Clear Bra missing on front?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 68
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From: Altoona Pennsylvania
Clear Bra missing on front?
I was reading another post about Clear Bra's and had a couple of Q's. I did not want to hijack the OP's thread so I thought I'd start my own.
I recently bought a used '05 and it has the CB on the hood (1/2 way), front fenders, and mirrors. Funny thing though, the nose is not covered. I'm thinking maybe it got all chipped up and the original owner had it taken off...I'm not sure, but I would think the nose of the car would be the FIRST place you would want a CB...any thoughts?
Any idea what I might pay for just a "nose job"?
Thanks,
Troy
I recently bought a used '05 and it has the CB on the hood (1/2 way), front fenders, and mirrors. Funny thing though, the nose is not covered. I'm thinking maybe it got all chipped up and the original owner had it taken off...I'm not sure, but I would think the nose of the car would be the FIRST place you would want a CB...any thoughts?
Any idea what I might pay for just a "nose job"?
Thanks,
Troy
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: I live my life by 2 rules. 1) Never share everything you know. 2)
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
Are you sure it's missing?
If a CB is properly installed you really won't see it (hint: look for the edges of it where the bumper meets the rest of the body)
If a CB is properly installed you really won't see it (hint: look for the edges of it where the bumper meets the rest of the body)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 5,894
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From: Farmingdale NY
St. Jude Donor '06
You're absolutely right. The front bumper cover is an area you would want to cover before any other.
My guess is that the clear bra on the bumper cover took a beating and the old owner took it off to make the car look better. It's hard to say how much it would cost because prices vary so much from one place to the next.
Two years ago I paid about $650 or $700 for the front bumper cover, headlights, and foglights. It was a custom install, meaning they didn't use a pre-cut kit. It was well worth the money and has already saved me some heartache when I pulled in a little too close in a parking spot with a very high concrete stop last August. The Installer was able to take off a section on the bottom and replace it with no damage to the paint at all.
My guess is that the clear bra on the bumper cover took a beating and the old owner took it off to make the car look better. It's hard to say how much it would cost because prices vary so much from one place to the next.
Two years ago I paid about $650 or $700 for the front bumper cover, headlights, and foglights. It was a custom install, meaning they didn't use a pre-cut kit. It was well worth the money and has already saved me some heartache when I pulled in a little too close in a parking spot with a very high concrete stop last August. The Installer was able to take off a section on the bottom and replace it with no damage to the paint at all.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 630
Likes: 157
Check it carefully...real good installers do not use the kits designed for specific vehicles.The installer I plan on using takes the front emblem off the vette and stretches and wraps it where u don't see any lines and then reinstalls a new emblem.He's an authorized 3m installer.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 68
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From: Altoona Pennsylvania
The car has a clean bill of health according to carfax and GM. And the Bra is definitely missing. There are no edges to be found. So I think the previous owner just removed it to make it look better if it was all chipped up.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,347
Likes: 25
From: Apache Junction AZ
Check it carefully...real good installers do not use the kits designed for specific vehicles.The installer I plan on using takes the front emblem off the vette and stretches and wraps it where u don't see any lines and then reinstalls a new emblem. He's an authorized 3m installer.
BJK
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Safety Car
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From: Southern California
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,171
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From: DFW Texas
I just wrapped to Nissan GTRs (full hood and full fenders) on OAhu and you couldnt even tell there was film on the car. It was also done with precut kits to minimize the possibilty of cutting the paint. There are good installers that will be able to help you with this. If you want I can find one in your area. Just send me a PM and I will be more than happy to help out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,709
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From: Pacific Northwest
St. Jude Donor '06
Just FYI, in addition to getting chipped they can also scratch pretty easily. I got a spot of something on mine and used my fingernail to get it off like you might on paint. I ended up having that piece replaced because of the scratch. Also, rubbing off dried bugs without first making sure they're softened well with soap and water can scratch the bra.
Mine has been on for 3 years and in another couple years I'll probably replace it. My wife and I take lots of road trips so I wash off the bugs in spray car washes (manual, not automatic) under less than ideal circumstances. My clear bra takes a lot of abuse and isn't perfect, but has been well worth the investment. I'm sure my paint under the bra is pristine.
Mine has been on for 3 years and in another couple years I'll probably replace it. My wife and I take lots of road trips so I wash off the bugs in spray car washes (manual, not automatic) under less than ideal circumstances. My clear bra takes a lot of abuse and isn't perfect, but has been well worth the investment. I'm sure my paint under the bra is pristine.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,530
Likes: 6
From: Torrance CA
Just FYI, in addition to getting chipped they can also scratch pretty easily. I got a spot of something on mine and used my fingernail to get it off like you might on paint. I ended up having that piece replaced because of the scratch. Also, rubbing off dried bugs without first making sure they're softened well with soap and water can scratch the bra.
