Going Bra-less
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: Flemington NJ
Going Bra-less
After one year I decided to take off the invisible bra on my black C-6. I had full coverage including the hood, fender fronts and bumper. I left the bumper cover in place.
Over the year I sustained a few rock hits on the windshield (and maybe hood on the way to the windshield) with no damage. That's life driving the chronically under repair highways in the NY metro area. My observation is that the slope of the hood, and that of the windshield are so steep that most strikes are glancing. I took it off as I was hating the look of the inevitable wax line formed on the edges, and the dull contrast of the bra against the black paint.
It peeled right off with no damage although it took some elbow grease to get the residual adhesive off. I used Meguire's polish which has solvents, followed by a good wax and the results were excellent.
Maybe the invisible bra would be more invisible on a white or silver car, but on black it was just too noticeable. I will roll the dice - heck, it's only a car!
Over the year I sustained a few rock hits on the windshield (and maybe hood on the way to the windshield) with no damage. That's life driving the chronically under repair highways in the NY metro area. My observation is that the slope of the hood, and that of the windshield are so steep that most strikes are glancing. I took it off as I was hating the look of the inevitable wax line formed on the edges, and the dull contrast of the bra against the black paint.
It peeled right off with no damage although it took some elbow grease to get the residual adhesive off. I used Meguire's polish which has solvents, followed by a good wax and the results were excellent.
Maybe the invisible bra would be more invisible on a white or silver car, but on black it was just too noticeable. I will roll the dice - heck, it's only a car!
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 45,269
Likes: 8,544
From: Rochester, NY
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.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,732
Likes: 34
From: Monument CO
After one year I decided to take off the invisible bra on my black C-6. I had full coverage including the hood, fender fronts and bumper. I left the bumper cover in place.
Over the year I sustained a few rock hits on the windshield (and maybe hood on the way to the windshield) with no damage. That's life driving the chronically under repair highways in the NY metro area. My observation is that the slope of the hood, and that of the windshield are so steep that most strikes are glancing. I took it off as I was hating the look of the inevitable wax line formed on the edges, and the dull contrast of the bra against the black paint.
It peeled right off with no damage although it took some elbow grease to get the residual adhesive off. I used Meguire's polish which has solvents, followed by a good wax and the results were excellent.
Maybe the invisible bra would be more invisible on a white or silver car, but on black it was just too noticeable. I will roll the dice - heck, it's only a car!
Over the year I sustained a few rock hits on the windshield (and maybe hood on the way to the windshield) with no damage. That's life driving the chronically under repair highways in the NY metro area. My observation is that the slope of the hood, and that of the windshield are so steep that most strikes are glancing. I took it off as I was hating the look of the inevitable wax line formed on the edges, and the dull contrast of the bra against the black paint.
It peeled right off with no damage although it took some elbow grease to get the residual adhesive off. I used Meguire's polish which has solvents, followed by a good wax and the results were excellent.
Maybe the invisible bra would be more invisible on a white or silver car, but on black it was just too noticeable. I will roll the dice - heck, it's only a car!
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 15,685
Likes: 5
Never understood the clear bra concept. For the price of those things you can get the front end repainted entirely. Just like you I have zero chips on the front end from road debri...I do however have a nick in the window (which I need to repair with one of those 10 dollar kits), passing a truck and it kicked up a rock and wack..chip in the passenger side of the windshield. It's not rocket science and I know it's hard in some congested areas but if you don't tailgate you're far less likely to have road debri hit the car.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 1
From: Lake Delton (WI Dells) WI
I didn't get a clear bra for that reason, as I saw a few in person and I can still see it. I run a SL bra, sure, it doesn't look terrific on but I can take it off when not needed and you don't see anything. Best of both worlds. When you need it you are protected better than just a clear film and then when you don't need it you can completely remove it. 
Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
From: East Hartford Connecticut
Never understood the clear bra concept. For the price of those things you can get the front end repainted entirely. Just like you I have zero chips on the front end from road debri...I do however have a nick in the window (which I need to repair with one of those 10 dollar kits), passing a truck and it kicked up a rock and wack..chip in the passenger side of the windshield. It's not rocket science and I know it's hard in some congested areas but if you don't tailgate you're far less likely to have road debri hit the car.
100%
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,611
Likes: 100
From: Palm Springs,Ca.
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
After one year I decided to take off the invisible bra on my black C-6. I had full coverage including the hood, fender fronts and bumper. I left the bumper cover in place.
