Clear bra question...

I've had all my cars done just in front including my Speciale. Once I got the Speciale home and was preparing for my first track day I got nervous thinking if something hits above the windshield and gets the stripe, I'll be very sad so I took the car back and had the entire thing done including the windshield.

Peace of mind is worth it and now the car looks the same throughout which is another bonus.

Rb

 

My Italia, Speciale and now Speciale A get clear bra to the windshield, entire front, side rocker panels/etc. and rear diffuser vertical sections that are the most vulnerable to chips. I'd have no problem doing the entire car but haven't seen a chip to the roof or upper back parts of any of my Fcars without it.

 

What did you get on the windshield? Clearplex? How is the visibility?

 

You should be fine. I think driving 2-3K per year and one track day, the amount you have is fine. I've put 5K miles on my car in 6 months with 3 track days, and I essentially have the same coverage as you. No nicks that I have seen.

 

Buddy of mine has his entire car covered with xpel. Good thing too since some lowlife decided to run a key along the fender while it was parked in the city. The film luckily saved the paint.

 

My 458 spider is completely done except the engine compartment and roof. I purchased it that way. Would I do the whole car ? Probably not but , for sure the front and lower sides.

 

Had my 458 Spider completely wrapped and like the sense of comfort it brings.

 

Yes, Clearplex. It does create a slight distortion if you look for it. I would definitely do it over again and has already saved the windshield!

 

Same guy who installed the clear bra on your car as the one that did the windshield?
I was told that the Clearplex scratches easily while installing as well as when using wipers and if you have to remove or replace it, it is hard to remove the adhesive on the glass.

 

My experiences...

I bought a Scuderia with a clear bra. I asked the dealer to replace it, because over time in those hard sharp corner edges where they have to cut it and add another piece(around the scoops in the bumper for an example) there was a line and fine dirt gets in, its a yellow scud, so you see the line more so.

When they removed it the paint came off with it in some areas. They said the owner had it installed almost directly after he bought it and should have waited a month of two for the paint to really settle.....

So I got a new spray done before the winter, then stored the car over winter and had it clear bra-ed again.

Now this "Should" not have happen....... but these are my thoughts. You got two paths to go down. One, you dont clear bra a car and get stone chips all over it, over time and you paint it after a few years. But during those years you see the stone chips every single time......

Or you clear bra it, with in mind you might have to paint it, sure the paint should not come off, but, its not 100% it will stay on. However, while having the clear bra on in a 5 year period, you wont have a single stone chip and the car will look mint the whole time

So yes get the whole car if you wish. Just make sure you get the best polish done before, so it always looks mint.

 

Good choice! May I ask what the cost of a complete clear bra job will cost?

I am paying AU $1500 to just have the front of my Wife's new car done. They are only wrapping-

Leading edge of bonnet. *approx 4" up the bonnet*
Both head lights
Both side mirrors
Front bar

This is a complete laser cut kit they just apply. It's $700 for the kit and $800 to apply it.

I am thinking $1500 is rather excessive, but clear film wrapping has not completely taken off here in Australia I think and it's still rather expensive.

I will still do it as I would like to protect the front of the car as much as possible.

I already have a stone chip on it now on our first road trip. Very very disappointed, my first and only brand new car and it's already been wounded.

 

Yes, same guy installed it. I don't know about the wipers or removal part though.

 

Good choice! May I ask what the cost of a complete clear bra job will cost?

I paid 6k + flat bed fee from the facility that did the car.

 

That is about the right money for that job here in Oz Pappy.

 

I had total coverage done on my Speciale, including the full diffuser and inner door sills and lower doors for about $6k Australian.

I have been using 3M stone chip film since 2001 and recently Xpel with great results.

The Speciale is a stone chip magnet and I have 4500km on it without a single chip, despite giving it a real workout.
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Money well spent, cheers mate.

Blimey!!

I had 1000 km on my car before I received that MASSIVE stone chip. It not only has chipped the paint, but it took a chunk out of the front bar and it's back to the factory black Toyota plastic underneath.

I was just sitting in front of it yesterday with the kids playing out the front when I looked at it and started to get wild. I said the Wife I should repaint the front bar before we take it down to Toowoomba (of all places that do it, it's the 2nd closest to us) to have it wrapped.

She said do whatever I want, so I might spend the $500 to repaint the front bar and then have it done. I only have 3 days there, otherwise I would have them paint it down there and then wrap it.

Sigh, we will see what happens.

 

Who do you think you are? Chris Harris?

 

That's a great photo!

 

You should see the rest of them!