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Yep, Novistretch. Had one on my C6 too. I use it on highway trips and night cruises to keep the bugs off. Unsnaps in a few seconds and I can throw it in the washer if need be. The only problem is that the front cameras won’t work when it is on.
I have a GM Bra on my 2016 3LT Z51 and I have to say the fit of the Bra into the interfaces of the fenders, fascia, headlights really sucks and can cause paint damage which I am getting fixed under warranty. I was getting paint spider cracks on the front fascia at the fender headlight hood interface. What is the forum consensus on a the best bra for the C7? And no I don't want XPEL.
If you use a GM bra that requires tucking the mounting tabs in between the body seams that creates a condition that restricts the movement of the body panel causing strain on the body panel. The paint crazing/cracking is the result of that strain. I believe the underlying fiberglass is fine but I would think if you kept it on long enough it might eventually crack the fiberglass. The paint is not flexible enough to allow restricted movement creating strain on it. I have had no accidents with the car. This is an area where the front fascia/bumper is unsupported and movement is restricted causing strain by the bra. The fit is very tight and I keep the bra on full time. I guess I learned my lesson.
The Best Bra I have used for the past 2 Corvettes is the Novi stretch Bra. Easy to install and easy to take off. I also purchased the Novi stretch car cover, not cheap but the best
The Best Bra I have used for the past 2 Corvettes is the Novi stretch Bra. Easy to install and easy to take off. I also purchased the Novi stretch car cover, not cheap but the best
I just went on the Novistretch website and don’t see any car covers anywhere, not even in their gallery. Do you have a photo of a Novistretch car cover?
I purchased my first bra for a 1980 TR8, back when it was new. Car is still in the family, and so is the bra. A bra is simply one more tool in the toolbox. It isn't a permanent part of my car, just there when I need it. The OP who reviewed the Novi did me a great service. Instead of a runs like a pair of pantyhose bra, I bought the GM model in vinyl, just like the 37 year old model I had for the Triumph. I'll pay it forward. ugly, fugly clear bra 3m brand, installed professionally in 2007 on a Z06. Garaged, under a cover, 900 miles in 8 years, "clear" bra - it looked like my toilet, well, only the urinal, flowed over that "clear" bra, **** yellow on a white car. Drove it another 1300 miles, mostly on one trip, all around the corners of that clear applique (again, professionally installed) black dirt found a way to get underneath the "clear" bra on all the bits I had covered, front, sides, fenders, again, black dirt covered by a "clear" bra on a white car. $1200 paid for that lesson, probably alot more for a "clear" bra now. That $130 I just paid for a C7 GM vinyl bra looks like a pretty good tool compared to the haircut I took on a "clear" bra a decade ago. YMMV.
I think the XPel product is great - but for the life of me, I cant understand why anyone would spend $1000(+) for XPel when compared as a bra to a NoviStretch bra which is $150 and its easily removable.
I've had the NoviStretch bra for every Vette I've owned and it protects the front perfectly. Installs in 20 min, does zero damage to your paint, easily dries if it gets wet, and is washable (unlike most bras on the market).
As I stated in the post from the gentleman with the damage to his car, while wearing a NoviStretch - that is just plain silly to blame a product for HIM hitting a curb. That's like giving a poor review of a restaurant for me chocking on a steak dinner they served me - just plain silly and quite unfair to review the product in that manner.
I think the XPel product is great - but for the life of me, I cant understand why anyone would spend $1000(+) for XPel when compared as a bra to a NoviStretch bra which is $150 and its easily removable.
Because it's ugly? If you are looking for temporary protection for a trip then maybe I could understand it, but seriously, the clear bra materials of today don't have issues long term. They continue to appear as though nothing is there while protecting the paint for years.
Just a plug for "SpeedLingerie". They are quite costly but look very good. The ones for the GS/Z06 have holes installed for the cameras.They can even do stripes if you want!
For the record, I've never liked the look of front end bras on Corvettes, even though I've used them in the past. The cars are too good looking to cover them up.
However, living in Florida I needed something during the love bug swarms so for me the obvious solution was the Novitstretch front end cover. It works well enough to keep the front end clean from bugs, sand and small debris, however the nylon mesh will only provide slight protection against a rock or anything else substantial. The matching mirror covers to me are useless as I can never get the passenger side to cover correctly due to the angle of the mirror positioned for the driver.
