Question about clear bra

rockrboy · 06-20-2011, 03:48 PM

Hi guys,

I'm about to buy a e93. should i clear bra only the front of the hood or the whole hood. I'm just asking because of the bump on the hood might be more vulnerable to rock chips.

what's your experience?

thanks

KGB7 · 06-20-2011, 03:50 PM

Just do the whole car.

Sean05 · 06-20-2011, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KGB7

Just do the whole car.

big difference in cash...

front bumper, HOOD, and fender usually cost 400-600...

if you want the entire car? 1-3k depending on whos doing it.

i would do the entire front... bumper, full hood and fender partial....

I have a 3m clear bra but regret it when i had it only partial installed on the hood.

ES_TRADER · 06-20-2011, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockrboy

Hi guys,

I'm about to buy a e93. should i clear bra only the front of the hood or the whole hood. I'm just asking because of the bump on the hood might be more vulnerable to rock chips.

what's your experience?

thanks

The hood is not necessary as 95% of road debri will impact your bumper and headlights. I wrapped full bumper and headlights and have been whacked by tires and wood..all saved by clearbra. Car had 9k miles on it and no chips on hood at all or powerdome. Not to say that it's impossible to get smacked by an outlier rock but from my experience there's none on my hood.

I debated the same issue too but glad I stuck with bumper only. After a while clearbra doesn't shine like new paint so I opted for nothing on hood and just use touch up here and there. Too much plastic on the car makes it looking too plasticy

FVM3 · 06-20-2011, 04:03 PM

if your car is white, never ever get the clear bra

rockrboy · 06-20-2011, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christopherchenm

if your car is white, never ever get the clear bra

The car is Red :-)

Quote:

Originally Posted by KGB7

Just do the whole car.

Hum... That would be way too expensive IMO and not really useful.

I guess I'm starting to think part-hood. The car will be only used in the summer, on nice days. so it's just about avoiding touch ups, that I personally suck at doing.

Thanks guys for the replies.

KGB7 · 06-20-2011, 04:47 PM

I would defiantly do front bumper and then behind each tire a quarter of a quarter panel. Also do the side skirts. Those are the areas that gets crap on them the most.

FVM3 · 06-20-2011, 04:49 PM

IMHO i will never clear bra because after a while, that clear bra area will not be as shiny as the paint and that doesnt look good

FrozenGman · 06-20-2011, 04:51 PM

I would highly recommend a clear bra, and I would also recommend doing the entire hood. Mainly for cosmetic reasons. Even with good clear bra's you will see the line where the bra finishes on the hood. Over time it will collect dirt and wax (unless you are careful). I would highly recommend full panels where its needed for this very reason.

Experience also states that the biggest difference in the clear bra is not the material but who applies it. I would do some research and see some cars from the guys doing yours.

I recently saw an M3 with 4,000 miles and it had two rock chips on the hood, one near the badge, the 2nd right on the apex of the power bulge.

I'm doing the entire bumper, hood, front fenders, rockers, wing mirrors and rear underside of bumper (from wheel arch back (following the crease line)

FVM3 · 06-20-2011, 04:54 PM

Clear bra the hood

Sean05 · 06-20-2011, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christopherchenm

IMHO i will never clear bra because after a while, that clear bra area will not be as shiny as the paint and that doesnt look good

i have 40+k and mine still shiny as hell... usually no one notice mine unless they are up close and personal. LOL

depends on how you take care of them.

FVM3 · 06-20-2011, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean05

i have 40+k and mine still shiny as hell... usually no one notice mine unless they are up close and personal. LOL

depends on how you take care of them.

