NEED PICS PLEASE: Clearbra on Pearl White (PW), especially hood

FromG2Z · 06-22-2011, 03:33 PM

As the subject states, I am contemplating putting clear bra on 1/2 of the hood and fenders. I currently have Ventureshield on the bumper and love it. Thankfully, no chips on hood (yet). So thus, am contemplating putting clear bra on the hood and fenders.

My concern is (which is why I haven't done it yet) seeing the lines/edges of the clear bra on the hood and fenders.

Can you folks please post pics of your clear bra (especially on pearl white) on your hood and fenders? I would like to see the lines/edges particularly.

thank you!

GNS · 06-22-2011, 03:43 PM

I don't have pics of what you're looking for, but clearbra on a white car is noticeable only when it gets dusty (duh) or if the clearbra starts turning color, which it should be guaranteed against. Just ask yourself this simple question: is the possible sight of clearbra lines less aesthetically pleasing than rock chips on your hood?

FromG2Z · 06-22-2011, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GNS

I don't have pics of what you're looking for, but clearbra on a white car is noticeable only when it gets dusty (duh) or if the clearbra starts turning color, which it should be guaranteed against. Just ask yourself this simple question: is the possible sight of clearbra lines less aesthetically pleasing than rock chips on your hood?

I hear ya bro.... trust me, I am as anal and OCD as can be. I am hoping the line/edge between the clear bra and the hood is not as obvious as the other ones I have seen. Hence I was hoping to see some pics of fellow Z owners (esp white) who have 1/2 their hood done so I can see if the lines are obvious. I have to decide soon, because my installer is doing my car on Friday

Surprisingly, I still have zero chips on the hood...for now

kenchan · 06-22-2011, 03:54 PM

G2Z- consult your local installer if they can do a full wrap on the hood and fenders. that's wat i'd do.

GNS · 06-22-2011, 03:59 PM

It's not as obvious if your installer is good about cutting the film and not leaving useless trim behind. My installer uses sheets cut by computer and specially tailored for the hood/fenders. I wouldn't do half the hood...maybe the front 3rd is sufficient. Also it's not a question of if you'll get a chip...but when.

You know what's ironic? Clearbra is designed to be so optically clear because it has to be unnoticeable, but I see it as a mark of respect for the car by the owner, consequently one of the first things I look for IS an application of Clearbra - defeating the original intent of its transparency

Roadster4Us · 06-22-2011, 04:02 PM

On a white car, it won't be noticed unless you are really looking for it. On my yellow car, nobody noticed until I pointed it out. Definitely more noticable on my Black Cherry Z, but the slight edge is still much better looking than chips or tons of touch up paint.

As Ken stated, if it's a real concern ask them how much extra to cover the full hood.

Good luck.

FromG2Z · 06-22-2011, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

G2Z- consult your local installer if they can do a full wrap on the hood and fenders. that's wat i'd do.

Thanks Ken... yeah he can do the FULL hood too, but I don't think I want to do that especially since I'm big into detailing/buffing/polishing etc. Having it on the entire hood would defeat the purpose for me... So that's why I was just thinking of doing the 1/3 of the hood or something... just to protect against chips.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GNS

It's not as obvious if your installer is good about cutting the film and not leaving useless trim behind. My installer uses sheets cut by computer and specially tailored for the hood/fenders. I wouldn't do half the hood...maybe the front 3rd is sufficient. Also it's not a question of if you'll get a chip...but when.

You know what's ironic? Clearbra is designed to be so optically clear because it has to be unnoticeable, but I see it as a mark of respect for the car by the owner, consequently one of the first things I look for IS an application of Clearbra - defeating the original intent of its transparency

Good point.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadster4Us

On a white car, it won't be noticed unless you are really looking for it. On my yellow car, nobody noticed until I pointed it out. Definitely more noticable on my Black Cherry Z, but the slight edge is still much better looking than chips or tons of touch up paint.

As Ken stated, if it's a real concern ask them how much extra to cover the full hood.

Good luck.

That's what my "hope" was, is that the clear bra line on the hood will be less noticeable than on a darker color. On my bumper, I have it ENTIRELY wrapped and you can't see it.

So NOBODY has any pics of their clear bra on the 1/2 or 1/3 of the hood????

