What do people think of Clear Bra Paint Protection?

HTP AutoWorks

No the newer films do not yellow. And if they do they are warranted. VentureShield, which is what I primarily install, is warranted for life from yellowing, cracking, fading, or peeling.

There are numerous other videos on the web demonstrating the durability of the film. The video was not a gimick... and if you really want to critique one, you will always find something that doesnt satisfy your curiousity.

Zsteve

I wasnt saying it was a gimic I just pointed out that I saw damage on the film when they peeled it off. I was meaning that that damage would look like road rash on the car, admiting that the paint would be OK but you would still see what looks like damage while the film is on the car. Im sure it works well to a point but I was just pointing a couple of things out.

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2010 LS3 C6 Silver coupe corvette

antennahead

I traded a 2006 350 on my 370, the car was 2 1/2 years old. I drive the interstate to work daily. After one year the front bumper looked like it had been shot with a shotgun, chip city. It was horrible, I hated it. The 370 had a clear bra professionally installed right after I got it last March '09. You can't tell it is on the car, the install is so good. As of today the front bumper is perfect. You can tell when smaller rocks and pebbles hit it at speed, because there will sometimes be this little spot of "dust" where the impact was, rock shattered....... no damage to the bra, or as far as I can tell, whats underneath. This is obviously a personal choice for everyone, but after the way the 350 looked, versus how the 370 now looks (like new), I am a sold customer. I have zero yellowing also, as I said, you can't tell it's there.

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steveg78

For the guys with and without paint protection products and some mileage under the belt:

Do you think getting a full hood is overkill? I am probably getting mine done this week and installer seemed to steer me away from full hood saying the kit which includes front bumper, 20% hood, partial fenders and mirrors would be sufficient. I have been staying off the highways during my break-in but I'm wondering if the 370 hood is susceptible to rock damage higher up on the hood. I mean, for the most part, where do you guys seem to find your chips appearing (besides front fascia of course). Oh yeah, what about rear panels/doors? Obviously, the price is substantially higher so finding the right balance is what I'm after.

Thanks

Zsteve

The cost to get the whole hood done is probably more than it would cost to paint it.

Ive also read that on darker cars its not as clear appearing as it is on lighter colors.

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2010 LS3 C6 Silver coupe corvette

antennahead

This is just my personal experience. My '06 350 had a front bumper that looked like crap, chip city! The hood was fine and I drive the interstate M thru F to work. The 370 has a perfect front bumper after one year with the clear bra applied when new, the hood is also flawless. I would opt to not do even a partial hood, but that is just me. I have no chip issues anywhere else either, nor did I on the 350. YMMV.

John

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Time is a companion, who goes with us on the journey, and reminds us to cherish every moment............ because it will never come again

Z-WHIZ

I have a few very small chips on my hood and fender. Would it be possible to to touch those up and then install the bra? Or is that not reccommended?

blinkme323

I was actually wondering the same thing....

SoCal 370Z

Yes. Just insure the paint has properly dried, and that your prep before painting the chip is done correctly.

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FricFrac

There are companys that specialize in chip repair - check out your local yellow pages. You can also try your hand yourself....

eShine Canada: LANGKA Complete Paint Chip Repair Kit

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'09 370Z - '93 300ZX Vert - '83 280ZX - '83 280ZXT -'81 280ZXT stroker - '72 240Z - Stillen CBE, HFC, G3, Grounding Kit, Sways // Swift Spring // H&R 15mm // 5% Tint // Clear Bra //

SoCal 370Z

steveg78,

Honestly, the success of a good clear bra relies upon two things:

1) Good product, and even more so,
2) A very competent installer.

Find a car gathering event close to you and show up to look at the rides. You should be able to find owners who have done minor to custom clear bra installs. They can can also tell you the pros and cons, BUT more so you can see how the results turn out on what you are looking to do.

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schrute

I have the half hood (probably more like 40% hood - it's about even with the back of the headlights) and I don't see a need to go higher. The edge of the clearbra is noticeable when the car is dirty, less so when it's clean. On a darker color it might be more noticeable. If the price isn't much different I would recommend doing the entire hood but it's overkill if the price is significantly different, the chips will be more prevelant on the bumper/lower hood. As long as you do at least the lower hood you'll be good.

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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.

FricFrac

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?

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'09 370Z - '93 300ZX Vert - '83 280ZX - '83 280ZXT -'81 280ZXT stroker - '72 240Z - Stillen CBE, HFC, G3, Grounding Kit, Sways // Swift Spring // H&R 15mm // 5% Tint // Clear Bra //

Zsteve

I dont doubt that the film works to a degree, but what Im not clear on is this. If the film stops the damage, which is good, does the film itself get damaged , thus giving the appearnace of damage to the area? I mean if the film is damaged and is on the car then whats the point, it still looks bad? Now if the film doesnt look damaged then I can see the advantage. but on one of the videos posted earlier in this thread, when they peeled the film off the area to show that the area was ok, which it was, the film looked damaged. So unless you can replace the film every so often at a low cost, Im not sure.

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2010 LS3 C6 Silver coupe corvette