Vdubby18 said:
Use the search function for "clear bra" and do titles only in advanced search. Read away.
I have found out soooo much information just by searching for phrases that could lead me to the answer I'm looking for. Makes life much easier than waiting for your own topic. :bow
Have you ever actually done a search on here in reference to past clear bra discussion?
I have, as my wife's car has one. There is precious little informed, experienced advice on the forum concerning these things.
AudiFanatic said:
Hey guys, need some help on this one. I did a search but am finding conflicting results. I'm detailing a Red Audi R8 tommorow morning which has a clear bra type film on the front end. I'm trying to figure out what is safe to polish it with. I have heard of people applying a light polish like Megs 205 on it with a black finishing pad, but other people say to use IPA or plexus. I was planning on claying it and then using a mild polish like 205 or 3m ultrafine, but now I'm having second thoughts. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
First off, you need to determine initially if the bra is constructed of top-coated material, or non-top-coated material. The "coat" in this case is basically the clear bra industry's version of a clear coat. Adds long-term gloss, reduces maintenance. Most of the clear bras put on these days seem to be of this variety. There are still a few installers around using the older tech, non-coated film, but they're in the minority.
Obviously, determining which type of film dictates your approach...
The older non-coated films are a little less of a liability. Approach them like you would any non-painted plastic. As long as the LSP you're using has no hardcore dye in it, you can wax/seal just the same as you would normal BC/CC paint.
The newer top-coated films are a little more fragile, with respect to the "correction" the thin "clear coat" will endure. My personal opinion is any mid-level cut and lighter polish applied by hand is safe. I wouldn't go near the film on my wife's car with my PC, outside of LSP application. As far as the LSP's go, the same advice mentioned above for the non-coated stuff holds true.
Bottom line, I wouldn't use a PC or rotory on either film, but that's just me. I'm not a pro, nor do I have years of clear bra treatment under my belt, but as a private car owner, I have dealt with both.
Oh, and as someone who has gone through many cans of Plexus, and Plexus-equivalent aerosols, on street motorcycles, I would have to say that it is nearly pointless to use such a product on the clear bras. For correction or long-term protection it's going to do exactly zip.
