Clear Bra Problems
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 565
Likes: 0
Clear Bra Problems
Ok so I'm considering a clear bra but I am very hesitant to do so.
Couple of questions and things to consider.
1) What is this film going to look like in 10 years? Is it going to be yellowish or cracked and nasty?
2) Can you wax over it and still have a high gloss appearance like standard waxed paint?
3) Is it permanent?
4) I hate seeing that line that looks like a HUGE scratch across the hood. Can you do the entire fenders like you can the hood? I have seen full hood coverage and half hood coverage.
The first question/concern is my biggest issue. How long has this stuff been around for? Id have to assume that UV light is going to affect this as well as just age.
Let me know what everyone thinks! I'm all ears!
Couple of questions and things to consider.
1) What is this film going to look like in 10 years? Is it going to be yellowish or cracked and nasty?
2) Can you wax over it and still have a high gloss appearance like standard waxed paint?
3) Is it permanent?
4) I hate seeing that line that looks like a HUGE scratch across the hood. Can you do the entire fenders like you can the hood? I have seen full hood coverage and half hood coverage.
The first question/concern is my biggest issue. How long has this stuff been around for? Id have to assume that UV light is going to affect this as well as just age.
Let me know what everyone thinks! I'm all ears!
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Prairie Village Kansas
Ok so I'm considering a clear bra but I am very hesitant to do so.
Couple of questions and things to consider.
1) What is this film going to look like in 10 years? Is it going to be yellowish or cracked and nasty?
2) Can you wax over it and still have a high gloss appearance like standard waxed paint?
3) Is it permanent?
4) I hate seeing that line that looks like a HUGE scratch across the hood. Can you do the entire fenders like you can the hood? I have seen full hood coverage and half hood coverage.
The first question/concern is my biggest issue. How long has this stuff been around for? Id have to assume that UV light is going to affect this as well as just age.
Let me know what everyone thinks! I'm all ears!
Couple of questions and things to consider.
1) What is this film going to look like in 10 years? Is it going to be yellowish or cracked and nasty?
2) Can you wax over it and still have a high gloss appearance like standard waxed paint?
3) Is it permanent?
4) I hate seeing that line that looks like a HUGE scratch across the hood. Can you do the entire fenders like you can the hood? I have seen full hood coverage and half hood coverage.
The first question/concern is my biggest issue. How long has this stuff been around for? Id have to assume that UV light is going to affect this as well as just age.
Let me know what everyone thinks! I'm all ears!
I like the stuff and have had good luck with it on several cars.
Lifetime NCM Member #2482
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,996
Likes: 1
From: West of Houston Texas
St. Jude Donor '11
I think yellowing depends on which brand of product you get from what I hear.
It can be removed easily if damaged or old and the paint is like new underneath.
I have both - half hood and full hood. I understand only one product comes large enough for full hood. Either way, I've had no issues with waxing and caring for it. Use the Zaino on all surfaces and no regrets so far.
I will say - find a good installer. Make sure the weather is warm and no rain in sight on the day you have it installed.
It can be removed easily if damaged or old and the paint is like new underneath.
I have both - half hood and full hood. I understand only one product comes large enough for full hood. Either way, I've had no issues with waxing and caring for it. Use the Zaino on all surfaces and no regrets so far.
I will say - find a good installer. Make sure the weather is warm and no rain in sight on the day you have it installed.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 838
Likes: 0
From: Long Island NY
IMHO, forget that stuff. Drive the car and enjoy it. A little road rash is a badge on honor! Its like the old ladies that wrap their furniture in plastic. If you do that then something else worse will happen. Its a car, drive it and enjoy it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 838
Likes: 0
From: Long Island NY
IMHO, forget that stuff. Drive the car and enjoy it. A little road rash is a badge on honor! Its like the old ladies that wrap their furniture in plastic. If you do that then something else worse will happen. Its a car, drive it and enjoy it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,709
Likes: 1
From: Pacific Northwest
St. Jude Donor '06
My clear bra (Ventureshield) is now 5 years and 39,000 miles old and looks one heck of a lot better than what my hood would have looked like without it. Had I known that it would scratch as easily as it does I would have been a bit more careful wiping the dried bugs off but a heat gun does take the scratches out. I think it will last ten years on my car without any problem, but it is garaged much of the time. I can't say what would happen to one on a car that sits out in the elements most of the time but remember, it can be removed and replaced.
