I've decided to get a clear bra - any advise?
 

I am getting the clear bra installed on my new 2006 Z. I think I will get it on my front bumper, even though I wish I had a lot of money to get the whole car done. I am getting charged $320 for the bumper, using the 3M film. Any advise? I've already Zaino-ed the car.
Thanks!

Just the bumper, what about the hood, fenders, mirrors, and headlights??? I have a complete kit i bought, but no one will install it for less than 350. Still no pits luckily.

+1 definitely get it covered for the whole front. the rocks are gonna come at you everywhere.

I was just going to say.. Make sure you get the right cup size.

a new stock bumper isnt that much more after paint...

Before you put on the 3m clear bra make sure you wash the bumper or whatever part of the body that the clear bra is going to go on with dish washing soap, it strips the wax or polish (Zaino Bros.) off, leaving wax or polish on under the clear bra will cause discoloring of the paint. I had mines on for 3 yrs. took it off and Zaino'd the area and it looks good as new :) , my friend owns a detail shop and he is very anal when it comes to car care. Good Luck!

No need to strip any wax or anything as the installer will do this prior to the installation. The car is prepped before the clear bra goes down. I highly recommend doing the hood fenders and mirrors as the paint on the Z chips very easy. I have done half a dozen Z's and some people waited only two to three weeks and had some nice chips in the front of the car when they finally mad the appointment, do the entire kit you won't regret it.

Brian

buddy of mine got it on his 04 g35 first week he had it and now it looks like crap you can totally see the lines. i think 320 can be better spent

That installer did not know what he was doing. I've had mine for just over one year and you can't tell it's on the car unless you are up close to it.

get it done :)

You should have ordered the complete kit online from a reputible shop. I think I paid half what the dealership wanted for the material. I ended up installing it myself, it was a pita, but like someone else said "you can't see it, unless your really close". I ended up buying some more of it in bulk and covered the entire hood and 2/3 of the roof. Overkill, I think not. Considering most of my driving takes place on the HWY and I am constantly being bombarded by small gravel, sand, whatever. It seems around Chicago you just can't escape the occasional dirty-rock hauling rig!! I especially get pissed when I get boxed in and behind one of these suckers at 80mph!

So far the clearbra has worked. I can see multiply pits in the clearbra where the paint would have chipped. $250 was totally worth it!

This is what it looks like on, do you see it :)
http://img42.imagevenue.com/loc24/th...y_chicagoZ.jpg

Zquicksilver

Its worth it to get it done. Rock chips look ugly.

My advice.... get the front bumper film on e-bay for $99 and install it yourself. Very very easy.

Respect
JET

Stay far away from the films on Ebay...if you are lucky they might last 10 months. I had a full kit installed today (01-10) and I am very happy with the finished product. It was kind of pricy @500.00 but guess what my car will look brand new in the front in four years, I don't think there is one person on this board that can say that with a four your old z that doesn't have the clearbra. A very good investment. "DO-IT"

I had Brian install my clear bra (CVClearbra) he did a great job and I wish I'd have done it sooner. The paint on these cars is very brittle and thin so it's worth doing the hood. Most of my chips were on the hood and not on the bumper. It's just a matter of time before the whole front end is all chipped without the bra.

Hey there Yon thanks for the plug. :D Good to see your happy. I will be putting one on my own Z this spring.:p

Take care Brian

Hey Brian do you have a shop or do you do it as a side job? I am in San Jose so let me know if you are available.

I would have a prfessional shop do it and it will come out flawless. Also, as stated do the whole bumper, headlights, fenders, hood and mirrors. It is more than worth the $$ The shop takes care of detailing and touch up before applying...atleast mine did.

Is it similar to installing BAT's overlays....Is are bubbles an issue? Do you need a heat gun? .....I need to repaint my bumper (rock chips, only 4 months old) and if its similar the the overlays I might take a crack at it...


-Edgar

The clear bra was the first and currently only mod on the car. I can only see the line on the hood when im within like 5 feet of the car, give or take depending on the light.

i wish the previous owner of my car had clear bra'd it.. but he didnt and there are a few pretty bad chips.. now i have to have it all resprayed before i can clear bra.. needless to say it will be a while before i get that done...