how many double Ds use clear bra to avoid road rash.
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
how many double Ds use clear bra to avoid road rash.
I use my 2011 as a Daily Driver. I just took my first short road trip (Dallas to Austin and back). And yes, found a chip or two in the paint on the front bumper. I dislike the look of the clear bra but was really disheartened to see chips to the metal from rocks. I am inclined just to live with it as I did on my 964 but am curious. How many out there who use their p-car for daily driver have clear bra installed? thanks, John
#3
Despite all the good things said about clear bra, the ones I've seen all end up dried up, yellow, and filthy at the corners. MAYBE I HAVE NOT YET SEEN ONE DONE PROPERLY BY A PROFESSIONAL (in caps to make a point so people here don't stone me to death!!!). The ones I've seen were installed by the dealer, and not by a guy in a van. Nonetheless, that may not mean a whole lot since my experience has been less than desirable. And maybe Joe from the Van is better. Until I see a three or four year old car with a healthy, clean clear bra still intact, I will not be a believer.
#4
Rennlist Member
i rarely drive my car and have had more than one "expert" ask me why I spent money on clear bra. Seems intuitive that dd's would be more inclined to go clear bra than non-dd's.
my 2 cents
my 2 cents
#5
I've gone both routes.
On a previous car, I had a full coverage clear bra. The car was red, the protection worked, and the film was not visible from beyond 3 feet or so.
On my current car, I have film only on my headlights and parking/fog/turn signal fixture. I decided against doing the whole bumper because my priorities changed. Compared to before, I now care more about "go" than "show." My car is for driving, not for staring.
So why did I cover just the lighting? Because they're absurdly expensive to replace, and I didn't want to tape them every time I went to the track. I'm happy with my decision.
On a previous car, I had a full coverage clear bra. The car was red, the protection worked, and the film was not visible from beyond 3 feet or so.
On my current car, I have film only on my headlights and parking/fog/turn signal fixture. I decided against doing the whole bumper because my priorities changed. Compared to before, I now care more about "go" than "show." My car is for driving, not for staring.
So why did I cover just the lighting? Because they're absurdly expensive to replace, and I didn't want to tape them every time I went to the track. I'm happy with my decision.
#6
Instructor
Thread Starter
I've gone both routes.
On a previous car, I had a full coverage clear bra. The car was red, the protection worked, and the film was not visible from beyond 3 feet or so.
On my current car, I have film only on my headlights and parking/fog/turn signal fixture. I decided against doing the whole bumper because my priorities changed. Compared to before, I now care more about "go" than "show." My car is for driving, not for staring.
So why did I cover just the lighting? Because they're absurdly expensive to replace, and I didn't want to tape them every time I went to the track. I'm happy with my decision.
On a previous car, I had a full coverage clear bra. The car was red, the protection worked, and the film was not visible from beyond 3 feet or so.
On my current car, I have film only on my headlights and parking/fog/turn signal fixture. I decided against doing the whole bumper because my priorities changed. Compared to before, I now care more about "go" than "show." My car is for driving, not for staring.
So why did I cover just the lighting? Because they're absurdly expensive to replace, and I didn't want to tape them every time I went to the track. I'm happy with my decision.
#7
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Join Date: Aug 2009
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Had it on our Bimmer and I'll never do it again.
Yellowed, corners peeled, etc and that was just 3 years of driving. And it was top quality 3M, professionally installed for $850!
Put your money away and, when the time comes, go for a respray instead.
Of course, YMMV.
Yellowed, corners peeled, etc and that was just 3 years of driving. And it was top quality 3M, professionally installed for $850!
Put your money away and, when the time comes, go for a respray instead.
Of course, YMMV.
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#8
I've didn't have clear bra on my M3 and I tracked it several times and didn't like all the little chips in the bumper, hood and cracked headlight. So now have it on my GTS and my DD, although the yellowing is a factor, the price of the clear bra is still cheaper and a better solution versus a repaint (IMHO). I figured nothing is better than factory paint and plus the money I spent on clear bra is probably around the cost of a new paint job any way. Again this is my opinion but its how you want to look at it. I'm OCD, so even if the clear bra yellows, I can always replace it versus trying to color match or worse yet finding over spray later on...
#9
Still plays with cars.
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
I use a clear vinyl (not 3M) on the entire front of my car including the entire trunk lid, mirrors etc. My 4S is my DD including winter Works well. NO yellow after 2 years on my white car. Don't recall the product except that is is not 3M and has no orange-peel.
#10
Rennlist Member
My 06 is my DD and had the new XPel clear bra put on after having the front end repainted after hitting a deer. The new XPEL looks great on my black cab.
#11
I drive 70 miles each day with ongoing construction in my area and it is a must. installed a 3m clearbra, so far it has saved my car from many chips and scratches and other airborne crap. It is cheaper to replace the clearbra sections than respray.
I know some prefer a repsray but i would not want to deal with the paint matching of a metallic color and also have to deal with any issues of why the front was repainted if the car is sold.. Porsche undergoes a paint process that i feel can not be matched by any body shop.
I know some prefer a repsray but i would not want to deal with the paint matching of a metallic color and also have to deal with any issues of why the front was repainted if the car is sold.. Porsche undergoes a paint process that i feel can not be matched by any body shop.
#13
Instructor
Thread Starter
Thanks for these responses. Obvious spilt of opinion on this. I am still thinking. Looks like I will have to consider differences in quality of the material used.
#14
Drifting
I am a huge fan of "Double Ds" and prefer them bra-less!!!!
#15
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Join Date: Jan 2007
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I have had it on my last 2 cars. It is now 6 years old on my 911 and getting a bit dull and the edge on the hood a bit worn. I need to replace it soon. That said, it is not yellow at all. And it is only noticed by others when standing very close to the car. I have a few stone chips on the hood just above the edge of the shield. But the paint underneath the shield is undoubtedly perfect. Would I do it again? Yes indeed.