Clear bra after 3yrs and 18,000 miles?

Doug&Michelle · 10-20-2011, 12:34 AM

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?

mantella87 · 10-20-2011, 12:37 AM

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.

DJ-of-E · 10-20-2011, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mantella87

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.

gurneyeagle · 10-20-2011, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mantella87

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.

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.

BeachZTT · 10-20-2011, 07:32 AM

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.

m4a1mustang · 10-20-2011, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeachZTT

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.

2011 Nismo#91 · 10-20-2011, 07:56 AM

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.

gurneyeagle · 10-20-2011, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2011 Nismo#91

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.

BeachZTT · 10-20-2011, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2011 Nismo#91

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.

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

m4a1mustang · 10-20-2011, 08:13 AM

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

murphman · 10-20-2011, 08:25 AM

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$

2011 Nismo#91 · 10-20-2011, 08:41 AM

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.

gurneyeagle · 10-20-2011, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by murphman

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$

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.

EL Diablo · 10-20-2011, 09:47 AM

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.

Doug&Michelle · 10-20-2011, 10:11 AM

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.

View Poll Results: Should I do the bra now or is it too late.
Do it now before it gets worse.	10	26.32%
Wait til you do the repaint some day then do it.	28	73.68%
Voters: 38. You may not vote on this poll

10-20-2011, 12:34 AM	#1 (permalink)
Doug&Michelle Base Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 176 Drives: '09 370z Tourng Auto Rep Power: 14	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?

10-20-2011, 07:32 AM	#5 (permalink)
BeachZTT Track Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 746 Drives: '10 BC ZR T/S/Nav Rep Power: 16	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. __________________ '10 ZR Black Cherry Sport/Touring/Nav, Swift Springs, Stillen G3s, 15mm-F 20mm-R Spacers, SPC, Spoiler Solutions Rear Wing, Stubby Antenna

10-20-2011, 08:13 AM	#10 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	Yeah that is way too expensive. The most I have heard around here is around $1800 which is still pretty high. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

10-20-2011, 08:25 AM	#11 (permalink)
murphman Track Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: houston Posts: 611 Drives: 370z Tour Black 7AT Rep Power: 16	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$ __________________ Mod List: FI 18" CBE// Eibach Springs// Rear Camber kit// Ingen CAI//

10-20-2011, 12:37 AM	#2 (permalink)
mantella87 Track Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 590 Drives: 2011 Z34 MT Rep Power: 14	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.

10-20-2011, 07:56 AM	#7 (permalink)
2011 Nismo#91 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 2,381 Drives: slowly Rep Power: 33858	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.

10-20-2011, 08:41 AM	#12 (permalink)
2011 Nismo#91 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 2,381 Drives: slowly Rep Power: 33858	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.

10-20-2011, 09:47 AM	#14 (permalink)
EL Diablo Base Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: USA Posts: 91 Drives: Not a 370Z Rep Power: 14	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. __________________ The Z Has Left The Building. Thank You & Good Night!

10-20-2011, 10:11 AM	#15 (permalink)
Doug&Michelle Base Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 176 Drives: '09 370z Tourng Auto Rep Power: 14	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.

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