mrrrkva

It looks like the new Vette will be pretty prone to stone chips. Is anyone putting a clear bra on the C7? Any ideas on price?

WhiteAndBlackC7

I know it is off topic, but they really need to make Clear Bra's for the ladies.




And the answer is yes, I will be putting a clear bra on the front bumper for sure.

Sin City

I've done it on other cars. Depending on the quality and how much you want to cover it can run between a few hundred to $3000 and up. It depends on what you want to do.

What you want is the better quality film that does not look orangepeel when it's applied. I believe it's made by 3M.

Contact a specialist in your area. Word of mouth is the best way to find a great place.

Will I do it in on my Vette? Not sure yet but I don't think so.

There are some downsides to the film. It gets dirtier more easily than the paint, it's difficult to wax (or at least needs special cleaners), it can pucker or buckle, sometimes you can see where the seams meet, it can fade or scratch, and as I said even the best stuff will have a slight orangepeel.

Also some guys do a great job and some do a crappy job in installation.

Removing also takes a specialist to minimize risk.

DanTheFireman

Check out Xpel Ultimate, self-healing film.
Also, try to find an installer who will custom wrap as opposed to just applying a pre-cut kit (and get that in writing on your quote). That way they can wrap a bumper for example, and you don't see a seam that collects wax.

Oleman

I just pulled XPEL off of my Z06 due to it getting milky looking. I had the same installer do we put Suntech on and it is so clear you have to look for where it starts preety hard it looks better thaan XPEL when it was new.

trivette

Yes, as I've done it on my last four 'Vettes and daily drivers as well. The pre-cut kits have worked well for my installer as there have been no seams when doing the entire front bumper. It appears there is some factory protection on the rocker in front of the rear wheels but there may be some required towards the front as well. Once it gets driven in the rain (yes, it will) the splash pattern will be evident and the appropriate film added to those areas.

runutzzzzz

I personally would rather have my bumper resprayed or touched up then to put a clear bra on. I had one once and I hated the way it looked.

That's just my opinion.

Shurshot

Your username has always been associated with high end clear coat paint protection here on CF.com.

I believe a lot of members here would like to have a high quality protective coating on their car but there is a serious lack of accurate information concerning the products, price and who to trust.

It is a business with a high turnover rate and knowing of a good shop 500 miles away does not protect your car while driving there only to arrive with a couple of new chips.

It would be nice if this industry would adopt some standards and memberships that would be recognized country wide

Daekwan06

How does the C7 appear more susceptible to chips than previous Vettes? Especially the C4, C5 and C6 models.. as they all have the "wedge" shape.

That said.. I'm sure the clear bra will be a popular option on the C7. After seeing how much chip damage I have on my 79,000 mile '07. I think I'll go for the clear bra on my C7 too. I'm definitely the type that spends more time driving my car.. than waxing it.

Mike O'Daniel

Me too, Daekwan06. And at the risk of not clearing this comment thru the all knowing Shurshot, use a high end film (not 3M) and a VERY experienced installer.

Bill17601

Is the bra for the little "bumps" in the front?

Shurshot

Wow

I admit to the mistake of not noting your join date while meaning to compliment a long standing member here thinking you are the person who has continually expressed a high amount of knowledge of clear bra applications.........

Had I noted that fact I would not have wasted my breath complimenting you.

Now that this is clear to me do the letters FO mean anything to you?

Doug

Mike O'Daniel

FO... Yup... I use the term frequently. Look Doug, I guess I misread your comment. I thought you were, in short, calling me a blow-hard.

Texas_Venom

Hey Mike. I have been installing film for over 12 years now and have installed/tested them all out. I will agree 3M is a terrible product, but the other films you mentioned (Llumar and Solar Gard) are about as bad... CP films I have never even heard of. Llumar dulls very quickly... and I do not know any good installers that use it. Solar Gard is made by Bakaert... another company that holds a very low market share because their products are so poor. I would highly suggest you look into Suntek and Xpel Ultimate... both films are self healing and are perfectly smooth. I would put up either film against anything out there. How long have you been in the industry? Just curious as you made a pretty bold statement that I rarely ever hear a good installer make.

P.S. I would love to see your website and look at some photos of some of your installs. Your welcome to post it here... along with your location... so everyone can see. Who knows you might pick up some business. I will be happy to PM you mine if you want to compare.

Texas_Venom

And to clarify, you DO wax paint protection film just as you would your paint. No special cleaners... that part is correct. And film does not "orange peel"... I have never heard anyone say that before. Orange peel is the texture on the film when it is manufactured. It is either there when the film is on the roll or it is not there... and wont show up later. I have never seen or heard of any warranty that covers "orange peel" but if you an find the verbiage on any manufacturers website you will show me something new.

Jesterissimo

Any idea how it might alter the appearance of the "special" paints? Like the Laguna blue? Would it potentially have a different reflectivity?

Mike O'Daniel

CP films makes Llumar and Vista films. Bekaert is one of the largest film mfg... High mkt share. Suntek supposedly has a "self healing" film for scratching. As for wax... Yeah... You don't wax around it, but wax doesn't add to the films qualities. I was assuming the poster was using a term "orange peel" referring to bubbling. I'm not an installer. I own a company and am a dealer, mostly flat glass. Glad you were here to clarify.

Mike O'Daniel

That Suntek... Is that a thicker film, like a 4 mil?

Texas_Venom

Never heard of Vista film either... are you sure its a paint protection film? Sounds like you are a tint guy... because Bekaert does not hold much of a market share in the PPF industry. In fact I have only heard of a couple of people installing their film... and neither of them liked it.

Using a spray wax on the film makes is shine just as paint does and it makes getting bugs, bird droppings, and other contaminates that much easier to get off.

Suntek and Xpel DO have self healing films... they work... and many people on this forum have had it installed and are happy with it.

I was just a little taken by your comment " I know more on here than pretty much everyone...". That's a really bold statement ESPECIALLY if you do flat glass. That's like me saying I am an expert mechanic because I install PPF. And yes I own my own business and do a lot of research to stay up to date on new films... but I NEVER say I know more than anyone. Arrogance doesn't really come across very well.

Texas_Venom

Most... if not all PPFs are 6-7 mil thick. I only know of one other film that's almost 30 mil made by Xpel for certain applications... not paint.