Please help a brotha out

(My search was unsuccessful as I got hits for a full hood mostly, and on dark colored or 40th Z's)

BuckeyeZ · 06-22-2011, 04:15 PM

The line is not that noticable when it is first installed. I have noticed that if you are not careful in removing wax or if you rub the line with clay bar, you will eventually get dirt on the edge that cannot be easily removed and will eventually collect dirt and become visible. IMO, the dirty line is still better than chips in the hood.

kenchan · 06-22-2011, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FromG2Z

Thanks Ken... yeah he can do the FULL hood too, but I don't think I want to do that especially since I'm big into detailing/buffing/polishing etc. Having it on the entire hood would defeat the purpose for me... So that's why I was just thinking of doing the 1/3 of the hood or something... just to protect against chips.

yah, it is true that clearbra easily swirls with even a dry finger rubbing it so i see wat you mean. it's nearly impossible to remove swirls from clearbra.

since your car is white though it might not make much of a difference vs other colors just as long as you use some super shiny polymer like Zaino or something crazy.

as you can tell, im not big in super shiny polymers. i like my colors warm and deep.

HTP AutoWorks · 06-22-2011, 04:38 PM

I am trying to upload some photos of some pearl white cars I have installed half hoods on. If I cant geet the pics to upload then send me your email addy and I will email them to you. The film on these cars (if the pics upload) is VentureShield Ultra.

Ok they took. As far as the full hood goes I highly recommend it. It is much easier to maintain the hood if it is completely wrapped. The film will polish just as the paint will and a product like Zaino is excellent for it as it does not yellow as it ages... such as some of the cheaper waxes out there.

FromG2Z · 06-22-2011, 05:13 PM

^ HTP, thank you for the pics. That looks phenomenal. In the first pic of the Infiniti, I couldn't see the line. The 2nd pic I could see but barely and only if you're looking for it. So would you recommend getting the full hood done??? Also if I read you correctly, you can POLISH the clear bra, just like paint? I have a PC and Flex with Menzerna and Meguiar's polishes. If I were close to you logistics wise, I'd have you wrap it.

Also, my guy who does it, only uses 3M... I have Ventureshield on the bumper, but that guy who did it before is gone... this new guy is licensed for 3M only. Will the 3M perform just as well and can still be polished?

HTP AutoWorks · 06-22-2011, 09:56 PM

I have never liked 3M film mainly because the texture of the film. It has a lot of orange peel to it so looking at the reflections on the car will cause it to stand out. Now on pearl white I dont think it would be a big issue and it wouldnt be that noticable.

I think wrapping the ful panel is the best option. It provides the best protection and it is easier to maintain without having the seam. If he wraps the edges under you will be in great shape. It will cost more for the full hood but I think you will be much happier with the results and maintaining it.

ImportConvert · 06-23-2011, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FromG2Z

As the subject states, I am contemplating putting clear bra on 1/2 of the hood and fenders. I currently have Ventureshield on the bumper and love it. Thankfully, no chips on hood (yet). So thus, am contemplating putting clear bra on the hood and fenders.

My concern is (which is why I haven't done it yet) seeing the lines/edges of the clear bra on the hood and fenders.

Can you folks please post pics of your clear bra (especially on pearl white) on your hood and fenders? I would like to see the lines/edges particularly.

thank you!

I have ventureshield Ultra on my 'vette (Arctic White) and have seen pix of it on a PW 370Z. My 'vette hides it pretty well, but I think the PW hides it even better. You can see the lines, but only if you are really looking or I point it out to you.

Supposedly Avery Dennison's new Nanofusion is the best film on the market right now. It's a little more $$ than VS Ultra, but from what I have heard it's worth it.

06-22-2011, 03:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
FromG2Z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Fields of Opportunities Posts: 1,406 Drives: '12 5.0, kona, 6MT Rep Power: 17	NEED PICS PLEASE: Clearbra on Pearl White (PW), especially hood As the subject states, I am contemplating putting clear bra on 1/2 of the hood and fenders. I currently have Ventureshield on the bumper and love it. Thankfully, no chips on hood (yet). So thus, am contemplating putting clear bra on the hood and fenders. My concern is (which is why I haven't done it yet) seeing the lines/edges of the clear bra on the hood and fenders. Can you folks please post pics of your clear bra (especially on pearl white) on your hood and fenders? I would like to see the lines/edges particularly. thank you! __________________ 2012 5.0 GT Prem, Kona Blue, 6MT, HID, Brembo, 3.73 -- Ordered: 9/20/11, Born on: 10/20/11, Delivered 11/15/11"Marilyn" GT500 mufflers/flaps, MGW shifter, FRPP K springs, BMR panhard bar, Boss coil covers, 3DC spoiler, Llumar Tint (35% and 20%), 3M ClearBra

