Paint Chip
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,096
Likes: 3,870
From: Maryland
Definitely do the clear bra. Its an absolute must on these cars.
AND, bite the bullet and do the whole hood and the whole fenders. I have a couple chips/scuffs higher up on the hood above the clear bra too. If I had it to do over again I would do the whole thing.
AND, bite the bullet and do the whole hood and the whole fenders. I have a couple chips/scuffs higher up on the hood above the clear bra too. If I had it to do over again I would do the whole thing.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,096
Likes: 3,870
From: Maryland
Thats another reason to do the whole hood...no line.
No issue with paint fading.
Issue is it isn't just the "odd touched up chip" on these cars, the front ends get absolutely decimated with chips, big chips, little chips, sandblasting. I resisted the clearbra for years but finally did it on my 4GS and I will always do it from now on. Almost 12k miles and the car looks great, when compared to the number of small chips I was getting before I had the bra put on at 1,200 miles...without the bra the front end would look like hell. You can see the line, but its not ugly and doesn't look out of place.
No issue with paint fading.
Issue is it isn't just the "odd touched up chip" on these cars, the front ends get absolutely decimated with chips, big chips, little chips, sandblasting. I resisted the clearbra for years but finally did it on my 4GS and I will always do it from now on. Almost 12k miles and the car looks great, when compared to the number of small chips I was getting before I had the bra put on at 1,200 miles...without the bra the front end would look like hell. You can see the line, but its not ugly and doesn't look out of place.
- touch up paint (can tell when up close)
- repaint entire bumper
- paint bumper and apply the clear bra
- live with and accept that its a part of driving without a clear bra on
I personally go with option 4 with every vehicle and if it really gets to me then I repaint. good luck.
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Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: SE
Just try to not drive to close to the car in front of you. I found that I almost only get stones from FWD cars (other than trucks and busses). Every time a FWD cars front wheel (driving wheels) turns, they will spit out the small stone that have been stuck in the threads. I can tailgate a RWD car whole journey and not get single stone.
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Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 501
Likes: 2
From: Ca
Thanks everyone for your responses. I thought about clear bra, but some people here would agree with me that it looks too obvious. Are the touch up paints even available at the dealerships now?
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,096
Likes: 3,870
From: Maryland
Again...get the whole hood done and its invisible.
I would be more ok with the wrap if they went past the edge of the part and finished the wrap behind the part where no one can see. It just always looks like a clear sticker to me. I cant stand it. I'd personally rather deal with the chips than the sticker. My opinions are purely aesthetic driven.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,096
Likes: 3,870
From: Maryland
Clear bra is not invisible. It's see through/transparent/CLEAR/lucid and somewhat undetectable but it is not invisible. You can always tell where it ends and once you find that break its like the whole thing just sticks out at you. Its like saran wrap on a remote control (like the other guy said - which made me laugh...lol.), its like plastic covers on the couch at your moms house, its like.....like...a clear bra on a car. lol...
I would be more ok with the wrap if they went past the edge of the part and finished the wrap behind the part where no one can see. It just always looks like a clear sticker to me. I cant stand it. I'd personally rather deal with the chips than the sticker. My opinions are purely aesthetic driven.
I would be more ok with the wrap if they went past the edge of the part and finished the wrap behind the part where no one can see. It just always looks like a clear sticker to me. I cant stand it. I'd personally rather deal with the chips than the sticker. My opinions are purely aesthetic driven.
An install like that will run you $1200-1500 to the whole front end, mirrors, lights, etc.
Most installs are just template installs...if seeing some seams bothers you you want a custom install.
Like I said, I felt the same way for a long time but now that I have it done to my car I will never have a car without it. Only thing is I will do the whole hood and fenders next time, mine only goes 1/3rd the way up the hood. Line doesn't bug me, but the upper parts of the hood are more vulnerable than I thought.
Definitely do a clear bra. It's hardly noticeable just standing in front of the car, people can't see mine unless I point them the seams. It's worth it more so than doing windows tinting.
