Clear Bra: Yes or No?

[babylobster]

So I've been contemplating on getting clear bra or not. Can anyone give me the pros and cons? If yes, what kind/brand and any recommendations for shops in New York (preferably Queens or LI) that do a good job? I hear 3M is good. I got a quote for the front bumper, full hood, mirrors and rocker panels for a little over 1k, which I was told was pricey Are these the right areas to have covered, btw? I have had people telling me that you can't have the clear bra on the car for more than a few years because when you peel it off, you peel off paint with it Then I had other people tell me you discolor the paint where the clear bra is on...obviously not something anyone would want on their car...feeling very conflicted!

P.S. Newbie at this so any help is greatly appreciated! TIA!!!

[Gaiseric]

I have had a clearbra on my last car which was a gray metallic close to asphalt frs. I only did it on the front bumper and made sure it was seamless. I believe it was 300 or 350 installed at the time. If ur going to do the hood make sure its not half or a third and its the full hood otherwise when dirt builds up u can easily see a line. Same with when you wash and wax your car, you will have a line of white wax buildup around the edges.

Its great for rock chips and lovebugs down here in florida but I personally wouldn't get more than the bumper. One of my old clients had his Ferrari fully covered and I believe he said something around 1500-2000 bucks but I can't remember for sure.

As far as paint peeling off I can't tell you anything about that cause the car got totalled before I even bothered to take it off, which I probably wouldn't have.

[husker741]

I have it on my front bumper, hood, and fenders. It's a good investment over having to get a new, painted bumper in a few years.

[nalc]

As others have said, only complaint is dirt build up in the seam. If it's clean, the line is almost invisible (the day I got it I showed it to my dad, and I had to point to the seam for him to notice it, from 3 feet away), but once you have dirt/wax/claybar build-up in it, it becomes a little more noticeable, especially on a dark car. I don't know a good way to clean it, I tried a q-tip or a toothpick but you really need something that will dissolve the dirt and wax IMO.

[campy]

If you're gonna get a clear bra, pay extra and get a high-quality one. I hate seeing faded, peeling, dirty clearbras on otherwise clean cars.

[subaruferrucci]

you could try the 3m spray on clear bra

[Kelbyat07]

Dont know which clear bra to get but you should definitely get one. I wish i got mine dont a long time ago, stupid rocks.

[muffinz]

I have a Suntek clear bra on my bumper, 1/3 hood, and mirrors.

I regret not getting the fenders and rockers near the rear fenders covered because these areas have gotten chipped.

The suntek bra is invisible, but the installers I used F'ed it up. Suntek has proprietary cutting machines that cut out the templates for your car so the installer doesnt have to. Needless to say, it didnt cut out the templates to fit exactly...so I have unprotected gaps on my bumper where the separate pieces didn't abutt properly.

FURTHERMOREEEE on the hard corners and wierd angles, the installers screwed it up by using too much heat or stretching it too much, so there are orange peely spots.

Also, the pieces covering the mirrors are 2 pieces per mirror and the top edge looks like crap and is separating.

Finally, I'm pretty sure the installers I used didnt clean the surfaces beforehand because there is crap stuck between the bra and the paint.

Paid $750 + tints (tints flawless minus ~15 miniscule bubbles on back window). Worth it for the protection but boy am I unhappy with the quality of work. You can't see any of the aformentioned issues unless you are deliberately looking for them from within 3 feet.

Hope that helps your decision making process somehow

[jaymannj]

probably one of the most expensive but best investment I have made into my BRZ so far considering it does nothing for performance... used the 3m product... if you are near central jersey go to auto image in freehold/Manalapan on rt 9. I had the full bra halfway up the hood, lights, and mirrors all coated by the plastic... can barely see it unless you are real close to car... even then its blends in nicely, paid about 1400 for full treatment, Cheers

[LeeMaster]

Definitely get clear bra, I rather my bumper be covered with a plastic than to be covered with rock chips. I got mines done at a very very good price..

[cnk]

Had a 3M clearbra on my 02 WRX. It was just the bikini hood, but it saved the front from damage. I didn't get the bumper covered and it was chewed to crap from 10 years of rock chips.

On the BRZ I went with Xpel Ultimate. Full hood, fenders, bumpers, side mirrors, door cups, headlights, and rear bumper guard. It's expensive, but well worth it IMHO. I went with Leeberbs in Hillsborough. He's a favorite from the Subie community.

[Myv]

I recommend at least 1/4 panel hood, 1/4 front fenders and mirrors.

[Steve201brz]

Originally Posted by muffinz

I have a Suntek clear bra on my bumper, 1/3 hood, and mirrors.

I regret not getting the fenders and rockers near the rear fenders covered because these areas have gotten chipped.

The suntek bra is invisible, but the installers I used F'ed it up. Suntek has proprietary cutting machines that cut out the templates for your car so the installer doesnt have to. Needless to say, it didnt cut out the templates to fit exactly...so I have unprotected gaps on my bumper where the separate pieces didn't abutt properly.

FURTHERMOREEEE on the hard corners and wierd angles, the installers screwed it up by using too much heat or stretching it too much, so there are orange peely spots.

Also, the pieces covering the mirrors are 2 pieces per mirror and the top edge looks like crap and is separating.

Finally, I'm pretty sure the installers I used didnt clean the surfaces beforehand because there is crap stuck between the bra and the paint.

Paid $750 + tints (tints flawless minus ~15 miniscule bubbles on back window). Worth it for the protection but boy am I unhappy with the quality of work. You can't see any of the aformentioned issues unless you are deliberately looking for them from within 3 feet.

Hope that helps your decision making process somehow

I don't want to create issues but was wondering what installers you used. I don't want to slander anyone though so maybe a simple hint just to help other's avoid issues? Thanks for the info tho I am in the same boat as OP. Didn't realize the nice chunk of change this can cost but now I am seeing the benefits...

[babylobster]

Originally Posted by Gaiseric

I have had a clearbra on my last car which was a gray metallic close to asphalt frs. I only did it on the front bumper and made sure it was seamless. I believe it was 300 or 350 installed at the time. If ur going to do the hood make sure its not half or a third and its the full hood otherwise when dirt builds up u can easily see a line. Same with when you wash and wax your car, you will have a line of white wax buildup around the edges.

Its great for rock chips and lovebugs down here in florida but I personally wouldn't get more than the bumper. One of my old clients had his Ferrari fully covered and I believe he said something around 1500-2000 bucks but I can't remember for sure.

As far as paint peeling off I can't tell you anything about that cause the car got totalled before I even bothered to take it off, which I probably wouldn't have.

I went and got a quote for my car today and asked about the paint peeling issue. The guy said if your car didn't get repainted like say after an accident or something, it shouldn't peel off paint. I don't know if he was talking about all clear bra's or just Suntek which is what he uses at his shop.