I'm getting a clear bra installed pretty soon. I was thinking about just doing the front bumper only. Is the hood coverage really necessary? I don't want to get the hood done mainly because I hate to see the line going across the middle of my hood. Suggestions?

 

It's either the line or chips on the hood. Which would you rather have? If you don't get the bra on the hood, you'll kick yourself the minute you get that first chip. Besides, you don't see the line when you're driving the car.

 

If you keep the line cleaned you won't really see it anyways. It took my husband 3 days to even notice I had it installed. He only saw it then because he was checking out the wax job I had done I then waxed his truck!!

 

Good point....I've got the clearfilm on the hood of my black Z, and unless the car's really dirty, you cant see the line from a distance.

If you've not going to do the hood, it may still behoove you to do the headlights. Over time, the clear plastic portion of the headlights can develop a lot of scratches, which will make them look foggy. Covering the lights with the clear film will prevent this.

 

I have just the bumper & headlights
my hood is fine.

I also do not like the line you can clearly see across the hood.

Lots of guys just have the bumper.

 

I had the bumper installed 1st day i got the Z. Went back and got the hood done 2 days later. I went back and forth but decided that ultimately a chip on hood would bother me more than the line.

I've had clear bra on a Z and G35. Not sure if all hood kits are cut the same but the hood line follows the arc of front of hood instead of going straight acrosss. This is a 3m kit by starshield armor here in LA. On my g35, the hood line went straight across which in my opinion looks alot worse. So the hood line on the Z doesn't really bother me and actually looks like it fits the car b/c of the arc.

 

Is it noticable when you only get the front bumper done?

 

if you ask me a clear bra is not worth it on a stock bumper...

the stock front bumper is list around $240 and painting it is not that much either...

a rock is gonna show in a bumper with clear bra or not...

I dont personally think its worth that kind of money to "protect" somthing that isnt worth that much to begin with...

 

thank you... finaly... i agree with you COMPLETELY.

but to each their own. clear bra away

 

Yeah, but I don't want to be replacing or repainting that bumper every couple of years.

 

has any one peeled off a clear bra and re-applied... they get scratched too..

 

One thing to consider though if you decide to repaint your bumper every few years instead of clear bra is the paint match issue. Certain colors such as chrome silver are hard to color match. Some have said even the stock bumpers on a new car are off sometimes but I personally would clear bra and let things be. Just something to consider. You might want to talk to people who have had body kits painted and ask how close their match is.

 

Nope. you can hardly see it. You need to get real close.

 

Don't let anyone fool you, I have a Silverstone Roadster and originally had the bumper-hood-headlights done. The line across the hood is very easy to see. Keeping it clean or not, you are not going to be happy with the line across the hood.

Some Z colors are better than others for hiding the "seam" but Silverstone is not one of them.

I had the clear bra pulled off of the hood after about 3 months and it came off very easily. I am a happy camper now. I have a couple of small rock chips on my hood but they are well above the area where the clear bra had been installed. I would have had rock chips and a clear bra line. Grrrr

I do recommend that you get the bumper and headlights done though. I got mine installed through "Clear Armor" in Mountain View, California and they guarantee that they will replace the clear bra if a rock penetrates the material. I think that is about the best you can do.

While you are getting the bumper/headlights done, have the installer stick a little piece of scrap material on your hood and see what you think.

Good Luck and Happy Motoring

 

I did just the bumper on mine.

 

jsn350z: didn't your bumper just get repainted?? cuz i was told that you are suppose to let the paint cure before clear bra-ing. i waited 2 1/2 weeks before clear bra-ing. every morning i'd lug the bumper and lip out to the backyard to sun bathe and bring it back in every night...... i think my neighbors must have thought i was crazy.





but anyways to spitfirez, i'd suggest you only get the front bumper done and leave the hood alone as i think the line is very noticeable. i had my bumper and front lip clear bra'd.

 

Well...

Z number one, it was an SS, and was totalled ( you may know this alread? Not at fault ) I did just the bumper on that one.

Z number two, my current one, I had just the bumper done as well. Then a moron backed into it sooo it is STILL in the shop having the repairs/custom work done, as well as all my my new mods

If I do get a clear bra again, it will probably be just the bumper.