What do people think of Clear Bra Paint Protection?

antennahead · 03-16-2010, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370zlove3

Enough texts and more pictures with the clear bra applied and months/years of driving, people.

Come on - show us the pictures!

There is nothing to show, it looks like a brand new bumper and you cannot see any bra lines, as the installer was top notch

steveg78 · 03-16-2010, 07:59 PM

I'm sold based on what I've seen here. When I had my 90 300ZX it was chip city and looked horrible after all the years. The price I was quoted was the usual $800 for whole fascia (bumper), 20% up the hood, the fenders (I believe just about even with the headlights, I have to check on that) and the side view mirrors. I've only got 863mi on it and have been babying the F*#! outta her and staying off major highways during break-in. I know there's always a chance of that rouge rock flying up higher but I'd say 90% of the tiny road particles will be in the clear bra section. Just today I had a rock hit my windshield in my Jeep. I guess in a Z that would have been clear over the hood but if I can limit the damage and it's cost effective, I see a value in the investment.

370zlove3 · 03-16-2010, 08:41 PM

I know I have asked this before but it seems to get unanswered every time I ask. So here goes again

!

Other than the hood and the bumper, what other places should be well protected? Are the rear fenders need to be protected? etc. etc. etc.

FricFrac · 03-16-2010, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HTP AutoWorks

FricFrac I am going to be MORE than happy to reply to your above post with PROOF that the film does work. I dont know what your experience is with paint protection film but I can tell it is very limited. I have been installing film for years and have had numerous customers come back for repeat business... and why is that? Because the film does stop rock chips. If it didnt then why would the industry have lasted so long??? If it didnt do the one thing it was designed to do... then why would it still be around? Why do I have customers come spend $1800 for a full front end wrap if it doesnt work? They have had film before... so obviousley they had good results with it or they wouldnt be coming back. My Jeep SRT-8 has 83,000 miles on it and has been from California to New York and guess what, not a chip on it. But dont take my word (as I am not taking yours), here are a few examples of how well the film works.

Gravelomoter video (this is what all auto makers use to test their paint) It simulates rocks hitting the surface of the car at over 100+mph.

YouTube - Gravelometer Test

Sanblasting a hood with film on it....

YouTube - Avery Paint Protection Film - Strength Test 2

Yet another durability test... with a screw driver.

YouTube - Avery Paint Protection Film Strength Test - PRO-TECT Film

There are numerous videos proving my point... and all it takes is a quick search on google. I suggest you do some research because from what I can tell the only experience you have with a clear bra... sounds like you were sold clear vinyl and not paint protection film. It looks nearly the same yet offers no real protection against rocks. Paint protection film will stop rocks, up to a certain size (and at that point it will do body damage as well), from chipping your paint. But feel free to go on without using anything.

I'm going to ask you again to listen. You are not hearing what I'm saying. You are so hell bent on disagreeing with me you don't even realize I'm supporting your product. Of course you already stated you wern't going to take my word for it although I've shown you pictures of the REAL 3M product. Re-Read my last post.

I stated repeatedly that the product is very good at REDUCING rock chips. It will not STOP them. That is very important for people to know because if they are expecting the vehicle to be impervious they will not be happy to see that completely preventing damage is impossible.

To say your Jeep doesn't have a single chip in it doesn't really mean anything. Its entirely possible to have driven that distance and escaped rock chips - unlikely but entirely possible. That makes it a poor argument.

The product on my car is the 3M product - in fact it was installed by the regional 3M distributor for Western Canada. Its the real deal regardless of if you like it or not. The pictures are simple proof - how can you argue that?

FricFrac · 03-16-2010, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal 370Z

Depending on what object actually hits the film there might or might not be damage. If it is a sharp object is can damage both the film and the paint, BUT the damage will be reduced because of the film. What it does best is save your front end from the perpetual peppering of pits and chips that come over time. After having a clear bar I will never own another vehicle without it.

Yes and this is what I'm trying to say. Get it - it greatly reduces the number of chips in your paint! I would get it again in a heartbeat. Its just important to note that it REDUCES damage and doesn't eliminate it.....

eric3621 · 03-16-2010, 10:40 PM

Clear bras are a necessity in the south with all of these bugs around. Summer sucks down here....