06-22-2011, 04:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
Roadster4Us A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2011 Location: Stafford, VA Posts: 1,328 Drives: 2013 ZL1 Rep Power: 15	On a white car, it won't be noticed unless you are really looking for it. On my yellow car, nobody noticed until I pointed it out. Definitely more noticable on my Black Cherry Z, but the slight edge is still much better looking than chips or tons of touch up paint. As Ken stated, if it's a real concern ask them how much extra to cover the full hood. Good luck. __________________ Greg 2013 Camaro ZL1

06-22-2011, 04:15 PM	#8 (permalink)
BuckeyeZ Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Music City Posts: 291 Drives: 370Z BMW M4 Rep Power: 65	The line is not that noticable when it is first installed. I have noticed that if you are not careful in removing wax or if you rub the line with clay bar, you will eventually get dirt on the edge that cannot be easily removed and will eventually collect dirt and become visible. IMO, the dirty line is still better than chips in the hood. __________________ Stillen \| EVO-R \| HPS \| K&N \| Hotchkis \| Modshack Oil Cooler \| SPL

06-22-2011, 05:13 PM	#11 (permalink)
FromG2Z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Fields of Opportunities Posts: 1,406 Drives: '12 5.0, kona, 6MT Rep Power: 17	^ HTP, thank you for the pics. That looks phenomenal. In the first pic of the Infiniti, I couldn't see the line. The 2nd pic I could see but barely and only if you're looking for it. So would you recommend getting the full hood done??? Also if I read you correctly, you can POLISH the clear bra, just like paint? I have a PC and Flex with Menzerna and Meguiar's polishes. If I were close to you logistics wise, I'd have you wrap it. Also, my guy who does it, only uses 3M... I have Ventureshield on the bumper, but that guy who did it before is gone... this new guy is licensed for 3M only. Will the 3M perform just as well and can still be polished? __________________ 2012 5.0 GT Prem, Kona Blue, 6MT, HID, Brembo, 3.73 -- Ordered: 9/20/11, Born on: 10/20/11, Delivered 11/15/11"Marilyn" GT500 mufflers/flaps, MGW shifter, FRPP K springs, BMR panhard bar, Boss coil covers, 3DC spoiler, Llumar Tint (35% and 20%), 3M ClearBra

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06-22-2011, 03:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
GNS Base Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Ontario Posts: 52 Drives: 370 Rep Power: 13	I don't have pics of what you're looking for, but clearbra on a white car is noticeable only when it gets dusty (duh) or if the clearbra starts turning color, which it should be guaranteed against. Just ask yourself this simple question: is the possible sight of clearbra lines less aesthetically pleasing than rock chips on your hood?

06-22-2011, 03:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	G2Z- consult your local installer if they can do a full wrap on the hood and fenders. that's wat i'd do.

06-22-2011, 03:59 PM	#5 (permalink)
GNS Base Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Ontario Posts: 52 Drives: 370 Rep Power: 13	It's not as obvious if your installer is good about cutting the film and not leaving useless trim behind. My installer uses sheets cut by computer and specially tailored for the hood/fenders. I wouldn't do half the hood...maybe the front 3rd is sufficient. Also it's not a question of if you'll get a chip...but when. You know what's ironic? Clearbra is designed to be so optically clear because it has to be unnoticeable, but I see it as a mark of respect for the car by the owner, consequently one of the first things I look for IS an application of Clearbra - defeating the original intent of its transparency

06-22-2011, 09:56 PM	#12 (permalink)
HTP AutoWorks Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: DFW Posts: 124 Drives: G35, Jeep SRT-8 Rep Power: 0	I have never liked 3M film mainly because the texture of the film. It has a lot of orange peel to it so looking at the reflections on the car will cause it to stand out. Now on pearl white I dont think it would be a big issue and it wouldnt be that noticable. I think wrapping the ful panel is the best option. It provides the best protection and it is easier to maintain without having the seam. If he wraps the edges under you will be in great shape. It will cost more for the full hood but I think you will be much happier with the results and maintaining it.