Paint-chip touch-up and then clear-bra? Or re-spray and then clear-bra? Or neither?
 

Aye - My fellow Z owners, I'm in a situation where I'd like to gauge what others would do. I've had my Z for about a year now, it's still in fantastic condition all around, less than 10k miles, when I don't have it out it gets garaged, etc. Shortly after purchasing the Z I found out about clear-bras for and figured it'd be a good way to protect my investment.

After several quick detailings over the last couple of months I noticed a number of rock chips/pits on the front bumper and leading hood area. I expected these - stuff happens - but I'm unsure of the best path to take.

Option 1: I could find a body shop or cheap kit to repair the rock chips/pits as best as possible, and then have the clear-bra installed. I'm unsure if the clear-bra will highlight these imperfections and make them look worse (air bubbles, etc), or make them less noticeable.

Option 2: Get a full respray on the front bumper and hood, and then have the clear-bra installed. Problem in this situation is cost.

Option 3: Forget both options above and keep the car as clean as possible in-between drives as I do now. I mention this option because there's a high chance that in 3-4 years I'll trade the Z in for something new.

Any thoughts on what you'd do in my situation? Or recommendations?

If the cops kill you, and you are really small, respray and clear bra. If you don't care, touch it up yourself when you want, then when you sell, get a respray

hah - Do you mean chips? I'm hoping the cops don't kill me. I don't drive that fast.

Lol, fuckin Android autocorrect

If you are going to get rid of the car, touch-up the chips with a novice kit like Dr. Colorchip or the Langka system and be done with it. If you plan to keep the car, have the bumper painted and have a professional clear bra installer put it on. The LAST thing you want to do is put a clear bra on a car with paint chips that have been fixed. That's like going on a date with Halle Barry and instead of taking a shower first, you just gob on some cologne. Nasty.

I do mine differently. I just paint my bumper every year after the driving season is over because I drive the crap out of my car. The catch is, I know how to paint cars.

http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/h...ts/wreck27.jpg

And now the Junkman's secret to constantly immaculate paint comes out. :roflpuke2:

Clear Bra What To Do
 

What most people do is Option 1. But there's some truth in what Junkman2008 said. If you're going to get them touched up make sure it's professionally done and looks great. Paint protection film doesn't make them more noticeable but doesn't make rock chips any less noticeable either. Scratches and swirl marks will be much less visible however.

Adding clear bra to the vehicle will help prevent future damage, and if you plan on selling the car in the future it will help preserve resale value.

:D

I took that picture during the repair that I did after a semi threw a tire into the from end of my car. That was wild.

Paint-chip touch-up and then clear-bra? Or re-spray and then clear-bra? Or ne...
 

That's what I'd been leaning towards. I found an automotive paint repair shop nearby that lists bumper rock-chip repair as one it's primary services. Was going to see what their estimate would be with my problem spots, and then once they're fixed have the clear-bra installed after - ASAP. If I thought I was keeping the Z for the next 5+ years then I'd go the more expensive route, but I'm hoping to get one of the new Vette's in a few years; I'm not wanting to dump money in to performance parts (just stuff that will keep it looking clean so I can get as much back as possible for it).

I've had this same question, so thanks for it and the answers! :)

Come do mine

XPEL Paint Protection Clear Bra
 

Excellent, let the touch up paint cure completely before the paint protection install. It's funny that you mention going from the Z to a C7. I've met two C7 owners recently that went from a 370Z to the new Corvette.

If you need help finding an installer or have any questions regarding paint protection film we are happy to help.

If you are going the paint chip route and want to save money, then you seriously need to look at one of the two products that I mentioned earlier, Dr. Colorchip or the Langka system. That would be a fraction of what a body shop is going to charge.




:D

I just didnt do anything and I have to say it didn't de-value the car any. I just left the rocks chips in the Z, The G I had resprayed. It really didnt matter on the value of either one so basically I wasted the money on the G.

Paint-chip touch-up and then clear-bra? Or re-spray and then clear-bra? Or ne...
 

I'll check those out as well as get an estimate from some shops nearby.

Xpel, if I've got any questions I'll shoot you a PM. I'd actually tried to get an Xpel bra installed sometime last year and the dealer flaked out on me 3 times (first time he messed the application and ran out of material, second time I scheduled and he wasn't even at the shop, and the third time he told me he would call me in the morning - ended up calling around 1pm). I need to find a new place to get the Xpel bra installed.


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