appygirl

Hey everyone,

Im new to the forum. I have some questions about the clear bra that can be put on cars now. Like the one I see the most is made by 3M. Can anyone give me some info? Are you satisfied with it? Does it make the paint look dull? And what is the price range for it to be installed by a dealer or autobody shop?

P.S. I am wanting to put it on my new 2007 Mazda3.

Thanks so much,
Amy

Jim D.

Welcome, appygirl!

My first-hand knowledge is only second-hand... but several of my friends who can afford new cars swear by them. One of the more recommended brands is by Star Shield Armor.

Various people I know have or have had them (various brands) on the following vehicles: blue '03 Mustang Mach 1, dark metallic blue '03 SVT Cobra Mustang, dark red '06 Lotus Elise (it's a factory option), pearl white Murano, white '06 Mazdaspeed 6, metallic black '06 BMW M6 and a Carerra GT3RS (I think it's standard on the RS).

Now some see the bra up close and get taken aback by the fact that it is visible. But on most colors at 5 feet or so you really, really have to be looking for it. Let me tell you, everyone says they'd rather have a bra that you only see sometimes than rock chips you'd see all of the time.

You can wax it when you wax the vehicle (you're better off with a mild synthetic wax to avoid chalking along the edges).

And at some point the bra's going to get beat up, so you'll want to replace all or part of it -- but it's much cheaper to replace a bra than it is to repaint.

It won't stop all rock chips, but it'll take a surprising number of hits and not leave a mark.

If I were getting a new car today, especially a metallic color that's hard to touch-up, I'd get one -- professionally installed.

gw84

I'm confused here, Jim. I thought you were talking about the spray-on "bra" (in a can) that's been advertised recently. However upon investigation, I learned that there actually is a clear bra. I was just wondering if you had to have a custom job for every car, or if you actually purchased something that was made specifically for your particular car. My only other concern are the long-term effects. Do you think there's any chance of fading or anything of the like?

__________________

Jim D.

gw84,

I wasn't even thinking of the spray-on films.

I'm pretty sure Amy was thinking of the semi-permanent clear adhesive film that affixes to various front panels which I talked about.

The only spray-on films I know about are from Dupli-Color and Rain-X and offer temporary protection against mainly bugs. They wash off or wear off in about a week or two. Duplicolor is offered in clear and gray.

3M has been making these impact resistant films for aerospace, evidently for years, and have adapted their use for vehicles. It's actually got some "give" to it, though it will indeed nick on a hard hit. But if I was buying a new car, I'd get one.

Check out that website and you'll see some photos, though I realize today that they're updating their website and not all of the info is there yet... but you'll get the idea as to how it's laid on the vehicle.

You really can't see these things... they're almost invisible in person. My friends have had real good success using FX SynWax with these, and if there is a little "dust" that creeps up along the edge after a waxing or in dusty areas, I've just hit it with some Showtime and a plush microfiber and it's gone in a flash... this was on the $120K M6 pictured below. Though the photo was taken at a distance, you hopefully can see that you really can't see these things except up close. The pattern is trimmed for the collision sensors (so you can see those lines if you look up close) and the intake and grille holes and whatnot, but it covers all of the front-facing areas of the bumper and about 18" of the fenders and hood, as well as the side view mirrors...

Cyric_Mage

We apply the VentureShield on new cars, usually costs about $300. Plus you can get ones for your head lights, even your bumpers and rearview mirrors