Going Bra-less
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 2
From: Chicago Burbs
I was just looking at some invisible bra's installed on several Vettes yesterday at a local show. Although all of them appeared to be installed correctly, they were not invisible to me. I just can not get over the lines were the bra meets the hood and fenders. I have a VR colored Vette and you are correct on dark colors it is even worse. I just keep it waxed try not to follow to closely on the highway and like you said it is in the end only a car.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,759
Likes: 4
From: Texas
Sounds to me like someone isn't very bright.
The ugly clear bra will stop bugs all day long, but any road debris larger than a pebble can easily puncture the tape. Not only is the paint damaged, but the clear bra will need to be replaced.....what a great investment. A vinyl bra will easily stop what the clear bra cannot....and it can be removed at any time and the car will look original, something that NEVER be done with a clear bra, which looks crappier the longer it's on the car.
8-track? What's an 8-track, Grandpa?
The ugly clear bra will stop bugs all day long, but any road debris larger than a pebble can easily puncture the tape. Not only is the paint damaged, but the clear bra will need to be replaced.....what a great investment. A vinyl bra will easily stop what the clear bra cannot....and it can be removed at any time and the car will look original, something that NEVER be done with a clear bra, which looks crappier the longer it's on the car.
8-track? What's an 8-track, Grandpa?
:
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 2
From: Chicago Burbs
<<--- This is a bra and not a big ugly piece of black vinyl. I also have the option of removing it when ever I want.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,759
Likes: 4
From: Texas
16 Vettes and counting…..
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,811
Likes: 1,146
I'm saying I can use it whenever I feel the need (long trips) and remove it whenever I want. I'm not stuck with having a big piece of ugly tape on the car 24/7. I prefer the look of a removable vinyl bra that is not pretending to be invisible over a semi-permanent clear bra that is always an eyesore.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,759
Likes: 4
From: Texas
Guess what Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche owner's typically use. That's right clear bras. They even make full front end kits that cover the entire hoods and fenders. The big pieces of tape are not ugly and I can't believe people complain about faint lines when all cars have panel gaps. Just consider the faint lines as part of the car as they are way less noticeable than the panel gaps.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,889
Likes: 7
From: Virginia Beach
CI 3-5-6-7-8 Veteran
Some of you guys are pretty ingnorant... Pocket Aces is right... most all high end cars are comming with clear bra, or the dealers are having it installed. Done correctly with the correct material it's nearly invisible.
They also make a special "clear coat" that is painted on, but is super durable, I forget the name, but it works very well.
They also make a special "clear coat" that is painted on, but is super durable, I forget the name, but it works very well.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 2
From: Chicago Burbs
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,002
Likes: 2,679
This is why if you are **** about rock chips and such you get a paint color that matches easily, and you just repaint. All this bra nonsense that can be fixed by choosing certain paints and just driving normally until you want to touch up the front end.
Any car I buy (not lease) and plan on keeping is bought in an easy to paint match color, usually a solid white or black. Metallic and paints with Tintcoat are hard to match.
Any car I buy (not lease) and plan on keeping is bought in an easy to paint match color, usually a solid white or black. Metallic and paints with Tintcoat are hard to match.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 968
Likes: 0
From: Poway CA
I'd bet that is a pretty big PITA. Aside from washings, how often do you find yourself actually removing it? I've seen other threads where folks are regretting that type of cover because of the scratches from sand and installation. I've had clear bras on the bumpers on my C6 and Z06. In both cases, they saved me from big chips driving close to my house - not on long trips. They are invisible enough on VY and VR that you have to look hard to find them. This is not some flimsy "tape"...
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,889
Likes: 7
From: Virginia Beach
CI 3-5-6-7-8 Veteran
^ And then worry about dust/debris getting behind it and marring your clear coat. Everytime it rains you have to take it off to dry (or at least you're supposed to). Plus, it doesn't let the paint age/fade like the uncovered spots.
I mean speed lingere makes the nicest traditional bras, but after having one I'd never go back.
For road trips I use a nose mask which is made of a lycra material... quick on/off and very easy to use.
I mean speed lingere makes the nicest traditional bras, but after having one I'd never go back.
For road trips I use a nose mask which is made of a lycra material... quick on/off and very easy to use.
16 Vettes and counting…..
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,811
Likes: 1,146
Guess what Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche owner's typically use. That's right clear bras. They even make full front end kits that cover the entire hoods and fenders. The big pieces of tape are not ugly and I can't believe people complain about faint lines when all cars have panel gaps. Just consider the faint lines as part of the car as they are way less noticeable than the panel gaps.
"Just consider the faint lines as part of the car...."
So, pretend the car came that way??? That logic is about as invisible as the clear bra. Hilarious.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,759
Likes: 4
From: Texas
Just consider that big vinyl bra as part of the car then if that sets your mind at ease.
Last edited by Pocket Aces; Aug 5, 2008 at 04:54 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 3
From: DFW Texas
Sounds to me like someone isn't very bright.
