I don't think it is a cut and dried answer. I've never been a fan of bras on cars .... first the ugly black things from the 80's and 90's, and now the clear ones. I'm just against spending $500+ and putting something on the car 'to save it' for the next owner. It is just something else you have to maintain, and for something else to go wrong (bad install, yellowing, peeling, cracking). I'd rather go bare and 3-5 years down the road have the front repainted if necessary. But that is just me. I live in a rural area and don't normally drive in much traffic, going into San Antonio or Austin for the day once in awhile. A clear bra isn't going to do much for me. You might make the case for one on a dark colored vehicle that is driven on crowded freeways at high speeds. But I don't think it is necessary in all circumstances. You'll have to make your own decision as to what your situation is.

 

If I only knew about clear bras when I bought my car last year... After a few rock chips on hood, bumper and side mirrors I heard about Aero Tect. Did not waste a second. Called them and made an appt. I think it was my best investment on my toy.

 

I agree 100%. If down the line i see that my front end is chipped I would rather just get it painted. But my driving is all localized and on pretty decent roads with little or no debris.

 

..So I was washing my car today and noticed on the front bumper / hood / fenders that there were nicks here and there most likely caused by road debris.. I've had my is350 for about a year now and if I knew about a clearbra back then I would've installed it.. Well I have an appointment this Thursday at Aerotect to get my clearbra installed and highly recommend to all isx50 owners to get a clear bra installed.. I drive in the horrible Los Angeles traffic and there are hella cars on the road.. Occasionally I take my car to Vegas with the fellas to Vegas so my car gets banged around by the road.. One last thing.. At Aerotect I'm getting my tail lights smoked, I want to get them pretty dark, but do you think the CHP/city cops will harrass me? I would like your opinion.. Thanks..

 

I drive in LA traffic everyday, but I think LA traffic is too slow and crowded to cause any rock chips, because I have none.

I guess you do a lot of freeway driving.

Another topic that has been discussed 1245106 times .

No one has been harassed by the cops for the smoke-out overlays yet I believe.

And if you want it pretty dark, the Aerotect ones aren't for you, because they make your taillights look cherry red.

I'm too nice...I should've just lead you to searching the forums .

 

If you have a dark color, i wouldn't do it. the 2-5 year repaint method is my approach. also if you do have a dark color, and are still considering the clear bra, don't forget about the issues of white lines showing up after wax.

you will end up seeing an ugly white outline of the bra a few weeks after wax, no matter what you do to try to avoid it.

<---- Horray for me! this is post # 100!

 

First of all, you CAN avoid a white line on the bra after waxing... either by (1) using upward strokes when applying and removing wax or (2) using painter's masking tape along the edge of the clear bra. To me, it's worth the trouble.

Even if there was no way to avoid getting that white line after waxing, are you saying that you'd prefer to see a front end permanently riddled with rock damage?

 

I have one and really recomend it.