I'm thinking about getting it done to my car with some paint chip repairs because I drive back and forth from austin to San antonio a lot (80m drive). I'm getting sick of how the paint chips are looking, so:

1) Is it really worth getting a clear bra done?
2) If you guys don't mind, how much did you guys pay for yours to be done?
3) What part of the car did you apply it to (bumper, hood, fender, mirrors, etc...)?

Thanks.

 

1) For your commute, it's worth it. Especially since you have proven that you get rock chip damage easily.

2) Depending on the quality and coverage, it ranges near $600-800.

3) You can cover as much of the car as possible. Usually, people cover the front 1/3rd of the hood and front fenders, the whole bumper, and sometimes the side mirrors. The more you cover, the more it costs.

 

Do paint chip repairs have to cure like a repaint would? I know that Aerotect (a sponsor and a great So Cal installer) recommends letting the paint cure for a period of time (I want to say 30 days?) before applying the bra.

 

i always wondering what is clear bra?

 

It's pretty much a layer of plastic put over the front of the car to help minimize paint chips from road debris.

 

1. I strongly recommend the clear bra for our cars. It keeps the car looking new; as it protects it from road debris. The paint on our cars is very soft.

2. I paid about $800 for my Custom 3M Clear Bra.

3. My clear bra covers the following body parts: Front bumper, GFX lip, headlights, fogs, fenders, hood and finally the mirrors.

 

does it completely prevent from rock chips? can you tell a difference from where there is a clear bra and where there isn't?

 

Get One.... I totally regret not getting one... I still have to repaint the front end, but haven't gotten to it since I drive mine daily and they said that it takes a month before the paint fully cures otherwise there is a high chance of getting rock chips in the uncured soft paint...and can't get the clear bra any sooner cause the paint has to be cured... Save yourself the trouble later and money repainting and buying a clear bra later...

 

aznboi27 - if you're looking for a shop, call a few of the shops listed here:

http://www.clearbrafilms.com

Let them know you've got a full list of installers and that should get you the lowest quote possible w/o having to negotiate too hard.

Good luck!

 

yes do it! your paint will thank you, as well as your eyes. your wallet might hate you though . $500-700 range is about right depending on coverage.

 

sorry such a newb question.. but especially on a darker colored IS, how bad/noticeable is the discoloration going to be once the clearbra comes off years down the line? I'd imagine just everyday wear and tear from sunlight, carwashes, etc. would dull the paint at least a little, no?

 

I talked to a tint shop today who was talking me out of getting a clear bra. Here are his following reasons:
1) 4mm thick line is visible from a short distance.
2) Over time UV will fade the paint, but not the paint under the clear bra.
3) A repaint of the front bumper costs 200. You would have to do this 3 times to pay for the clear bra. Rest of the components rarely get damaged.
4) Price is still too high.

Anyone care to address these?

 

first of all, rock chips will not only occur at the front bumper, but parts of the fenders (not sure how much) and the hood (about 600-700$ repaint at a reputable shop)

second of all, $200 for a repaint bumper is strangely unusual unless its not a 3-stage paint job and/or a poor quality shop...

third of all, having a clear bra looks better than having numerous rock chips and marks on the front end..

 

1) Is it really worth getting a clear bra done? YES
2) If you guys don't mind, how much did you guys pay for yours to be done? $850 if I remember correctly
3) What part of the car did you apply it to (bumper, hood, fender, mirrors, etc...)? Complete hood, leading fenders, complete front clip.

Ventureshield in my case

 

On my car, as long as it's clean, you have to stand within 2-3 feet of the car to see the seam.

The clear bra has no UV filters so theoretically, the paint will fade @ the same rate.

Between repaints, your car will look like crap

Aerotect currently has special pricing in the vendors forum.