Clear bra or not?

Rob · 02-10-2008, 07:08 PM

As the latest new car heads up the coast of Mexico (it went through the canal yesterday), I am trying to decide (again) Whether to clear bra. The thought was brought up this time by the paint comments in the M5 thread.

Every time I see a car with clear bra on it, I think "no way. I hate that ridge, I don't want to clean around it and I don't want to wax around it, and if I can see it from 15 feet, so can everyone else. I will respray every three years or so." This feeling was elevated when I recently drove my brother's corvette (wow) and I could see the edge of the clear bra from the drivers seat. That would drive me crazy.

Typically, I don't keep cars that long so it hasn't really been an issue.

I know what Stuka thinks. Anybody else? Is it worth putting up with being able to see the clear bra to avoid repainting?

BahnBaum · 02-10-2008, 07:11 PM

I think it depends on the color of the car. I had it done on a silver gray e46 and it was very hard to see. I would definitely do it again.

Alex

John V · 02-10-2008, 07:17 PM

You can get the kit wrapped so you don't have any seams. There are new kits available that go all the way up the hood, for instance. No sh1t.

I would definitely do it again. The Boxster has taken a couple of rocks that would have chipped the plastic of the bumper itself or gouged the metal of the hood had it hot been clearbra'd. And it's damned good for making cone juice easy to clean up

Taking the bumper off the car and having it repainted is a PITA. And it's difficult to perfectly match the (faded) factory paint, too. No thanks.

I'll never again own a vehicle without it.

Hell, I just clearbra'd the front and black of my blackberry.

Aerials · 02-10-2008, 07:39 PM

Do I like the clear bra? No

Would I do it to save the Original Paint? Yes

Do I care what others think it looks like? No

lip277 · 02-10-2008, 09:49 PM

I did it to my Yukon when I bought it in 2001. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Granted - Some colors hide it better than others, but - either way... Wrap the edges as was mentionted above to minimize the edges you see and...

Good as gold.

I would have done it to my Mustang, but there is no real place to wrap.... I'm still thinking of doing behind the wheels on the lower sides of the fenders...

*Plaz* · 02-10-2008, 10:08 PM

I've never been a fan of the shrinkwrap thing.

Aerials · 02-10-2008, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plaz

I've never been a fan of the shrinkwrap thing.

Same here. 2 kids later, and I still feel the same way..

*Plaz* · 02-10-2008, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LTS

Same here. 2 kids later, and I still feel the same way..

bren · 02-10-2008, 10:34 PM

Mine has become noticeably yellow, but I would still almost certainly do it again.

I picked up a used fog light recently to replace an original one I lost to a cone and there was a shocking amount of road rash on the used one compared to mine.

equ · 02-10-2008, 10:36 PM

I think it may depend on the color. For black/dark colors, it's good. Not so good on white, light silver (yellowing).

Never had one, perhaps should have put one on the CayS. Oh well, the worst paint chip is past where the bra would've ended. Such is life.

02-10-2008, 07:08 PM	#1
Rob The user formerly known as rwg Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: Z4 Location: Vegas baby! Posts: 8,261	Clear bra or not? As the latest new car heads up the coast of Mexico (it went through the canal yesterday), I am trying to decide (again) Whether to clear bra. The thought was brought up this time by the paint comments in the M5 thread. Every time I see a car with clear bra on it, I think "no way. I hate that ridge, I don't want to clean around it and I don't want to wax around it, and if I can see it from 15 feet, so can everyone else. I will respray every three years or so." This feeling was elevated when I recently drove my brother's corvette (wow) and I could see the edge of the clear bra from the drivers seat. That would drive me crazy. Typically, I don't keep cars that long so it hasn't really been an issue. I know what Stuka thinks. Anybody else? Is it worth putting up with being able to see the clear bra to avoid repainting?

02-10-2008, 07:11 PM	#2
BahnBaum Tilting Rocinante Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Havre de Grace, MD Posts: 6,244	I think it depends on the color of the car. I had it done on a silver gray e46 and it was very hard to see. I would definitely do it again. Alex __________________

02-10-2008, 09:49 PM	#5
lip277 The old cranky SOB.... Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: several cars... way too many.... Location: Near Seattle Posts: 4,798	I did it to my Yukon when I bought it in 2001. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Granted - Some colors hide it better than others, but - either way... Wrap the edges as was mentionted above to minimize the edges you see and... Good as gold. I would have done it to my Mustang, but there is no real place to wrap.... I'm still thinking of doing behind the wheels on the lower sides of the fenders... __________________ *Kevin* 1970 2800CS - - 2001 740iL - - 2006 997.1 - - 2012 Escalade 1968 Mustang GT Convertible - - 2003 Ford F250 PSD - - 1985 728i

02-10-2008, 10:08 PM	#6
Plaz ••••••• Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: '11 1M Location: Churzee Posts: 17,741	I've never been a fan of the shrinkwrap thing. __________________ 2011 1M

02-10-2008, 07:17 PM	#3
John V No more BMWs Join Date: Apr 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: Ram, MS3, CX-5, RX-8 Location: Glenwood, MD Posts: 14,753	You can get the kit wrapped so you don't have any seams. There are new kits available that go all the way up the hood, for instance. No sh1t. I would definitely do it again. The Boxster has taken a couple of rocks that would have chipped the plastic of the bumper itself or gouged the metal of the hood had it hot been clearbra'd. And it's damned good for making cone juice easy to clean up Taking the bumper off the car and having it repainted is a PITA. And it's difficult to perfectly match the (faded) factory paint, too. No thanks. I'll never again own a vehicle without it. Hell, I just clearbra'd the front and black of my blackberry.

02-10-2008, 07:39 PM	#4
Aerials Jaded Join Date: Sep 2007 Carmudgeonly Ride: 3.5 SE Posts: 522	Do I like the clear bra? No Would I do it to save the Original Paint? Yes Do I care what others think it looks like? No

02-10-2008, 10:34 PM	#9
bren lawn boy Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: e46m3, f25x3,C5 Z06, C4 Vette, 06 CTD Ram, and a trailer Location: Maryland Posts: 14,029	Mine has become noticeably yellow, but I would still almost certainly do it again. I picked up a used fog light recently to replace an original one I lost to a cone and there was a shocking amount of road rash on the used one compared to mine.

02-10-2008, 10:36 PM	#10
equ Alphanumeric Join Date: Aug 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i Posts: 9,584	I think it may depend on the color. For black/dark colors, it's good. Not so good on white, light silver (yellowing). Never had one, perhaps should have put one on the CayS. Oh well, the worst paint chip is past where the bra would've ended. Such is life.