Does your car have a clear bra?

[Class-of-2013]

eh, if it's a leased car, clear bra-ing is probably a waste of money. You're essentially keeping it nice for the next person. In the event you want to buy the car later, you could respray / touch up some areas.

Look at this clear bra yellowing, gross.

[BimmerRob08]

Got my full hood, doors, CF roof, front grill and front fenders in Xpel. Head lights too. Saved my paint a bunch of times from flying rocks, door dings pulled with no repaint, etc. Worth every penny and can't see it unless you look very close. 4 years now and still going strong.

[pro-tect mobile]

Originally Posted by Class-of-2013

eh, if it's a leased car, clear bra-ing is probably a waste of money. You're essentially keeping it nice for the next person. In the event you want to buy the car later, you could respray / touch up some areas.

Look at this clear bra yellowing, gross.

Attachment 802216

Very true, but a nice car wil have a much higher resale value... even on a lease where they wont ding you for the damage to the car.

As far as film yellowing there are numerous brands of film, some may yellow while others wont. And even some films yellow because the owner applied petroleum based products to the film (most quic waxes have them in it) which casuse a chemical reaction and "burn" the film... making it look yellow. Either way its covered under warranty.

[Class-of-2013]

Originally Posted by pro-tect mobile

Very true, but a nice car wil have a much higher resale value... even on a lease where they wont ding you for the damage to the car.

As far as film yellowing there are numerous brands of film, some may yellow while others wont. And even some films yellow because the owner applied petroleum based products to the film (most quic waxes have them in it) which casuse a chemical reaction and "burn" the film... making it look yellow. Either way its covered under warranty.

I just saw the application of a nice clear bra (Ventureshield) recently on a GT3RS, 911 T, and M3, there's simply no getting around the lines that show around the bumper areas, as there are some sharp and awkward angles you can have to cut around the headlight, grills, etc. The application was uber professional and they tried to get super super close with a custom cut, but even then, some lines weren't robotic perfect.

They may seem invisble to some, but to me there are visible and my eyes would track to them. Also, it's worse on a white or black car (especiallly black), because the shine of the paint is different than the rest of the car.

Resale value is a moot point when you're planning to lease and return the car, that's the point I'm trying to make. If you own the car and plan to keep it forever, then that's different naturally.

I wish someone would just invent something you could buy for this car that is affordable as track car protection and reusable from track day to track day. I don't care if it's somewhat imperfect in the look, as long as it was doing its job.

[S65NAPWR]

It also dawned on me that if I kept the car, I would most likely put on a Arkym type bumper or get the 1M conversion. Possible even get a CF hood and paint it JB + other items. By default, I would have to re-paint the car anyways. And even if I didn't, a respray would be $1100 for the bumper and hood Similar price to Clear Bra.

[biggynuts01]

Originally Posted by Class-of-2013

eh, if it's a leased car, clear bra-ing is probably a waste of money. You're essentially keeping it nice for the next person. In the event you want to buy the car later, you could respray / touch up some areas.

Look at this clear bra yellowing, gross.

Attachment 802216

That is gross!

I just sent my car to my favorite auto body and paint shop. They are respraying my 4 yr old front bumper for $500. I figure $500 every 3-4 yrs not bad. Clear bra is about the same price but makes the car fugly.

[Class-of-2013]

Originally Posted by biggynuts01

That is gross!

I just sent my car to my favorite auto body and paint shop. They are respraying my 4 yr old front bumper for $500. I figure $500 every 3-4 yrs not bad. Clear bra is about the same price but makes the car fugly.

, that's what I thought as well. I guess you have to live with a couple knicks here and there, but that can be similar to noticing the lines on the car or worse yet, yellowing bra / plasticky sheen.

[Peahi]

No plastic wrap for me. I roll with no armor plate

[nchan50]

Full hood, full fenders, front bumper and mirrors with Xpel Ultimate. Can't see any seams/lines on my black car - this will depend on the quality of your installer. Besides road hazard, the clear bra also saved my paint from vanadalism. Poured a chocolate milkshake and tried to key my whole hood - clear bra took the damage but the paint underneath was fine.

[THE TECH]

I've had two different ones on at this point. I would recommend it. They will deflect damage that would normally be more extensive. In the end, you could remove and have perfect paint underneath.

[Class-of-2013]

Originally Posted by nchan50

Full hood, full fenders, front bumper and mirrors with Xpel Ultimate. Can't see any seams/lines on my black car - this will depend on the quality of your installer. Besides road hazard, the clear bra also saved my paint from vanadalism. Poured a chocolate milkshake and tried to key my whole hood - clear bra took the damage but the paint underneath was fine.

Damn, that's brutal. Now that's a clear bra!

[nchan50]

Originally Posted by Class-of-2013

Damn, that's brutal. Now that's a clear bra!

Agreed, I almost lost it when I came back to my car to see this and the milkshake was baked in for probably 1-2 hours in the summer sun. My wife, who never understood why I needed the clear bra, finally said she was relieved I had it b/c the paint underneath was undamaged.

[Rockliff]

Clear bra seems to be a "Catch 22" in my opinion. My M has it on the front and fender flares. The problem is when it gets nicked there is not way to repair it and it looks just as bad as a chip.

[SROC5]

Originally Posted by Rockliff

Clear bra seems to be a "Catch 22" in my opinion. My M has it on the front and fender flares. The problem is when it gets nicked there is not way to repair it and it looks just as bad as a chip.

I agree 100%, I was thinking about this as well. I know someone who recently put on a clear bra and it got scratched / marred in one area (protecting the paint underneath) and you can't buff it off or use some sort of wax to cover it up, it's there permanently unless you take it off.

[Car54]

Yes, I have several little white scars and no way to get them off.

[pro-tect mobile]

Thats why a self healing film is the way to go. Xpel Ultimate and Suntek both offer self healing films. Remember though, no film is bullet proof. And the point is to protect the paint. Its easier to replace a piece of film than to repsray and it will definitely protect the resale value of the car.

[SpiralOut]

I'm actually getting my Xpel Ultimate put on my M3 this afternoon. I track mine so on the track it's a great investment to keep the front from getting sandblasted. If I didn't track then i'm not sure if i would spend the $$ to do it.

[HighandDry]

Not the best picture to show the bra, but here's my 430 after the wheel company did a photoshoot of it. The whole front end is wrapped. There are no seams at all. All badges were removed and the film was tucked around and underneath the piece.

Also the Xpel is self healing, so any small marks disappear over time.

Nobody ever believes I have a bra on the car. It's that good.