370z Clear Bra?

Dimon009 · 10-19-2011, 04:31 PM

Hey, I'm new to this and just got my Z almost 2 weeks ago. Been driving it and loving every moment of it.

I've been thinking of putting a clear bra on the Z and was wondering what advice you may have. Is it worth it? Any recommendations in regards to the type of clear bra? And if anyone is from Bay Area CA could refer me to a place around here that they trust/recommend.

Thanks in advance!

mr_sk · 10-19-2011, 09:21 PM

I dont think it's worth it - I say that because I got one installed on my front bumper (entire thing) and it ran over $500 for the bra + installation.

At that rate, you could just get the bumper re-sprayed. I'd say it's not worth it.

To do the entire front (bumper, fenders, lights, 1/2 hood), you're looking at probably 1.5K - seems silly to me, but that's just my opinion.

gurneyeagle · 10-19-2011, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr_sk

I dont think it's worth it - I say that because I got one installed on my front bumper (entire thing) and it ran over $500 for the bra + installation.

At that rate, you could just get the bumper re-sprayed. I'd say it's not worth it.

To do the entire front (bumper, fenders, lights, 1/2 hood), you're looking at probably 1.5K - seems silly to me, but that's just my opinion.

For what you say costs $1,500, I got for $500.

OP - best investment you can make.

EL Diablo · 10-19-2011, 10:32 PM

I say a clear bra is a must if you want to protect the bumper paint from getting road blasted.

Sure you can repaint it... but in that case you drive a chipped up bumper until you respray, then you are back where you stared with an unprotected bumper that will get blasted again.

Do it once and have your bumper looking nice and chip free.

a Clear bra is something you really should put on as soon as possible.
It doesn't take much to chip this paint.

SuperZeto · 10-19-2011, 11:07 PM

I have 3M on my black 370... Its worth it if you have a dark colored 370.. Rock chips are annoying.

Red__Zed · 10-19-2011, 11:09 PM

was very happy with mine on my z

FL 4Motion · 10-20-2011, 12:58 AM

Have it on mine, OP, if you care about the paint on the front end of your car, it's a good investment.

djpathfinder · 10-20-2011, 01:07 AM

It's a great investment. 3M. Find a place that wraps around the edges of the hood for full protection. Go up 18" or 24" on the hood.

mr_sk · 10-20-2011, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gurneyeagle

For what you say costs $1,500, I got for $500.

OP - best investment you can make.

That's amazing - I don't know where you went in Houston, or what prices are compared to NY, but I couldn't find anyone that did it any cheaper.

If you can get this done for $500 it's a no brainer (the entire front).

I have a black Z '11 and I did this at like ~500 miles. I'm glad I did it. If I had PW or Silver I wouldn't do it. We'll see how it fairs in 2 years.

Armonster · 10-20-2011, 09:36 AM

Definitely do it if you can - I did mine within a couple hundred miles. A buddy of mine has the front end of his Cayman wrapped. His car was hit by tire debris on the highway and it left a huge black scrape across his bumper. He peeled off the clear bra and the paint was flawless underneath.

Also, I recommend getting the full hood done if you can. Looks way nicer and is easier to clean/wax/etc.

But I agree it will be tough to find someone to do the full front end for only $500 (and do a good job of it - which is the important part).

mr_sk · 10-20-2011, 09:47 AM

I think it took the guys about ~5 solid hours of work to do just the front bumper. An entire front at that rate would take easily two days, heh. It is labor intensive, ergo the high cost.

Red__Zed · 10-20-2011, 09:55 AM

Standard price here is about $500 for front. Held up great

2011 Nismo#91 · 10-20-2011, 09:57 AM

When I was looking to do mine the time to do the basic front was about a day and the front half was 2 days. And the costs are insane here in the NY area unless you go with a no name brand clear coat and a shady installer.

gurneyeagle · 10-20-2011, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2011 Nismo#91

When I was looking to do mine the time to do the basic front was about a day and the front half was 2 days. And the costs are insane here in the NY area unless you go with a no name brand clear coat and a shady installer.

Wow, it took two guys about two and a half hours to apply the 3M clear bra.

kenchan · 10-20-2011, 04:34 PM

if it's your dd and do a lot of hwy miles it can be worth it.

for me i only drive my Z on the weekends in light traffic and to this day i only have 2 small chips (after 2yrs). so im not sweating a clearbra.

my G is 7yrs old and finally it's starting to show some age but from like 2ft away no one can see the very tiny blemishes. it depends on how you use the car.
no clearbra on her either.

on the other hand, my wife's dd had all sorts of chips.

she follows cars too close imho...