Mine has been on for 3 years and in another couple years I'll probably replace it. My wife and I take lots of road trips so I wash off the bugs in spray car washes (manual, not automatic) under less than ideal circumstances. My clear bra takes a lot of abuse and isn't perfect, but has been well worth the investment. I'm sure my paint under the bra is pristine.
Mine has been on for 3 years and in another couple years I'll probably replace it. My wife and I take lots of road trips so I wash off the bugs in spray car washes (manual, not automatic) under less than ideal circumstances. My clear bra takes a lot of abuse and isn't perfect, but has been well worth the investment. I'm sure my paint under the bra is pristine.
Mine also isn't perfect. But you are absolutely correct, it is well worth the investment. 
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
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From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
I just replaced my VentureShield after being on there for just over two years. It was worn a bit from all the driving but then got hit by a sign that was spit out form under a car in front of me on the freeway. The bra paid for itself right there and then, as it saved the bumper and hood. Had it not been for the bra, I would be having the front end fixed and painted right now. $600 for the bra is a lot cheaper than the damage and cost to repair would have been.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 203
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From: Denver CO
If it is like the clear bra I had installed on my 07 coupe when I bought it from the dealer, they did not install the bra over the nose, just the hood and mirrors which is pretty stupid. I was under the impression when I had the clear bra installed from the dealer, that the nose, out of anything, would be covered. Oh no, that was extra and of course the dealership didn't bother to tell me. You may have had the same situation.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 68
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From: Altoona Pennsylvania
Jeeze, that is pretty STUPID!
I'm positive the front of the car was never damaged. I am about as meticulous as one can get and I would definitely be able to find some sign of damage or a repair. No matter how good a repair job is, there is always evidence.
Troy
I'm positive the front of the car was never damaged. I am about as meticulous as one can get and I would definitely be able to find some sign of damage or a repair. No matter how good a repair job is, there is always evidence.
Troy
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,244
Likes: 122
From: st paul minnesota
Perhaps the previous owner used a Speed Lingerie bra or other protection on the bumper and never had the 3M film on this portion? I had the 3M on my '05 bumper until this weekend when I stripped it off. It was a multiple piece install and never did look right, coupled with being black and the waviness of the cover itself. After 4 summers it was looking a bit worn also. Will probably go with another product/installer this spring, as the bumper remained perfect, so it did it's job. Others have suggested very possible scenarios for your lack of film on the bumper.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,709
Likes: 1
From: Pacific Northwest
St. Jude Donor '06
Perhaps the previous owner used a Speed Lingerie bra or other protection on the bumper and never had the 3M film on this portion? I had the 3M on my '05 bumper until this weekend when I stripped it off. It was a multiple piece install and never did look right, coupled with being black and the waviness of the cover itself. After 4 summers it was looking a bit worn also. Will probably go with another product/installer this spring, as the bumper remained perfect, so it did it's job. Others have suggested very possible scenarios for your lack of film on the bumper.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,244
Likes: 122
From: st paul minnesota
Some parts of it came off easier than others. I heated it with a hair dryer which for the most part helped, then you grab an edge and pull kind of keeping it at a 90 degree angle. For some reason, parts of the adhesive would separate from the film itself leaving a fair amount of residue behind. Cleanup with 3M adhesive remover was necessary, but I actually found WD-40 was also successful and not nearly as bad for your lungs. No damage to the underlying paint, at least, as the installer did no cutting into the paint. I kept the hood/fender top protection in place, as that was less visible than that on the bumper itself. Still on the fence as to reinstalling something on the bumper, as most chips/dings I've acquired on other 'Vettes have all been above that point. I just don't want something that draws more attention to the bumper than any chips might.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 5,894
Likes: 1
From: Farmingdale NY
St. Jude Donor '06
Just FYI, in addition to getting chipped they can also scratch pretty easily. I got a spot of something on mine and used my fingernail to get it off like you might on paint. I ended up having that piece replaced because of the scratch. Also, rubbing off dried bugs without first making sure they're softened well with soap and water can scratch the bra.
Mine has been on for 3 years and in another couple years I'll probably replace it. My wife and I take lots of road trips so I wash off the bugs in spray car washes (manual, not automatic) under less than ideal circumstances. My clear bra takes a lot of abuse and isn't perfect, but has been well worth the investment. I'm sure my paint under the bra is pristine.
Mine has been on for 3 years and in another couple years I'll probably replace it. My wife and I take lots of road trips so I wash off the bugs in spray car washes (manual, not automatic) under less than ideal circumstances. My clear bra takes a lot of abuse and isn't perfect, but has been well worth the investment. I'm sure my paint under the bra is pristine.