Bra/No bra?

I was never big on clear bras until my Scud came with it....now I think it's a must on a car like this....a good install and you'll hardly notice it....

 

I have it done to six of my cars (full hood and fenders) with 3M Venturashield and it is virtually undetectable. Make sure you use an expert installer. Would definitely recommend getting the entire front end done, rocker panels, mirrors and behind rear wheels. If you don't do it, the first time a rock chips your hood you'll had wish you had.

 

I was opposed to it until I got chips on my other cars. Now a huge fan of it. With the newer technology, it is virtually invisible with most colors. As mentioned, make sure you screen the installer and get best one in your area. I prefer the installer doing the work at my garage, rather then a dealership.

Also, some use one large sheet of film and cut to size. That is OK, but you don't want them cutting the clear film for sizing while it is adhering to the paint. It is possible their sharp razor can go through the film an scar the paint.

 

Would not be without it. We have on all our cars.

Do the full hood so no line there. And you can get chips on the upper hood. Don't ask me how I know.

 

Yes. My 360 had a bra since new in 2002. When I traded in 2013 no difference in paint that I could see and I am pretty picky.

 

All my F-cars had one. Would not drive without it.
Highly recommend getting it done by a professional installer.

 

my used 430 spider had no bra
i never drove on the freeway and after 8 years the vehicle had virtually no stone chips.

on the other hand, i just had one installed on my new 458 spider.
i had the entire hood covered so i would not be annoyed by the demarcation line of a partially covered hood.
i think the decision is a personal one, as it really depends on how and where you will drive the car.
it is cheaper to repaint a hood than to apply the clear bra!

 

It's the first thing I get after taking delivery. I won't drive out of town without it.

 

If you're going to drive it....especially with other Fcars in a group....the clear bra is a must as is windshield (I have Clearplex) protection. You get hit with tons of small stones.

 

I was driving a Porsche GT3 RS following a friend who was driving a Ford GT. The GT has a giant rear diffuser that provides amazing high speed stability. It also literally sucks stones off the road and throws them into the air. At about 130mph he ran over a patch of sand and the GT/Dyson-mobile shot a huge cloud of debris high into the air. At the distance I was following and speed we were going, my entry into the cloud as it re-entered the earths atmosphere was perfectly timed. The sound of 400,000 tiny stones slamming into the lusty German uber-machine made me sick to my stomach.

Luckily the car had clear bra and the paint was not damaged. The windshield got pelted pretty good and the fins on the small radiators in the front bumper got beat up pretty badly but nothing an afternoon with a small pair of pliers couldn't fix.

The clear bra did an amazing job. There is a small change in the quality of the paint but it is minimal and if you are obsessive about your cars, the peace of mind, and lack of paint chips, will far out weigh the tiny loss of visual paint quality.

 

Exactly and the more you drive, lke that, the more stones that will hit the windshoeld and car. In my mind, you really have to consider clear bra protection.

 

Congrats on the purchase. Focus on finding a quality installer. Experience really is the key and in the past few years, there has been a high turnover with paint protection film installer. This is a craft that takes many years to become proficient and many more years from proficiency to mastering this art. There are many companies claiming years upon years of experience. Take a look at the work in person if possible and seek out references for your area. Good luck!

 

i would never think of driving my 458 without clearbra protection, i have my whole car wrapped and the front windshield and back glass engine cover protected too

if u live in the los angeles (so. california, USA) area give Bain Mendoza from Doza Designs a call at 310 613 3978 or email @ [email protected], he's a seasoned artisan, would never entrust anyone else to my car

 

+1 on Bain...he did mine and is a perfectionist.

 

Two Cali's and an FF, none with clear bra and it will stay that way. My first stone chip in my first Cali was very close to the windshied on the hood ... way above where any stone protection I have seen would cover. Dr.ColorChip Custom Automotive Touch-Up Paint Kit - Dr. ColorChip: Automotive Paint Chip Repair Systems makes a great product to fill the few chips I have had in over 60,000 miles between these three cars of daily driving. I have not seen a clear bra that looked as good as naked paint ... like Jennifer Aniston, I will take them with no bra thank you.

Rick

 

The hood can be covered with clear bra as can the windshield (Clear Plex). It's a matter of what type of driving you do. If you drive in a line with other Fcars your car will be struck with many (hundreds) of small and medium sized stones and without protection, the front end will be peppered with chips. There's a FCA southwest member that had a red 430 spider without one and the front end was full of chips. He owns a body shop and has the front end repainted frequently as a solution but most of us wouldn't want to spend that amount of money.

 

Premier did the clear bra on my 458. You CANNOT tell that there is a film on it. You can be 2 inches away from the surface/edge and still cannot tell. That is how good they are.

I originally resisted clear bra because I like to touch the paint/metal surface and keep the car original. But I was going on a lot of group drives and the front end was getting two to three rock chips per drive so I reluctantly did it.

Best decision I made. Paint protection and worry free driving. Went on a drive last weekend, heard some debris hit my front end/hood, did not bother me one bit, didn't even think about it. I told my wife that is what the film is for.

Highly recommend Premier.

There are other companies who charge less but you get what you pay for.

 

Is there a paint protection film expert in the SF bay area.

 

Another WOW. Last post in this thread was from 2013!!! Dug deep in that search history.

 

Very too late. Researching new a bra for my 360. Just removed mine. Any updates?

 

May want to post in the 360 sub forum and start a new topic. Just a suggestion.

 

Good suggestion.

 

That and maybe the NorCal section. I’m sure you will get some good recommendations. Good luck!