Not really....galoshes would cover the entire shoe. Nice try, though.

The bottom line is there really is no ideal solution. Both the vinyl bra and clear bra suck, but at least the vinyl bra isn't overpriced and permanent.

 

I agree that there is no solution until they invent bullet-proof paint!

One clarification for anyone weighing clear versus vinyl. My clear bras were ~$400 installed for both the front and mirrors. I just checked one vendor site and Colgans run around $379 for the front and $99 for the mirrors plus shipping ($20-$40). So you are probably looking at ~$500 for colored vinyl...

 

I tried one of the Dupli-color spray on stuff for a trip I took. What a mess, the stuff never dried...washed off with jet spray, but never again will I waste my money. I will live with the bugs and small stone chips.

 

You clear bra fan boys love to conveniently avoid the truth, huh? You can buy a Colgan black bra all day long for about $100-120 shipped depending upon where you buy. Ebay usually has several listings. Since you're quoting a price on the colored Colgan, you can easily find them for $250-300. To me, the colored ones are stupid because it just looks like a lumpy nose instead of what it's supposed to be: a nose mask. No way a colored one is going to blend in. I've had a black Colgan for three years and used it on both my C6's...still looks like new...not a bad investment.

As far as clear bra pricing, the consensus seems to be that $300-400 is crap, and that a good install with the best product should run about $700 and up. I'm sure this fluctuates with the experience of the installer,what car you drive, what part of the country you're in, and the state of the economy.

If anyone is interested, I've got a brand new Mid America bra (just like the Colgan) I received as a gift. $60 shipped.

 

Who is avoiding the truth? My numbers are from PERSONAL experience writing the checks. It seems we both live in expensive areas. But you are about 40-50% out of range on your clear bra quotes for a consumer install of 3M or VentureShield (the best products). The number for the colored bra was from a focum vendor. I prefer forum vendors...

If you are now arguing that someone should use a black "nose mask" on something other than a black car, then you pretty much just invalidated all the lofty concerns over style and quality...

 

Over 800 transactions on ebay...every one has been fine. Is the sky falling too?

I'm no expert on clear bra pricing, so I'll defer to you....I only quote numbers I've read on the web. One previous poster on this thread did say that a $300 job was crap, did he not? And a $400 job is completely different? Either way, its money wasted, IMHO.

 

I prefer forum vendors. I have had some bad stuff happen on eBay. Glad to hear you have not had that experience...

DID I SAY I PAID $300? Whatever. $420 vs. $300 is a pretty big difference. If you want to spar with another poster, do so with him.

 

Because most of painters out there cannot match the factory look and durability.

With the clear bra you pull it off and you have the original unmolested factory paint and it keeps you out of the cycle of rock chip and repaint. And then how many chips before you repaint?

I'll continue to go with the clear bras until a better option comes out..

 

You need to calm down a read a bit more carefully. I never said you paid $300...that's why I compared it to $400 job. Regardless, a $400 job is only 25% better than the supposedly crap job. Still sounds like crap to me.

I just spoke to a mid-level shop called Findlay Customs here in Las Vegas. Their price for a C6 was $595 for basic minimal front coverage, and it goes up from there if you want more coverage, mirrors, etc. NO thanks, I'll stick with my $100 Colgan that is still like new after three years and has kept my Vette (with a bit of luck) looking perfect as well. And guess what? It's removable!!!

 

I'm perfectly calm.

I think the mistake you are making is that you seem to be equating some other CF member's statement about price based on their experience to mine. I never said that $300 is crap. You are implying I agree with it and therefore trying to make it seem like I am also arguing that the $420 price I got was "only 25% better than the supposedly crap job". I simply said I had a very experienced expert install mine for $420.

It sounds like the prices you are seeing are higher. I dont doubt that number you quoted because I assume you are telling the truth.

But even if the price was $1000, that is probably below the cost of a decent repaint that would match your original color. So playing the odds with your occasionally-used black bra could save you $495 ($595 - $100) or it could cost you > $1000 if you choose to repaint. If not, then you saved the money but you will likely have a bunch of chips that you would not have with the clear bra.

