If you're even remotely thinking of getting the clear bra ... I'd recommend it highly. Probably depends if the little chips will bother you that much, but I have 3000 miles on my car and probably 6-10 chips along the front hood. I'll probably just get the touch-up paint ... anyone done that?

Paint quality seems a little weak on this particular car. Maybe it's the angled hood too though.

 

I just got it done this week. I had the headlights covered also. Time will tell if it's worth it.

 

I got one done recently. On a trip to Vermont I was peppered with fine gravel and was glad to have the extra protection on the leading edge. All the current paints are easy to chip because of the VOC regs. I would recommend anyone buying a new Lexus to have it done as soon as they get it.

 

Husker, I have the touch-up-paint to try to fix the chips. What's the cost of the clear bra? Wish it were available for the windshield with all the chips I am getting there, some fixed to prevent total failure.

 

Absolutly get the bra. My RX330 is not able to withstand the sand, salt, magnesium chloride that Colorado lays down on it's roads. I have a 2001 Suzuki GV that has been on the roads for 3 years with no problems except the pings from the road debris - I had a 1995 GMC Jimmy for 10 years and got rid of it for the RX330 and it never had a bit of rust. I season on these roads with the RX 330 and I have pits and rust on the front end. It appears that most other cars are built better to withstand the road gravel than the 330. BTW, Lexus says if the rust appears from the road debris they do not warrty it under the rust & coorosion clause. They only warranty a defect in the original equipment - so the rust has to come from the inside. I wonder where they think the rust comes from ??? Anyway, of all my neighbors and their various vehicles, my 330 is the only one that cannot withstand the winter on Colorado roads. Anyone out there in the rust belt care to comment. Lexus seems to be blase about this issue.

John

 

I wish I did get it, since I have some pretty bad chips next to the grille and above one of the headlights... same thing happened to my IS.

 

I know this is a stupid question, but can someone explain the "clear bra" to me? I'm picking up my '05 RX in a few weeks and have concerns based on all of these posts. Do you think this is something that Lexus would let you do with a leased vehicle?

How much does it cost? On what parts of the car would you have this done?

 

It's a thin layer of transparent material ... it goes about 1/3 of the way up the hood and around the headlights and along the side of them. Then typically the back of the mirrors as well. Some people have had their bumper done as well. You can't even tell it's there unless you get up close to it ... REALLY up close ... like a foot or a few feet. MY dealership wanted $495 for the hood/around the headlamps/and back of the mirrors and didn't want to budge much at all. A local place said they'd do it ALL ... bumper included for $475, but the kicker was a lifetime warranty from the dealer vs a 3 year from the aftermarket place. I should've had the dealership do it I"m thinking. Replaced anytime no questions asked.