My clear bra install on a Silverstone Metallic E90 Civic

MA///M3 · 07-14-2013, 09:22 PM

It looks good. Your hard work paid off. We can debate whether you need one or don't, looks good with or without one, etc. you put it on, worked hard at it and have what you were looking for. Good job!

mdosu · 07-14-2013, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MA///M3

It looks good. Your hard work paid off. We can debate whether you need one or don't, looks good with or without one, etc. you put it on, worked hard at it and have what you were looking for. Good job!

thanks man!

mdosu · 07-14-2013, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FormulaMMM

Nicely done. Mine has similar imperfections. Don't care.. has done a significant amount of protecting in the 2 years since install.

yeah, my feelings exactly...as a DIY, you learn about the process and save some money in the process. At the end of the day it'll still protect the paint sufficiently until it needs to come off.

skins333 · 07-14-2013, 10:12 PM

So fresh and so clean!! Car is looking shiny!

Nice work..to each his own, but I can't stand rock chips and love having a clear bra on my cars and don't mind the look at all.

mdosu · 07-14-2013, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skins333

So fresh and so clean!! Car is looking shiny!

Nice work..to each his own, but I can't stand rock chips and love having a clear bra on my cars and don't mind the look at all.

yeah agreed, it's basically impossible to keep it chip free, unless you install it on day one. Believe it or not, no sooner than 2 days after this install, I drove behind some gravel truck today. It was throwing down rocks the size of golf balls! Obviously, I slowed to allow a few cars between me and the truck, but that's how it goes, shit happens and find its way to your bumper

LucWerkz · 07-14-2013, 11:08 PM

It was a very fun learning experience!

mdosu · 07-17-2013, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam@ModeCarbon

Its all preference. Saves you a bumper respray at 75k miles.

Good Work OP

thanks, that's the way I see it too.

Gkap · 07-17-2013, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevorM3

I don't think you'll like it after awhile. Crap starts to build up, and it looks shitty.

ive had mine for 3 years and its mint, all about maintenance.

mdosu · 07-17-2013, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gkap

ive had mine for 3 years and its mint, all about maintenance.

any tips for a first time clear bra owner? I just plan on washing it with my standard car wash soap, and waxing it with the standard Megiuar's NXT wax

Z K · 07-17-2013, 11:52 AM

A clear bra is well worth it for any car you care about that spends time on the road. All it takes is that one rock chip to ruin your day.

The problem with the pre-cut kit on some cars is that the areas that don't get covered will get chipped up. Also crud will build up in the creases and edges where the clear bra ends. The "strike areas" are not covered, as it looks like with the gaps on your install, those areas will look much more worn than the covered areas. Also, a GOOD professional installer will be able to minimize the gaps even with a pre-cut kit. The bad pro installers... well, probably better to DIY.

1MOREMOD · 07-17-2013, 11:56 AM

I say just rattle can that thing when it needs it. After all its just silverstone.

mdosu · 07-17-2013, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

I say just rattle can that thing when it needs it. After all its just silverstone.

can't find the color match at Jeg's.

1MOREMOD · 07-17-2013, 12:01 PM

I wonder how well this will hold up to stains after one of your all night poutine benders.

1MOREMOD · 07-17-2013, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdosu

can't find the color match at Jeg's.

Why would you want it to match?

ijnoj09 · 07-17-2013, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdosu

any tips for a first time clear bra owner? I just plan on washing it with my standard car wash soap, and waxing it with the standard Megiuar's NXT wax

That should be fine. I also like to use this product called Plexus on it. Regular maintenance is key because the clear bra material is porous, if you let dust/dirt sit on it and let time go by without washing it, it's going to start etching into the bra and that's why it starts to yellow and haze up, etc in the long run.

Z K · 07-17-2013, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ijnoj09

That should be fine. I also like to use this product called Plexus on it. Regular maintenance is key because the clear bra material is porous, if you let dust/dirt sit on it and let time go by without washing it, it's going to start etching into the bra and that's why it starts to yellow and haze up, etc in the long run.

Do not use Plexus! Plexus is for polishing hard plastic. If you use plexus on clear bra, it will harden the material and accelerate the aging.

Plexus was ok to use back in the stone age of clear bras like 15 years ago when it was introduced but the material now is much different.

Just wash it often and keep a good layer of synthetic sealant on the bra. Do not use any abrasive waxes or polishes on it. Ventureshield is notorious for staining from bugs and other organic stuff and easy to scratch so be very careful.

Gkap · 07-17-2013, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdosu

any tips for a first time clear bra owner? I just plan on washing it with my standard car wash soap, and waxing it with the standard Megiuar's NXT wax

hand wash once a week, the shop that installed my ventureshield have there own sealant for the ventureshield that you spray on after every wash. It closes the pores keeping it from yellowing.

ijnoj09 · 07-17-2013, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z K

Do not use Plexus! Plexus is for polishing hard plastic. If you use plexus on clear bra, it will harden the material and accelerate the aging.