10-19-2011, 04:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
Dimon009 Base Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 112 Drives: 2011 Nissan 370Z 6sp Rep Power: 14	370z Clear Bra? Hey, I'm new to this and just got my Z almost 2 weeks ago. Been driving it and loving every moment of it. I've been thinking of putting a clear bra on the Z and was wondering what advice you may have. Is it worth it? Any recommendations in regards to the type of clear bra? And if anyone is from Bay Area CA could refer me to a place around here that they trust/recommend. Thanks in advance!

10-19-2011, 09:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
mr_sk Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 393 Drives: 2011 Z Sport MT Rep Power: 14	I dont think it's worth it - I say that because I got one installed on my front bumper (entire thing) and it ran over $500 for the bra + installation. At that rate, you could just get the bumper re-sprayed. I'd say it's not worth it. To do the entire front (bumper, fenders, lights, 1/2 hood), you're looking at probably 1.5K - seems silly to me, but that's just my opinion. __________________ Part out thread: http://www.the370z.com/parts-sale-pr...-dynodash.html

10-19-2011, 10:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
EL Diablo Base Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: USA Posts: 91 Drives: Not a 370Z Rep Power: 15	I say a clear bra is a must if you want to protect the bumper paint from getting road blasted. Sure you can repaint it... but in that case you drive a chipped up bumper until you respray, then you are back where you stared with an unprotected bumper that will get blasted again. Do it once and have your bumper looking nice and chip free. a Clear bra is something you really should put on as soon as possible. It doesn't take much to chip this paint. wildolympic likes this. __________________ The Z Has Left The Building. Thank You & Good Night!

10-19-2011, 11:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
SuperZeto Base Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 92 Drives: '78 280Z, '09 370Z Rep Power: 14	I have 3M on my black 370... Its worth it if you have a dark colored 370.. Rock chips are annoying. wildolympic likes this.

10-19-2011, 11:09 PM	#6 (permalink)
Red__Zed A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: window seat Posts: 28,940 Drives: Mostly on two wheels Rep Power: 120	was very happy with mine on my z wildolympic likes this.

10-20-2011, 12:58 AM	#7 (permalink)
FL 4Motion A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: FL Posts: 4,776 Drives: Baby Shark Rep Power: 701615	Have it on mine, OP, if you care about the paint on the front end of your car, it's a good investment. wildolympic likes this.

10-20-2011, 01:07 AM	#8 (permalink)
djpathfinder A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Edmonton, Canada Posts: 12,910 Drives: 2012 GT-R BE Rep Power: 733	It's a great investment. 3M. Find a place that wraps around the edges of the hood for full protection. Go up 18" or 24" on the hood. __________________ 2012 GT-R Black Edition Jet Black 2010 370Z 40th Anniversary // SOLD

10-20-2011, 09:36 AM	#10 (permalink)
Armonster Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 270 Drives: 2010 370z t/sp/6mt Rep Power: 14	Definitely do it if you can - I did mine within a couple hundred miles. A buddy of mine has the front end of his Cayman wrapped. His car was hit by tire debris on the highway and it left a huge black scrape across his bumper. He peeled off the clear bra and the paint was flawless underneath. Also, I recommend getting the full hood done if you can. Looks way nicer and is easier to clean/wax/etc. But I agree it will be tough to find someone to do the full front end for only $500 (and do a good job of it - which is the important part).

10-20-2011, 09:47 AM	#11 (permalink)
mr_sk Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 393 Drives: 2011 Z Sport MT Rep Power: 14	I think it took the guys about ~5 solid hours of work to do just the front bumper. An entire front at that rate would take easily two days, heh. It is labor intensive, ergo the high cost. __________________ Part out thread: http://www.the370z.com/parts-sale-pr...-dynodash.html

10-20-2011, 09:55 AM	#12 (permalink)
Red__Zed A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: window seat Posts: 28,940 Drives: Mostly on two wheels Rep Power: 120	Standard price here is about $500 for front. Held up great

10-20-2011, 09:57 AM	#13 (permalink)
2011 Nismo#91 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 2,402 Drives: slowly Rep Power: 40569	When I was looking to do mine the time to do the basic front was about a day and the front half was 2 days. And the costs are insane here in the NY area unless you go with a no name brand clear coat and a shady installer.

10-20-2011, 04:34 PM	#15 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	if it's your dd and do a lot of hwy miles it can be worth it. for me i only drive my Z on the weekends in light traffic and to this day i only have 2 small chips (after 2yrs). so im not sweating a clearbra. my G is 7yrs old and finally it's starting to show some age but from like 2ft away no one can see the very tiny blemishes. it depends on how you use the car. no clearbra on her either. on the other hand, my wife's dd had all sorts of chips. she follows cars too close imho...

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