I wax (actually Rejex) it like the rest of the car. It helps to put masking tape on the edge to prevent wax build-up but if you don't want the line across the hood there is extra-wide material that will allow the entire hood to be wrapped with no edge showing.
I would definitely do the clear bra again.
Last edited by C-INRED; Apr 22, 2011 at 11:46 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 16,684
Likes: 1,193
From: La Center WA
I am not sure what the ten year mark will hold for looks. Mine has a warranty for six years. You wax over it and you can get full wrapped hood, fenders, etc. It is not permanent and it is removable and replaceable.
I like the stuff and have had good luck with it on several cars.
I like the stuff and have had good luck with it on several cars.
If it ever gets damaged (such as from a stone), any installer can easily remove the material (which will have protected the paint from said stone) and replace it, good as new. We have it on all three of our cars (including my C6 coupe) and couldn't be happier with it. I'll never own another car without it. I think yellowing depends on which brand of product you get from what I hear.
It can be removed easily if damaged or old and the paint is like new underneath.
I have both - half hood and full hood. I understand only one product comes large enough for full hood. Either way, I've had no issues with waxing and caring for it. Use the Zaino on all surfaces and no regrets so far.
I will say - find a good installer. Make sure the weather is warm and no rain in sight on the day you have it installed.
It can be removed easily if damaged or old and the paint is like new underneath.
I have both - half hood and full hood. I understand only one product comes large enough for full hood. Either way, I've had no issues with waxing and caring for it. Use the Zaino on all surfaces and no regrets so far.
I will say - find a good installer. Make sure the weather is warm and no rain in sight on the day you have it installed.
with everything. The installer is key. 
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,574
Likes: 167
From: Frederick, MD
VS does scratch real easy. I'm using another product right now on the bumper only. I think the installer is pitiful so I won't mention the product. I'll probably go back to the VS due to the installer alone though.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 45
From: Castleton VA
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Yes -- until you are ready to peal it off.
I'll never have another car like this without the stuff. In fact, I'm about to buy the new BMW 6-cylinder touring motorcycle, and I'm already lining up the clear bra for its body work.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,353
Likes: 541
From: Sarasota FL
St. Jude Donor '25-'26
I had only the nose and mirrors covered. I did not like the line across the hood. I talked to 2 installers. One cut the film on the car. The other pre-cut the film on a laser cutter. I went with the pre-cut film. I would do it again.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 45,267
Likes: 8,542
From: Rochester, NY
I am in the drive it and do not worry about it camp. Why spend 600+ dollars and them worry about damage to the clearbra, how to maintain, how it looks, scratches, lines, etc.
If it protected the car at no cost other than the purchase price maybe, but that is not the case.
If it protected the car at no cost other than the purchase price maybe, but that is not the case.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 3
From: DFW Texas
Ok so I'm considering a clear bra but I am very hesitant to do so.
Couple of questions and things to consider.
1) What is this film going to look like in 10 years? Is it going to be yellowish or cracked and nasty? It all depends on how well you take care of it. Films today are greatly improved to what they were 15+ years ago. Keeping it clean and using a good sealant on it will minimize any posible yellowing or cracking. Go with a film like Avery Nano Fusio and it comes with a lifetime warranty so you can always have it replaced.
2) Can you wax over it and still have a high gloss appearance like standard waxed paint?Yes in fact you should use a good wax or sealant. I have found rejex, Zaino, and a couple of other sealants amde specifically for clear bras to work very well. A good quality film like Avery Nano Fusion or VentureShield Ultra will shine just like the paint.
3) Is it permanent?No. It peels right off. I have found that of all the films to remove that 3M can be difficult as it tends to leave glue behind on the paint. But it can be removed with adhesive remover... it just takes more work. Most films will peel off easily without leaving the residue.
4) I hate seeing that line that looks like a HUGE scratch across the hood. Can you do the entire fenders like you can the hood? I have seen full hood coverage and half hood coverage. You can do full hoods, full doors, full fenders, full rear quarter panels.... pretty much the entire car. The only film I use for the full panels is Ventureshield Ultra since nano Fusion film only coems in rolls up to 48". Ventureshield Ultra comes in widths up to 60" which is required for some of the panels.
