Clear bra question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 5
From: Northwest, AR
Clear bra question
I recently had a clear bra installed on the front bumper, headlight covers, fog light covers, mirror backs, and on the front of the rear fender flares. Perfect Tint in Springfield, MO did a fantastic job of putting this stuff on for me. I am considering having him put the protection material on the front tips of the fenders and up about 14 inches on the leading edge of the hood. I am not sure what I think about having the seam exposed in such a noticeable area though. Leave it as is? And tell myself it would be unlikely to get a rock on the hood due to the radical slope angle. or... Add the additional protection and stare at the seam every single time I walk past it? Anybody regret doing it either way?? Opinions appreciated.
The Consigliere
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 23,003
Likes: 6,045
From: 2023 Z06 & 2010 ZR1
I didn't do it for that very reason. I.e. I didn't want to always notice the seem. I've glad I skipped it. Nose done to the seams is basically undetectable.
Would do the same way again.
Would do the same way again.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 304
Likes: 58
From: AZ
Seams
I did the full nose, hood, front fenders, mirrors, rocker panels and a sheet up to about the height of the gas door on the front of the back fenders.
The only real visible seam is the one on the back fender that does not cover the entire panel.
Since the car got dirty (rainstorm on the 4th) I can really see the seam now and it does not look good (dirt around edge). But when the car is clean it is not very noticable.
I personally do not mind the seams, because the amount of protection I get is worth more to me than a slight loss in appearance.
If you are a person that has your thought s reversed on this (looks over protection), maybe get the whole hood done in a single piece. (Ventureshield?)
The only real visible seam is the one on the back fender that does not cover the entire panel.
Since the car got dirty (rainstorm on the 4th) I can really see the seam now and it does not look good (dirt around edge). But when the car is clean it is not very noticable.
I personally do not mind the seams, because the amount of protection I get is worth more to me than a slight loss in appearance.
If you are a person that has your thought s reversed on this (looks over protection), maybe get the whole hood done in a single piece. (Ventureshield?)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Chester County Pennsylvania
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I did the nose, headlights, front and rear brake ducts only, I specifically did not do 18 inches of the hood and fenders because I did not want the lines.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 3
From: DFW Texas
The other option is to wrap the full hod and full fenders. That way there is no seam and no chance on getting rock chips on the hood.... which will happen. I have been installing more and more full hood/full fenders packages lately to avoid the seam line. The cost is more but it the only other option. Personally I think the partial hood and fenders is sufficient and that the seam line is better than having chips... or a leather bra.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 719
From: Northeast MA & Mad Beach FL
Op, if you're worried about the hood, yes it will get dings/chips.
My first chip before putting clear bra on was on the hood about 3 inches up from the front edge
I did the whole bumper, 1/3 of the hood and front fenders back to even with the line on the hood.
And the mirrors.
The lines don't bother me but chips/dings do.
Has saved a lot of paint dings large and small
My first chip before putting clear bra on was on the hood about 3 inches up from the front edge
I did the whole bumper, 1/3 of the hood and front fenders back to even with the line on the hood.
And the mirrors.
The lines don't bother me but chips/dings do.
Has saved a lot of paint dings large and small
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,574
Likes: 167
From: Frederick, MD
Either go with no hood or full hood. I had half hood on my 08. It chipped right aft of where it was covered. You can go crazy trying to prevent chips and then people are in shock when one WILL occur.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 861
Likes: 27
From: Rogers AR
I had a clear bra added to my car before I picked it up. I have the seam on the hood and fenders. I thought it would bother me as I'm pretty particular about things but I never really think about it really.
OP, what part of NWA are you from? I'm in Rogers. I have actually contacted Springfield PerfecTint to possibly redo my clear bra (bought car in Ohio and clear bra is poor install at best) and tint the windows. I just picked up my '10 GS Coupe 6MT last month. Sorry for the off-topic.
OP, what part of NWA are you from? I'm in Rogers. I have actually contacted Springfield PerfecTint to possibly redo my clear bra (bought car in Ohio and clear bra is poor install at best) and tint the windows. I just picked up my '10 GS Coupe 6MT last month. Sorry for the off-topic.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Detroit Michigan
I am also trying to decided between the standard hood/fenders install with the line or full hood and fenders. The installers that I have contacted want to charge about double the price (installer 1 = $2200, installer 2 = $1600) for full hood and fenders vs the standard half hood and half fenders. Did any of you run into this large price difference for the full hood and fenders?
Last edited by AlphaBravo; Jul 7, 2012 at 08:44 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 3
From: DFW Texas
I am also trying to decided between the standard hood/fenders install with the line or full hood and fenders. The installers that I have contacted want to charge about double the price (installer 1 = $2200, installer 2 = $1600) for full hood and fenders vs the standard half hood and half fenders. Did any of you run into this large price difference for the full hood and fenders?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 900
Likes: 38
From: Waunakee Wisconsin
St. Jude Donor '20
You can't protect everything from everything. About the time you think you're 'bulletproof', a meteorite will hit your roof. Nose and lights for me.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 719
From: Northeast MA & Mad Beach FL
Stuff happens and we have to make the best of itWhat I'd like to see is someone come up with something that protects the Windshield
Lifetime NCM Member #2482
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,996
Likes: 1
From: West of Houston Texas
St. Jude Donor '11
Been there done that!! Numerous times. If you're going to do the hood - get a film that you can have them wrap the entire hood - I had the half hood on my coupe - fine for about a month then dirt in the seam, wax, etc. I grew to hate it. The hood will get dinged. Price wise - depends on the film brand and installer fee. Full wrap with Xpel film on my ZR1 was a little over $2K. That was bumper, headlights, fog lights, mirrors, rocker panel kit which include partial door, splitter, side skirts, full rear qtr panels. I'm doing my coupe at the end of the month - not as extensively but same film, and by a different person but the price is comparable for the amount of work being done. However, they'd better get that crap right or I'll be gritchin' to high heaven. I have no tolerance anymore for shotty clear bra work. Just sayin'
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 45,484
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From: Texas
CI 1-4-5-8-9-10 Vet
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '10, '17
I have mine done halfway up the hood and fenders and I am sooo glad I did. My 3 previous "toy" cars (2 camaros and a C5) did not have it. It was heart breaking to see the front end all fecked up after 3 years. Around here, fk bugs do more damage than rocks.
The hood piece has a "bikini cut" which means it's not a straight line. It's not visible unless you are within 10 feet. That bothers some. what bothers me more is paint chips. Mine still looks like a new car (admittedly, I only have 9K miles on it).
If I couldn't stomach the line, then I'd get the entire hood and fenders done.
The hood piece has a "bikini cut" which means it's not a straight line. It's not visible unless you are within 10 feet. That bothers some. what bothers me more is paint chips. Mine still looks like a new car (admittedly, I only have 9K miles on it).
If I couldn't stomach the line, then I'd get the entire hood and fenders done.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,823
Likes: 2
From: Anthem AZ
I am also trying to decided between the standard hood/fenders install with the line or full hood and fenders. The installers that I have contacted want to charge about double the price (installer 1 = $2200, installer 2 = $1600) for full hood and fenders vs the standard half hood and half fenders. Did any of you run into this large price difference for the full hood and fenders?
I was told that the price goes up a lot when you do the hood due to the size of the sheet being applied to the hood. Not sure how much the partial hood would have been because i was sure I wanted the full hood covered.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,414
Likes: 214
From: Sarasota Florida
I have it halfway up the hood and fenders. The line isn't that noticeable. On the bumper, it stopped some major paint damage on I75 until I got hit with a gigantic piece of truck tire. Nothing could have stopped that damage.