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

[Obsidiank]

So I did a search and found a bunch of threads but I wanted to see what other owners thought.

After having the car for a few days, I'm starting to get nervous about rock chips and have started the process of looking into getting a clear bra. God I hate saying that...clear film..whatever. Anyways, quotes in my area for partial hood, full bumper, and fenders come in around $500 - $600.

I'm also thinking of just letting it roll and then repainting after a few years at a similar costs. Given that we have a "special" paint color, do you think it would cost more to repaint?

What are you doing?

[Sasquachulator]

clear bra. It's going to look real ugly after a few years when you let the rock chips have a field day with your front end.

[Ryuu0u]

Chances are is you already have a rock chip and didn't find it yet. Do the clear 3m spray on stuff and tell us how that goes.

[SpyderDan]

I've only had the car 11 days, but I already have 1 chip on the front bumper, and a couple on the rear (I assume from another car tapping the bumper while squeezing into a tight spot behind me).

Too late for a clear bra, but I've never liked the idea of those anyway. Unfortunately, the bumper covers are black underneath the paint, so it really shows on a light color like ignition silver.

Finding matching touch-up paint and using a toothpick seems to be the best course of action for me.

If it gets bad, I may re-paint a matching color, and spend for more durable paint than this thin water-based eco stuff they are stuck with using in Japan these days.

[Luis_GT]

I've never put a clear bra on any of my cars... I like to live dangerously...

[Khyron686]

I hated the old 3M stuff, but I paid almost 1000 for Xpel and did the whole hood/front - it's really good (google xpel self healing). It also makes cleaning bugs really simple too.

I will never ever do a partial hood again. That always looks like crap after a month or so.

[projek_01]

In the rock littered streets of Calgary, a clear bra is a must. Colour matching silver paint is usually quite difficult. Maybe be worse when it comes to silver ignition.

[Apes Six]

For me personally I would say nothing. Clear bra wouldn't be bad but I never liked how you can see the line if a partial is done on the hood. Enjoy the car rock chips are just a part of driving that really can't be avoided. Congratulations tho and welcome to the club.

[Burrcold]

I did full front, hood, and fenders and couldn't be happier. I should have done it from the beginning, because there were already a ton of rock chips that were repaired from only a few months of driving. Not a single one since, and you can't tell the clear bra is even there.

[encity5]

I got clear bra on my previous car, after about 10 seconds, I learned that no, I really do hate that visible "bra" line on the hood. Glad it protected the car. But I was always able to see that line.
If I had to do it again, I would get clear film on the entire car or at least the wntire "panel" it goes on to

[supra2nv]

thinking of 3m paint defender, idk what you think?

[shiumai]

I got clear bra (xpel film) installed two days after i picked up my car. after all the rock chips i got on my previous car with no protection, i vowed 'never again'. sure, you can repaint eventually, but all the way up until that time, it's just going to look progressively bad with increasing chips. with the clear bra, you don't see a single one until the clear bra is replaced for whatever reason (yellowing etc).

if you don't care about how your car looks, don't do anything. if you do, clear bra keeps it looking better the whole time it's on. Just MHO.

[Wes]

I'd say Opticoat then Clear Bra, thats what I wished I have done, but clear bra is just fine I'm glad I got it done.

[Asphalt~86]

tits make you uncomfortable don't they?