Clear Bra for rock chips

uber335 · 08-24-2007, 08:18 PM

I don't get the point in getting a clear bra. I mean the purpose of getting a clear bra is to protect against rock chips but it really looks like sh*t on your car. I saw 3M clear bras installed on the E92 335'z and i could immediately tell theres a clear bra even from 2m away. Why don't people just do a little touch up paint on the rock chipped area? I mean first, the car looks way better without a clear bra and second, after a simple DIY touch up paint you can no longer see the rock chips and it looks like new.

JcFlys · 08-24-2007, 09:03 PM

Really? You can tell I have a clear bra on. It is all based on the installer and materials used.

533ogetnom · 08-24-2007, 09:10 PM

usually they are harder to see in pictures, but i can still see yours...

wj4 · 08-24-2007, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uber335

I don't get the point in getting a clear bra. I mean the purpose of getting a clear bra is to protect against rock chips but it really looks like sh*t on your car. I saw 3M clear bras installed on the E92 335'z and i could immediately tell theres a clear bra even from 2m away. Why don't people just do a little touch up paint on the rock chipped area? I mean first, the car looks way better without a clear bra and second, after a simple DIY touch up paint you can no longer see the rock chips and it looks like new.

Because touch up paint doesn't always do a good job of concealing rock chips. And on lighter colored car, it is quite obvious at times.

ejazbmw · 08-24-2007, 09:28 PM

eh some people like it and some people don't, I for one do not like it kind of makes me feel like I'm one of those old people with plastic on there sofa....

BK · 08-24-2007, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JcFlys

Really? You can tell I have a clear bra on. It is all based on the installer and materials used.

Yours is one heck of a good installation. I had to look close, gave up and figured you didn't really have one, then, just as I was about to write this, I finally saw a very thin line. Nice work (and a beautiful car).

ZuerstBMW · 08-24-2007, 10:02 PM

If you would rather see dents and paint chips..... then more power to you. Here in Florida it also protect against the nasty love bugs we get twice a year that eat through your paint. You can only see mine if your up on the car. I would never get another car without one. It definitely has already saved me from various dents and chipped paint that I would have had if it wasnt installed. Touchup paint doesnt make the chip disappear, it just disguises it.

cn555ic · 08-24-2007, 10:41 PM

I see clear bra's on and its not for me, but i know it good protection, but for me i just never drive up on anybody close especially trucks...

Ruff Rider · 08-24-2007, 11:47 PM

See mine? I have it on all my cars. Install is the key. Looking from certain angles you can see the edge but I will take that over blobs of paint in rock chips.

ZuerstBMW · 08-24-2007, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cn555ic

I see clear bra's on and its not for me, but i know it good protection, but for me i just never drive up on anybody close especially trucks...

You dont have to drive up close to anyone to get stuff flung at your car.

JcFlys · 08-25-2007, 02:07 AM

My installer said the real problem from rocks is not directly in front of you but slightly to the side that travels into your lane. I have seen rocks bounding across several lanes of traffic.

JcFlys · 08-25-2007, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BK

Yours is one heck of a good installation. I had to look close, gave up and figured you didn't really have one, then, just as I was about to write this, I finally saw a very thin line. Nice work (and a beautiful car).

Thanks. If I had taken the picture straight on, you wouldn't even see the little line on the bottom. I have the entire front end covered and a good chunk of the hood. The coverage also wraps around to about midline of the front tires. Fogs, headlights and mirrors are also covered. The only way you can see mine is either by standing extremely close or by looking at a slight angle towards the front of the car.

I have found that Plexus is great for cleaning the bra and Rejex is great for protecting the bra. It makes the bugs slide right off.

The bra is very sensitive to the quality of installation and the cut of the pattern. My guy designed his own pattern and the fit is fabulous.

Crazy Bimmer · 08-25-2007, 02:49 AM

I have had it for a bit now. I hardly notice it but i know its there and sometimes it bothers me.

I figure if i can keep the car looking good for a year or two, then ill take the hood portion off. But for now its really not that big of a deal. Im keeping the front bumper clearbra part on no matter what. Can hardly see that anyways.

Should have seen my A4 after 35k miles. The front bumper just looked terrible and touch up paint would have taken forever. Respray would have been needed. Then again I did a lot of highway driving at the time.

LEDZEP · 08-25-2007, 10:04 AM

Why waste time waxing and detailing your car?
Why piss away good money on wheels and tires, after all you get some with the car.
Why install aftermarket body kits or lights?
Why spend time on E90Post.com when you could be leading a productive life?

Such things are subjective, and the really neat part is that each of us gets to make a choice (except apparently, for those who post "what color car should I buy", etc.). Don't get a clear bra. You'll be happy and I still won't care.

picus · 08-25-2007, 03:05 PM

I think clear bra's are a bad idea. You should avoid them. Also, if you take your car to a soft cloth wash every week and get their wax it will fill in the chips anyway. Tell your local car detailer he can thank me later.

