Got my Z about a month ago, there are a few rock chips on the hood.

https://i.imgur.com/VQj9p.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/8yaXU.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/uL621.jpg

I really want to put a clear bra on it, but have a few questions first:

1. Will the rock chips under the bra create bubbles under the bra?
2. Should I have the hood detailed before having the bra applied because the car isn't new?
3. Can the chips be filled in before the clear bra is applied?
4. Since the hood already has damage, will it be worth it to put a clear bra on now?

Thanks!

 

When I first got my Z I was planning on getting a bra up front but the guy said it wasn't worth it because if all rock chips.

Think of it like this...putting a screen protector on your touch screen without cleaning it...bubbles everywhere ..

 

Id say not worth it unless you repaint the hood first. May as well do the bumper while youre at it, that thing takes a beating.

Just get a touch up every now and then if you dont want to pay for the restoration. Clear bra on a damaged panel doesnt make sense to me.

 

Dang, you guys think I can get a new painted OEM hood for under $500 (not a big fan of the aftermarket hoods)? I might just do that when the rock chips get too bad.

 

Black will show lots of chips.

The clear bra is OK if the car is new. Applying the bra over chips is silly.

Here is a tip for black and chips: Use a wax that does NOT leave a white power residue. Black Magic is a good choice.

 

Why do you need a new hood if you only have a few chips.Why not have it re-painted

 

Oh, black magic is actually a black wax? I have to try that out (I just bought some NXT 2.0 and Mother's Pure Carnuba this week. I'll pick up some black magic for sure and compare them all). But yeah, black makes the chips so visible. I can see them from 10 feet away in the day-light and it makes me cringe. First world problems...

I just want to know what my options are for the future. I got this car about a month ago, so I care a little too much about it. Maybe after a year or two, I won't care about the rock chips anymore.

Thanks for the tip and advice everyone.

 

I put a clear bra on my Z, but that was within the first week of owning it. I've kept it waxed and clean just like the rest of the car, so it held up beautifully. 5 years later, I swapped body parts, and went with an aftermarket kit. I plan on getting my new bumper wrapped once it comes back from paint. The leading edges of my fenders and mirrors still have the original film from 2006 on it.

 

Black Magic is a brand for all colors. Try what you have before spending more money on wax.

 

in my opinion i wouldnt do it on the front bumper, because in the future your gonna want to put on a different front bumper. we always want to make our z look better year by year, and i heard the that clear protector is expencive. but then again you were talkin about the hood, i just thought i comment.

 

It's worth the money to me. My bumper, mirrors, hood, and fenders are done. Had it put on after I repainted the front after removing the Nissan emblem.

 

My whole front bumper , half the hood and front fenders are done.

Held up perfectly over the years and mine is an 03.

Definately a good investment for the front end....

 

i would always recommend repainting and detailing a bumper before applying the bra. don't want to see any blemishes.