Clear Bra on Ultra White
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 450
Likes: 72
From: AZ
Clear Bra on Ultra White
I bought my car a month ago with only 9k miles. The owner barely drove it and the hood and bumper is like new and no rock chips. I've been contemplating if I should get a clear bra or not on this white car. My car is not my daily since I drive 100miles a day. Do you guys think it's worth it? How does it look on a white car and what brand after months/years after install? Any advice is appreciated!
Rookie
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Alberta
white is the worst color for clear bra because the bra will turn to yellow when it is old. If you keep your car indoor, the bra will will stay clear longer. In addition, it does last several years before it turn to yellow.
Full coverage will be the best, but it might be expensive.
I suggest you to get as least the FULL hood, front fenders, roof, and front bumper. Just don't go for half hood if you care the looks.
clear bra is the best protection for rock chips if you don't want to deal with repaint or touch up paint.
I think it is worthy. If you want perfect paint on your car, just go for it. You probably sold you car already before it gets old.
Full coverage will be the best, but it might be expensive.
I suggest you to get as least the FULL hood, front fenders, roof, and front bumper. Just don't go for half hood if you care the looks.
clear bra is the best protection for rock chips if you don't want to deal with repaint or touch up paint.
I think it is worthy. If you want perfect paint on your car, just go for it. You probably sold you car already before it gets old.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 450
Likes: 72
From: AZ
white is the worst color for clear bra because the bra will turn to yellow when it is old. If you keep your car indoor, the bra will will stay clear longer. In addition, it does last several years before it turn to yellow.
Full coverage will be the best, but it might be expensive.
I suggest you to get as least the FULL hood, front fenders, roof, and front bumper. Just don't go for half hood if you care the looks.
clear bra is the best protection for rock chips if you don't want to deal with repaint or touch up paint.
I think it is worthy. If you want perfect paint on your car, just go for it. You probably sold you car already before it gets old.
Full coverage will be the best, but it might be expensive.
I suggest you to get as least the FULL hood, front fenders, roof, and front bumper. Just don't go for half hood if you care the looks.
clear bra is the best protection for rock chips if you don't want to deal with repaint or touch up paint.
I think it is worthy. If you want perfect paint on your car, just go for it. You probably sold you car already before it gets old.
Last edited by 3ISRC; Aug 4, 2015 at 12:06 AM.
Pole Position
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,942
Likes: 182
From: Los Angeles, CA
i had a clear bra (xpel ultimate) on my starfire pearl 2IS. i didn't regret having it installed for a moment.
after a few months of ownership i did notice a number of rock chips, had them touched up and then had the clear bra installed. no rock chips for the remainder of the time i owned the vehicle (2008-2014).
now i have a clear bra on my 3IS, although the car isn't white this time around, it's matador red mica.
after a few months of ownership i did notice a number of rock chips, had them touched up and then had the clear bra installed. no rock chips for the remainder of the time i owned the vehicle (2008-2014).
now i have a clear bra on my 3IS, although the car isn't white this time around, it's matador red mica.
Last edited by davyjordi; Aug 5, 2015 at 05:49 AM. Reason: added brand of paint protection film
Pole Position
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 211
Likes: 1
From: Utah
Drove my new Ultra White for a few days while waiting for my clear bra appointment and picked up quite a few chips. Any chip you get on the white is black underneath. Clear bra'd the entire front of the car back to the doors. That way you can avoid the line across the hood and fenders where debris will accumulate. No more chips in 6500 miles of driving!
Lead Lap
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 471
Likes: 14
From: California
I bought my car a month ago with only 9k miles. The owner barely drove it and the hood and bumper is like new and no rock chips. I've been contemplating if I should get a clear bra or not on this white car. My car is not my daily since I drive 100miles a day. Do you guys think it's worth it? How does it look on a white car and what brand after months/years after install? Any advice is appreciated!
Have the same product on our white A7, over two years in the So Cal sun, no yellow. Also on my wife's 3IS, although it is not white. Had it on our white Super Duty and white Tacoma, each for over five years when sold, no yellow. Have it on two of my daughter's rides, a Civic and an Impreza. Money well spent.
I won't have another nice car without it, ever. One thing I will say is... Installer is everything. Just like a quality paint job, you can spend the coin for quality material and have a less than stellar install job. Do your homework.
Last edited by SoCalISF; Aug 4, 2015 at 08:03 AM.
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Pole Position
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 370
Likes: 9
From: Illinois
For me, only the front and back bumper of the car is mandatory for clear bra. Nothing else. Rock chips WILL happen, especially if driving on the highway. The best part is that you won't even be able to tell its there unless your face is up close to the car.
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Advanced
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 551
Likes: 6
From: IL
I have the factory stuff that came on the car when I got it...my only complaint is the outline of black soot that develops over time. I tried peeling the protection off myself but it just made the lines worse. Best to leave it off imo because it will either turn yellow as others explained or show the soot outline.
Pole Position
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,942
Likes: 182
From: Los Angeles, CA
I have the factory stuff that came on the car when I got it...my only complaint is the outline of black soot that develops over time. I tried peeling the protection off myself but it just made the lines worse. Best to leave it off imo because it will either turn yellow as others explained or show the soot outline.
again, if you don't have cheap film installed, you should incur no yellowing. that, and top-end films offer extensive warranty plans against any defect, yellowing included.
as an aside, no paint protection film comes from the factory aside from the small rear protective pieces located on above the rocker panels in front of the rear wheels. any other paint protection film installed, even the rear bumper cover appliqué, are dealer-installed options. and absolutely no car comes from the factory with paint protection film on the front end.
Last edited by davyjordi; Aug 4, 2015 at 09:12 AM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 450
Likes: 72
From: AZ
You guys have provided some great input on this. Thanks. I will start shopping around. I live in AZ where it is very dusty especially during Monsoon season (dust storms). I'm leaning more towards in getting it. Having some kind of protection is better than none. I already received multiple rock chips that I had to touch up with the minimal driving I've done since I bought the car.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 450
Likes: 72
From: AZ
I have the factory stuff that came on the car when I got it...my only complaint is the outline of black soot that develops over time. I tried peeling the protection off myself but it just made the lines worse. Best to leave it off imo because it will either turn yellow as others explained or show the soot outline.
I guess this is my main concern, yellowing and edges of the bra collecting dirt.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 450
Likes: 72
From: AZ
So I got a quote from a 3M certified installer for $600 total. It will be the 3M 7 year warranty. The film will be 3M Proseries. The coverage will be front bumper, partial fenders, partial hood, and side mirrors. Do you guys think this is a good deal? Should I go for it?
Last edited by 3ISRC; Aug 4, 2015 at 11:55 AM.
That is a pretty good price in my opinion. I just had it done at the dealership and it was $750.00
I know I paid more, but I wanted it done before I took delivery. You can look at the paint wrong, and chip it on a Lexus. The paint they use is so soft.
I know I paid more, but I wanted it done before I took delivery. You can look at the paint wrong, and chip it on a Lexus. The paint they use is so soft.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 450
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From: AZ
It seems the paint is so soft!