LEDZEP · 08-25-2007, 03:47 PM

I think I just lost several measurable points of respect for Picus as a car care guru. Actually recommending a car wash?? Soft cloth or not, that is a perfect way to guarantee swirls and scratches all over the car.

The same cloths that just washed that nasty, muddy, filthy pickup truck in front of you are now going to be dragged with aggitiation all over your car... count me out.

I will use a touchless occasionally in winter, otherwise it is self hand wash only.

Picus - why do you consider clear bra's a bad idea? Not that I dispute your opinion, but surely you have a basis for it. To be honest, it sounds like your post is simply a way to keep a detailer in business. It's like a carpet shampoo guy saying "it's stupid not to wear shoes in the house, and I don't recommend vacuuming more that once ever two months".

tirana · 08-25-2007, 04:33 PM

Umm, he was joking - hint, hint

picus · 08-25-2007, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

To be honest, it sounds like your post is simply a way to keep a detailer in business.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tirana

Umm, he was joking - hint, hint

(fwiw, I have a clear bra on both my cars, and have personally torched at least 4 brush washes...

)

myfirstbmw335i · 08-26-2007, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uber335

I don't get the point in getting a clear bra. I mean the purpose of getting a clear bra is to protect against rock chips but it really looks like sh*t on your car. I saw 3M clear bras installed on the E92 335'z and i could immediately tell theres a clear bra even from 2m away. Why don't people just do a little touch up paint on the rock chipped area? I mean first, the car looks way better without a clear bra and second, after a simple DIY touch up paint you can no longer see the rock chips and it looks like new.

Sorry you hate the clear bra. Below is a picture of my hood. Can you tell that I have a clear bra or not?
If I don't, then those paint chips from rocks from a dump truck will be hard to touch up.
If I do, then all I have to do is pull it off and have a new piece installed on the hood. I prefer the clear bra....

David1 · 08-26-2007, 07:19 PM

Here is mine. You can only see it up close. It has a battle scar on the bumper so it already saved me. I was not a clear bra believer until I took my S2000 to the track. Paint chips down to the metal and you can't touch up most of Honda's paints since they are tri stage and very thin. The guys with the clear bras didn't have a mark.
I have the whole front end done, the aero lip, mirrors (the mirrors are the only part I don't like), and the lights.

oldaccount · 08-27-2007, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tirana

Umm, he was joking - hint, hint

at first i thought it was just some clown without a clue. then i saw it was picus posting and realized "ooooooh, joke

"

Ray · 08-27-2007, 01:49 PM

Protecting from the rock chips is only one of the benefits.