Plexus was ok to use back in the stone age of clear bras like 15 years ago when it was introduced but the material now is much different.

Did not know this... thanks for the tip.

mPlasticDesign · 07-17-2013, 12:53 PM

Good job tackling this, it's not an easy DIY!

I don't know why people keep saying it won't look good after a while. IMO it is worth every penny and if you have a few extra pennies go with EXPEL, it is hands down the BEST clear bra on the market.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...EgfdwUU0#at=53

OilPatch · 07-25-2013, 03:34 PM

I am in the anal/OCD category so I'm having it done, but props to doing it yourself and coming on here and giving an honest review of the process.

mdosu · 07-25-2013, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OilPatch

I am in the anal/OCD category so I'm having it done, but props to doing it yourself and coming on here and giving an honest review of the process.

thanks, I'm content with my outcome and learned a lot in the process. I figure it helps the guys who are boarderline thinking about doing it as a DIY vs paying for labor.

It can be done, but you need patience, clean hands, 2nd set of hands, and some skill

1MOREMOD · 07-25-2013, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdosu

It can be done, but you need patience, clean hands, 2nd set of hands, and some skill

So, 2 other people helped you?

07-14-2013, 09:22 PM	#23
MA///M3 Banned 16 Rep 344 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW M3 DCT COUPE Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: BOSTON, MA iTrader: (0)	It looks good. Your hard work paid off. We can debate whether you need one or don't, looks good with or without one, etc. you put it on, worked hard at it and have what you were looking for. Good job!
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07-14-2013, 10:12 PM	#26
skins333 Major 48 Rep 1,017 Posts Drives: 08 E93 BMW M3 MR/21 X7 40i AW Join Date: May 2009 Location: Northern VA iTrader: (2)	So fresh and so clean!! Car is looking shiny! Nice work..to each his own, but I can't stand rock chips and love having a clear bra on my cars and don't mind the look at all.
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07-14-2013, 11:08 PM	#28
LucWerkz Banned 78 Rep 1,237 Posts Drives: e70 X5 4.8i (Temporarily) Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: DC/VA/MD/PA iTrader: (1)	It was a very fun learning experience!
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07-17-2013, 11:52 AM	#32
Z K Major General 1889 Rep 5,506 Posts Drives: E90 M3, G20 M340i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (3)	A clear bra is well worth it for any car you care about that spends time on the road. All it takes is that one rock chip to ruin your day. The problem with the pre-cut kit on some cars is that the areas that don't get covered will get chipped up. Also crud will build up in the creases and edges where the clear bra ends. The "strike areas" are not covered, as it looks like with the gaps on your install, those areas will look much more worn than the covered areas. Also, a GOOD professional installer will be able to minimize the gaps even with a pre-cut kit. The bad pro installers... well, probably better to DIY. __________________ Auto Detailing Enthusiast!
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07-17-2013, 11:56 AM	#33
1MOREMOD - 11818 Rep 23,187 Posts Drives: Race car-> Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: check your mirrors iTrader: (5)	I say just rattle can that thing when it needs it. After all its just silverstone.
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07-17-2013, 12:01 PM	#35
1MOREMOD - 11818 Rep 23,187 Posts Drives: Race car-> Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: check your mirrors iTrader: (5)	I wonder how well this will hold up to stains after one of your all night poutine benders.
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07-17-2013, 12:53 PM	#41
mPlasticDesign Major General 684 Rep 5,069 Posts Drives: BMW 230i Msport w/LSD Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Astral Projecting: ∞ 23.516 -122 02.625 0242.101 ĕv'rē-hwâr' iTrader: (16) Garage List 2009 Porsche 911 997.2 [10.00] 2019 Hyundai N (Sold) [10.00] 2013 BMW M3 (Sold) [10.00] 2011 1M Coupe (Sold) [8.78] 2008 E90 M3 (Sold) [8.60] 2007 Z4 Mcpe (Sold) [9.50] 2005 BMW M3 (Sold) [10.00]	Good job tackling this, it's not an easy DIY! I don't know why people keep saying it won't look good after a while. IMO it is worth every penny and if you have a few extra pennies go with EXPEL, it is hands down the BEST clear bra on the market. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...EgfdwUU0#at=53 __________________ Last edited by mPlasticDesign; 07-17-2013 at 02:54 PM..
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07-25-2013, 03:34 PM	#42
OilPatch First Lieutenant 19 Rep 338 Posts Drives: VW TDi & BMW M3 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Midland, TX iTrader: (1) Garage List 2013 BMW M3 [0.00] 2010 VW Jetta TDI [0.00]	I am in the anal/OCD category so I'm having it done, but props to doing it yourself and coming on here and giving an honest review of the process. __________________ 2013 E92 M3 \| Le Mans Blue \| 6 Speed Manual \| Competition Pack \| Premium Pack \| Cold Weather Pack \|
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