Anyone bought a car bra?

[OneFunGenesis]

Geezus! I just ordered some bulk film off of eBay. I am somewhat looking forward to installing it. I have done tons of vinyl installs, so this is not much different. The only difference will be the lack of compound curves to navigate. It'll be a simpiler install no doubt

 

[scottdk]

Geezus! I just ordered some bulk film off of eBay. I am somewhat looking forward to installing it. I have done tons of vinyl installs, so this is not much different. The only difference will be the lack of compound curves to navigate. It'll be a simpiler install no doubt

Post your pics or video and don't forget your Mactac if you don't already own one

 

[OneFunGenesis]

Excuse my ignorance...Mactac...?

 

[scottdk]

Excuse my ignorance...Mactac...?

Fair question OFG! It is used to push fingers down on paint protection film during install and a pretty firm force is necessary. A normal squeege or bondo card or other tint tools will damage the film under hard pressure. I even sometimes use my Mactac when I'm heat shrinking film for auto back windows

The tool is listed under paint protection tools on 44tools.com which is where I get a lot of my tools and supplies for tinting. Awesome site.

http://www.44tools.com/p-548-mactac-felt-squeegee.aspx

The MACTAC Felt Squeegee can be used to apply vinyl stripes, paint protection film, vehicle wraps, lettering and decals without damaging or tearing the materials. Great for installing all digital prints without scratching! Many installers use the MACTAC when heat shrinking rear windows. Made of high quality compressed felt.

 

[jime]

The 3M bra was installed by a professional installer in December of 2003. The bra looked great for about 5 years, but then the grit that scratches your hard windshield over time took a toll on the plastic.

I spent several hours removing the bra after 6 years of it being on the car. I even purchased the 3M adhesive remover that was recommended to aid in the removal.

And claims are easy to make – but I have been there and I don’t believe that there has been any great new discoveries in plastic that can address the limitations of a plastic coating. Otherwise we would see it provided as something other than “aftermarket”.

 

[SmoovC]

The 3M bra was installed by a professional installer in December of 2003. The bra looked great for about 5 years, but then the grit that scratches your hard windshield over time took a toll on the plastic.

I spent several hours removing the bra after 6 years of it being on the car. I even purchased the 3M adhesive remover that was recommended to aid in the removal.

And claims are easy to make – but I have been there and I don’t believe that there has been any great new discoveries in plastic that can address the limitations of a plastic coating. Otherwise we would see it provided as something other than “aftermarket”.

3M offers only a 5 year warranty; Xpel offers a 10 year on both materials and labor.

Yes, "claims are easy to make". Just like any other Industry, technology changes, and usually for the better. A great example in the automotive realm would be window tint film.

If you look at the bottom rear of your rocker panels, there is product applied in that area from the Factory. Hyundai is not the only manufacturer to do so.

Obviously they see some benefit; otherwise they would have saved the money and not done it.

 

[OneFunGenesis]

Fair question OFG! It is used to push fingers down on paint protection film during install and a pretty firm force is necessary. A normal squeege or bondo card or other tint tools will damage the film under hard pressure. I even sometimes use my Mactac when I'm heat shrinking film for auto back windows

The tool is listed under paint protection tools on 44tools.com which is where I get a lot of my tools and supplies for tinting. Awesome site.

http://www.44tools.com/p-548-mactac-felt-squeegee.aspx

Interesting. I have never scratched my vinyl using a plastic squeegee wrapped in 3 layers of paper towel and then soaked in solution lol.

I can make a Mactac from the felt I have at home too. Decisions decisions lol

 

[scottdk]

Interesting. I have never scratched my vinyl using a plastic squeegee wrapped in 3 layers of paper towel and then soaked in solution lol.

I can make a Mactac from the felt I have at home too. Decisions decisions lol

Yeah I use all sorts - plastic tint cards wrapped in a paper towel as you mentioned, but I change it up I have installed the paint protection before, and from my experience the paint protection film is very thick (8mil?) compared to window film (2-4mil) or any vinyl I have used. I couldn't imagine installing paint protection without a mactac......you will start tearing through your paper towels quickly and build your frustration I like your idea of making your own with felt already owned.

 

[OneFunGenesis]

Yep, a little super glue and some felt it is, I think lol

 

[stuz88]

Well, lots of fun correspondence but I never got a reply to my original post!!!
(Le Bra or Colgan). I have ordered a Colgan and here's why. I was a Research Director for several different Companies that make plastic films for 40 years, including vinyl, and I personally do not believe that in Florida it will stand up to the heat and UV for more than a year or two. I would also be worried that either the adhesive would fail, or contrariwise, stick to the paint. I was involved in producing the white polypropylene film you will see protecting new cars on transporters, and even though thats a one time use, formulating it for cars to sit in dealers backyards for a few months was tricky.
Incidentally, the paint adhesion to the rubber parts on my Genesis is terrible. I barely touched my PT Cruiser backing out of the garage (well, I'm 75 and thats my excuse) and the paint came off down to the black rubber on that 1" wide strip that goes around the back. There was no damage to the Cruisers paint, and I used the scotch tape test to check paint adhesion (a standard in the Industry) and it took more paint off. Its only costing me $50 to get it touched up, but it certainly confirmed my choice not to use a plastic bra.
I have put bras on a Probe GT, Marquis, Maxima and never had an issue with differing color, abrasion etc, maybe because I only get good quality, and take them off for a front end wash and wax every few months.Here in Florida we get infested with lovebugs twice a year and they secrete an acid that will eat right through the clearcoat if not removed quickly. I just bought my 2010 after leasing for 3 years as we have been so pleased with it.

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[upsbroke]

I guess I'm the only one with a Colgan. I purchased it shortly after my purchase in July of '11. I wasn't real happy with the way it attaches- especially the S hooks that go inside the fender. The stretch spandex that they use rubs the lip of the fender. It appeared to be wearing into the clear of the fender lip so from then on I use a strip of painter's tape under the strap to protect the paint. I complained to Colgan but got no response.

When I purchased my '12- I initially got an estimate for the clear bra- front end and a bikini cut on the hood. The estimate was almost $1k so I opted out.