Maybe the one i saw was some crappy ones

M3luvr · 06-20-2011, 05:12 PM

You should do the entire hood. I only have a partial hood, the bumper & headlight. You can see the line on a partial and I got a chip just past the bra on my hood

ijnoj09 · 06-20-2011, 06:24 PM

If you can afford it... do the whole hood. I had partial done on my old car and the line bugged the hell out of me.

rye m3 · 06-20-2011, 07:01 PM

I had a Ventureshield clear bra on my 997 and it was perfect after 2 years. Had a bikini cut bra installed on the M3 and it is very hard to see. He also wrapped my splitters. I have a good installer in the NY area if you need one.

leo95se · 06-20-2011, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rye m3

I had a Ventureshield clear bra on my 997 and it was perfect after 2 years. Had a bikini cut bra installed on the M3 and it is very hard to see. He also wrapped my splitters. I have a good installer in the NY area if you need one.

Where? I've heard premier is good (on this side of the bridge). I just had my bumper repainted. It was destroyed after 10k miles. Hood has some small rash too. Fenders aren't bad except for tire marbles; so I would do hood, lights, and bumper. And mirrors...lol.

AMPowerJ · 06-20-2011, 07:58 PM

Clear bra

Great for your girl; not so great for your car.

!mspinster · 06-20-2011, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrozenGman

I'm doing the entire bumper, hood, front fenders, rockers, wing mirrors and rear underside of bumper (from wheel arch back (following the crease line)

Would that look good on the your Matted M3?

My bad you would just use something like Satin Guard.

FrozenGman · 06-20-2011, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by !mspinster

Would that look good on the your Matted M3?

My bad you would just use something like Satin Guard.

Yeah, I was really surprised at the match of the satin guard to the frozen grey paint. However this is one reason why I am wrapping panels in their entirety.

I will certainly report back when its done!! I will also be wrapping the front splitters...

fdelement · 06-20-2011, 11:28 PM

i don't mean to thread jack, but i recently bought an 09 M3 coupe. It already has a couple rock chips on the front bumper, hood and near the wheels. Should I get clearbra anyways or try to patch the rock chips first before the clearbra?

Premier Protective Films · 06-21-2011, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fdelement

i don't mean to thread jack, but i recently bought an 09 M3 coupe. It already has a couple rock chips on the front bumper, hood and near the wheels. Should I get clearbra anyways or try to patch the rock chips first before the clearbra?

It will keep it from getting worst. If you already have some chips, just place some light touch up...make sure to create blotches that are raised.

Premier Protective Films · 06-21-2011, 01:20 AM

For those debating partial or full hood...everyone's a bit different. Like tint shades, it is a personal preference. Some do not mind seeing a line and also do not believe it is necessary while others see the line on hood too distracting; hence, would pay more to get the entire hood covered.

06-20-2011, 03:48 PM	#1
rockrboy Lead, follow or get lost Drives: 2011 M3 Cabrio... RED :-) Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Montréal, oh Canada Posts: 420 iTrader: (0)	Question about clear bra Hi guys, I'm about to buy a e93. should i clear bra only the front of the hood or the whole hood. I'm just asking because of the bump on the hood might be more vulnerable to rock chips. what's your experience? thanks __________________ 2011 M3 MR DCT Cabrio 2010 Audi S-Tronic S4 (sold) 2006 X3 M Sport (sold) 1998 M Roadster (sold)
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06-20-2011, 03:50 PM	#2
KGB7 Crazy Russian Bastard Drives: 01 740i sport Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Siberian Prison Posts: 824 iTrader: (0)	Just do the whole car. __________________ B M W

06-20-2011, 04:03 PM	#5
FVM3 Major General Drives: 2011 E93 M3 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 5,145 iTrader: (2)	if your car is white, never ever get the clear bra __________________ 2011 E93 DCT

06-20-2011, 04:47 PM	#7
KGB7 Crazy Russian Bastard Drives: 01 740i sport Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Siberian Prison Posts: 824 iTrader: (0)	I would defiantly do front bumper and then behind each tire a quarter of a quarter panel. Also do the side skirts. Those are the areas that gets crap on them the most. __________________ B M W

