Stone Chips
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa Ontario
Stone Chips
First weekend with the new car and I got my first stone chip 
Who's using what to help avoid this? Back in the day when I had my 1988 Firebird Formula (yes I had a mullet as well
) I had a "Bra" on the front of it. Does anyone still use this product. I don't want to Geek out a brand new ride but I want to protect the front as well
Thanks
Who's using what to help avoid this? Back in the day when I had my 1988 Firebird Formula (yes I had a mullet as well
) I had a "Bra" on the front of it. Does anyone still use this product. I don't want to Geek out a brand new ride but I want to protect the front as wellThanks
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,807
Likes: 4
From: Whitby
My cars were never nice or new enough but alot of guys use 3M "Clear Bra"
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3..._the/Consumer/
http://www.automotivearticles.com/Clear_Bra_3M.shtml
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3..._the/Consumer/
http://www.automotivearticles.com/Clear_Bra_3M.shtml
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,050
Likes: 7
From: Canadian Rockies
Alberta is probably the stone chip capital of Canada since they sprinkle gravel instead of salt during the winters.
I won't bother with a clear bra on my FRC but I applied some to my DD since I bought it new. I bought a kit off the web which included pre-cut pieces of clear protection film which I installed myself.
The local dealers quoted me around $800 to do the hood, bumper, mirrors but I was able to install all of those plus the headlights and fog lights for just under $400 myself. The bumper was a little complicated due to the curves and bulges but the hood, fenders and mirrors took around 30 minutes in total.
I won't bother with a clear bra on my FRC but I applied some to my DD since I bought it new. I bought a kit off the web which included pre-cut pieces of clear protection film which I installed myself.
The local dealers quoted me around $800 to do the hood, bumper, mirrors but I was able to install all of those plus the headlights and fog lights for just under $400 myself. The bumper was a little complicated due to the curves and bulges but the hood, fenders and mirrors took around 30 minutes in total.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa Ontario
Alberta is probably the stone chip capital of Canada since they sprinkle gravel instead of salt during the winters.
I won't bother with a clear bra on my FRC but I applied some to my DD since I bought it new. I bought a kit off the web which included pre-cut pieces of clear protection film which I installed myself.
The local dealers quoted me around $800 to do the hood, bumper, mirrors but I was able to install all of those plus the headlights and fog lights for just under $400 myself. The bumper was a little complicated due to the curves and bulges but the hood, fenders and mirrors took around 30 minutes in total.
I won't bother with a clear bra on my FRC but I applied some to my DD since I bought it new. I bought a kit off the web which included pre-cut pieces of clear protection film which I installed myself.
The local dealers quoted me around $800 to do the hood, bumper, mirrors but I was able to install all of those plus the headlights and fog lights for just under $400 myself. The bumper was a little complicated due to the curves and bulges but the hood, fenders and mirrors took around 30 minutes in total.
Was this pre-cut for your particular model of vehicle?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,050
Likes: 7
From: Canadian Rockies
Yes it is. Here's the page from their website :
http://lamin-x.com/ecommerce/os/cata...207336f0329bfd
I bought mine from a forum vendor off of another site (specific to Subaru Legacy's) so I was able to get a much better deal than buying directly. Perhaps you can find a forum vendor who sells LaminX or a similar film for Corvettes.
It's very easy to install and it's hard to screw up. Even if you do, the chances are that it'll be unnoticeable. After all, it is transparent.
http://lamin-x.com/ecommerce/os/cata...207336f0329bfd
I bought mine from a forum vendor off of another site (specific to Subaru Legacy's) so I was able to get a much better deal than buying directly. Perhaps you can find a forum vendor who sells LaminX or a similar film for Corvettes.
It's very easy to install and it's hard to screw up. Even if you do, the chances are that it'll be unnoticeable. After all, it is transparent.
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,337
Likes: 0
From: Whitby Ontario
Besides stone chips are like scars....and chicks dig scars!
I gave up trying to worry about stone chips....can't see them from where I sit behind the wheel anyways.
Just my 2 cents.
Jay
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 953
Likes: 4
From: Guelph Ontario
The first stone chip will alway gives you the worst felling, then the rest just don't matter. You can also get the hood and bumper blown in every few years if they are really bad. Corvettes are made to be driven and not garaged. Just enjoy, your pain will go away.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,155
Likes: 10
From: Kitchener Ontario
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,080
Likes: 151
From: Toronto
This guy went overboard, never saw the whole front end done, but...
I will be redoing mine soon, will be looking for the product he has installed.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1946332
I will be redoing mine soon, will be looking for the product he has installed.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1946332
First weekend with the new car and I got my first stone chip
Who's using what to help avoid this? Back in the day when I had my 1988 Firebird Formula (yes I had a mullet as well ) I had a "Bra" on the front of it. Does anyone still use this product. I don't want to Geek out a brand new ride but I want to protect the front as well
Thanks
Who's using what to help avoid this? Back in the day when I had my 1988 Firebird Formula (yes I had a mullet as well
) I had a "Bra" on the front of it. Does anyone still use this product. I don't want to Geek out a brand new ride but I want to protect the front as wellThanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,187
Likes: 6
From: Oakville Ontario,Canada
I already had my front bumper painted once... no big deal, drive it.. get chipped, paint it...repeat
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,087
Likes: 17
From: GTA Ontario
This guy went overboard, never saw the whole front end done, but...
I will be redoing mine soon, will be looking for the product he has installed.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1946332
I will be redoing mine soon, will be looking for the product he has installed.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1946332
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Paint these days is very soft and chips easily. I got mine painted at Lengendary Motor Cars and they use very hard Sikkens paint and I never got a chip for over 2 years which is unusal for me, with my luck I would normally have 2 paint chips driving home from the body shop 
I don't know but no one mentioned touch up paint, is that a no no ?
I don't know but no one mentioned touch up paint, is that a no no ?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,087
Likes: 17
From: GTA Ontario
Frank, don't know of any vendors in the GTA, but my brother ordered his custom cut kit from the US and installed it himself. It's been on his 2005 G35 Coupe since day one of ownership and the front end is as immaculate as the first day. There has been no discolouration of the film either.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa Ontario
Thank's for all the input. I'm just gonna leave it as is. I had the "Black Beauty's" windows tinted today and the owner of the reputable shop pull's up in a 02 Champagne Vette Convertible (very tastefully done up) and this is his 4th vette and he's never protected any of them, he said just leave it...this coming form a guy who could have soaked me for $500-$700 in an instant because I don't know any better. I'll take his word for. Oh and by the way...the first Mod looks great. The tint job give the car a whole new look.
Cheers