so, about bras...

[YXEBears]

Not a fan of the clear bra products myself but want something a fair bit more substantial than waxes or coatings. As I'm generally a fair bit older than most on here, I recall a few trends which are mostly obsolete.
This said, any thoughts on old school car bras? Such as this-http://www.colgancustom.com/products/index.phtml?prod_id=colgan_bc&cust_id=colgan&SYSTE M=cartlink&SESSIONID=&ACTION=https://www.covercraft.com/cart/cart.php?action=add
Input is appreciated!

[TruRace]

Imo the "old school" bra is kind of tacky. Maybe if your putting one on for a long trip, that's alright, but for every day I think it's really an eye sore. I've got a clear bra on my car and its fantastic. Clear bras aren't cheap though so if your trying to save cash go with a traditional bra. I've had to reprint my bumper from how wrecked it got over the years, so either option will be a great investment.

[YXEBears]

thanks @TruRace yeah, we're looking at a road trip this summer close to 10k miles, plus the car is slated to be my DD year round, so will be exposed to sanded roads in winter also. everyone hates on the paint on these cars, when everything now has the same crappy water borne paint which chips easily...
I know the old school vinyl bra has drawbacks too, but does anything else give this kind of protection? sounds like even the clear ones degrade fairly quickly from your comment, or had it been subjected to a harsh environment also? you're definitely correct in feeling that they look cheesy hahaha

[Atticus808]

little particles can get between the car and the bra you're looking at and cause tiny scratches or swirls.

I have a clear bra on my car and its great

[TruRace]

No maybe I wasn't clear. The clear bra is awesome. My only regret is not doing the hood. I got the clear bra after about a year owning the car. My commute is 60+ and it was just terrible around when I thought about getting the clear bra. Ended up hitting some debris on the highway and got the bumper repaired, then clear bra. Been holding up great. Only down side the clear bra can still crack or tear depending on what kind of crap ends up hitting you number on the highway.

[RichardsFRS]

My car came with a clear bra over 1/4 of the hood. I think some others here did as well. Don't know if its a factory thing or used to be or what, but I do know I will never take it off as it works way to well. You can see the faint outline of it on the hood if you look close enough.

http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/o...psq53twmut.jpg

[YXEBears]

thanks for the input everyone guess I have reservations about the clear partial hood as I had one installed on my Volvo XC60 when I bought it (black), and I hated the line, as well it seemed like the finish was "muted" where the bra was...
ah, probably just get a good layer of opticoat and hope for the best

[RichardsFRS]

I will post you a pic looking top down to hood

http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/o...psazr1rpyb.jpg

This one you can see the line a little better. But it doesn't bother me I just keep the dirt off it to make it less visible

http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps95i4yqrg.jpg

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by YXEBears

................... yeah, we're looking at a road trip this summer close to 10k miles, plus the car is slated to be my DD year round, so will be exposed to sanded roads in winter also. everyone hates on the paint on these cars, when everything now has the same crappy water borne paint which chips easily...

Hi ya old timer .....

Oh, you might consider saving yourself some money and aggravation, by just considering the chips and nicks on the front of your car .... "patina" ..... the badge of a true road warrior.




humfrz

[Packofcrows]

clear bra is well worth it. I've kicked myself for not having one. Maybe once I get the new Supra or 228i, I'll get the extra protection for sure~

[RichardsFRS]

I'm anxious to see the Supra. All the renderings I've seen it looks alot like a FRS on roids.

[YXEBears]

@humfrz yes that will probably be the way it will happen! these new cars with plastic and thin paint just don't stand up like thick steel and enamel... but they're sure a lot more fun to drive, and a lot safer to be in if things go wrong!

[YXEBears]

@RichardFRS thanks for the pictures it's the line that sets my ocd in gear hahaha I went full protection film on my Volvo, seeing them everywhere really didn't make my day hahaha

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by YXEBears

@humfrz yes that will probably be the way it will happen! these new cars with plastic and thin paint just don't stand up like thick steel and enamel... but they're sure a lot more fun to drive, and a lot safer to be in if things go wrong!

Yep, it took a big rock to chip (the chrome) off the front bumper on them older cars ......


humfrz