The first question/concern is my biggest issue. How long has this stuff been around for? Id have to assume that UV light is going to affect this as well as just age.
Let me know what everyone thinks! I'm all ears!
Couple of questions and things to consider.
1) What is this film going to look like in 10 years? Is it going to be yellowish or cracked and nasty? It all depends on how well you take care of it. Films today are greatly improved to what they were 15+ years ago. Keeping it clean and using a good sealant on it will minimize any posible yellowing or cracking. Go with a film like Avery Nano Fusio and it comes with a lifetime warranty so you can always have it replaced.
2) Can you wax over it and still have a high gloss appearance like standard waxed paint?Yes in fact you should use a good wax or sealant. I have found rejex, Zaino, and a couple of other sealants amde specifically for clear bras to work very well. A good quality film like Avery Nano Fusion or VentureShield Ultra will shine just like the paint.
3) Is it permanent?No. It peels right off. I have found that of all the films to remove that 3M can be difficult as it tends to leave glue behind on the paint. But it can be removed with adhesive remover... it just takes more work. Most films will peel off easily without leaving the residue.
4) I hate seeing that line that looks like a HUGE scratch across the hood. Can you do the entire fenders like you can the hood? I have seen full hood coverage and half hood coverage. You can do full hoods, full doors, full fenders, full rear quarter panels.... pretty much the entire car. The only film I use for the full panels is Ventureshield Ultra since nano Fusion film only coems in rolls up to 48". Ventureshield Ultra comes in widths up to 60" which is required for some of the panels.
The first question/concern is my biggest issue. How long has this stuff been around for? Id have to assume that UV light is going to affect this as well as just age.
Let me know what everyone thinks! I'm all ears!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 3
From: DFW Texas
I am in the drive it and do not worry about it camp. Why spend 600+ dollars and them worry about damage to the clearbra, how to maintain, how it looks, scratches, lines, etc.
If it protected the car at no cost other than the purchase price maybe, but that is not the case.
If it protected the car at no cost other than the purchase price maybe, but that is not the case.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,254
Likes: 5
From: Anaheim Hills, Ca
This is my 3rd car with the clear bra and I swear by it. Ventureshield claims no yellowing and also to keep a good coat of polymer on it. I haven't heard of craking ever.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,791
Likes: 44
From: Loudon/Lake Mary Tennessee/Florida
My 3M clearbra is three years old with 53K miles. No yellowing, no chips or anything. My car is not garaged so it is exposed every day. The material shows no wear.
I am not in the camp of "forget it and deal with road rash". My '02 vert was black and the chips on the hood and rockers were very noticeable. At 30K miles.
I like having no chips. I don't want to have to repaint JSB.
I am not in the camp of "forget it and deal with road rash". My '02 vert was black and the chips on the hood and rockers were very noticeable. At 30K miles.
I like having no chips. I don't want to have to repaint JSB.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 136,140
Likes: 2,432
From: I live my life by 2 rules. 1) Never share everything you know. 2)
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
My 3M clearbra is three years old with 53K miles. No yellowing, no chips or anything. My car is not garaged so it is exposed every day. The material shows no wear.
I am not in the camp of "forget it and deal with road rash". My '02 vert was black and the chips on the hood and rockers were very noticeable. At 30K miles.
I like having no chips. I don't want to have to repaint JSB.
I am not in the camp of "forget it and deal with road rash". My '02 vert was black and the chips on the hood and rockers were very noticeable. At 30K miles.
I like having no chips. I don't want to have to repaint JSB.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 3
From: DFW Texas
Thom
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 136,140
Likes: 2,432
From: I live my life by 2 rules. 1) Never share everything you know. 2)
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
ken its nice to hear you are happy with the results. Would love to see some pics if you get time. Also would you mind PMing me who you went with on your install? I have a friend in Loveland who got a new Viper and wants some film installed I sent him. I do not know of any good installers in Colorado so open for suggestions... if you recommend him. Thanks.
Thom
Thom
As for pics, you really can't see anything and that's the idea!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 4
From: Cape May, NJ; Guntersville, AL; Orange Beach, AL
I agree I don't like it at all. My 05 has 34k and just 1 little chip on the front. I do keep wax and rejex on it always (I know it does nothing for rocks). The paint looks brand new.
Last edited by gunterwalker; Apr 23, 2011 at 01:06 PM.