I am in the process of buying a corvette and want to know everyones opinion of the different Bra options. I have seen the clear ones and think i am leaning towards that option. I am sure there are old threads on this but here goes.

 

I think all bras should be clear, if worn at all. (or were you talking about cars?)

 

Well, here's something to think about. I had my Mitsu Eclipse GTS and my wife's new Rav4 done with the clear that was supposed to the best stuff on the market. I sold the Eclipse right after having it done so I don't know how it looks now. I was going to have the vette done but after seeing what's happened to the Rav I changed my mind. Yes, it protects from rock chips and stuff, but bugs are a different story. I can't wash the stains off. You can see everywhere a bug has hit the front of that car, including the rear view mirrors. It's a mess! I applied the protective wax or whatever it is that they provided immediately after they installed the clear shield but it didn't prevent the bug stains. Hell, you can wash bugs off of paint but not this clear shield stuff. It's not going on the vette, for sure..........
p.s.
The Mitsu was pearl white and the Rav is red, red, red, like my vette. Maybe it wouldn't show the stains on a light clored car, yellow or white????

 

I like the strapless ones, or the ones that clip on in the front...so I can bite it off with my teeth, as for my woman...

I would go with the clear one, take it from me - if i had to do it all over again I would get a bra...I never had a bra () and I got more chips than a bag of Lays.

 

There was a thread a little while back from someone who had the clear bra installed, and, for whatever reason, he had to remove it and it took some paint with it.
Ed

 

If the clear bra took paint with it, they either took it off like a maniac or had a pre-existing problem with the paint.

Clear bra wins hands down. You can buy the material and do it yourself for pretty cheap. All you need it some patience.


t

 

clear bra in my ho is the way to go

 

I've been happy with my 3M / Xpel clear bra. It's all in the install...spend some time to find a quality installer that has done some Corvettes before.

I opted for the extended coverage to cover the entire front nose, headlights, wheel well opening, entire bottom rockers and behind the wheels. Here are a couple of pics:

 

I didn't really like the lines the clear bra shows. Curing Carlisle you could pick the Vettes out that had them from several feet away.

Not my thing... but i'm sure some people like them

Speed Lingerie here..... there when you need in the back when you don't

 

Novat 99 can you tell me where you had yours done and what the total cost was?

 

I can only wish that I had put on a clear bra on my black '99. After the gaziilion miles on it, thousands of rock pits.... I wish I had done it. On my '07, it has the clear bra. I used the VentureShield on it and now two years later, its looking a little dull. However, per their website, I supposedly only need to use a heat gun to turn it back to new. Not sure about doing that of course. If the car was metal, I wouldn't worry about it, but the plastic bumpers...is another matter.

 

I invested a lot of time trying to find a quality installer that has done Corvettes before...I've been told that the curves on the car make it one of the most difficult installs. At various car shows & cruise nights, I checked out alot of different installs until one night there was 2 vettes parked next to mine that had the same installer...I was sold right then.

The installer I used was Wayne from Sun & Shade. They are an authorized 3M dealer & applicator. He used an Xpel Premium grade film on mine (it has a nicer backing which is less likely to leave any orange peel look in the film.). He thought it would best match my paint and he was right. There is no noticeable difference in the look of the paint.

http://www.sunandshade.net/

You can find a list of ones close to you by going to the 3M website...but, then again, I would strongly advise you to "see" some of their work.

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3..._the/Consumer/

Sun & Shade has all the equipment to cut their own Expel (also owned by 3M) templates...which is nice because if they mess up a piece...they just cut another (vs. ordering the pre-cut templates).

Here is the link to see the template coverage. I went with extended coverage on the bumper, headlights, extended rocker & wheel wells opening, and the mirrors. I did not have the hood done as many people do because it could pull up my factory stripes if it ever needed to be removed. All in, it cost me about $1,000 for the install. The product comes with a 7yr warranty. The installer told me he would extend that and cover it for the lifetime that I had the car...pretty good deal to me.

https://www.xpel.com/products/paint_...8&submodel=239

Good luck,

Tom

 

My "Starshield" clearbra was factory installed over 3 years ago on my Lotus and still looks pristine.

 

Clear bras eliminate the problem of tan lines.

 

Tom: thanks for all of the info. I am going to pick the car up and drive it home ( 1000 miles) in two weeks after i get it home i will look into getting the bra installed. I just hope nothing happens on the way.

 

No problem...anytime. For what it's worth, I've seen people bring along a roll of blue 3M painter's tape when transporting a car home to "preserve" the finish before putting on a clear bra. You can simply tape up the front, mirrors, and esp. around the wheel openings...then just peel it off once you get home. It won't look real pretty...but, should get you home in good shape.

Best of luck...let us know how you make out.

Tom

 

Clear bra all the way... the key is finding a good installer using top notch film. After that make sure you wax over the film just like the rest of the car. My installers told me too many people assume you don't protect the film and it deteriorates faster.

I got the areas behind my wheels done, the whole rockers, and the lower part of my door. You simply cannot see it unless the car is dirty and/or you're looking for it. Also go the side mirrors done.

Went with 3m ultrashield. Didn't do the front because at the time I had a tigerhsark nose and was on the fence about selling it and going back to stock... good thing I waited because I put the stock nose back on on Sunday and will need to get it painted. After that happens I'll most likey get the front bumper done.

 

Do you have any problem getting bug stains off the Vemtureshield clear bra? The two cars I had done in Reno were Invisashield. I haven't taken the Rav back but maybe it would have some kind of guarentee on it. Seems to me like it was six or seven years. I'll have to find the paperwork. Has anyone else had bug stain problems?

 

My white 02 had the full 3M clear bra kit installed when new. So far, there are no stone chips on the front after 20K miles; however, it's starting to turn a light yellow, and there are a few small edge areas where dirt has gotten underneath. Of the options currently available, I'd do it again -- but not on white paint.

 

I recommend using isopropyl alchohol for bug stains. Dab it on (dont scrub) with a rag and let it soak in. After it soaks for a while it will lift the bug stain out. Then wipe it off. After you get it out I highly recommend getting a good acrylic sealant for the film. Film is porous and will absorb what you put on it... wax, bugs, and so on. So use a really good carnuba wax or the sealant. I found a sealant used on aircraft windshields and it is excellent at preventing bug stains. It also gives the film an incredible shine and makes it glassy smooth. Great stuff. PM me if interested.