Clear Bra Problems?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Well, C5Dream's experience is doubly sad: experienced and done Corvettes in past. Couple things tho come to mind: as always it IS absolutely all about the installer (I hesitate to endorse someone who uses Exacto, but there are many who DON'T use the computer-program cut designs, and thus, literally, cut it themselves----most, very carefully). And C6First is correct, altho in the 4 installs I've watched (2 being mine), I've not seen the installer use paper or anything over the plastic "smoother".
Here's a possibility: call a couple of Corvette dealer's service dept. mgrs. and ask for THEIR recommendations of clear bra installers. And then, altho this may seem odd, try and see if the service dept. mgrs. at a Lexus dealer corroborate those names/install companies.
I have found that even "chain store installation depts." (such as at that famous audio/alarm place, Circuit City) can vary, store to store. I had an alarm installed on a Vette many years ago at one store. It was never right. Went to the CC store across from largest Corvette dealer in area, and they fixed it since they worked on about 5 Corvettes/week!!!!
Sorry this is happening to you. Hope you got your $s back and can use it at/with the next installer.
Here's a possibility: call a couple of Corvette dealer's service dept. mgrs. and ask for THEIR recommendations of clear bra installers. And then, altho this may seem odd, try and see if the service dept. mgrs. at a Lexus dealer corroborate those names/install companies.
I have found that even "chain store installation depts." (such as at that famous audio/alarm place, Circuit City) can vary, store to store. I had an alarm installed on a Vette many years ago at one store. It was never right. Went to the CC store across from largest Corvette dealer in area, and they fixed it since they worked on about 5 Corvettes/week!!!!
Sorry this is happening to you. Hope you got your $s back and can use it at/with the next installer.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,753
Likes: 210
From: North Western Connecticut
I'm having a clear coat bra etc put on my C6 Verte. I have some questions for anybody with it.
1: should I see adhesion marks below the clear coat2: Should there be stretch marks visable
3: should there be anjy scartches on the clear coat
What if any imperfections should I accept?
I am toying with the idea of taking it right off because of the above
What do any of you guys think?
Thanks for all of your help and ideas
1: should I see adhesion marks below the clear coat2: Should there be stretch marks visable
3: should there be anjy scartches on the clear coat
What if any imperfections should I accept?
I am toying with the idea of taking it right off because of the above
What do any of you guys think?
Thanks for all of your help and ideas
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,656
Likes: 822
From: FORT LAUDERDALE FL
I'm @#$5 this guy was certified, has a website http://www.clearchoicedetailing.com/
and did many corvettes. I guess sometimes we just have to live and learn. He removed the bumper and hood - They came off fine. I think we will wait for some shows and talk to you guys about where to go.
As always - This place rocks
and did many corvettes. I guess sometimes we just have to live and learn. He removed the bumper and hood - They came off fine. I think we will wait for some shows and talk to you guys about where to go.
As always - This place rocks
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 100,672
Likes: 2
From: Cleveland OH
Well, C5Dream's experience is doubly sad: experienced and done Corvettes in past. Couple things tho come to mind: as always it IS absolutely all about the installer (I hesitate to endorse someone who uses Exacto, but there are many who DON'T use the computer-program cut designs, and thus, literally, cut it themselves----most, very carefully). And C6First is correct, altho in the 4 installs I've watched (2 being mine), I've not seen the installer use paper or anything over the plastic "smoother".
Here's a possibility: call a couple of Corvette dealer's service dept. mgrs. and ask for THEIR recommendations of clear bra installers. And then, altho this may seem odd, try and see if the service dept. mgrs. at a Lexus dealer corroborate those names/install companies.
I have found that even "chain store installation depts." (such as at that famous audio/alarm place, Circuit City) can vary, store to store. I had an alarm installed on a Vette many years ago at one store. It was never right. Went to the CC store across from largest Corvette dealer in area, and they fixed it since they worked on about 5 Corvettes/week!!!!
Sorry this is happening to you. Hope you got your $s back and can use it at/with the next installer.
Here's a possibility: call a couple of Corvette dealer's service dept. mgrs. and ask for THEIR recommendations of clear bra installers. And then, altho this may seem odd, try and see if the service dept. mgrs. at a Lexus dealer corroborate those names/install companies.
I have found that even "chain store installation depts." (such as at that famous audio/alarm place, Circuit City) can vary, store to store. I had an alarm installed on a Vette many years ago at one store. It was never right. Went to the CC store across from largest Corvette dealer in area, and they fixed it since they worked on about 5 Corvettes/week!!!!
Sorry this is happening to you. Hope you got your $s back and can use it at/with the next installer.
He did mention that the "conveinience" of the installer coming to your home is offset by the fact that he/she is always then limited to the materials and tools on hand.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 526
Likes: 0
From: Ma.
I'm having a clear coat bra etc put on my C6 Verte. I have some questions for anybody with it.
1: should I see adhesion marks below the clear coat
2: Should there be stretch marks visable
3: should there be anjy scartches on the clear coat
What if any imperfections should I accept?
I am toying with the idea of taking it right off because of the above
What do any of you guys think?
Thanks for all of your help and ideas
1: should I see adhesion marks below the clear coat
2: Should there be stretch marks visable
3: should there be anjy scartches on the clear coat
What if any imperfections should I accept?
I am toying with the idea of taking it right off because of the above
What do any of you guys think?
Thanks for all of your help and ideas
Hi
I had the clear bra installed about one year ago. $740.00 This was a couple of extra placements- mirrors- headlights etc.
I have three area's that are not invisible. They appear to be swirl type imperfections/stretch/adhesion marks. Two are about 3"x1"
They bother me and I will be bring it back after the warmer weather.
The installer stated that the product was not perfect and I had to except some minor flaws. I do not think these are minor and it is certainly not a CLEAR bra.
On the other hand I am very happy with the protection it has afforded the front end. Not a ding or pit to be seen after 4638 Mi.
If he does not redo the one main piece around the front C6 emblem where the problem exist I will follow up with 3M. I have 5 year warranty if they stand up for it.
He said he was a master installer and taught other tech's how to do installations.
He was straight forward and said Vette's were very difficult with such long rounded noses and in general Vette's owners were very picky.
I liked the guy for being frank but I will press for a better job.
Last edited by entwood; Apr 11, 2007 at 09:58 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
To add to that ... contact your local Exotic dealership ... in Cleveland, there is a place that sell's a lot of Lambo's Ferrari's and the like ... I took their recommendation for my dad's car ... the guy had us go to his place (shop) just so he could re-cut pieces if he had to. I remember watching him re-cut the fender's in their machine about 3 times because he did not like the install ...
He did mention that the "conveinience" of the installer coming to your home is offset by the fact that he/she is always then limited to the materials and tools on hand.
He did mention that the "conveinience" of the installer coming to your home is offset by the fact that he/she is always then limited to the materials and tools on hand.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 35,617
Likes: 167
Tech Contributor
Cruise-In 11 Veteran
NCM Ambassador
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'10
The clear bra on my '05 is nearly flawless. You can't see it other than the line where the bra ends and the painted only surface resumes. It will likely look bad during the first day or two. A significant amount of moisture is involved in the process of putting it on. Once dried/outgassed you will not see adhesive, you will not see stretch marks nor will there be any scratches on the clear coat brought about that were not there when the bra was placed on top of it. This is all predicated on the use of a quality clear bra like a 3M and the involvement of a competent installer, preferably one who has installed one before on a Corvette. My package has over 13,000 miles on it and looks fantastic.
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