Clear Bras?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,713
Likes: 0
From: Littleton CO
Clear Bras?
Hello just thought I would get some advice from other Corvette people.
I bought my car used in January and have been thinking about getting a clear bra.
There are tons of options. One place says they can do the bumper and 12 inches of the hood and fenders. But not the mirrors because he says it usually peels off.
One place says they can do the entire front end
One place says they can do the whole car.
My question is has anyone seen a full body clear bra? do they fade or peel after time? How do they hold up and how do they look? I want to do the clear bra to keep the car looking good so any info on how these age and look. Any peeling info or any coments is greatly apreciated.
I bought my car used in January and have been thinking about getting a clear bra.
There are tons of options. One place says they can do the bumper and 12 inches of the hood and fenders. But not the mirrors because he says it usually peels off.
One place says they can do the entire front end
One place says they can do the whole car.
My question is has anyone seen a full body clear bra? do they fade or peel after time? How do they hold up and how do they look? I want to do the clear bra to keep the car looking good so any info on how these age and look. Any peeling info or any coments is greatly apreciated.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 911
Likes: 1
I believe the material comes in max 48" width so covering the whole car would likely create a number of seams. Even the hood requires two pieces.
A clearbra is definately the way to go, though. I saw a red Z06 a few days ago with the hood half-bra-ed. The bra area was flawless but the paint area was already a mess of swirls and fine scratches. Quite noticable.
A clearbra is definately the way to go, though. I saw a red Z06 a few days ago with the hood half-bra-ed. The bra area was flawless but the paint area was already a mess of swirls and fine scratches. Quite noticable.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
From: Tacoma WA
I have had the 3M product on three cars..Infiniti M35x, Lexus RX350, and 2001 C5 Convertible. Generally a full package covers the front bumper, 24" on the hood and the front fenders, the mirrors, the handgrip insets around the door handles, door edge guards, and then a heavier mil product on the headlights and parking lights. A skilled installer is important in order to avoid any air pockets or stretch marks. The product should be waxed to keep dirt from filling the pores which might dull the finish over time. The only downside I can see is that wax can build up along the edge which makes the edge identifiable as opposed to being invisible. You can solve this by periodically using a wax remover or by using one of the new waxes that don't turn white like Ice and Zaino. The product can be removed but I have never tried it. Here is a picture of my C5 with the package installed. Because of the flames the installer bought a special piece of 3M material that covered all of the hood except for the last inch or so on the rear corners. 
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
I have two Corvettes, MR '07 with the clear bra since I got it and a black '99 Coupe without the bra. I truly wish the clear bra had existed when I got the '99. As it sits today, its due for another paint job and the front end looks nearly gray rather than black. The mirrors are damaged the same way.
The '07 with the bra is doing just fine. There are a few imperfections that the bra installer could not fix for me as I was on my way home from Bowling Green to S. Calif., visiting a friend in Alrington, Tx. where the bra was installed.
I will add that pulling it into my small one-car garage, I got a little too close to the right wall. That clear bra more than paid for itself instantly. Without it having been there, I would have been shelling out $1100 for repair of the paint at the right front quarter panel.
Overall, I'm very pleased with the clear bra. When the day comes that I can afford to repaint the '99 again, it too will get the clear bra.
The '07 with the bra is doing just fine. There are a few imperfections that the bra installer could not fix for me as I was on my way home from Bowling Green to S. Calif., visiting a friend in Alrington, Tx. where the bra was installed.
I will add that pulling it into my small one-car garage, I got a little too close to the right wall. That clear bra more than paid for itself instantly. Without it having been there, I would have been shelling out $1100 for repair of the paint at the right front quarter panel.
Overall, I'm very pleased with the clear bra. When the day comes that I can afford to repaint the '99 again, it too will get the clear bra.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
there have been many threads on this topic, do a search for even more info. generally, you need to find a very good installer. not someone who sez they can do it; but someone who has a long list of people you can talk to. prices will vary all over the map500-1200 is not unusual for the same job. mirrors, if someone sez they can't do it for whatever reason, they're incompetent. I wouldn't trust them with any other part of my car (I had 2 done, "with mirrors").
I won't say the material used is immaterial
, but generally I'd stay with 3M. there's a 3m site to find certified installers via zip code. look for it in search.
make sure you do your homework re "what happens if?---a corner comes up, the work gets damaged, etc. many installers stand behind their work and will fix, re-do any part of it for free, for a very long time (like one year?).
I won't say the material used is immaterial
, but generally I'd stay with 3M. there's a 3m site to find certified installers via zip code. look for it in search.make sure you do your homework re "what happens if?---a corner comes up, the work gets damaged, etc. many installers stand behind their work and will fix, re-do any part of it for free, for a very long time (like one year?).
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 421
Likes: 0
From: Fontana Ca
.....and if it's done right, it's worth the price. I owned a C4 that I sold recently and had so many dings on the front nose that I learned that ALL my new cars from now on will get the overlay on the front.
The whole car?
. Reminds me of plastic over the couches at mom's house.
The whole car?
. Reminds me of plastic over the couches at mom's house.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Beverly Hills Florida
Get IT!
I have the bra and it also covers part of my hood and my mirrors. Yes I can see the edge of it almost at any part that I look at. What I dont have is stone chips that use to grab my eyes everytime I walked past it. Its the way to go!!!!
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 166
Likes: 5
From: Littleton CO
I put mine on before I got stone chips because I knew the chips would bother me infinitely more than the edge of the mask material.
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Brett Foote
CF Senior Member Emeritus
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 1
From: Maryland
I've got the full package and even had the inside of the exterior door handles done to stop scratches from rings, etc. Yeah, you may see some peel on the mirrors, but it's a lot better than seeing a ding on them. My ClearBra has already paid for itself multiple times.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Oviedo Florida
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3M has had clear bras since 98 my first year with it.Now in
2007 the product is much better and I still reccommend it
Road Pilot
2007 the product is much better and I still reccommend it
Road Pilot
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,247
Likes: 0
From: Carlisle PA
I live out in the country...gritty in summer, pea gravel in winter...not good for a Corvette! A year and a half ago I had the 3M Clear Bra installed....bumper, 18" on the hood, mirrors, rocker panels, wheelwells and splash areas, plus lights. I had a great installer...still looks good...like the day it was done. My car is Silver, so its very hard to see. The Bra has provided me great protection and peace of mind....sure glad I did it! The key is getting an experienced quality installer. Ask to see some of his work before you commit. Good luck! 
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 18,725
Likes: 709
From: Bergen County, NJ
Here is the only full body clear bra I ever heard of. They are putting it on a $1.5 million Enzo.
http://www.premiermobilegroup.com/ga...ari_enzo.shtml
Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 534
Likes: 8
From: Worcester MA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08
The 3M clear protector is awsome. I have had it on several cars with no issues of peeling or discoloring. Just make sure you pick a good installer and do as much as you want to protect.