Zigen5 · 03-16-2010, 11:41 PM

Yes it is... Don't forget road construction lol..

KingZee · 03-17-2010, 03:44 AM

any of the southern cali guys know any good installers around here with good deals? Hook a brother up

Zultimate · 03-17-2010, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370zlove3

I know I have asked this before but it seems to get unanswered every time I ask. So here goes again

!

Other than the hood and the bumper, what other places should be well protected? Are the rear fenders need to be protected? etc. etc. etc.

Headlights, mirrors and windshield pilars. I've had the 3M product on 3 different vehicles now and can't say enough good about it. I'm having the full hood, full front fenders, as well as bumper and lights done on my new 370Z. It's more expensive to do the full panels but that way you don't see any lines. Not a big deal if you have a light color paint but the lines do show on dark colors....like my black Z. As far as cost, it going to cost $1050 for everything.

steveg78 · 03-17-2010, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zultimate

Headlights, mirrors and windshield pilars. I've had the 3M product on 3 different vehicles now and can't say enough good about it. I'm having the full hood, full front fenders, as well as bumper and lights done on my new 370Z. It's more expensive to do the full panels but that way you don't see any lines. Not a big deal if you have a light color paint but the lines do show on dark colors....like my black Z. As far as cost, it going to cost $1050 for everything.

Thats a damn good price for FULL hood and fenders. I'm gonna ask the installer again how much for full hood again to make sure I heard him right... 500 extra sounds pretty steep to do full hood for me.

rbratton · 03-18-2010, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370zlove3

I know I have asked this before but it seems to get unanswered every time I ask. So here goes again

!

Other than the hood and the bumper, what other places should be well protected? Are the rear fenders need to be protected? etc. etc. etc.

In addition to the areas mentioned above, I suggest the rocker panels on low to the ground cars like the 370Z. Rocker panel protection has really saved my 370Z off and on the track. To me priority to coverage is bumper, hood/fender, lights, and then rocker panels/wheel openings if you have the $$$ available. Full hood and fender coverage is not something I recommend or normally go with as covering the leading third of most hoods is more than adquate. Most impact damage from road/track debris will be focused to areas with large frontal areas like 370 bumpers and then to areas where the tires kickup debris. As the hood tapers off to a horizontal angle, the liklihood of an impact also decreases a bit. That being said, you never know whats going to happen...

I did not participate in the dispute about the effectiveness of this product, but the good stuff works (Xpel, Venture, and 3M). The cheaper stuff, not so much...

Zultimate · 03-18-2010, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbratton

In addition to the areas mentioned above, I suggest the rocker panels on low to the ground cars like the 370Z. Rocker panel protection has really saved my 370Z off and on the track. To me priority to coverage is bumper, hood/fender, lights, and then rocker panels/wheel openings if you have the $$$ available. Full hood and fender coverage is not something I recommend or normally go with as covering the leading third of most hoods is more than adquate. Most impact damage from road/track debris will be focused to areas with large frontal areas like 370 bumpers and then to areas where the tires kickup debris. As the hood tapers off to a horizontal angle, the liklihood of an impact also decreases a bit. That being said, you never know whats going to happen...

I did not participate in the dispute about the effectiveness of this product, but the good stuff works (Xpel, Venture, and 3M). The cheaper stuff, not so much...

The only advantage to doing full hood/fenders is you don't see any lines. Like i said before, on light color cars most people would not see the lines. On the darker colors they are noticable. Just a matter of personal prefererence but i say if you have the $$$ then do the full wrap. My installer charges $550 for partial hood/fender, bumper, lights and mirrors. Adding FULL hood and FULL fenders adds another $500.

40th370z · 03-22-2010, 06:24 PM

Not sure if it was posted earlier, but given a choice on a dark paint,which looks better? the bikini cut(has a curve) clearbra or the straight cut,they say the bikini might be a better choice for a dark paint , any feed back would be great.

rbratton · 03-23-2010, 08:44 AM

The idea behind the bikini cut is the the trailing edge of the hood film is less visible. The downside is that you have slightly less coverage in the center of your hood than you would with a straight cut hood. On the contrary, the bikini cut cut offers slightly more coverage on the fenders. If installed properly, either cut will look great. The type of film will make more of a difference than the cut. Does your installer offer a "premium film"? Most manufacturers offer two grades of film. Two different manufacturing procedures provide one film that has less texture (orange peel) and this is the premium film. It really is better and makes a huge difference on dark colors like your car. I'd say go for the bikini cut with the premium film!

