Clear bra (for cars guys)

[Southern Boy]

I’m thinking about doing my Genesis with a clear bra. Does anybody have any experience with clear bra applications?

I live in Florida and the love bugs that show up twice a year here are a real pain in the butt as far as cars go. It seems they have a body fluid that is on the acid side and when they get smashed on the front surfaces of the car, if they are not washed off in a short period of time the paint gets damaged.

There seem to be several manufactures of the film used to form the protected surfaces, but 3M seems to be the most popular. If you have experience with these applications or product, I would appreciate any comments or suggestion you may have.

I did a search on the internet and there is a company in California that has great web site with tons of information (www.invisablemask.com) on this product, but I can’t reach anybody to ask a few questions of before committing money to purchase. Anybody know anything about these guys?

 

[Mark_888]

There have been several threads (and many posts) about this in the past. I don't know how well the search function works on this site, but you might want to see if you can find them.

 

[pilotdane]

My personal opinion is "just say NO".

 

[dg_moore]

My personal opinion is "just say NO".

My personal opinion is "just say YES." I had 3M Ventureshield applied as soon as I bought the car - I got the full front treatment: everything from the bumper back to the front doors. The film is virtually undetectable, and has protected me against countless parking lot dings and flying road debris. I think it's well worth the cost myself.

 

[LA Genesis]

Southern Boy: Your link doesn't work because you misspelled invisible. Their phone number, with live human support, is listed under their FAQ. Here is a working link (I hope).

http://www.invisiblemask.com

Also, here is a link to the 3M Venureshield website. At the bottom of the page they have a "where to buy" section. Put your zip code in there and you'll likely find a Ventureshield dealer near you. If my link doesn't work google

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/...roducts/VentureShield/VentureShield-Consumer/

I always get parking lot door dings. I'm tempted to look into something for door protection but I'm leery of clear bra. dg_Moore has a black genesis and his endorsement has me thinking about it though. I would only protect the doors and maybe the bumpers.

 

[waveman]

I always get parking lot door dings. I'm tempted to look into something for door protection but I'm leery of clear bra. dg_Moore has a black genesis and his endorsement has me thinking about it though. I would only protect the doors and maybe the bumpers.

I worry more about door dings, as well. However, if the impact from a door next to my car is sufficient to indent the sheet metal, I wonder how much clear film will help. But I'm not about to get any of the add-on guards (like this one) that you apply when you park and remove before you drive off. I'd rather just be selective about where I leave my car (as much as that's possible) and keep a list of local paintless dent repair places handy.

 

[upsbroke]

FWIW- I liked the clear bra up until the guy gave me the estimate. All I wanted was front end and bikini cut on the hood with all edges tucked under. By the time he was done- the total was almost $1K.
I know most of you guys dislike the old style bra but Colgan just now came out with one for the "12's. I got mine Thursday and it fits well and doesn't look bad. I questioned some of the fasteners but it all worked in the end. $139

 

[Southern Boy]

Thanks for straightening me out on the web site address and the hyperlink for the other site. I’ll check it out.
As far as door dings go, I spoke to my son who drives a BMW 335I (Daily driver) and a 97 NSX (Sunday Driver “if it isn’t raining&#8221 and he told me that professional installers don’t use kits, but rather use sheet film that they cut to the car.
I would think that one of them could come up with door planes to protect your door from carless people.

 

[gray devil]

I have a full clear bra for my 2012 V6 Permium. I haven't had it installed yet as I'm debating on trading it in for an RSpec. I got a few quotes at 500 - 550 installed. Fortunately, for me a co-worker owns a tint shop and is a clear bra dealer. He's doing it for 400.

 

[Rey]

I had a clear bra on my '09 4.6. Previously, I had the grill painted black to color match the body. Found to my dismay that none of the "kits" include the grill slats, which with the aftermarket color match became the most vulnerable part of the car to paint chips. My kit included partial hood, which was clearly visible on a black car. A partial hood on a light-colored car is almost invisible. In my opinion, coating part of the hood may not be necessary as it is not as exposed as say the grill and what does hit the hood is done with a glancing blow.

Don't have a clear bra on my R-Spec. Concluded it is not worth the money.

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[jaboyd]

I had a complete front end done (fenders, hood, bumper, lower black plastic grille), and mirrors plus I had the headlights/foglights and rear bumper scuff protector at the trunk opening on my Platinum Rspec. It cost me $600 and looks really nice. They used a pre-cut kit and the install was quick....except for the headlights. The thick mat'ls used in the headlight kit evidently was pretty tough to install beacuse of the shape of the curved lights.

 

[scottdk]

Yellowed bra - sun damaged

Maybe not all brands do this in years of sun exposure.....

 

[milstartwo]

Hey Guys:

I will be getting a protective film put on the 4.6 I just picked up a week ago. I have had the film (llumar brand) put on two of my vehicles (2010 Nissan Armada, 2006 Lexus IS350). You can't tell the coating is on the car unless you are looking for it (unlike the sun-damaged film from a previous post). Has worked great on protecting the front fender and hood from chips, and actually saved me on someone who backed into my back bumper (slight tear in film but not a scratch on bumper). The Armada, a beast in terms of size, cost me about $450 to get the front fender, grill, headlights, foglights, side mirrors, and door handle wells. I am a believer in the film, but I have a great installer who gives very reasonable pricing (Delaware).

 

[STIRob]

Yellowed bra - sun damaged

Maybe not all brands do this in years of sun exposure.....

The old 3m film was notorious for doing that.

If you live in an area where there is allot of road debris like I do the clear bra is well worth the money. I dont own a Genesis yet (still researching the car) but if I do buy one I will have a clear bra installed.

 

[GS300rich]

Had 3m clear bra on my Lexus GS and I would never do it again. Any rocks that hit would mark up the bra and be very visible. I know the rock would have chipped the paint but, clear bra for front end was >$1k, repaint of front bumper and hood $600, so I just have it repainted every couple years. The better quality film will not yellow either. I have had it on my rear view mirrors for 5 years and no yellowing

 

[Philth]

If you choose to install a clear bra, I would advise against getting the one with UV blockers in it. Your paint will not fade under it, like the rest of the car will.

 

[Southern Boy]

I’m thinking about doing my Genesis with a clear bra. Does anybody have any experience with clear bra applications?

I live in Florida and the love bugs that show up twice a year here are a real pain in the butt as far as cars go. It seems they have a body fluid that is on the acid side and when they get smashed on the front surfaces of the car, if they are not washed off in a short period of time the paint gets damaged.

There seem to be several manufactures of the film used to form the protected surfaces, but 3M seems to be the most popular. If you have experience with these applications or product, I would appreciate any comments or suggestion you may have.

I did a search on the internet and there is a company in California that has great web site with tons of information (www.invisablemask.com) on this product, but I can’t reach anybody to ask a few questions of before committing money to purchase. Anybody know anything about these guys?

Thanks to everone for their input to my question
After extensive research, conversations with professional installers and postings on this site I have decided that the clear bra may not be all it is chalked up to be.
My main concern was paint damage from love bugs that appear twice a year in Florida. I was told by several professional detailers that multiple layers of wax will protect the paint from the paint damage caused by the acidity body fluids of these bugs.
All agreed that clear bras or any bra for that fact is excellent for protecting against paint clips from road trash or loose gravel. That is not a big problem in my area of Florida. The interstates are basically clear unless some open trucks allow spillage of their loads. So I will spend the money I would have spent on a clear bra on something else for my Jenny.