10 Series - Clear Bra or Repaint? What are you doing?

[Obsidiank]

I love tits...just think it weird to have use the term bra when there are no "tits" on a the car.

[FV]

clear bra is more expensive than a repaint, i dont see what just respray the front bumper after a year or so

[Obsidiank]

ugh, not sure why I'm having such a hard time on this decision. It's $500 bucks. I think that fact that I'm paying so much for plastic really bugs me. Secondly, I feel like all I'm doing is protecting the car for the next owner...but maybe I won't ever sell it cause I love it so much.

The poll is almost dead even so that doesn't help. Here's a question for you folks that I'm confused on. When a rock hits the clear film, the clear film still scratches right? So instead of chipping the paint, I'm chipping the film?

[thill]

Originally Posted by FV

clear bra is more expensive than a repaint, i dont see what just respray the front bumper after a year or so

Well, what about after year 2, year 3, year 5?

Also what about your hood?

[thill]

Originally Posted by Obsidiank

ugh, not sure why I'm having such a hard time on this decision. It's $500 bucks. I think that fact that I'm paying so much for plastic really bugs me. Secondly, I feel like all I'm doing is protecting the car for the next owner...but maybe I won't ever sell it cause I love it so much.

The poll is almost dead even so that doesn't help. Here's a question for you folks that I'm confused on. When a rock hits the clear film, the clear film still scratches right? So instead of chipping the paint, I'm chipping the film?

I have used a clear bra on my last two cars and never noticed any scratches or holes in the bra even going on year 3.

I suppose if you hit something large or sharp enough it will damage the clear bra, but that is pretty extreme.

The Xpel clear bra is supposedly "self-healing". I have heard good things about it. I went with Ventureshield because I have used it on previous cars and it was cheapest and had good results.

I understand your reluctance. I am in an area where there is tons of growth and construction and there are trucks hauling dirt and rocks everywhere so it was a no brainier for me.

You could always just do the bumper for about half the cost and meet in the middle.

[OICU812]

Xpel clear film. It's fast more durable then 3M and been thoroughly tested and is guaranteed not to yellow etc...my entire front end, fenders, hood etc all done and I've seen tons of shit hit and nick these portions and it does what it says it protects very well. That and as said get entire sections done, not one person has even noticed I have film on the car I have to tell them actually even then they're confused?

[spitfire481]

I have my own body shop, yet my full bumper/hood/fenders are wrapped in xpel film. Also my front end on my gti has been wrapped in ventureshield for 3 years

[Amir Ghadiri]

I don't have a bra and have no chips either, Knock on wood. All I have is the rear bumper appliqué. Should my bumper get scratched or chipped, I'd probably just repaint. If its not too bad I'd just touch up and colorsand

[Obsidiank]

ok, I think I've decided to do the front bumper only for $250...which is a nice compromise between spending too much and nothing at all. So in doing my research I found out that most people get the bumper,hooder, fender kit not because it's necessary but because that's the precut that's offered by a lot of installers. I found a guy that does custom venture and he was like, just do the front bumper as 90% of chips happen there. Anyone disagree? How many people's hood/fender looks like swiss cheese?

[thill]

Originally Posted by Obsidiank

ok, I think I've decided to do the front bumper only for $250...which is a nice compromise between spending too much and nothing at all. So in doing my research I found out that most people get the bumper,hooder, fender kit not because it's necessary but because that's the precut that's offered by a lot of installers. I found a guy that does custom venture and he was like, just do the front bumper as 90% of chips happen there. Anyone disagree? How many people's hood/fender looks like swiss cheese?

I think that is pretty accurate (bumper). I did partial hood only because it was $500 for eveything and the car is so low to the ground, but I think the front bumper is where like 90% of the chips will happen. Seems like a good compromise. If you get some chips on the hood, you can just touch them up.

Check this video out. I think it will help you see where most chips occur on the car:
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyiIQmi6WW8"]BRZ Weekly Update #18: Paint Quality and This Week in Automotive News - YouTube[/ame]

[Obsidiank]

thanks for that vid. Helps me reinforce my decision.

[thill]

Originally Posted by Obsidiank

thanks for that vid. Helps me reinforce my decision.

I thought so too

Honestly if I had to do it all over again, I probably would have just gotten the bumper done too.

[Obsidiank]

Getting wrapped today

[Obsidiank]

He found a deep scratch on the right passenger aide of the bumper. Sad face. Not sure how it got there. Maybe hit a high curb