Clear Bra??
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,840
Likes: 65
From: Tree City
Clear Bra??
Well, I decided to start driving my 05 a little more this summer. Maybe as my DD for a while. But I am getting a lot of stone chips on the front. So I am thinking about having a clear bra put on the front.
Do any of you guys have them?
Pluses? Minuses?
Thanks for any opinions.
Do any of you guys have them?
Pluses? Minuses?
Thanks for any opinions.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 306
Likes: 48
From: Twain Harte CA
Well, I decided to start driving my 05 a little more this summer. Maybe as my DD for a while. But I am getting a lot of stone chips on the front. So I am thinking about having a clear bra put on the front.
Do any of you guys have them?
Pluses? Minuses?
Thanks for any opinions.
Do any of you guys have them?
Pluses? Minuses?
Thanks for any opinions.
Steve
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 108
From: Arlington Texas
I'm going to have mine redone this week. Last time I had precut 3M put on. It was poor fitting and trapped lots of bubbles which eventually went away in the sun. This time I'm going for the Expel product. More expensive, but I think the extra money is worth it. I'm a little nervous covering my headlights again as last time my headlight lenses crazed badly after the installation. I learned that heat causes crazing and am concerned the product will hold excess heat in when the headlights are in use. The Expel product is thinner, but durable. I was quoted $875.00 installed.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 792
Likes: 127
From: Dallas Texas
Yes, I clearbra'd my car when I first got it. I'm not sure what brand the shop put on it (I think it is 3M), but they gave me a 5 year warranty against yellowing, tearing, etc. I chose this route over a leather bra or other bra as I find those to be very visually unappealing; I wanted to see the color of the car front to back. I love the clearbra and will be doing that to every vehicle I own from now on.
The downside: certain bugs can stain the bra (I have some small, yellow spots on the bra itself that I cannot seem to scrub out), and, since I track the car, I get tire kick-up (aka "tire turds") marks that will come out of the paint with Goof-off, gasoline, etc, but will also stain the clear bra without some vigorous scrubbing.
The upside: no more worry about rock chips, swirling the paint if you scrub too hard (you're scrubbing the bra, so scrubbing with anything shy of a wire brush or steel wool would be fine), and it is replaceable.
I am a proponent of clear bras.
EDIT: Just a reminder, if you are doing the front bumper, add in the first 1/4 of the hood and front fenders, as well as the mirrors, AND DEFINITELY DO THE FRONT OF YOUR REAR FENDERS!!! Those front faces of the rear fenders like to take hits A LOT and chip very easily.
The downside: certain bugs can stain the bra (I have some small, yellow spots on the bra itself that I cannot seem to scrub out), and, since I track the car, I get tire kick-up (aka "tire turds") marks that will come out of the paint with Goof-off, gasoline, etc, but will also stain the clear bra without some vigorous scrubbing.
The upside: no more worry about rock chips, swirling the paint if you scrub too hard (you're scrubbing the bra, so scrubbing with anything shy of a wire brush or steel wool would be fine), and it is replaceable.
I am a proponent of clear bras.
EDIT: Just a reminder, if you are doing the front bumper, add in the first 1/4 of the hood and front fenders, as well as the mirrors, AND DEFINITELY DO THE FRONT OF YOUR REAR FENDERS!!! Those front faces of the rear fenders like to take hits A LOT and chip very easily.
Last edited by R_W; Jun 4, 2017 at 01:33 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 450
From: Texarkana Texas
My car had one on it when I bought it. I removed it last year after 5 years. It had turned slightly yellow and had lots of marks in it. After removal, the nose of my car was perfect, not a mark on it anywhere. Got an estimate for another one....$1000.00.
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 13
Likes: 3
From: Broadlands Virginia
2013 GS 100% covered with Suntek film
So I've had my GS for four years now. I've had the 3M film on it for 2 years and now the Suntek for 2 years. I personally like the Suntek better, less orange peel and yellowing than the 3M. But here's the main reason, I've been backed into twice while I was away from the car and had some fool door ding me at a hotel after I paid an extra $50.00's for a safe parking spot.
All three time the film kept my paint from being damaged. My GS is black so it shows everything. I don't have a single swirl mark anywhere.
Film protection is the only way to go if you are worried about the look of your baby, just my $0.02
13468
All three time the film kept my paint from being damaged. My GS is black so it shows everything. I don't have a single swirl mark anywhere.
Film protection is the only way to go if you are worried about the look of your baby, just my $0.02
13468
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,665
Likes: 128
From: Wilson, TX
St. Jude Donor '17
I clear bra'd my entire car when I first got it. (with the exception of the rear facia/bumper)
Haven't had an issue with it and it certainly adds a layer of Protection. It always looks shiny.
Haven't had an issue with it and it certainly adds a layer of Protection. It always looks shiny.