Car bra or not?

trcsr · 06-01-2019, 07:36 PM

I live in SE NC and we get a lot of bugs 6 months out of the year. They are difficult to clean off and will damage the paint if left on too long. So, I am considering getting a Bra for mine. What are the downsides as well as the upsides of these? What experiences have anyone here had? I very rarely drive in the rain and it is stored under cover. Suggestions, please? Thanks.

bobby35ny · 06-01-2019, 07:51 PM

Are you talking about a CLEAR bra or the temp ugly ones?
Clear bra is a MUST DO.

Gunkk · 06-01-2019, 07:59 PM

Yes to paint protection film.
No to black vinyl strapons.

6spdhyperblue · 06-01-2019, 08:08 PM

I didn’t like the clear bra. Rock chips get through it anyway

Joemat · 06-01-2019, 08:21 PM

Friends don't let friends strap vinyl bra's on the car. Aside from looking hideous, the straps that hold them on wear away at your paint finish.

Silver2ssA8 · 06-01-2019, 08:58 PM

I use a novistretch to protect the paint as well as the radiators, it does not leave any marks on the paint after a year of use

Glen e · 06-01-2019, 09:06 PM

Another vote for novistretch, comes off , washes in the sink, and stores in your glove compartment if you wanted to. I’ve had three of them. Never scratched.....

hotlap · 06-01-2019, 10:39 PM

I’ve put Xpel on my last three cars. It works.

I bought my 18 HW last August and have driven it daily to work on a highway project that is expanding from three to four lanes. Literally torn up everywhere with tight lanes ...plus the abuse of Wisconsin winter. I have no damage on the warped areas after 6k miles

Frankie18SS · 06-01-2019, 11:46 PM

No experience with clear but I had a vinyl one scratch the hell out of the hood on my last Camaro.

Silverado57 · 06-02-2019, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glen e

Another vote for novistretch, comes off , washes in the sink, and stores in your glove compartment if you wanted to. I’ve had three of them. Never scratched.....

I'm going to consider the Novistretch when going on a road trip.

Edit, I just remembered I have a front license plate. PITA...

SSport16 · 06-02-2019, 08:45 AM

Another Novistretch thumbs up here!

HDRDTD · 06-02-2019, 08:46 AM

The main downside to having clear bra (or paint protection film as many call it) is the upfront cost. I say upfront because it costs a fair amount of money to have it installed, BUT it will save you a ton of money over the next several years not having to fix as many rock chips, etc.

The cost of installing the PPF can vary all over the map. It's up to you to decide just how much of the car and what portions of the car you choose to cover with it.

The main parts of a car that will get hit with the usual stone chips would be the front facia, the mirrors (since the stick out), and in the case of Camaros, the 'gill' area in front of the rear wheel openings.

Just covering those places alone with a good quality PPF will cost usually somewhere in the $1,000.00 range.

Many people choose to also cover larger portions of the front including the hood so the price can quickly climb.

Most quality PPF will have a warranty somewhere around 5-10 years.

Another benefit, is that if it's applied properly, you won't be able to tell where it's been applied and where it's not unless to get REALLY close and know where to look. It truly is 'clear'.

It's all up to you and your pocketbook to choose what method you decide to use to protect your car.

For a temporary way of protecting the paint such as track days or driving it home when you buy it from an out of state dealer, is to cover those area's with blue painter's tape.

Comes right off when you get home and costs very little.

*mlee* · 06-02-2019, 10:47 AM

Naked for me... Don't like XPel or any of the other clear bras.

Torquem · 06-02-2019, 01:32 PM

I have seen it take paint off when removing clear bra. And this was by people who knew what they were doing. Installers don't talk about it much, for obvious reasons. But it's a distinct possibility.

06-01-2019, 07:36 PM	#1
trcsr Drives: 2018 2LT/RS Conv Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Wilmington NC Posts: 317	Car bra or not? I live in SE NC and we get a lot of bugs 6 months out of the year. They are difficult to clean off and will damage the paint if left on too long. So, I am considering getting a Bra for mine. What are the downsides as well as the upsides of these? What experiences have anyone here had? I very rarely drive in the rain and it is stored under cover. Suggestions, please? Thanks.

06-01-2019, 07:51 PM	#2
bobby35ny Drives: 18 ZL1 A10 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: South East, FL Posts: 3,024	Are you talking about a CLEAR bra or the temp ugly ones? Clear bra is a MUST DO. __________________ 2017 ZL1 M6 Bog City, 2013 ZL1 M6, 2010 2SS M6 ZL1::J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS

06-01-2019, 09:06 PM	#7
Glen e Retired from Car mfrs.... Drives: 2LT RS/HR-V Join Date: May 2013 Location: /Fort Lauderdale Posts: 10,048	Another vote for novistretch, comes off , washes in the sink, and stores in your glove compartment if you wanted to. I’ve had three of them. Never scratched..... __________________ Glen CLICK HERE for detailing a new car: detailing for non detailers CLICK HERE for how to rinseless CLICK HERE for EASY wheel sealant Last edited by Glen e; 06-02-2019 at 01:22 AM.

