clear bra? when already have chips
 

i am thinking about putting on clear bra as i have noticed some chips on the front bumper and hood. do i have to repaint the piece first, or do i just have it installed with existing chips? thanks.

probably a good time to use touch up paint and wet sand it smooth. then you really won't see the repair as much.

do u mind? it's me again :p

how big is the chips & how many of them? it's really up to u if u want to repaint it. the small chips can usually be touched up but they're noticable. however, if u decide to repaint it will be ideal to install the film after at least 4 weeks. fresh paint needs time to cure. if the paint is not cure 100% u'll have big problem later if u want to replace the film; the paint & clearcoat will come off with the film. when u paint it, don't drive the car too much certainly not freeway. just remember any after paint will not be as strong as factory paint regardless paint quality. therefore u'll see many chips again before the bra job.

arling, always welcome your comments and appreciated all your help. i may just go to a body shop to see if they are willing to help me touch up and remove excess with what ever compound of their choice. i guess clear bra after that would be a good idea.

there is a body shop near you, i think they are just east of the 405 and it's south of olympic. many have highly recommended the place, do you know anything about them. ( i don't think i gave you too much information on the shop!!) oh, you have to turn south from olympic right by the chinese restruant between sepeluvad and the 405... am i making sense..

Thanks.

hummm u're making a little sense but do u know how many bodyshops in WLA? :D... a lot!

the one i use is in the area u described. that might be it. it's Avio Coach Craft.

I touched up before the clear bra went on. You can see the touch up spots. What are you gonna do. After I got my front end repainted my body shop told me to wait 3 or 4 months to cure. If not prepped and painted right the mask will lift off the paint when applied. Be careful!

I had my whole car done last year. I actually got to speak with the ppg rep personally. He told me to wait 3-4 days. I waited a weekish to be on the safe side. All depends on what kind of paint they're using and if they use a heat booth after spraying it. He said most people still follow the old rule of waiting a couple months because they've been doing it like that for so long. He said the paint technology has improved tremendously and that all the chemicals, etc.. usually release within a couple days if painted and baked properly.

oh, and i've taken the clear bra off my front bumper three times now with no problems.

thanks for all your help. i think if i do it, i will be conservative and wait at least few months.. just for my paranoid side. but i am really not sure if i want to repaint the whole front end since it is still in great shape except for the few rock chips. i will see if i can touch up if i can find someone who can do a good job. maybe i pay arling a visit. :D

If you just have a few chips use Lanka, unless you have Silver. Don't wait more than 2 weeks for the clear bra after painting or you will for sure have new chips, especially with a new spray,as new paint chips worse than factory. I have had no problems with clear bra on new paint at 2 weeks recommended by my shop. My reapirs with Lanka on Black and Red cars look perfect. Silver is tough and should be repaired by the old sanding and rubbing compound technique which is tough although some professionals do it well. If you have about 6 chips or less I would do that before a new spray.
Will

touch up then bra....thats what i did on my 99 C4
cant see them under the film if done right