Sorry, couldn't resist!!
bra in rain????
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Cruising
Joined: Apr 2006
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bra in rain????
Thinking of taking vette (have 2000 vert with 12,200 miles on it and owned it for three years) to Ala. on vacation in May. My question is do you think the bra if gets wet will scuff the paint? Whoud like to have it on for stones and bugs but don't want to take a chance on paint. It is a mini bra just covering the nose. Any answers will be a great help. I should of said I live in Ohio. czrhyl
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,854
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From: Pearland, TX
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '20
I would remove it for rain.
The problem that you will have is with the backing of the bra. Rain will run underneath the bra and bring dirt etc to the backing material, this is what will cause the scratches and abrasion.
I run with a GM bra on trips or caravans where there will be stones thrown. I always take it off at the hint of rain and overnight when the car will be outside. I wipe the nose down with QD before replacing the bra for the next day of travel.
Have a great trip!
The problem that you will have is with the backing of the bra. Rain will run underneath the bra and bring dirt etc to the backing material, this is what will cause the scratches and abrasion.
I run with a GM bra on trips or caravans where there will be stones thrown. I always take it off at the hint of rain and overnight when the car will be outside. I wipe the nose down with QD before replacing the bra for the next day of travel.
Have a great trip!
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,799
Likes: 1
From: Dayton Ohio
Originally Posted by y2kcorvettebob
hate to be dissagreeable but it has a felt backing, at least the GM Bra does and should cause no damage. I would however turn it inside out after use in the rain and hose it off really well.
QD = Quick Detailer...to maintain the wax / cleaning
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 56
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From: Olympia WA
Just returned to Washington after winter in Phoenix. Bought the GM bra and mirror covers and put them on just for the trip up Highway 1 on the California coast. It rained almost all the way with mud, etc. flying from other vehicles and off the road sides. Took the bra off at home and there was absolutely no evidence that it had been on. Car looks great.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 457
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From: Mechanicsburg Pa
The problem is not getting the bra wet, but rather leaving a wet bra on the car while it is drying. Most especially when the sun comes back out like in the summer.
It is the build up of moisture (underneath the bra) that will damage the paint.
So, don't be afraid to let it get wet, just don't let the bra dry out while still on the car.
Good luck
It is the build up of moisture (underneath the bra) that will damage the paint.
So, don't be afraid to let it get wet, just don't let the bra dry out while still on the car.
Good luck
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,631
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From: Clever, MO aka SOMO
Originally Posted by C5Jim
The problem is not getting the bra wet, but rather leaving a wet bra on the car while it is drying. Most especially when the sun comes back out like in the summer.
It is the build up of moisture (underneath the bra) that will damage the paint.
So, don't be afraid to let it get wet, just don't let the bra dry out while still on the car.
Good luck
It is the build up of moisture (underneath the bra) that will damage the paint.
So, don't be afraid to let it get wet, just don't let the bra dry out while still on the car.
Good luck
C5Jim knows what he's talking about!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,283
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From: Stillwater,MN
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Originally Posted by y2kcorvettebob
hate to be dissagreeable but it has a felt backing, at least the GM Bra does and should cause no damage. I would however turn it inside out after use in the rain and hose it off really well.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 5,865
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From: Saraland Alabama
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I live in Alabama and in January of this year I drove my '02 vert with my GM bra on a 1500 mile trip from Mobile to Atlanta to Gatlinburg to Nashville to Bowling Green and back to Mobile thru rain for the first few days and freezing temps in BG. I removed the bra only after my return home and there was no damage to the paint. I did however put on a couple of coats of NXT Meguires wax prior to the trip and after returning.
In May and June of each year we are overwhelmed with LOVE BUGS here in coastal Alabama. I don't know how far they exist to the north part of the state. You definitely want to keep the Love Bugs off your paint as their body fluids will eat thru your clear coat. I carry a spray bottle of "QD" in my car at all times so I can clean any bugs off of mirrors and any bugs that strike unprotected hood areas. You may also want to carry a bottle of window cleaner and a roll of paper towels when coming to this area.
In May and June of each year we are overwhelmed with LOVE BUGS here in coastal Alabama. I don't know how far they exist to the north part of the state. You definitely want to keep the Love Bugs off your paint as their body fluids will eat thru your clear coat. I carry a spray bottle of "QD" in my car at all times so I can clean any bugs off of mirrors and any bugs that strike unprotected hood areas. You may also want to carry a bottle of window cleaner and a roll of paper towels when coming to this area.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 302
Likes: 1
From: Iowa
Originally Posted by C5Jim
The problem is not getting the bra wet, but rather leaving a wet bra on the car while it is drying. Most especially when the sun comes back out like in the summer.
It is the build up of moisture (underneath the bra) that will damage the paint.
So, don't be afraid to let it get wet, just don't let the bra dry out while still on the car.
Good luck
It is the build up of moisture (underneath the bra) that will damage the paint.
So, don't be afraid to let it get wet, just don't let the bra dry out while still on the car.
Good luck
The consensus seems to be to remove it for rain. I can see how dirt getting under the bra would be bad for the paint. But I do not understand what harm water alone would do? Some one help me out here - we expose our cars to rain & washing, right? So what harm comes from having moisture under the bra?
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One thing you can do is look at getting one of the stretch type mesh bras - I think C5Creations sells them as well as the Corvette Museum. Would be good for a temporary protection. I think they can be machine washed for quick cleanup. Personally, I remove the bra on my car when it starts raining.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,123
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From: Orland Park Illinois
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
I had a bra on my '90 when my wife & I went on vacation several years ago. We got caught in 2 or 3 rain storms during that time. When I removed the bra and checked under it, I almost crapped in my pants. Where ever the bra touched paint, there were small sandpaper like scratches in the finish. Grime and dirt accumulated under the bra. The rain got the dirt wet and it acted like wet sanding was done to the finish. When we got home, I was able to clean up most of the scratches, but not all.
I quickly threw the bra in the garbage can.
The bottom line is: I would never ever put a bra on my car again.
I'll take my chances w/o the damn thing. Besides, it makes to beautiful car look ugly.
I quickly threw the bra in the garbage can. The bottom line is: I would never ever put a bra on my car again.
I'll take my chances w/o the damn thing. Besides, it makes to beautiful car look ugly.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 457
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From: Mechanicsburg Pa
Originally Posted by 01QuickSilver
I've had the same question, being a new bra owner....
The consensus seems to be to remove it for rain. I can see how dirt getting under the bra would be bad for the paint. But I do not understand what harm water alone would do? Some one help me out here - we expose our cars to rain & washing, right? So what harm comes from having moisture under the bra?
The consensus seems to be to remove it for rain. I can see how dirt getting under the bra would be bad for the paint. But I do not understand what harm water alone would do? Some one help me out here - we expose our cars to rain & washing, right? So what harm comes from having moisture under the bra?
I knew this first hand as I left the bra on my VW on too long during the winter. The sun came out and within several days of sitting with a wet bra, I now have a stain on the hood.