once on and the film is thick enough to handle all kinda crap that gets thrown up there.

The CX-7 mask is cut to fit half-way up the hood (good protection), separate piece covers the front portion of fender (near headlamp lens). Or you can get the full kit that does bumper, hood, mirrors, the works. If you're brave...

good luck

John

That thing cost cd$11 per sq foot only thing when you install spray mixed soap&water than it'll be esay to install

 

[mogulman]

I've used the 3M Clearbra on a number of cars over the last 10 years. It has worked really well for me in Colorado. In CO they use gravel on the road so we get a lot of dings and broken windows.

I would make sure it is 3M product. Most tinting places do ClearBra. It only costs like $150-250. It works fine through car washes, etc.. I have never taken mine off.

One time I got a product that wasn't 3M a number of years ago. The glue that came with it was defective and ended up getting discolored after about 3 years. It also wouldn't remove easily. I ended up having to repaint the front of my car, because removing the bra pulled up paint. So definitely.. 3M only for me now.