should I remove the clear bra?

[kbb]

I just bought a 2011!m3 with clear bra on full hood and bumper. I was thinking of having the dealer to remove it before I pick up the car but will there be any differences on paint color If I remove it?

[Martin_D]

I would have it removed if it...
a) Is a shitty job
b) Discolored

[kbb]

Originally Posted by Martin_D

I would have it removed if it...
a) Is a shitty job
b) Discolored

It's been applied very well but I personally do not like cars with the clear bra on. I was wondering on long term use will it make the panels different colour if I remove it in the future

[Martin_D]

If you do not like it then remove it now. Easy

[kbb]

my concern is if I have a shop to remove it, will it show the paint in slightly different color? comparing the areas at had it on and the areas which never had the bra?

[Martin_D]

No. But I highly suggest going over the paint when removed and do a thorough detail. This will bring the paint back within "spec" or up to your standards. Make sense?

Wash
Clay
Polish
Wax or Seal

[BMRLVR]

If you remove it your paint will definitely be damaged...... By all of the stone chips you are going to get.

Seriously though, if it is a good job then why remove it? A good clear bra application is c
virtually invisible!

[stocksure]

There shouldn't be any paint differences. Clear bra is not UV resistant for that reason - so that the paint "ages" at the same rate.

However, I wouldn't remove it.

[pro-tect mobile]

The reason you are getting a car with a perfect front end is the clear bra. If it wasnt there you would have just boguht a bunch of rock chips to go with it... and that looks much worse than having a clear bra on the car.

To answer your question though the paint will fade at the same rate as the rest of the car... so if you remove it now or 10 years from now the paint will match. The only difference is the paint under the clear bra will be perfect... the rest of the car will have scratches and swirl marks...

[mpower4life]

with how low the car sits as is, and how BMW paint is notorious for getting chipped up pretty badly... i think its a big mistake to take it off.

That's like a phone case or screen protector... I wanna take it off all the time as it gets beat up to expose a flawless image, however i know it will only lead to my demise as it will get scratched and dinged up as soon as I did. I like knowing that underneath its like new.

[BLACK OPS]

It is doing it's job but if you don't want it there then remove and accept rock dings in the future. I believe there are other options out there besides clear bra which protect the paint while bringing gloss.

[Jean-Claude]

This. Though, I bet there will be a difference in the condition of the paint under the film. It will probably be cleaner and have less clear coat etching than paint that has seen the world for a number of washes(especially if a dealership washed it).

Originally Posted by stocksure

There shouldn't be any paint differences. Clear bra is not UV resistant for that reason - so that the paint "ages" at the same rate.

However, I wouldn't remove it.

[kmarei]

If you don't like the way it looks
Remove it and do a full hood clear bra
You won't see it's installed
But you'll get all the benefits

[Envious Eric]

i dont know where you guys are getting your bras, but I have yet to see an "invincible" clear bra job where you couldnt tell it was on there from 1ft away. Maybe its just the detailer in me, but I can always tell...

[Raz335]

Why would you want to remove it if it's a good job? Much better than rock chips.

[burakkose]

well, if you want to get a paint inspection, yes remove them. But get the clear bra back on afterwards. The bra-covered places might be re-painted, paint-fixed etc.

[pro-tect mobile]

Originally Posted by Envious Eric

i dont know where you guys are getting your bras, but I have yet to see an "invincible" clear bra job where you couldnt tell it was on there from 1ft away. Maybe its just the detailer in me, but I can always tell...

I ma sure you mean invisible... not invincable. But to your intended point if a good film is applied then it is not noticable... maybe from 1 ft away you might see a slight difference but thats better than a leather bra. Its paint protection... not paint beautification.

[THE TECH]

Originally Posted by Envious Eric

i dont know where you guys are getting your bras, but I have yet to see an "invincible" clear bra job where you couldnt tell it was on there from 1ft away. Maybe its just the detailer in me, but I can always tell...

Agreed. I should have done a more complete bra on mine. I hate seeing it on the car.

[Porschefile]

A properly done clear bra is invisible until you get within a couple of feet. And even then you kind of have to be looking for it. At least in my experience, with professionally installed 3M stuff.

As other have said, if you don't like it, then remove it. I personally would never remove one unless it was bubbled up or discoloring.

[DavidFischer]

I'm not really a fan of clear bras either, but as many have said here, low car = stone chips. A good paint job is expensive and time consuming. Maybe it will grow on you?

David

[subliminalaudio]

Originally Posted by Jean-Claude

This. Though, I bet there will be a difference in the condition of the paint under the film. It will probably be cleaner and have less clear coat etching than paint that has seen the world for a number of washes(especially if a dealership washed it).

Can you share your info ?im ATL

[TomHudson]

3M bra for the front edge of hood and bumper is approx $1200, and is almost invisible.
Removing a poor quality one is easy to do. A bit of heat, comes right off.
There will be no damage to paint, a slight edge may be felt where the bra was removed, easily buffed out.