Clear Bra or not ?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 499
Likes: 27
From: shapleigh maine
Clear Bra or not ?
Long story short, I hit a truck tire cap on I84 west at night at 80 mph
in NY on my way to Fla. Great response and service by Infinity ins BTW.
My car is going in for bumper cover, both front wheel wells and a right side rocker panel on Monday. Body shop is going to do a take apart full respray. The car is a 99 vert and is black with 100k on it, so the paint is due. My question is to those of you that have a clear bra, would you do it again? Any other options that have good longevity? This is going to cost me about 3k out of pocket as insurance (zero deductible) will contribute about 4k.
Thanks in advance,
Bob
in NY on my way to Fla. Great response and service by Infinity ins BTW.
My car is going in for bumper cover, both front wheel wells and a right side rocker panel on Monday. Body shop is going to do a take apart full respray. The car is a 99 vert and is black with 100k on it, so the paint is due. My question is to those of you that have a clear bra, would you do it again? Any other options that have good longevity? This is going to cost me about 3k out of pocket as insurance (zero deductible) will contribute about 4k.
Thanks in advance,
Bob
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,607
Likes: 4,619
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
I have a clear bra on my 1999 Black Coupe and as a result, I have absolutely no nicks on my nose, hood or mirrors. Yes I would do it again. However a clear bra would have done nothing to protect your car from a truck tire cap at 80 mph.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Grand Rapids Michigan West Michigan Crew
2015 C5 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09
I have it on my Black Z as well front end is still perfect and looks great Even hides all the nasty swirl marks that you can't avoid. when selecting clear bra get one that is self healing. If you get a little knick in the film it will smooth itself back out with a little heat. i believe Xpex and Suntek are the only 2 brands that do that.
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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I have 3M clear bra on my C5 and Xpel on my Impala. I would absolutely do it again. And while both work very well, I think Xpel is the better product and would recommend it.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,737
Likes: 349
From: Layton Utah
I agree with the posters above. I've had a clear bra (Venture Shield) on mine for about 8 years now. It allows me to do longer road trips etc without worrying about road chips. I used to use the GM vinyl bra but that was a hassle in my opinion. I would do the clear bra again.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
A different perspective... my black Z came with a 3M setup; nose, mirrors. As much as it looks OK (noticeably not as nice as just paint), when it's clean and gets a skiff of dust (I live at the northern tip of a desert; tumbleweed, snakes, black widows and all), the bra takes on a different appearance than the remainder of the car. Not a big deal, but somewhat bothersome.
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 429
Likes: 29
From: Brooklyn, MI
I have a clear bra on my silver 98 vert and would do it again . The clear bra goes up about 12 inches on the hood and really works well. The car had been repainted and the front still looks new. This was a good investment.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,094
Likes: 3,468
From: Oswego IL
Besides hiding dust better than any other color, the other great thing about Quick Silver paint is that clear bras are virtually invisible when installed. 
I rarely even worried about getting a little wax residue left behind along the edge after detailing, as it didn't even show. The clear bra definitely saved me several nicks! I would do it again for sure. I had 3M on the nose and license plate cover, half way up the hood and on the headlight doors, on the rockers, behind all the wheels, and on each door sill. Averaged 7K miles a year on northern IL roads...
I rarely even worried about getting a little wax residue left behind along the edge after detailing, as it didn't even show. The clear bra definitely saved me several nicks! I would do it again for sure. I had 3M on the nose and license plate cover, half way up the hood and on the headlight doors, on the rockers, behind all the wheels, and on each door sill. Averaged 7K miles a year on northern IL roads...
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,607
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From: Bonita Springs, Florida
I have it on my Black Z as well front end is still perfect and looks great Even hides all the nasty swirl marks that you can't avoid. when selecting clear bra get one that is self healing. If you get a little knick in the film it will smooth itself back out with a little heat. i believe Xpex and Suntek are the only 2 brands that do that.
In SW Florida the nose of the car and mirrors will get a lot of bug jerky that is safely and easily removed without fear of swirls or marring the paint. I have Suntek brand film and any marks in the film smooth out and disapear.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,855
Likes: 78
From: Sammamish WA
WA Events Coordinator
My Z has it on the nose up to the lower part of the hood, behind each wheel, the rockers including wrapping up into the cabin, Mirrors, and under the door handles to prevent finger nail scratches. I'll never own another car without it....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,498
Likes: 680
From: The beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast!!
I had Xpel Ultimate put on my wife's Mustang GT when she bought it new a couple of years ago. The front of the car is blunt and prone to bug and stone chips. The Xpel is doing a great job protecting the paint & I'm happy I got it.