Ahhhh Thanks C5Jim.... That makes sense to me now

So when it rains - Off comes my bra !!!!

 

There was a similar post on this about a week or two ago and just like this post, there was very differing opinions. I think part of the problem may be what you intend to use the bra for. If you are going to use it to protect the nose for a few day trip, the response is probably going to be different, than someone that might want to leave the bra on for an extended period of time.

I am not a big fan of how the bra looks, but I am willing to deal with that when I take a trip in my 01 NBM vert. If I am going on a trip that will require me to spend major time on interstates, then I use my felt backed GM bra. It is easy to install and easy to take off.

As someone else mentioned, I was concerned that if I hit a storm, the rain would trap dirt particles between the bra and the paint. So, before I install the bra, I line the nose of my C5 with Saran Wrap from wheel well to wheel well (I make sure that I have a good base of Zaino under it). Then I put the bra on. When I get to my destination, I remove the bra immediately, roll up the SW and throw it away. I inspect the nose for any issues (which to date I have not had any) and hit the nose with my Zaino spray. I inspect the felt side of the bra for trapped dirt or particles and clean as necessary. For the return trip, I just repeat the process. But the bra never stays on the car for more than a day or two, depending on how long it takes to get where I want to go.

I am not suggesting that this is the correct way to use a bra, but it has worked for me.

 

In September/October of 2004 the wife and I did a 8 week, 33 state, 12309 mile cruise in our "99" coupe. My bra is the standard GM unit.
It was hit by snow in Yellowstone, and tons of rain in Maine, and at least a million grasshoppers in Nebraska!
I would take the bra off every night and clean the "underneath" (felt)side and reinstall it the next day.......
The only damage that occurred, and it happened on both sides of the car, was where the lower snap is located. Apparently rocks. gravel are able to get inside the bra where it wraps around the edge of the wheel well and it rubbed through the paint....

I never did notice any "dulling" of the paint to the covered area as result of using the bra during any inclement weather, BUT I definately would suggest palcing a couple strips of the HD clear tape around the outside edges of wheel well adjacent to that lower snap point.....

GOOD LUCK

 

Does GM make mirror covers for the C5? If so, does anyone have the part numbers?
Thanks

 

Ok here's the skinny... I prefer bra less but given the love bugs I own a SpeedL bra and paid the $$ for the Nassau Blue color match.
I drove from La. to BGK, then Chicago to Canada, then KC down to La. About 4,000 miles total in the rain, cold and heat. When I pulled the bra off the car there was no damage that polish would not clean up HOWEVER. The Paint was totally chaffed off the point of the bumber to the black. I was really and SL offered to help by upgrading the attachments since I had one of the first they sold back in early 99. The upgrades did nothing to the padding and I still think highway driving of any distance will cause the chaffing. I concede that I did drive at corvette speed in 25 mph winds for at least 8 hrs in North Dakota. Somewhere in the drive the Speed L bra had to have fluttered and wore the paint off. There was no offer to repair the paint damage only the bra. I paid to repair the damage out of pocket. . So you have more information to make your decision. There were many fine pieces of grit in the padding from where the pad apparently lifted from the front of the car and air flow went between the car and bra. Best of luck. Jim 99 Nassau Blue

 

We traveled from Nebr. to Savannah and back (3200 mile trip).....numerous rain storms, bug blizzards, and even a large chunk of bark from a logging truck. No damage whatever to paint. Be sure to wash the felt backing between uses. BTW it is a GM Bra.