bra or not for new car?

OS

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
15,581
1
76
rock chips are annoying as heck, but then unnmatched paint isn't too much fun either. If I get a light colored car, will the fade be less noticeable?
 

filmmaker

Golden Member
Oct 20, 2002
1,919
2
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I would have said no before yesterday (when someone decided to hit my car with a shopping cart and not leave info), but now I will say yes to that.
 

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,138
627
126
I wouldn't. If you get moisture underneath and all that.... There's a new 3M coating that's clear; you apply it like a sticker. They claim that it has the same protection of a bra without the drawbacks. Might want to check that out.
 

edro

Lifer
Apr 5, 2002
24,326
68
91
Noooooo!

Bras screw up your paint worse than rocks...and in my opinion, they look stupit.
 
Jun 18, 2000
11,201
772
126
Originally posted by: NutBucket
I wouldn't. If you get moisture underneath and all that.... There's a new 3M coating that's clear; you apply it like a sticker. They claim that it has the same protection of a bra without the drawbacks. Might want to check that out.
Moisture underneath what? The bra? I would have guessed the paint + clearcoat was waterproof. What kind of damage would it cause?
 

LordJezo

Banned
May 16, 2001
8,140
1
0
Originally posted by: NutBucket
I wouldn't. If you get moisture underneath and all that.... There's a new 3M coating that's clear; you apply it like a sticker. They claim that it has the same protection of a bra without the drawbacks. Might want to check that out.

info/link?
 

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,138
627
126
Originally posted by: KnightBreed
Originally posted by: NutBucket
I wouldn't. If you get moisture underneath and all that.... There's a new 3M coating that's clear; you apply it like a sticker. They claim that it has the same protection of a bra without the drawbacks. Might want to check that out.
Moisture underneath what? The bra? I would have guessed the paint + clearcoat was waterproof. What kind of damage would it cause?

You're basically steaming the paint when that water starts heating up and drying.
 

DurocShark

Lifer
Apr 18, 2001
15,708
5
56
Originally posted by: NutBucket
Originally posted by: KnightBreed
Originally posted by: NutBucket
I wouldn't. If you get moisture underneath and all that.... There's a new 3M coating that's clear; you apply it like a sticker. They claim that it has the same protection of a bra without the drawbacks. Might want to check that out.
Moisture underneath what? The bra? I would have guessed the paint + clearcoat was waterproof. What kind of damage would it cause?

You're basically steaming the paint when that water starts heating up and drying.

Which isn't a good thing... First thing to go is the wax. Then the moisture and any dirt gang up on the clearcoat and start etching their way in...

Bras used to be the schtuff in the 80's. I'd avoid now. Many paintshops offer a heavy clearcoat you can have applied that will protect the nose of your car. It's not as shiny or pretty, but works if all you're concerned about is chips. (works best on white and black cars btw...)
 

amnesiac

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
15,781
1
71
Originally posted by: NutBucket
I wouldn't. If you get moisture underneath and all that.... There's a new 3M coating that's clear; you apply it like a sticker. They claim that it has the same protection of a bra without the drawbacks. Might want to check that out.

It came standard on my mom's car. Blends in nicely with only a small seam where the film ends about 1/4 way up the hood.
It's deflected a few pebbles and whatnot, probably worth it IMO.
 

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,138
627
126
Originally posted by: LordJezo
Originally posted by: NutBucket
I wouldn't. If you get moisture underneath and all that.... There's a new 3M coating that's clear; you apply it like a sticker. They claim that it has the same protection of a bra without the drawbacks. Might want to check that out.

info/link?

info/link

*Link now edited for length;)
 

BigSmooth

Lifer
Aug 18, 2000
10,484
12
81
Originally posted by: LordJezo
Originally posted by: NutBucket
I wouldn't. If you get moisture underneath and all that.... There's a new 3M coating that's clear; you apply it like a sticker. They claim that it has the same protection of a bra without the drawbacks. Might want to check that out.

info/link?
I don't think it's all that new, I think this stuff has been around since 1999 at least. The brands I see mentioned most often are StonGard, ClearBra, Invinca-Shield, Xpel... and I think there are more. They're all similar, search on Google to find out more.
 

DuallyX

Golden Member
Sep 6, 2000
1,984
0
76
I love my bra, but be sure to take it off and wash under it fairly frequently, because it can cause rust.
I drove through a dust storm a couple years back that left my windshield so sand-blasted it had to be replaced...I don't want to imagine what the paint on the front would have looked like w/o the bra.
 

Ryan

Lifer
Oct 31, 2000
27,519
2
81
The only time I would ever use a bra would be when I'm going on a long trip, or during the lovebug season here in the south (nothing like having bugs splatter on your car with guts so acidic that they'll eat through your paint in a few days). Other than that, there's no way I would keep it on all of the time.
 

Salvador

Diamond Member
May 19, 2001
7,058
0
71
The trick with a bra is to put it on right before your trip and take it off as soon as you stop driving. If you leave it on for any length of time, dirt will get trapped underneath and act like sandpaper between the bra and your car's paint. I have a bra that I use for road trips and track events. I don't use it any other time though.

As far as clear bra's go, they are expensive installed and I don't like the looks of them. I'd rather put up with a few rock chips than have a clear bra semi-permantly put on my car. If you drive on the highway a lot in every day driving, you might consider a clear bra, but if you're occasionally out on the highway (where you pick up most of the chips), I wouldn't bother. Who are you saving the car for anyway?

Sal