The ugly clear bra will stop bugs all day long, but any road debris larger than a pebble can easily puncture the tape. Not only is the paint damaged, but the clear bra will need to be replaced.....what a great investment. A vinyl bra will easily stop what the clear bra cannot....and it can be removed at any time and the car will look original, something that NEVER be done with a clear bra, which looks crappier the longer it's on the car.
8-track? What's an 8-track, Grandpa?
The ugly clear bra will stop bugs all day long, but any road debris larger than a pebble can easily puncture the tape. Not only is the paint damaged, but the clear bra will need to be replaced.....what a great investment. A vinyl bra will easily stop what the clear bra cannot....and it can be removed at any time and the car will look original, something that NEVER be done with a clear bra, which looks crappier the longer it's on the car.
8-track? What's an 8-track, Grandpa?
By the way, I can give you the number of a fellow C5 Corvette owner who had a travel trailer backed up over his hood. It scuffed the material to the point that it had to be replaced ($75)... but the paint underneath it was perfect.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 2
From: Chicago Burbs
I'd bet that is a pretty big PITA. Aside from washings, how often do you find yourself actually removing it? I've seen other threads where folks are regretting that type of cover because of the scratches from sand and installation. I've had clear bras on the bumpers on my C6 and Z06. In both cases, they saved me from big chips driving close to my house - not on long trips. They are invisible enough on VY and VR that you have to look hard to find them. This is not some flimsy "tape"...
Last edited by BetterMostC6; Aug 5, 2008 at 05:05 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 3
From: DFW Texas
The same faint lines that people cant see from 5 feet away until you point them out??? Yep souds better than having a big piece of vinyl that will scuff your paint up once it gets dirt underneath it... defeating the purpose of a bra. I am suprised that a kid who doesnt know what an 8-track is is still stuck in the 1980s with vinyl bras.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,759
Likes: 4
From: Texas
The same faint lines that people cant see from 5 feet away until you point them out??? Yep souds better than having a big piece of vinyl that will scuff your paint up once it gets dirt underneath it... defeating the purpose of a bra. I am suprised that a kid who doesnt know what an 8-track is is still stuck in the 1980s with vinyl bras.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 968
Likes: 0
From: Poway CA
So you really think vinyl is tougher than this film? Have you ever tried to puncture it or tear it with your hands? I have been in the business for years and have never seen film punctured by a rock. In fact thats the reason why the millitary uses it. Maybe before you go talking about something you have zero knowledge on, do some research. And I am sure you know what an 8-track is...
By the way, I can give you the number of a fellow C5 Corvette owner who had a travel trailer backed up over his hood. It scuffed the material to the point that it had to be replaced ($75)... but the paint underneath it was perfect.
By the way, I can give you the number of a fellow C5 Corvette owner who had a travel trailer backed up over his hood. It scuffed the material to the point that it had to be replaced ($75)... but the paint underneath it was perfect.
My VentureShield installer had me try to puncture a sample with a screwdriver. Damn near impossible. That stuff is tough as hell...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 968
Likes: 0
From: Poway CA
I have owned S/L Bras for years now and NEVER had any paint damage from there product. Not a PITA at all and 100% machine washable on delicate setting and you just hang dry. Its only the first few installs that are hard to do because the unit needs to form fit to the nose. Once formed its a piece of cake. The film offers no padding to cushion rock damage. I have seen clear bras removed with paint chips sticking to them from hard rock hits that broke the paint under the film. You might think your paint isnt chipped because the vinyl is keeping the chips in place but if you remove the product you will see it didn't really save your paint at all.
I've had pretty hard rock hits with zero damage. I never remove my clear bra. Wash and wax it as normal. Only someone really looking for it can tell it's there. I dont ever worry about sand or straps scratching my paint. The cost for the bra on my C6 was $400 and it was included with the car from the dealer on my Z06.
But I agree that 1/4" of felt under a thick piece of vinyl may protect better. The colored bras also look much better than the black versions. But the price for that protection is that someone can spot that 1/4" of padding and vinyl from 50 yards. Sure it can be removed when you are not driving or when you want to play the odds with stuff hitting the car.
I'm not saying the colored bra is not a good choice. But it has some downsides over a clear solution. And claims of better protection are questionable given the odds of scratching your paint by using the product incorrectly.
Last edited by Lucky13; Aug 5, 2008 at 05:56 PM.
16 Vettes and counting…..
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,811
Likes: 1,146
The same faint lines that people cant see from 5 feet away until you point them out??? Yep souds better than having a big piece of vinyl that will scuff your paint up once it gets dirt underneath it... defeating the purpose of a bra. I am suprised that a kid who doesnt know what an 8-track is is still stuck in the 1980s with vinyl bras.
My car can look showroom new whenever I want....you just can't do that with a clear bra. Period. I've never had one issue with a vinyl bra scratching the paint. If you use common sense, you never will.