06-01-2019, 10:39 PM	#8
hotlap Drives: 20 1LE 2SS M6 Rally Green Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Franklin WI Posts: 6,632	I’ve put Xpel on my last three cars. It works. I bought my 18 HW last August and have driven it daily to work on a highway project that is expanding from three to four lanes. Literally torn up everywhere with tight lanes ...plus the abuse of Wisconsin winter. I have no damage on the warped areas after 6k miles __________________ "the trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.” Ronald Reagan -

06-01-2019, 11:46 PM	#9
Frankie18SS Drives: 18 Camaro 2SS, 07 Saturn Ion Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: North Branch, MI Posts: 339	No experience with clear but I had a vinyl one scratch the hell out of the hood on my last Camaro. __________________ Ordered from Becky D __ 2018 2SS Silver Ice Redline 6MN, NPP, MRC, GM CAI

06-01-2019, 07:59 PM	#3
Gunkk Thank you Al Oppenheiser! Drives: Red Hot A10 ZL1 Convertible Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 4,975 View My Garage	Yes to paint protection film. No to black vinyl strapons.

06-01-2019, 08:08 PM	#4
6spdhyperblue Drives: 6th gen Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: US Posts: 3,675	I didn’t like the clear bra. Rock chips get through it anyway

06-01-2019, 08:21 PM	#5
Joemat Drives: Camaro ZL1 1LE Join Date: May 2019 Location: Florida Posts: 3	Friends don't let friends strap vinyl bra's on the car. Aside from looking hideous, the straps that hold them on wear away at your paint finish.

06-01-2019, 08:58 PM	#6
Silver2ssA8 Drives: 2017 Silver SS Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Valley springs CA Posts: 104	I use a novistretch to protect the paint as well as the radiators, it does not leave any marks on the paint after a year of use

06-02-2019, 08:45 AM	#11
SSport16 Drives: 2016 Garnet Red Camaro 2SS Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: North Carolina Posts: 5,435	Another Novistretch thumbs up here! __________________ 2SS Camaro, Garnet Red, Adrenaline Red, NPP, MRC, A8, 5 Split Spoke Bright Silver Wheels (56W) 1100 Status - 7/24/15 (Ordered) 3800 Status - 10/13/15 (Built) 6000 Status - 12/22/15 (Delivered)

06-02-2019, 08:46 AM	#12
HDRDTD Drives: 2013 Triple Black ZL1 Vert M6 ECF Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Trenton, Michigan Posts: 7,047	The main downside to having clear bra (or paint protection film as many call it) is the upfront cost. I say upfront because it costs a fair amount of money to have it installed, BUT it will save you a ton of money over the next several years not having to fix as many rock chips, etc. The cost of installing the PPF can vary all over the map. It's up to you to decide just how much of the car and what portions of the car you choose to cover with it. The main parts of a car that will get hit with the usual stone chips would be the front facia, the mirrors (since the stick out), and in the case of Camaros, the 'gill' area in front of the rear wheel openings. Just covering those places alone with a good quality PPF will cost usually somewhere in the $1,000.00 range. Many people choose to also cover larger portions of the front including the hood so the price can quickly climb. Most quality PPF will have a warranty somewhere around 5-10 years. Another benefit, is that if it's applied properly, you won't be able to tell where it's been applied and where it's not unless to get REALLY close and know where to look. It truly is 'clear'. It's all up to you and your pocketbook to choose what method you decide to use to protect your car. For a temporary way of protecting the paint such as track days or driving it home when you buy it from an out of state dealer, is to cover those area's with blue painter's tape. Comes right off when you get home and costs very little.

06-02-2019, 10:47 AM	#13
mlee CamaroFans.com Drives: ZLE & ZR2 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Conroe, TX Posts: 37,497 View My Garage	Naked for me... Don't like XPel or any of the other clear bras. __________________

06-02-2019, 01:32 PM	#14
Torquem Bannable Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 460 View My Garage	I have seen it take paint off when removing clear bra. And this was by people who knew what they were doing. Installers don't talk about it much, for obvious reasons. But it's a distinct possibility. __________________ One must forego the self to attain total spiritual creaminess, and avoid the chewy chunks of degradation 2017 ZL1 A10 - Hyper Blue Metallic Rotofab CAI, TM ported TB, AWE non res touring catback with PLP's

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