Zsteve · 03-23-2010, 11:05 AM

So I had some road debris hit my front bumper and sctrach the doodoo out of it, so I am getting my front bumper repainted by Nissan for $120. To me it might just be cheaper to get things repainted at times. And the debris that hit my bumper would have not been stopped by the clear bra so either way it would have had to be repainted.

03-23-2010, 11:05 AM	#225 (permalink)
Zsteve A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: TX Posts: 3,298 Drives: the 2 balled club Rep Power: 21	So I had some road debris hit my front bumper and sctrach the doodoo out of it, so I am getting my front bumper repainted by Nissan for $120. To me it might just be cheaper to get things repainted at times. And the debris that hit my bumper would have not been stopped by the clear bra so either way it would have had to be repainted. __________________ 2010 LS3 C6 Silver coupe corvette

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03-16-2010, 07:59 PM	#212 (permalink)
steveg78 Track Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: MD Posts: 569 Drives: 09 370Z PG M6 +Sport Rep Power: 17	I'm sold based on what I've seen here. When I had my 90 300ZX it was chip city and looked horrible after all the years. The price I was quoted was the usual $800 for whole fascia (bumper), 20% up the hood, the fenders (I believe just about even with the headlights, I have to check on that) and the side view mirrors. I've only got 863mi on it and have been babying the F*#! outta her and staying off major highways during break-in. I know there's always a chance of that rouge rock flying up higher but I'd say 90% of the tiny road particles will be in the clear bra section. Just today I had a rock hit my windshield in my Jeep. I guess in a Z that would have been clear over the hood but if I can limit the damage and it's cost effective, I see a value in the investment.

03-16-2010, 08:41 PM	#213 (permalink)
370zlove3 Base Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: USA Posts: 73 Drives: 2010 370Z Rep Power: 15	I know I have asked this before but it seems to get unanswered every time I ask. So here goes again ! Other than the hood and the bumper, what other places should be well protected? Are the rear fenders need to be protected? etc. etc. etc.

03-16-2010, 10:40 PM	#216 (permalink)
eric3621 Base Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: St Simons Island, GA Posts: 21 Drives: 2010 Infiniti G37S Rep Power: 15	Clear bras are a necessity in the south with all of these bugs around. Summer sucks down here....

03-16-2010, 11:41 PM	#217 (permalink)
Zigen5 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Wesley Chapel, FL Posts: 260 Drives: '10 BC 370z Roadster Rep Power: 16	Yes it is... Don't forget road construction lol..

03-17-2010, 03:44 AM	#218 (permalink)
KingZee A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Glendale, CA Age: 40 Posts: 2,612 Drives: Focus ST Rep Power: 423	any of the southern cali guys know any good installers around here with good deals? Hook a brother up

03-22-2010, 06:24 PM	#223 (permalink)
40th370z Base Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 134 Drives: 2010-370z-40th Ann. Rep Power: 297	Not sure if it was posted earlier, but given a choice on a dark paint,which looks better? the bikini cut(has a curve) clearbra or the straight cut,they say the bikini might be a better choice for a dark paint , any feed back would be great.

03-23-2010, 08:44 AM	#224 (permalink)
rbratton Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Vine Grove, KY Posts: 89 Drives: 2009 370Z Rep Power: 16	The idea behind the bikini cut is the the trailing edge of the hood film is less visible. The downside is that you have slightly less coverage in the center of your hood than you would with a straight cut hood. On the contrary, the bikini cut cut offers slightly more coverage on the fenders. If installed properly, either cut will look great. The type of film will make more of a difference than the cut. Does your installer offer a "premium film"? Most manufacturers offer two grades of film. Two different manufacturing procedures provide one film that has less texture (orange peel) and this is the premium film. It really is better and makes a huge difference on dark colors like your car. I'd say go for the bikini cut with the premium film!