GS300Rich

How long do you have to wait after you paint your car to install a clear bra? Are there problems if you install the clear bra too soon?

VroomVroom

Kind of funny - I was just researching this to help out a friend with the same question. The answer - it depends on how long the freshly painted finish was baked prior to leaving the body shop. In most cases you can expect the finish to be 75-80% cured as soon as you pick up the car. Following that I'd leave a couple of weeks before having the film installed. This is still definitely case-by-case. I'd call your painter for input, and also ask the film installer for his comfort level. Good luck...

GS300Rich

Thanks for your help. I guess if I do have to wait a few weeks I can just put the blue painters tape on the front to avoid any rock chips. Dont want to have any rock chips or scratches before the clear bra goes on

B1TEM3

I have to wait 3 month, fresh paint take time to cure and most installer will not take the risk (your new paint might came off with it, if the bra wont install right and he is trying to correct it by removing the bra).

GS300Rich

3 months? If I have to wait that long I am sure my front end will be chipped up by then

dentpusher

3 days will usually do if its backed and 90 days if not. The prep is the most important part. As long as a quality body shop is doing the work then you should be fine in a little under a week provided its baked.

GS300Rich

Thanks Dentpusher. I will have to find a body shop that will bake it then, because I dont want to wait 3 months. Most bodyshops bake the cars now anyway right? Or at least the quality ones

dentpusher

Most quality shops will always bake the paint even on small stuff. I do a lot of body shop work and we always wait 3-4 days before installing the bras. If you are worried about the wait time you can cover the freash areas with blue painters tape. It looks funny but works. We have a lot of customers bring there cars from out of state and thats the method of choice to keep the bug stains and chips off on the way out.
My car goes in on monday for a repaint on the nose so I can cover it. That damn lexus paint is thin.

GS300Rich

If the paint is baked and I only have to wait several days or even a week that isnt bad. I was planning to drive around with the blue painters tape whenever I was going on the interstate. I will just have to make sure that the shop that does the work will bake the paint