Over the year I sustained a few rock hits on the windshield (and maybe hood on the way to the windshield) with no damage. That's life driving the chronically under repair highways in the NY metro area. My observation is that the slope of the hood, and that of the windshield are so steep that most strikes are glancing. I took it off as I was hating the look of the inevitable wax line formed on the edges, and the dull contrast of the bra against the black paint.
It peeled right off with no damage although it took some elbow grease to get the residual adhesive off. I used Meguire's polish which has solvents, followed by a good wax and the results were excellent.
Maybe the invisible bra would be more invisible on a white or silver car, but on black it was just too noticeable. I will roll the dice - heck, it's only a car!
Over the year I sustained a few rock hits on the windshield (and maybe hood on the way to the windshield) with no damage. That's life driving the chronically under repair highways in the NY metro area. My observation is that the slope of the hood, and that of the windshield are so steep that most strikes are glancing. I took it off as I was hating the look of the inevitable wax line formed on the edges, and the dull contrast of the bra against the black paint.
It peeled right off with no damage although it took some elbow grease to get the residual adhesive off. I used Meguire's polish which has solvents, followed by a good wax and the results were excellent.
Maybe the invisible bra would be more invisible on a white or silver car, but on black it was just too noticeable. I will roll the dice - heck, it's only a car!
Racer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 454
Likes: 0
From: Kennesaw GA
I have never really liked the Clear Bra's on cars. To me it is like putting vinyl slip covers on a couch.
I would rather re-paint when and if it is necessary. In the past, I usually repairthe chips my self with a little painting, sanding and buffing. I then have a pro spray a few coats of clear over the entire car then wet sand an buff....
About $1,500-2,000 and it looks BETTER than new....
I would rather re-paint when and if it is necessary. In the past, I usually repairthe chips my self with a little painting, sanding and buffing. I then have a pro spray a few coats of clear over the entire car then wet sand an buff....
About $1,500-2,000 and it looks BETTER than new....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,287
Likes: 1
From: Union City CA
Just for your information, clear bra now can cover the entire fender and hood with no lines.
There will be no line half way through the hood and fender like it was before. You can not tell there is a clear bra on your car now since everything is smooth.
I am going to have my old clear bra removed from the hood and fenders, then put on the totla coverage bra and fenders.
There will be no line half way through the hood and fender like it was before. You can not tell there is a clear bra on your car now since everything is smooth.
I am going to have my old clear bra removed from the hood and fenders, then put on the totla coverage bra and fenders.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 10,030
Likes: 10
From: Prescott AZ
St. Jude Donor '04
I have never really liked the Clear Bra's on cars. To me it is like putting vinyl slip covers on a couch.
I would rather re-paint when and if it is necessary. In the past, I usually repairthe chips my self with a little painting, sanding and buffing. I then have a pro spray a few coats of clear over the entire car then wet sand an buff....
About $1,500-2,000 and it looks BETTER than new....
I would rather re-paint when and if it is necessary. In the past, I usually repairthe chips my self with a little painting, sanding and buffing. I then have a pro spray a few coats of clear over the entire car then wet sand an buff....
About $1,500-2,000 and it looks BETTER than new....
My black C5's always ended up with a peppered front and it always bothered me. Unless your a couple feet from the bra you don't notice it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,326
Likes: 5
From: louisville "derby city" kentucky
had the wax around the bra line also. used a soft bristle toothbrush and went around the edge of the bra. no more line you could see. have had a few hits on the bumper that we're really hard and no damage. i'm keepin mine on. 2005 vr vert. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 3
From: DFW Texas
Never understood the clear bra concept. For the price of those things you can get the front end repainted entirely. Just like you I have zero chips on the front end from road debri...I do however have a nick in the window (which I need to repair with one of those 10 dollar kits), passing a truck and it kicked up a rock and wack..chip in the passenger side of the windshield. It's not rocket science and I know it's hard in some congested areas but if you don't tailgate you're far less likely to have road debri hit the car.
Its pretty simple really. From 5 feet in front of the car you cannot see the bra installed. With traditional bras you can see it from 500 feet away. So no its not totally invisible... unless you wrap the hood and fenders, but it is much better than a leather bra... which will vibrate and rub the paint over time.
Now as far as repainting the car, maybe your right maybe not. You can install a clear bra and not have to worry about getting the car repainted or you can go without. If you don’t and you end up having to repaint the car... you are not going to have your car for a significant amount of time, travel and drop off to the body shop, worrying about the paint being matched perfectly which can not always been done correctly, your car will depreciate due to having it repainted (and likely more rock chips on it by then)... the list goes on and on.
Its really a great investment when buying a new car. Not only will your resale value be higher from having the car's paint in perfect condition, you will get a little extra for the bra being on there itself. To me its easy to see how it is worth it.