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Well I was thinking about getting a "Bra" for my vert but on second thought I decided not to for the reason that as you drive the "bra" might wear on the paint. This is kind of a conundrum, rock chips and bugs also wear on the paint. Was just looking for opinions from those that have or have not had a "bra", which is worse or if the "bra" does or does not wear on the paint? Don't want to trade one problem for another! Thanks in Advance!!
I have a GM factory bra for my '02 but I really don't use it a lot; just for trips. I also have a NoviStrech bra and it gets more use than the GM one.
The GM bra certainly works well as the material is thick and has a liner inside. The problem with the liner material is that it can hold moisture and that could cause paint issues if the bra isn't removed frequently and allowed to dry. It could also cause some mildew to form.
The NoviStretch bra is lightweight and the material is more like a screen so any moisture trapped can run off and air flowing over it while driving will aid in drying the material.
Both bras use snaps that replace screws that hold the front fender liners in place. Turns out that both bras use the same snap locations so they are "interchangeable".
You may want to look at ClearBra or similar products. It's a clear plastic material that is glued to the nose of the car. It will protect against small rocks, dirt, and other debris.
Well I was thinking about getting a "Bra" for my vert but on second thought I decided not to for the reason that as you drive the "bra" might wear on the paint. This is kind of a conundrum, rock chips and bugs also wear on the paint. Was just looking for opinions from those that have or have not had a "bra", which is worse or if the "bra" does or does not wear on the paint? Don't want to trade one problem for another! Thanks in Advance!!
The only car I had a ‘bra’ on was an Acura Legend. It worked well for the front nose but did not protect the hood. My C5 drives are mostly on 2 lane highways (avoid expressways), hug the white line when trucks and passing cars come towards me, and never follow closer than 2 car lengths. Seems to keep the stone chips at a very minimum.
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I have run a GM bra on all three of my C5s (covering more than 15 years) and have never experienced any paint damage. It is an easy on/easy off product and really does protect the front end of the car, all at a very reasonable cost. I will say that I do not keep it on should I get caught in the rain.
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Look into Expel Ultra clear wraps. They are virtually invisible and provide great protection. If you are doing only the nose, it can be done very reasonably.
I have Speed Lingerie bras and mirror covers for both of my cars. They fit really snug, zero movement. I have tested them into the low triple digits, great fit, no marks on the paint.
I have run a GM bra on all three of my C5s (covering more than 15 years) and have never experienced any paint damage. It is an easy on/easy off product and really does protect the front end of the car, all at a very reasonable cost. I will say that I do not keep it on should I get caught in the rain.
This . . . . had both with no problem - - just take them off to clean once in awhile and never run in the rain.
I don't remember the brand but it was nylon type material and came in C5 colors. It is still working great, which leads me to recommend the NoviStretch. Also there is a spray on protective coating that works like the clear bra. It bonds to your paint after spraying on from an aerosol can. When you feel like it you can remove it by washing it off. It is a 3M product.
I have the clear bra and the front bumper is still like new on my 2001. Previous owner applied it many years ago and it has held up very well. The only way you can tell is there is a fine line going across the front.
I have the GM bra. I put a good coat of wax under it and am very pleased.
Ladies and Gents, this thread is timely. I hit a deer three days ago. The damage is surprisingly minimal, comes to about $2900 on the estimate. Mostly cosmetic - the right headlight is damaged, headlight shroud, the right fender has a hole busted next to the headlight, and the front fascia has scuffing. The car is black. Because the car has original 16-year-old paint, stone chips, and all the roadway grime blast, plus hail-damage paint chipping on the roof and rear deck lid, the new fender and fascia painting would look odd against the rest of the car. The collision shop is a Chevy-Cadillac group shop, so they will have GM parts and the manager quoted me $6500 for a total paint job, less the insurance applied against the repairs and paint.
I was thinking some clear wrap / applique or a bra. This will be a brand new "factory" paint job. It appears on this list that "where two or more are gathered, there will be 49 opinions."
Is the factory C5 bra really that good?
Thanks for any feedback.
Cheers, and Merry Christmas, Happy 2018 to all.
Mike
Last edited by TomcatMike; Dec 23, 2017 at 02:46 PM.
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I had a clear bra on my motorhome. If not treated with 303 or a similar product mold can grow under it, especially in hot humid areas. Once you see it, it's too late to do anything about it but remove it. These newer wraps I hear are different, but some RV owners I knew had paint come off when the clear bra was removed.
C5 "Bra"