08-24-2007, 08:18 PM	#1
uber335 Enlisted Member 11 Rep 45 Posts Drives: 335i COUPE Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Clear Bra for rock chips - WHY????! I don't get the point in getting a clear bra. I mean the purpose of getting a clear bra is to protect against rock chips but it really looks like sh*t on your car. I saw 3M clear bras installed on the E92 335'z and i could immediately tell theres a clear bra even from 2m away. Why don't people just do a little touch up paint on the rock chipped area? I mean first, the car looks way better without a clear bra and second, after a simple DIY touch up paint you can no longer see the rock chips and it looks like new.
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08-24-2007, 09:03 PM	#2
JcFlys Private 1 Rep 66 Posts Drives: Space Grey 2008 BMW 550I Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	Really? You can tell I have a clear bra on. It is all based on the installer and materials used. Attached Images __________________ 2008 BMW 550i Space Grey, Bamboo Trim, Active Steering, Comfort Access, Navi, HUD, Logic 7, HD Radio, ZCW, ZSP, Anthracite Headliner, Power Shade! Huper Optik 45% Ceramic Tint, 3M Proform Clearshield and V1 Hardwired. :rocks::rocks:
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08-24-2007, 09:10 PM	#3
533ogetnom Banned 95 Rep 1,760 Posts Drives: 335coupe Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Florida iTrader: (1)	usually they are harder to see in pictures, but i can still see yours...
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08-24-2007, 09:28 PM	#5
ejazbmw blahhh 302 Rep 6,355 Posts Drives: 2014 M235I Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NJ/NY iTrader: (7)	eh some people like it and some people don't, I for one do not like it kind of makes me feel like I'm one of those old people with plastic on there sofa....
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08-24-2007, 10:02 PM	#7
ZuerstBMW ¡Viva España! 373 Rep 7,803 Posts Drives: 2023 230i Mineral White Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Apollo Beach, FL. iTrader: (68)	If you would rather see dents and paint chips..... then more power to you. Here in Florida it also protect against the nasty love bugs we get twice a year that eat through your paint. You can only see mine if your up on the car. I would never get another car without one. It definitely has already saved me from various dents and chipped paint that I would have had if it wasnt installed. Touchup paint doesnt make the chip disappear, it just disguises it. __________________ 23 G42 230i Mineral White Cognac, Aluminum With Mesh Effect Interior Trim MODS Clear Guard, 15% Ceramic Tint, Floating Caps
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08-24-2007, 10:41 PM	#8
cn555ic 441 Rep 18,331 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: US iTrader: (6)	I see clear bra's on and its not for me, but i know it good protection, but for me i just never drive up on anybody close especially trucks...
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08-24-2007, 11:47 PM	#9
Ruff Rider "posting from my recliner" 102 Rep 7,241 Posts Drives: twin turbo Prius Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Where the air is thin iTrader: (0)	See mine? I have it on all my cars. Install is the key. Looking from certain angles you can see the edge but I will take that over blobs of paint in rock chips. Attached Images __________________ Ping Golf Club demo tech
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08-25-2007, 02:07 AM	#11
JcFlys Private 1 Rep 66 Posts Drives: Space Grey 2008 BMW 550I Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	My installer said the real problem from rocks is not directly in front of you but slightly to the side that travels into your lane. I have seen rocks bounding across several lanes of traffic. __________________ 2008 BMW 550i Space Grey, Bamboo Trim, Active Steering, Comfort Access, Navi, HUD, Logic 7, HD Radio, ZCW, ZSP, Anthracite Headliner, Power Shade! Huper Optik 45% Ceramic Tint, 3M Proform Clearshield and V1 Hardwired. :rocks::rocks:
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08-25-2007, 02:49 AM	#13
Crazy Bimmer The Jesal 391 Rep 5,859 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chicago IL iTrader: (20) Garage List 2009 BMW M3 [0.00]	I have had it for a bit now. I hardly notice it but i know its there and sometimes it bothers me. I figure if i can keep the car looking good for a year or two, then ill take the hood portion off. But for now its really not that big of a deal. Im keeping the front bumper clearbra part on no matter what. Can hardly see that anyways. Should have seen my A4 after 35k miles. The front bumper just looked terrible and touch up paint would have taken forever. Respray would have been needed. Then again I did a lot of highway driving at the time. __________________ 2009 E90 M3 - SOLD
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08-25-2007, 10:04 AM	#14
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 418 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	Why waste time waxing and detailing your car? Why piss away good money on wheels and tires, after all you get some with the car. Why install aftermarket body kits or lights? Why spend time on E90Post.com when you could be leading a productive life? Such things are subjective, and the really neat part is that each of us gets to make a choice (except apparently, for those who post "what color car should I buy", etc.). Don't get a clear bra. You'll be happy and I still won't care. __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
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08-25-2007, 03:05 PM	#15
picus Brigadier General 125 Rep 4,172 Posts Drives: e92 SG 335i Coupe Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto, ON iTrader: (0)	I think clear bra's are a bad idea. You should avoid them. Also, if you take your car to a soft cloth wash every week and get their wax it will fill in the chips anyway. Tell your local car detailer he can thank me later.
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08-25-2007, 03:47 PM	#16
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 418 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	I think I just lost several measurable points of respect for Picus as a car care guru. Actually recommending a car wash?? Soft cloth or not, that is a perfect way to guarantee swirls and scratches all over the car. The same cloths that just washed that nasty, muddy, filthy pickup truck in front of you are now going to be dragged with aggitiation all over your car... count me out. I will use a touchless occasionally in winter, otherwise it is self hand wash only. Picus - why do you consider clear bra's a bad idea? Not that I dispute your opinion, but surely you have a basis for it. To be honest, it sounds like your post is simply a way to keep a detailer in business. It's like a carpet shampoo guy saying "it's stupid not to wear shoes in the house, and I don't recommend vacuuming more that once ever two months". __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
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08-25-2007, 04:33 PM	#17
tirana Lieutenant 15 Rep 575 Posts Drives: M2 6MT + F25 35i AT Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (2)	Umm, he was joking - hint, hint
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08-26-2007, 07:19 PM	#20
David1 Brigadier General 814 Rep 3,953 Posts Drives: 09 E92 09 X5 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Columbus, OH iTrader: (1)	Here is mine. You can only see it up close. It has a battle scar on the bumper so it already saved me. I was not a clear bra believer until I took my S2000 to the track. Paint chips down to the metal and you can't touch up most of Honda's paints since they are tri stage and very thin. The guys with the clear bras didn't have a mark. I have the whole front end done, the aero lip, mirrors (the mirrors are the only part I don't like), and the lights. Attached Images
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08-27-2007, 01:49 PM	#22
Ray Member 306 Rep 22,825 Posts Drives: three series Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: sfCA iTrader: (0)	Protecting from the rock chips is only one of the benefits.
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