Pointless arguing this further. You do have a really nice vette.

 

I think I'd rather take my chances with a few chips than face a giant piece of very obvious tape on my car everyday....I guess that's the difference between those who prefer the clear bra and those who don't.

 

I used a lot of vinyl bras on my cars before, first one back in the 80s.

I also had a crappy clear bra installed for $300 on another car. It yellowed and chipped pretty easily.

VS is a lot better quality though.

What would you do with a vinyl bra in a two plate state. Use the poor looking OEM mount 100 percent of the time?

-
I don't like putting the vinyl bra on and off, especially when I want to take a short trip or take a picture.

Either way does it really matter? It is all up to personal choice, not the choice of a few people.

 

Its pointless trying to say anything to the Nevada no it all. Even though he doesnt have any experience with the product, he has formed an opinion (which is wrong) and will obviosuely not listen to reason. I even called him out on one of his "facts" earlier and he is still in here blabbing away.

By the way, shouldnt you be out filing Tony Curtis or something? You sure have a lot of free time to be in here complaining about something you dont have any first hand knowledge of.

 

"no it all?" Did you mean know it all? Priceless.

I appreciate the fact that you thought enough of me to check my other posts....hence the Tony Curtis reference. I'm very flattered.

BTW, you called me out on nothing. You said you called Gaudin, but you never answered me about who you spoke to. Just try to trade a car with a clear bra there....you won't like what they say. Even if they just use it as an excuse to devalue your trade in, it's another reason to avoid the tape job.

So what first hand knowledge do I need? Do I actually need to purchase this crap to qualify? Do I have to learn all about the different materials and be an installer? Sorry, my two eyes that have seen literally dozens of these installs (some good, some horrible, and all obvious and unsightly) are the only first hand knowledge that I need to make an observation. I don't need to swim with a shark to know it will probably kill me if I do.

Sorry if my opinion conflicts with how you earn a living, but I'm sure you have plenty of customers who just love screwing up their car, so don't worry so much about it. It's just an opinion, so chill.

 

Regardless of what kind of cars they sell, a dealer who (short of any other damage) devalues a trade-in based on a high-quality, well installed clear bra has questionable integrity. Perhaps that particular dealer would feel differently if convinced that the bra was made in Germany and installed by fine European craftsmen...

When I traded in my 2006 C6 three months ago, the dealer noted the clear bra and lack of any front end chips as one factor in their offer.

 

You mean there are car dealers that DON'T have questionable integrity??

 

Finally, I think we may have found common ground.

 

I think all this argument is pointless. The people that wants clear bras will get them and the people that wants the regular bra will get that.

Just to clear some of the points that are made here.

I have clear bra installed 2.5 years ago on my C6 because I like the protection but to lazy to keep putting a bra on whenever I go out with the guys on a long cruise. I don't like the line running in the middle of my hood and fenders however nothing I can do about that if I want the clear bra.

Now 2.5 years later, VS now have a kit that covers the entire hood and fenders so there is no longer a line running in the middle of your car.

I have my installer remove the clear bra from the hood and both fenders, then install the full hood and fender coverage.

There are no paint that is peeled off with the removal of the clear bra. The paint under the clear bra look new.

With the full hood and fender coverage, there is no way that anyone can tell there is a clear bra on the hood unless you pop the hood, then you can see where the clear bra is wrapped under the hood.

I did pay $500 for the full coverage and to me it is price worth while.

So for all the guys who doesn't like the line running across the hood, talk to your installer and go see a car that have the full coverage so you can make up your own mind.

By the way, the removed clear bra was still clear, no yellowing at all.

Now back to the argument.

 

Good post csun213.

It was looking like this thread was a goner.

 

I paid less than 100 bucks for the Colgan black vinyl bra when I bought it a few years ago. Cheap & effective. Takes less than 10 minutes to put on, and only about one minute to take it off.

I wouldn't want to put a car in a car show with that sucker on, but I'd drive to the car show with it on.