Thoughts about the clear bra
I've never put a clear bra on a car before. My friend Larry put one on every exotic he owns, and swears by them. My previous car, a Corvette C6 with a completely painted nose similar in design to the Cayman, was all chewed up from the Oregon roads. So for the Cayman I tried a clear bra. VentureShield.
While washing the car today I noticed the bra got its first mar on the nose. Without the film it would have scratched the paint, no doubt. So am I glad I got a clear bra?
In a word, no. I wish I could get my $750 back. The Cayman is a nightmare for bra installers, and the installation isn't quite what I'd like to it be. Not that I think I could do any better myself. And I like to put sealant on my car a lot, at least monthly, and getting the edges of the film sealant-free is a PITA. The mirrors look like they need a re-do. I hate that line on the hood.
I'm sure the paint will look better in three years with the clear bra than it would otherwise, but there was always an honesty about the scars. The clear bra reminds me of using carpet runners in the house. Yes, the carpet is being protected, but the house looks like its being saved for someone more important.
Next time, no clear bra.
While washing the car today I noticed the bra got its first mar on the nose. Without the film it would have scratched the paint, no doubt. So am I glad I got a clear bra?
In a word, no. I wish I could get my $750 back. The Cayman is a nightmare for bra installers, and the installation isn't quite what I'd like to it be. Not that I think I could do any better myself. And I like to put sealant on my car a lot, at least monthly, and getting the edges of the film sealant-free is a PITA. The mirrors look like they need a re-do. I hate that line on the hood.
I'm sure the paint will look better in three years with the clear bra than it would otherwise, but there was always an honesty about the scars. The clear bra reminds me of using carpet runners in the house. Yes, the carpet is being protected, but the house looks like its being saved for someone more important.
Next time, no clear bra.
Total Comments 7
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I know where you're coming from blueone - I got the Venture Shield also, and have had mixed emotions about it as well. I don't necessarily regret putting it on, but I kind of wish I had gotten the whole trunk lid covered, rather than just the bottom 18", both for the sake of appearance, and because I have had a couple of little rock dings above the bra. Unfortnuately, that would have cost me an extra $250, for something that I thought was already overpriced.
Oddly though, I've had other Porsche owners compliment me on the appearance (or lack thereof) of the bra, and think it's a great idea. I think it is a tad better than carpet runners (or worse, plastic sofa covers  ) but I agree with you - perhaps we shouldn't be so worried about accumulating some of those "honest scars" (though they do hurt a little).BTW, thanks for joining the Blog crew - lately it seems I am just redirecting lost newbies back to the Forums  |
 
Updated 06-08-2008 at 02:55 AM by KS-CS |
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we had the whole hood clear bra installed by Premier here in CA (i think it is 3M) - can't even tell it is there, except a few places around the edges where if you squint and cross your eyes...
we park in the city, and the bra pieces on the front bumper have saved us some bumper gore (so has our evil tow hook plate holder *wink* but that is another story.) next time we'll get the whole quarter panels done so there are no wax lines. so expensive though. guh. |
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I saw a clear bra on an 08 turboand it was invisible. I am looking to get a clear bra install. I've had a few small chips taken out of the hood on my Audi but what's worse is the doors and the rocker panels. The doors look like there's a poor quality matte finish on them except for the part that's in the "shadow" of the fender flares on my Audi. At least w the clear bra, I could tear it off and replace it. Painting is a lot of work and there's always the issue of parts not being properly put back together and so forth. My 0.02$
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From most angles and at least 10 feet of distance my clear bra is mostly invisible, but when I admire the car I stand a lot closer than 10 feet. You all make good points about protection, that's why I had it installed, I'm just thinking I like naked better. For the time being, though, the bra is still on.
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I like my clear braI have a clear bra placed on by the dealer. It works well. I don't know how it will look when it is removed, but I had it on my previous audi tt and it did protect the finish. It started to yellow after 5 years and sold the car before I removed it. I feel it can't hurt, but it is a way that the dealer can make a few more bucks.
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we had a bra on out Audi TT as well (!!) - never noticed any yellowing, etc. but only had it for 3 years and the car was metallic black. it was not a question for us of whether to get a bra or not, just when.
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Clear BraSeems like the effectiveness of the clear bra is mixed. I too, don't like the line created by the bra, but I recently got a few nicks near the Porsche emblem on the hood and it grabs my eye each time I look at the car. Has anyone had any luck with fixing the nicks without having to have the hood re-painted. Still pondering the bra as well.
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