06-20-2011, 04:49 PM	#8
FVM3 Major General Drives: 2011 E93 M3 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 5,145 iTrader: (2)	IMHO i will never clear bra because after a while, that clear bra area will not be as shiny as the paint and that doesnt look good __________________ 2011 E93 DCT

06-20-2011, 04:51 PM	#9
FrozenGman Gman Drives: 2011 Frozen Grey M3 ZCP Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Hermosa Beach Posts: 17 iTrader: (0)	I would highly recommend a clear bra, and I would also recommend doing the entire hood. Mainly for cosmetic reasons. Even with good clear bra's you will see the line where the bra finishes on the hood. Over time it will collect dirt and wax (unless you are careful). I would highly recommend full panels where its needed for this very reason. Experience also states that the biggest difference in the clear bra is not the material but who applies it. I would do some research and see some cars from the guys doing yours. I recently saw an M3 with 4,000 miles and it had two rock chips on the hood, one near the badge, the 2nd right on the apex of the power bulge. I'm doing the entire bumper, hood, front fenders, rockers, wing mirrors and rear underside of bumper (from wheel arch back (following the crease line)

06-20-2011, 04:54 PM	#10
FVM3 Major General Drives: 2011 E93 M3 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 5,145 iTrader: (2)	Clear bra the hood __________________ 2011 E93 DCT

06-20-2011, 05:12 PM	#13
M3luvr Private First Class Drives: 09 M3 E90 DCT Silverstone Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: South San Francisco Posts: 145 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 E90 M3 DCT [0.00]	You should do the entire hood. I only have a partial hood, the bumper & headlight. You can see the line on a partial and I got a chip just past the bra on my hood __________________ 09 E90 MDCT Silverstone, Black Extended, Prem/Tech/Cold, Carbon Leather, 19's, Enhanced Sound, IPod, PDC, 3M clear bra, 3M tint 35% front, 20% rear, painted reflectors

06-20-2011, 06:24 PM	#14
ijnoj09 Enlisted Member Drives: 2011 E90 M3 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SoCal 909/626 Posts: 43 iTrader: (3)	If you can afford it... do the whole hood. I had partial done on my old car and the line bugged the hell out of me.

06-20-2011, 07:01 PM	#15
rye m3 Lieutenant Drives: 2011.75 E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: New York Posts: 489 iTrader: (2)	I had a Ventureshield clear bra on my 997 and it was perfect after 2 years. Had a bikini cut bra installed on the M3 and it is very hard to see. He also wrapped my splitters. I have a good installer in the NY area if you need one. __________________ E92 M3 MR on Red/Black ZCP Sound Carbon 2007 997S - sold 2003 E46 M3 Steel Grey on Red- sold 1997 E36 M3 Arctic Silver on Black- sold

06-20-2011, 07:58 PM	#17
AMPowerJ One mod leads to another ... Drives: 2013 E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Blythewood, SC Posts: 2,331 iTrader: (9) Garage List 2013 BMW E92 M3 [0.00] 2012 Toyota Tacoma [0.00]	Clear bra Great for your girl; not so great for your car. __________________ 2013 E92 M3 with ESS VT2-585 SC, StopTech BBK, M Perf Exhaust, and a bunch of carbon fiber ...

06-20-2011, 11:28 PM	#20
fdelement Private Drives: 2009 BMW M3 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 69 iTrader: (3)	i don't mean to thread jack, but i recently bought an 09 M3 coupe. It already has a couple rock chips on the front bumper, hood and near the wheels. Should I get clearbra anyways or try to patch the rock chips first before the clearbra?

06-21-2011, 01:20 AM	#22
Premier Protective Films Lieutenant Drives: one old Mcar Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Fremont / Orange Posts: 434 iTrader: (1)	For those debating partial or full hood...everyone's a bit different. Like tint shades, it is a personal preference. Some do not mind seeing a line and also do not believe it is necessary while others see the line on hood too distracting; hence, would pay more to get the entire hood covered.

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