Clear bra or not

This could be a question regardless of model, but I'm getting my red 2012 Cali in November, so I feel more connected to you all.

Question: what is your opinion and experience with clear bras and protection film on other areas like sides and mirrors? How about cleaning it? And why do you think so?

Thanks,
Collin

 

The factory already covers a lot of areas with a clear bra.
I don't have anything extra, and havent had any problems with chips.
As long as you don't tail gate, or do a lot of freeway driving, you should do fine.

 

I also have a red california . I had the front bumper only covered with ultra shield . It looks virtually undetectable and offers a little extra protection

 

I live in an area with a lot of trucks, coal trucks, etc. I have had my 2008 M5, 2010 X5M, 2011 CTT and current 2012 CTT all covered with protective film. They all had custom entire front end protection on them, and I couldn't be more pleased.

My dealer will be doing a complete front end wrap on my California when it gets here. Just too many variables where I live and drive, and would like get a chip fairly quickly.

My wife's R class isn't wrapped, and she puts more miles on hers than mine. She has a couple small areas on her car and it is only 6 months old. She does, however, tailgate a little too much...

 

I don't own a Ferrari, but I'd have the car professionally detailed and then clear bra'd. The factory paint on some cars don't look good at all, orange peel, uneven coats, etc.

Why clear bra? Because, it's an added layer of protection from debris and rocks on the road.

On the flip side, are there any downsides to clear bra'ing a car? I can't think of any aside from the bra yellowing, but it's still replaceable.

 

Ferrari will offer this but all they do is send the materials to the dealer. The best solution is to have your Ferrari dealer use his local vendor to do it right.

FoA did a great job on my 430 Spider. They will do it on my Cali when it arrives next year

 

I have 28,000 miles on my California with no clear bra. The few chips I have had I fill with DrColorChip.com and you have to look very hard at the right angle to see them.

The first big chip I had on the car hit high on the hood, way above where any clear bra would have been. I happen to think they are a waste of your money.

Rick

 

I install these at my shop I own. It depends on if you see a lot of highway driving or just intown. Its not a waste of money if the majority of your drving i on the highway.

My best customer about once a month scuffs his mercedes pulling in the garage and it saves his paint everytime. He would have to have it repainted 4 times now. The piece I replace only cost him 40 everytime he gets drunk and goes home. lol

 

Now if I scuffed my California pulling it in the garage I would need to be shot! When I built my garage I put 10' wide doors on it just for that reason, for when my wife pulls in the garage.

Rick

 

I had my 2010 Cali covered on just the bumper. It worked great but like Rick I got a large ding on the hood from a truck. On my most recent service visit I had the whole hood covered and it looks great.

The best part is the peace of mind when I am driving on the highway.

 

It gives you piece of mind. I live in an area where there are a lot of pebbles, rocks etc. I have it on the front, lower sides, mirrors, and A pillars. It has saved a few nicks and dings this summer and it's barely visible. I figure a 250k car is worth protecting. I also had it on the two porsches I had before this car. I think it works well. Good luck.

 

I dont have clear bra film on my 2008 f430. I dont care for the look of the film. I may get a few chips but I would rather look at a few chips than the lines from clear bra. If my car were a daily driver I may consider it but mine will remain all paint, most attractive this way for me. If you do get clear bra make sure it is done by a professional, I have seen some hideous clear bra applications out their. My 2 Cents.

 

There was quite a bit of discussion about this very subject in:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=316322

Some very good opinions expressed here.

A personal update - as I said, I decided not to get the clear bra and am now back from my road trip with NO chips at all. The car now has 10890 miles on it - 8141 miles from the road trip. If I was to give some advice about this I would say to go ahead and get the bra - only because if I advised against it and you got a chip you would be PO'd at me. For myself I am happy enough I didn't do it.

 

I was going to do it but then I saw how badly it was done on a couple of cars done by the dealer so I changed my mind. Not sure if this is because of what Ferrari sends but you could clearly see the line of it all over the car.

I think the only way to do it is through someone you know will do it perfectly and have seen his job before.

 

you should never trust dealers to install ClearBra. always find a place that specializes in just installing it. i've read a lot of horror stories about dealer installed ClearBras and how the owners would always have to get it redone by a professional place. it really makes a difference.

 

ALWAYS CLEAR BRA! Not only the front but also wheel wells, mirrors etc. Very inexpensive insurance - can always be pulled off when marked and redone - especially if you ever track even for a few laps - big bugs make big marks not just stone chips. Unlike the post above, every Ferrari dealer (3 of them) I have dealt with had great installers

 

Most dealers do not have their own clear bra installers. I do work for numerous dealerships... so most of them dont have dedicated installers.

To me it is a little silly to pay this much money for a car and NOT get a clear bra. Its great insurance for your paint and anything can happen at anytime. Do a search and there is another forum member talking about how the clear bra saved his paint after a woman backed in to him. It doesnt just stop rock chips... and you never know whe nyou will get one.

 

There are many options when it comes to paint protection film. Just be sure to choose an installer with experience. Here are some photos of a black 458 Italia we fully wrapped (yes whole vehicle)....this customer tracks and drives it almost on a daily basis, so he knows from experience how beat up his car can get.
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If you are going to really drive the car, it will be near impossible to avoid the occasional rock, pebble, tire, etc. on the roads. In the scheme of things, pretty inexpensive insurance. I am happy I did it.

 

That is one heck of a job doing the whole car - it will protect it though - you have to be carefull cleaning the clear bra of bug marks - plenty of soap and water because it will get fine scratches - I have put partial clear bra on all of my exotics (6 over the last few years) and it make a major difference - especially after tracking

 

NO BRA!!!!

 

FWIW, after a 250 mile roundtrip this weekend, while i was wiping off my car, I noticed a small pit where some road debris hit the protective film on my hood. I could feel a small indentation, but I don't believe the metal was touched.