My 05 installed clear bra is yellowing so I'm removing it. Cars in great shape, no paint chips. Now I'm debating the reinstall. How bad is your front end without a bra?? Is it a must do?? Was never crazy about the line half way up the hood. I know I could go all the way but it just seems like it takes away from the cars finish. Should I just invest in some dr colorchip and let the stones fly where they may? Discuss.

 

A quality clear bra like XPel Ultimate is going to be close to the cost of a respray. Since my car is not a DD I prefer to take my chances. When I am driving in traffic I just try not to tailgate and won't drive behind trucks, especially when they have tires that extend past the fenders.

 

another option is bra from speed lingerie. probably about the same cost as a clear bra but removable. I got one and was very skeptical but ended up liking the thing. It also keeps debris out of the radiators. Dont ask me how I know but it will stay on at over 160MPH. No scratches or stone chips. no problems.

http://www.speedlingerie.com/

 

i vote for clear bra.... Always ran it on my front bumper until mine yellowed also. I removed it last summer and my front end paid a nice toll because of it. Its a no brainer to me, I get so annoyed if I see a new chip or scuff every time I wash my car. I am throwing on a new bumper this spring and will be putting a new clear bra on it to hope it lasts for 5 years+

 

Right on Todd. I have a Speed Lingerie that is speed yellow which contrasts nicely with the cobalt blue paint, but highlights the yellow calipers. I put it on if I plan on a longer trip.

 

I would never go without a clear bra. A respray is pita and touch up looks like pimples. A grand or two every 8-12 years is money well spent. If you keep car out of elements and use polish on it, it could last even longer

 

Quality clear bras last many years. The most likely culprit for a yellow bra is not age but chemicals used on it. Things like windex, armoral and other automotive chemicals can kill these films. I would say a clear bra is a must in my climate and it can never hurt in many others for those odd chip moments.

I would say do it again be be careful what you spray it with, find a quality installer and ask him of the do's and don't about car care chemicals.

 

I have considered a clear bra for my car but a couple concerns have stopped me. My car is black, which shows everything. Clear bra's look perfect on a lot of colors, but black I have not seen. I had my car repainted, and I have heard stories of the adhesive pulling off the paint during removal, when it was other than factory paint.

 

Thanks for the replies, going to have her clear bra'd again! Seems to be more pro's than cons

 

Clear bra is definitely fantastic for protection and piece of mind!

How would a vinyl vehicle wrap hold up to stone chips? It's a lot thinner, but wasn't sure what kind of durability it would add (if any). I don't like the seams in the clear bras, and have been kicking around the idea of wrapping my car as an alternative.

 

ok, i'll weigh in as a contrarian. clear bra's suck. they look cheap, peel, yellow, and need to be replaced.. and for what? chips happen on 10 year old cars. i burned my car's bra years ago

add: this from a guy that has his car semi wrapped lol

 

My cars complete front end and hips are completely wrapped and you can not even tell unless you are very close and look in the right spots. The only reason they yellow is you sprayed it with some chemical you should not have multiple times.

And for what, in many non LA climates like mine a car can be so rock chipped after several years it would just look like crap. So I have the front end peeled every 5 years or so, The car still looks great because of it.

 

mine's been wrapped so long now, i have no idea how the hood looks. the first time w the 3m clear it began to peel at the front air scoops. i guess they can save us from some chips, but i still think they look like s*it. but to each his own

 

Not necessarily. I have my entire front end wrapped with Xpel Ultimate and it looks FANTASTIC and didnt break the budget. DD or not you can (and will) get chips/damage even driving around town with no traffic. (sand, dirt, road debris, etc...)

 

If you need an installer my guy is 1/2 down the road from my shop. Excellent work - over 15 years experience. Let me know.