Too late for Clear Bra?

robtrink

Hey guys,

I got my Z last fall and it only has 3k miles on it. So far it has been great and one of the things I have wanted to get done was a clear bra. It is hard to find someone around here to do it for a decent price. I believe the cheapest / only provider I found was for $350 - $400 for the front bumper.

My question is this: I have a few chips / knicks out of the bumper already from little rocks I assume. These are not large, but can be noticed if I get up close and personal. I have one minor chip that went all the way through, but besides that the bumper is perfect.

Is it too late to clear bra the bumper? My worries are that once I clear bra it, the little chips will stick out badly. I wish I could have gotten it done when I first got the car but I was unable to at the time.

Thanks,

Rob

Jeffblue

Its only too late if you expect the damage to be reversed. It will stay the same once you put the clear bra on. If you are content with that then go for it. If not, get hte bumper repainted either now (if the damage is bothering you too much) or somewhere down the road, and then get the clear bra on it right way.

or just have the detailer do what they can to touch it up before application

wheee!

Get a thourough detailing/cleaning, have a body shop repair any major damage and touch up major chips (or repaint the front if necessary) then get the Clear Bra.... nuff said

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370Zsteve

Step 1: Repaint

Step 2: Apply clear bra

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SOLD MY Z MARCH 2018 - another Core OG moves on - new ride 2019 Z Corvette Grand Sport - no mods necessary but already have eyes on HFC and intakes LOL IT NEVER ENDS.

vipor

I need to price a repaint for my front bumper and touch up some chips on the fenders and hood then I'll be golden. Maybe this summer or so I can pull it off. Definitely should've done it from the get go

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2009 NISMO # 0193 | QAB | Albums! | 05.04.10 (Dynojet) 291.94hp/248.28tq
Oil Cooler (DIY) | Custom Headlights | GTSPEC Braces | F.I. Long Tube Headers

Jeffblue

how long did you all wait before clear bra? is within the week after taking posession soon enough?

vipor

You can get it immediately. It's not like the car was just painted. Sooner the better, especially if you drive a lot.

__________________

2009 NISMO # 0193 | QAB | Albums! | 05.04.10 (Dynojet) 291.94hp/248.28tq
Oil Cooler (DIY) | Custom Headlights | GTSPEC Braces | F.I. Long Tube Headers

Robert Z

Do it now don't wait any longer!!!!

robtrink

I will probably skip the painting and go ahead and get it done. The knicks are very minimal, hardly noticeable and dont bother me. I was mainly worried if clear bra enhances those defects or if there is issues applying it to a surface with a few imperfections.

Thanks!

HTP AutoWorks

Applying the clear bra over the chips will not enhance them in anyway. It may actually help a little as it will smooth the surface of the car out a little. Doing a little touch up to fill the color in would be ideal... then clear bra over it.

vipor

__________________

2009 NISMO # 0193 | QAB | Albums! | 05.04.10 (Dynojet) 291.94hp/248.28tq
Oil Cooler (DIY) | Custom Headlights | GTSPEC Braces | F.I. Long Tube Headers

LaSeeno

You don't think it will just get worse over time with the air pockets underneath?

robtrink

These are very minimal chips. I am talking bigger than a needle and smaller than the head of a pen. There is not too much room for air pockets.

Now to find a good installer near Indy haha

HTP AutoWorks

No it wont get worse. The film has an adhesive on the underside and it will stick to the surface.. without any airpockets.

sucasa

I bought my car in Jan 2011. Driving it 4x a week. Very few hardly noticeable chips on the bumper and front hood. What i did was use the OEM touchup paint to fix that problem areas. Plus my car is black, so, once you touchup, it's looks new. I will get clear bra installed this week.

Agree with others, get it sooner than later, so less you have to worry have pre-existing chips/knicks.