Clear bra after 3yrs and 18,000 miles?
 

I have a few rock chips and am trying to decide to get the clear bra now or is it like shutting the gate after the dog gets out. What do you guys think?

I would hang in there until you decide it's time for fresh paint, seeing as the cost of a clear bra is pretty high to begin with.

I concur. Clear bra is like something you want before you leave the dealer's lot. If there's an imperfection, like a rock chip....now you're looking at an air bubble. :shakes head:

:iagree:

This is the way to go Doug. Get the chips repaired, wait a few weeks for the paint to cure, then get a clear bra installed.

I had a friend that used Dr ColorChip on a couple of chips on his BMW and then put the clear bra over. You couldn't find them if you had too. You could try the Colorchip without a major investment and then decide about the bra. Just food for thought.

Agreed. Dr ColorChip is really good stuff.

Clear Bra is so damn expensive, I was quoted from a few places about 3k or so just to do the bare bones minimum. And well over 5k to do the entire front half. IMO getting a clear bra now or repainting in 8 years or so isn't much different.

My god, I need to start a clear bra company in the N.E.!

I got 1/3 hood, front fenders, rockers, mirrors, and full bumper (including fang area) for $500 here in Houston.

That is insane! Two of my friends and I (members here) had three Zs done the same day for half of that... $500 each. :shakes head:

Yeah that is way too expensive. The most I have heard around here is around $1800 which is still pretty high.

OP i would check locally and see how much a respray would cost. In my area it appears Baker Nissan will repaint your front bumper for 300$ so in my opinion you could get a lot of repaints for the cost of clear bra. If you can get the clear bra before leaving the dealership then that is the way to go but for me since i do not have it and i have plenty of chips. Dr. color chip is my friend till i decide to repaint for 300$

Yeah it was insane, I was specifically requesting the 3M one, they did offer me some others manufacturer's clear bras for a bit cheaper. If I was getting quotes for 500 or even 1800 I would have done it.

murph - is that Baker Nissan North? Does their body shop have a good reputation?

I'm wondering who could quote me on doing a Nismo nose conversion for me. Parts are about $2,500, and I'm curious as to the cost of painting and the labor.

Respray and then put the clear bra immediately on.
protect that nice brand new paint job.


A clear bra is really something that should be done as soon as you leave the dealer.
I think I paid around $400 for just the bumper. It was under $500 for sure.

Thanks for all the replies and votes so far. I've been using just regular nissan touch up paint and it's not bad. I've been curious about dr color chip for a while. Think I'll have to give it a try. Might by me some time before a respray.