Clear Bra
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Nampa Idaho
Clear Bra
I Have a 71 LT1 with a new paint job (8 months ago). I dont care for those Black leather or vynal types.All the late model cars you can get a precut clear static type bra for them, anyone know of one available for C3.Thanks Zette
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,094
Likes: 990
From: Sierra Foothills CA
Now, back to cars- you can get a clear bra put onto any car. It's a hand cut, customized, thin clear vinyl sheet. The paint never gets exposed again until you remove the clear bra. I have Ventureshield on my Z06 and it saved me a repaint on the nose when I got hit by a large piece of truck tire shrapnel on the freeway. It's not cheap but it does work. You'd need to view it as an investment in paint protection to justify the cost.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 61
From: Wichita KS
Check around with local tint installers. Most also do the clear paint protection. Cleartastic is very popular. 3M had some knocks early on for yellowing but I think they got that worked out.
I had mine done at a local place and watched them do part of it. They load the dimensions of the coverage area into a computer program, then the program creates a rendering which is translated to a "drawing" for a specialized plotter that prints the pattern onto the paper backing of the vinyl. Then they cut it out on a laser machine and install it.
I paid about $350 for the front bumper, front 10 inches of the hood and fenders and both mirrors on a C5. It came with a 5 year warranty.
What's more important than the manufacturer is the installer. Look for references that you can look at in person. The last thing you want is wrinkles or air bubbles in this stuff.
cc
I had mine done at a local place and watched them do part of it. They load the dimensions of the coverage area into a computer program, then the program creates a rendering which is translated to a "drawing" for a specialized plotter that prints the pattern onto the paper backing of the vinyl. Then they cut it out on a laser machine and install it.
I paid about $350 for the front bumper, front 10 inches of the hood and fenders and both mirrors on a C5. It came with a 5 year warranty.
What's more important than the manufacturer is the installer. Look for references that you can look at in person. The last thing you want is wrinkles or air bubbles in this stuff.
cc
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Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: Atlantic Beach FL
Hummmmmm....
In all seriousness, I found this online. DIY Might be worth a look.
http://www.invisiblemask.com/?gclid=...Fcbd4AodWUyZoA
In all seriousness, I found this online. DIY Might be worth a look.
http://www.invisiblemask.com/?gclid=...Fcbd4AodWUyZoA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,650
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From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 866
Likes: 1
From: Northeast Ohio
Now, back to cars- you can get a clear bra put onto any car. It's a hand cut, customized, thin clear vinyl sheet. The paint never gets exposed again until you remove the clear bra. I have Ventureshield on my Z06 and it saved me a repaint on the nose when I got hit by a large piece of truck tire shrapnel on the freeway. It's not cheap but it does work. You'd need to view it as an investment in paint protection to justify the cost.
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 2
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, the World
I do Invisible Car Bras for a living.
Ventureshield and the rest all have film 8 thou thick. It's the one we all use for the front of cars as it will stretch around curves. BTW, 3M owns Venture now.
Don't get a "bulk install", they have to cut it on the car and it is just too dangerous.
I do my own patterns as well as using the library so I have a pattern for a 68, (mine) 73, 84-88 as well as C5 and 6.
Ventureshield and the rest all have film 8 thou thick. It's the one we all use for the front of cars as it will stretch around curves. BTW, 3M owns Venture now.
Don't get a "bulk install", they have to cut it on the car and it is just too dangerous.
I do my own patterns as well as using the library so I have a pattern for a 68, (mine) 73, 84-88 as well as C5 and 6.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,094
Likes: 990
From: Sierra Foothills CA
I think shipping costs from Australia would be prohibitive. Besides, you should have somebody local who has the pattern for your car. A Google search might get you on the right track. Asking other car guys in your area could also point you in the right direction. The guy who did mine had a great rep on local car forums and had very good ratings on those websites that allow customer comments. Also, car dealerships can often recommend these shops, especially the high end dealers. If a guy is doing high dollar imports the odds are that he's pretty darned good since those customers tend to be very picky. A good installer will be meticulous and won't rush the process. The good ones are almost like artists and they realize that their reputation hinges on the quality of the final product. Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,359
Likes: 15
From: Confusion
Let me get this straight, you just spend tons of dough on a new paint job, and are considering putting a "bra" on the new paint, an item that will move and rub the paint to a point that will totally disgust you?!?!?!?!? Seems counterproductive to me, I have never seen a car that had a bra where something hasn't happened to the paint, from abrasion to water being trapped and doing stuff to the clearcoat/paint............but hey, it's your decision.......................
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,094
Likes: 990
From: Sierra Foothills CA
Let me get this straight, you just spend tons of dough on a new paint job, and are considering putting a "bra" on the new paint, an item that will move and rub the paint to a point that will totally disgust you?!?!?!?!? Seems counterproductive to me, I have never seen a car that had a bra where something hasn't happened to the paint, from abrasion to water being trapped and doing stuff to the clearcoat/paint............but hey, it's your decision.......................
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 2
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, the World
As Les Says, Installation is paramount. you need to find a good local guy who can do his own pattern. Most of us installers will not attempt an install with a supplied pattern because we cannot guarantee the result. The C3 pattern is one of the hardest to install due to the compound curve of the guards and it being a one piece front end. If he stuffs it up, he will be up for the replacement.