To clear or not to clearbra the car?

[REDEEMED]

should I put on Venture or the new 3M, or run around naked? I've done my homework and read the voluminous posts on the subject here at the forum. And understand that at the end of the day, everyone makes their own choice. I've seen a few hi-end p-cars with newly applied and felt to be properly done applications, and depending on the angle (in brite sunlite) the ending edge was clearly visible. Not so cool. Also I guess I can't get over the issue of why I'm gonna be so much more pleased with my rock-chipped, sand-blasted, dinged up, gnarly-looking clearbra'd lower panels knowing that I've only SOMEWHAT protected the paint underneath. I mean, do we replace the clearbra every year or 2? Or am I wrong in that the clearbra product offers EXTREME protection and somehow doesn't show the inevitable minor sandblasting and dinging that must occur if we drive the dang thing. I think I could live with cleabra on lower half of bumpers, rocker panels, back half of wheel wells---those areas that never are well lit, because they're curvng "under" the car, but do I have the option of telling the guy to only do certain areas and to always end at a point where 2 panels join? It seems from the posts that most of you like the product, so I'd like some comments from those that remain pleased with it and those who think, after weighing the pluses and minuses it's NOT the way to go. thanks, as always. bma2

 

[Mullet]

this is my opinion on these.........

If you plan to keep the car for a looooong time, are a freak about perfection and plan on making it a garage queen get one.

If you fall outside this category forget about it and drive the pants off the car. You can always respray the front end or whatever part needs it. This is not some super rare (super low production) car.

My Ferrari came with the front covered and I can say on certain color cars it is barely noticable. Would I put it on a car of mine that does not already have it. no

 

[soroush]

i wouldnt put it on eighter, personal choice, especially on a black or blue car, lighter colors are less noticable.

 

[Kayvan]

?

How does it not affect the paint over time.....

unless the 3M technology breathes, is UV neutral, or nano

Seems like if an area is not protected and the other area is it will have two different results...

from fallout, to particluates, to rain, etc

 

[shelbyelite]

Ok, I have do disagree with the views we have gotten so far. If the clear bra is done RIGHT, it is well worth it. Now, if the job is less than par, it takes away from the look of the car, but I have had clear bra on many cars over the years and it has done its job beautifully. Also, I have removed clear bra that was on cars for 3 years or so and once removed you can not tell it was ever there and the paint was perfect underneith. I am by no means trying to sell anyone on the clear bra as it is a total pain in my ARSS getting my clear bra guy to come out to the shop and install it PERFECTLY, but it reallllllly helps protect the cars. And yes, the clear bra material holds up MUCH better than paint. The GOOD material does not show any sand blasting or small rock chips. Now if a boulder hits your car, yes its gonna damage even the clear film, but this is only in extreme cases. To each his own. Worst case you are only out the $1k of so that you will spend on an extensive clear bra, but for me it has always been WELL worth it. Again, its all in the quality of film and installation.

 

[soroush]

Ok, I have do disagree with the views we have gotten so far. If the clear bra is done RIGHT, it is well worth it. Now, if the job is less than par, it takes away from the look of the car, but I have had clear bra on many cars over the years and it has done its job beautifully. Also, I have removed clear bra that was on cars for 3 years or so and once removed you can not tell it was ever there and the paint was perfect underneith. I am by no means trying to sell anyone on the clear bra as it is a total pain in my ARSS getting my clear bra guy to come out to the shop and install it PERFECTLY, but it reallllllly helps protect the cars. And yes, the clear bra material holds up MUCH better than paint. The GOOD material does not show any sand blasting or small rock chips. Now if a boulder hits your car, yes its gonna damage even the clear film, but this is only in extreme cases. To each his own. Worst case you are only out the $1k of so that you will spend on an extensive clear bra, but for me it has always been WELL worth it. Again, its all in the quality of film and installation.

yes and no, I you drive agressive nothing can help, If you are always carefull the clear bra may save you from that one or two rock chips that you may get driving around, Im in the first group:biggrin

 

[B O N Y]

I have used the two suppliers mentioned and always had great installers.

After rock hits they all become pocked

The only answer is the bra.

I have the windshield film on now. It has saved the glass but is also pocked where stones have it.

 

[skyrex]

I agree with the no bra group, and like JB I have resprayed the front of a car to get it back to perfect. They are less noticeable on the lighter colors, but real noticeable on the dark colors.

But I also agree with Shelby that the quality of the installer is what makes or breaks whether you will be happy with it or not. Unfortunately from the ones I have seen, most people don't have access to a great installer like he does. I like the look of well cared for seamless paint. Use the blue tape at the track to protect yourself and accept that you may have to face a chip or two. I waffled about the clear bra for awhile, but ended up in the no category. Good luck with the choice. :cheers

 

[MAD IN NC]

SpeedLingerie!

