clear bra for sc430
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Rookie
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 73
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From: NJ
clear bra for sc430
Hi there,
Wanted to get some help from some of you guys out there. I have an 04 forest green/saddle sc430. I really love me car, get tremdous joy from her on a daily basis, but I'm convinced I need to make the investment in the clear bra option. I am tired of painting those little chips on the bumper/hood. I don't have much damage on the car to this date but it's only getting worse with time. I'm looking for a good dealer in New York City/ North Jersey area. I foudn a 3M dealer in Morristown, but they say it is impossible to use their product to cover the whole hood (only can go up to 48 inches in width or length). But I would prefer to do the whole hood for the added protection and to avoid the horizontal line. Any other products out there that could accomodate this request? Also, some of the prior posts said they were offered a car lifetime warranty on the clear bra....but the 3m dealer told me there's really only 5 year coverage (and he didn't convince me it was worth much or that they would really be keen on replacing it at no charge). Any suggestions? I know I need to make the investment, I just want to do the job right. I appreciate your kind advice.
Pete
Wanted to get some help from some of you guys out there. I have an 04 forest green/saddle sc430. I really love me car, get tremdous joy from her on a daily basis, but I'm convinced I need to make the investment in the clear bra option. I am tired of painting those little chips on the bumper/hood. I don't have much damage on the car to this date but it's only getting worse with time. I'm looking for a good dealer in New York City/ North Jersey area. I foudn a 3M dealer in Morristown, but they say it is impossible to use their product to cover the whole hood (only can go up to 48 inches in width or length). But I would prefer to do the whole hood for the added protection and to avoid the horizontal line. Any other products out there that could accomodate this request? Also, some of the prior posts said they were offered a car lifetime warranty on the clear bra....but the 3m dealer told me there's really only 5 year coverage (and he didn't convince me it was worth much or that they would really be keen on replacing it at no charge). Any suggestions? I know I need to make the investment, I just want to do the job right. I appreciate your kind advice.
Pete
CL Community Team
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,873
Likes: 396
From: Ohio
I'm all in favor of clear bras for the girls, and I love me car also, but clear bras on the SC430s are a matter of taste and some controversy.
Also, they have been discussed at some length here.
If you search on "bra" or "Clear bra," I bet you will find many posts that discuss the pros and cons of the clear bra with reference to various Lexus models.
In fact, I know you will.
Also, they have been discussed at some length here.
If you search on "bra" or "Clear bra," I bet you will find many posts that discuss the pros and cons of the clear bra with reference to various Lexus models.
In fact, I know you will.
i thought of another thing, search for premier mobile here, they used to be a vendor and travel nationwide to do install for people. i think they havea the film to cover the whole hood as well
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
From: CA
Try contacting www.starshieldarmor.com and they might be able to cut higher coverage for the hood. But once, you reach the flat part of the hood, it's probably overkill.
I've had them do several cars for me, and have been very happy with the quality of the fitment. I'm sure you could order the product from them and have it installed by one of their dealers or another installer in your area.
I've had them do several cars for me, and have been very happy with the quality of the fitment. I'm sure you could order the product from them and have it installed by one of their dealers or another installer in your area.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 896
Likes: 2
From: Maryland
I had a "Pro-Form" clear bra installed on my `04 SC430 within days of purchasing the car and I have had no problems (and no chips) since. My installer covered about 1/3 of the entire front-end of the car (hood, bumpers, headlights fog lights), as well as the side mirrors. I received a life-time guarantee for the product and the installation. I can attest that the clear bra makes all the difference in the world in preserving the car's appearance - I was the former owner of an `02 SC430 that I was constantly touching-up because of front-end chips.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Has anyone actually put on the clear bar himself or is it too difficult? I got an estimate of over $600 for just the bra, and he is the only one I could find in the Madison, Wisconsin area. The instructions don't look too bad if you are patient and I have put on window tint before, but I also don't want it looking like a big piece of scotch tape with wrinkles and bits of debris under it.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 896
Likes: 2
From: Maryland
Originally Posted by Bubba
Has anyone actually put on the clear bar himself or is it too difficult? I got an estimate of over $600 for just the bra, and he is the only one I could find in the Madison, Wisconsin area. The instructions don't look too bad if you are patient and I have put on window tint before, but I also don't want it looking like a big piece of scotch tape with wrinkles and bits of debris under it.
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Originally Posted by Bubba
Has anyone actually put on the clear bar himself or is it too difficult? I got an estimate of over $600 for just the bra, and he is the only one I could find in the Madison, Wisconsin area. The instructions don't look too bad if you are patient and I have put on window tint before, but I also don't want it looking like a big piece of scotch tape with wrinkles and bits of debris under it.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 2
From: Da Bay
Unless, you've done the clear bra install before, let's say a few times, you can do it yourself and save money. It's better w/ two people, but if you're the only one, then you have to know a good strategy of getting the fine curves and angles of the front aligned w/ the clear bra so that there's no bumps or bubbles in them.
I've only installed the clear bra headlights and that took me over an hour to do. I had a pro installer put the clear bra on my front, hood and side rear-view mirrors. It was a 2-man job.
The clear bra is good for about 5 years, depending on the type and longevity. Mine was estimated at around 5 years, which is standard for clear bra lifespan. After that, the clear bra will dis-colorate and become like a yellowish haze or dark haze.
After 3 years on mine, I'm noticing a different color to the clear bra, especially on the hood.
Hopefully, it can last another 2 years and a new comes on.
I've only installed the clear bra headlights and that took me over an hour to do. I had a pro installer put the clear bra on my front, hood and side rear-view mirrors. It was a 2-man job.
The clear bra is good for about 5 years, depending on the type and longevity. Mine was estimated at around 5 years, which is standard for clear bra lifespan. After that, the clear bra will dis-colorate and become like a yellowish haze or dark haze.
After 3 years on mine, I'm noticing a different color to the clear bra, especially on the hood.
Hopefully, it can last another 2 years and a new comes on.
CL Community Team
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 30,281
Likes: 362
From: Canada
Originally Posted by rominl
i did the clear bra on my gs400 myself. let's just say it was no fun, and if i were to do it again i would just pay the money and have a good shop do it
Originally Posted by LexArazzo
You are brave
seriously, i did it on my is300 and gs400, after that it was a no-no.... talk about brokeback...
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,809
Likes: 0
From: NYC Raised But ATL is where I stay.
Originally Posted by rominl
oh yeah, when you were young and stupid? seriously, i did it on my is300 and gs400, after that it was a no-no.... talk about brokeback...
seriously, i did it on my is300 and gs400, after that it was a no-no.... talk about brokeback...
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