I am getting a new front bumper and side skirt painted in a couple of weeks. I plan to put a clear bra on the new bumper right away, but how long should I allow the paint to air out? I know its going to be drivable when I pick it up from the body shop, but I read that fresh paint takes about a week or so before it stops evaporating or something.

 

Yah, paint dries from the top down, but cures from the bottom up. I advise waiting about 3 weeks to let it cure. Your supposed to wait about a month before waxing a new paintjob, just soap and water until then. HOpe this helps.

 

hopefully it won't get stone chip before the clear bra, then it defect the purpose.. I am actually in the same situation, getting my V1 lip repainted, but this time I am going to put the clear bra on it.. Guess I'll just have to park it in the garage or drive very careful before the clear bra.

 

CRAP! How the hell does one avoid rock chips in NY/NJ for a month? Gonna have to find some nice slow paved back roads to get to work from now on.

 

Yah, well, thats how long i know it takes to cure. You better check with your paint applyer for more accurate opinions.

 

This is a very useful thread, I would also be curious what you all are paying for clear bra and how it looks, haven't seen any good pics with it. My plan when my body kit gets here is to have it painted, let it sit for a month and then install the clear bra before it goes on the car. Kinda silly to drive around with finished body kit only to get chips before bra install.

 

Hmmm... i didn't think of that. I might have them paint and install it, then remove the front bumper when I get home and put the old one on. I'm only concerned about the front bumper really.

 

afro....

paint cure time depends on how the paint is applied (temperature, heat dry, etc) and the type of paint the shop uses. The only person to know how long to let it cure is your painter.

my painter said 30 days for my paint to cure, longer if the weather is always cold. again, ask your painter.

there is NO WAY IN HELL you are going to avoid rock chips while waiting for the paint to cure unless you don't drive your car. my suggestion, and what I would have done had I not had a show to attend, install your old bumper and take your freshly paintd bumper and leave it in your backyard/balcony/patio to cure.

after the cure time is done, take your car and your new bumper to the clearbra place. see if they can install your front bumper. IF NOT, take your car back to the bodyshop, get the bumper installed, tape it up with painter's tape and drive carefully to your clearbra installer.

better yet if he has a mobile service, tell him to come to your bodyshop.

good luck. i had my clearbra put on KenStyle today. Two trips from SF to LA before the clear bra = 6-10 rock chips

good luck.

vinh

 

My body shop and painter friend always told me to wait 3 months before waxing a freshly painted panel.

 

just got my Nismo body kit back, freshly painted.. I lay them in my backyard to get some sun exposure, while I went to work.. after I came home, the damn wind had blown them across the concret floor, and chip the two rear skirts!!! I was soooo mad.. Guess lesson learned.. never leave anything outside without supervision... Now I am debating if I should take it back to get it repaint it then clearbra, or just clearbra it..

 

Yah not to hate, but that was kind of stupid.

 

That sucks! Mother nature most of had it out for you! LOL

 

[QUOTE=drsifugood luck. i had my clearbra put on KenStyle today. Two trips from SF to LA before the clear bra = 6-10 rock chips [/QUOTE]

Damn! Sorry to hear! Especially with a custom paint job. Yeah, i'm definitely not driving that ***** around till its cured and bra'd. Thanks all!

 

np, I felt like an azz afterward

never do it again!

 

Out here the only was to avoid rock chips is to not drive, I am intrerested in what you folks are paying for your clear bra install and does anyone have pics they can email me laidbackracr@gmail.com

I appreciate it

 

so no zaino for a month?


damn.....

 

I'm getting my Vertex Full Bodykit & Blitz Wing in a month or so. I plan to have it painted then leave them out to cure for another month prior installing the clearbra & then the parts intself. If I wanted to, I can simply just install the sides, rear bumper, & wing since I am not planning on installing clearbra on these pieces anyway (or do you guys think I should slap some on the sideskirts too?) If I do this, it shouldn't look too bad since I already have the Veilside V1 Lip. This should give me the time to properly cure the new front bumper.

BTW...clearbra installation from what I've heard is roughly around $500 depending on the type of clearbra you are using & the shop you are going with. That should cover the front bumper, headlights, partial hood, & side mirrors.

 

james...who you having do the clear bra?

jeremy at Invisguard did a custom kit on my kenstyle front bumper as well as the area behind the wheels. also did the hood, side mirrors, headlights, and foglights.

$770 ($695 for the custom job and $75 for the headlights)...took him close to five hours to fhinish things up.

pm me if you need his contact info. his number is also listed in the Nor Cal directory.

he has a mobile service as well as works out of a shop in San Rafael

vinh

 

How's it going Vinh? Yeah. I was either going to go with Jeremy or go to Omega Tintwerks in Pleasanton. I was told both of them do excellent work. No worries, I know his contact since I've been briefly administrating that list .

 

you should put some clearbra on some of the commonly rock chip area, even on side skirts, and rear.

I am planning to put some myself on the rear nismo pieces, and on the bottom of the side skirts.. you can get the 3m clearbra from ebay cheap..