The C7 is unique in it's design, especially the wide body models, that require more protection on the side panels due to the front tires spitting out road rocks, etc. It is the first Corvette I seriously considered adding Xpel for functional purposes. Even with the Xpel, the Novistretch bra is going on during the love bug swarms.
I think the XPel product is great - but for the life of me, I cant understand why anyone would spend $1000(+) for XPel when compared as a bra to a NoviStretch bra which is $150 and its easily removable.
I've had the NoviStretch bra for every Vette I've owned and it protects the front perfectly. Installs in 20 min, does zero damage to your paint, easily dries if it gets wet, and is washable (unlike most bras on the market).
As I stated in the post from the gentleman with the damage to his car, while wearing a NoviStretch - that is just plain silly to blame a product for HIM hitting a curb. That's like giving a poor review of a restaurant for me chocking on a steak dinner they served me - just plain silly and quite unfair to review the product in that manner.
Just a plug for "SpeedLingerie". They are quite costly but look very good. The ones for the GS/Z06 have holes installed for the cameras.They can even do stripes if you want!
Unless you like the look of a bra, and I can't believe anyone would, why would you use one? Just take care of the front bumper as much as possible by washing the bugs off after you drive it - it takes like 5 minutes. If the front gets bad from rock chips have it repainted. If you really want to protect the paint, just store it in a climate controlled garage and never drive it, but then, what's the point of having it then? Drive the car, enjoy it and fix it as items wear or get damaged.
I also had Xpel Untimate installed on our '13 60th anniversary 427 with less than thrilling results. The car was white and I hated how you could see black dirt along the edges of the Xpel. Ours was also installed by a highly recommended Xpel dealer. It wasn't an issue with the quality of his install, but rather the dirt just gets caught along any edge. On the white car, it was UGLY. I always made a point to use my Calif car duster in a brushing direction AWAY from the edge, not into it and it still looked like crap. Perhaps on a dark car, it wouldn't be an issue.
If there were no exposed edges on Xpel, like if all edges were rolled over into panel seams, etc it might be a better story for me. Mine was the standard machine cut pattern that the dealer prints out in his shop per the Xpel software on the specific car. I also noticed a slight yellowing in some areas near the edges.
Needless to say, NO Xpel on this current, WHITE GS. Just using a NoviStretch bra for road trips.
Just a plug for "SpeedLingerie". They are quite costly but look very good. The ones for the GS/Z06 have holes installed for the cameras.They can even do stripes if you want!
That looks awesome for sure - but it looks "thick" (is that leather?) and if that gets wet and remains on the car, it could ruin your paint cause it doesn't "breathe" like the mesh in the NoviStretch...would you agree? Is that hard to put on and take off?
If the front gets bad from rock chips have it repainted.
1) No one buys a bra for the "LOOK" of it - its for protection.
2) So let me get this straight - a $1000 - $1200 paint job on the front fender makes more sense then a $150 removable bra?
I think the XPel product is great - but for the life of me, I cant understand why anyone would spend $1000(+) for XPel when compared as a bra to a NoviStretch bra which is $150 and its easily removable.
I've had the NoviStretch bra for every Vette I've owned and it protects the front perfectly. Installs in 20 min, does zero damage to your paint, easily dries if it gets wet, and is washable (unlike most bras on the market).
As I stated in the post from the gentleman with the damage to his car, while wearing a NoviStretch - that is just plain silly to blame a product for HIM hitting a curb. That's like giving a poor review of a restaurant for me chocking on a steak dinner they served me - just plain silly and quite unfair to review the product in that manner.
Just me personally, I don't like the looks of it. I guess I'm too vain and want to make sure the car looks the best. I had a clear bra installed on the front and mirrors and cost me $750 and thought it was more than worth it to me.
My front end looks perfect after 72,000 miles and I'm happy as a clam.
It all depends on individual preference and how one thinks about things. I don't care about the money end of things, so a few extra hundred bucks spent on the front end was well worth it for me.
07-12-2018, 10:35 PM