 

[B O N Y]

I have used the two suppliers mentioned and always had great installers.

After rock hits they all become pocked

The only answer is the bra.

I have the windshield film on now. It has saved the glass but is also pocked where stones have it.

 

[shelbyelite]

Bony is working on his post count again. Can we get a moderator for the moderator? :biggrin

 

[RALPHIE]

I think it depends on where you live and the road conditions where you frequently drive. In the mountains or other heavy snowfall areas where cinders are prevalent all year, I consider it a must, otherwise all the leading edges will be eventually be clear of paint. Yet, with the clearbra, I see no pockmarking or any changes in the clearbra surface - perhaps because the cinders are small, much smaller than gravel used when roads are being resurfaced.

Again, it depends on where you do your motoring....

 

[Superfly]

I think it depends on where you live and the road conditions where you frequently drive. In the mountains or other heavy snowfall areas where cinders are prevalent all year, I consider it a must, otherwise all the leading edges will be eventually be clear of paint. Yet, with the clearbra, I see no pockmarking or any changes in the clearbra surface - perhaps because the cinders are small, much smaller than gravel used when roads are being resurfaced.

Again, it depends on where you do your motoring....

Ralphie, your post is absolutely spot on!! SO TRUE.

In California I don't know if it's a big worry, but here in the frozen north, where they salt and gravel the roads through the winter, and where that shite stays on the road until June (or at least late in May) if you want to start driving in March when the snow is gone (or almost gone), you pretty much HAVE to have the 3M. If it's a total garage queen, or you live in a place like Arizona or California where (I'm told by Sky over and over and over :wink) there are smooth roads and no gravel, or if you live in a climate like mine and you don't mind respraying your car every other year (if you care at ALL about how it looks), then don't do it. But I live here. And for the road conditions I face, it's a MUST. :thumbsup

If it's done right, it's barely noticeable and certainly not visible from 8-10 feet. But like Shelby says, GET IT DONE RIGHT!!! Otherwise you'll hate it, wonder why you ever ruined your car with it, and impatiently await the opportunity to remove it.

That's what I think. :cheers

 

[Spirit]

SpeedLingerie!

+1 = I wear a Solid Black Bra:thumbsup

Then there is Bony - Running around with his white bra showing.:eek
or
Dr. Frank - Being seen in public wearing a Red Bra with White Stripes.:lol

 

[BillyRay]

Arnold said---do it do it!!!!!!!!! ( Predator)

Its not cheap, I was quoted 700 to 800 for the whole front end.
I,am doing my black GT soon!

 

[Superfly]

Its not cheap, I was quoted 700 to 800 for the whole front end.
I,am doing my black GT soon!

For what it's worth, get your installer to get the LARGE 4 foot sections for your front fenders. Then they can be covered in ONE piece so that there are ZERO seams. It's more expensive plastic, but much more invisible. :thumbsup

 

[skyrex]

Okay, Okay.....I am spoiled by 300+ sun filled driving days available each year. I am forgetting my Pittsburgh roots because I have been here so long. Ralphie and 'Fly make excellent points for the bra. The way roads look after they are salted in a environment that has four seasons coupled with the amount of time it takes that stuff to make it off the roads even after the weather breaks would warrant a protection plan for even their most wonderful highways.

I will write 500 times on the black board "Remember not everyone is blessed with your weather" . Please accept my humble mea culpa. :biggrin

'Fly I will keep the conversations away from weather and steered towards the important topics like hockey, cars and women......athough not in that order. :lol

 

[BlackICE]

I have used the two suppliers mentioned and always had great installers.

After rock hits they all become pocked

The only answer is the bra.

I have the windshield film on now. It has saved the glass but is also pocked where stones have it.

Pocked marks beat paint chips, but you are right a bras offer more protection, but also require more maintenance.

 

[GFORCE]

Yes +no

I live on cape cod,Dunes wind you get.Don't drive if its windy or sand on road
Black gt its sucks,yellow not to bad.

 

[Hammer]

I went back and forth about this for quite awhile. Got a significant (1/2" size) paint chip on the nose fascia within the first few months of ownership in 06; took it to Saleen in Irvine for repaint. Decided to do Ventureshield on the nose, rocker panels, mirrors and rear quarters before driving to Scottsdale, then Vegas this fall. In Arizona, a tumbleweed jumped into my lane and I had no choice but to slam into it at highway speed. Sounded awful. Looked at the clearbra and saw only minor scuff marks on the covering - no paint damage at all. Yes, you can see the seams a little if you look closely, but I'm now a believer. A repaint of the whole right front quarter section would have cost much more than the price of the protective film. Like everyone else, I agree that you have to go with the very best installer in your area, if you're going to do it.