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what is a clear bra?
- Thread starter dpe_g35
- Start date
imported_Picus
New member
Does it work? Sure, a properly installed clear bra made of a decent quality film (Venture, 3m, etc) will definitely protect against most road debris. They are no infallible, but they definitely help a lot.
How transparent it is depends a lot on the installer, the cut they use, and the film they use. Like detailing it's important to do your due diligence and find an installers whose work you are confident in.
As for coverage, that's up to the owner. Most people seem to do extended (18-24") hood, fenders, mirrors. The bumper is another options, and of course you can have the entire front end wrapped. A factor in that is cost. Generally speaking an extended kit will run anywhere from $300-$450, a bumper will by ~$350-$500, and an entire front end wrap can go anywhere from $1000-$2500. (prices vary by area of course, which is why I included a wide range).
How transparent it is depends a lot on the installer, the cut they use, and the film they use. Like detailing it's important to do your due diligence and find an installers whose work you are confident in.
As for coverage, that's up to the owner. Most people seem to do extended (18-24") hood, fenders, mirrors. The bumper is another options, and of course you can have the entire front end wrapped. A factor in that is cost. Generally speaking an extended kit will run anywhere from $300-$450, a bumper will by ~$350-$500, and an entire front end wrap can go anywhere from $1000-$2500. (prices vary by area of course, which is why I included a wide range).
imported_Picus
New member
I figured I'd elaborate a bit on the above with some of "my opinion". 5 years ago I thought most clear bra's looked pretty bad. They exacerbated orange peel because they had a texture of their own, and after awhile they would yellow and some would even crack. Some of the more modern films have really come a long way, enough that now on my next car I will likely wrap the entire hood and fenders.
Pictures aren't the best thing to show a clear bra, but as an example the entire front end of this car is wrapped (bumpers, fenders, hood, mirrors, rockers and rear cowl).
http://gtaindetail.com/pics/360070308/images/d.jpg
http://gtaindetail.com/pics/360070308/images/e.jpg
Pictures aren't the best thing to show a clear bra, but as an example the entire front end of this car is wrapped (bumpers, fenders, hood, mirrors, rockers and rear cowl).
http://gtaindetail.com/pics/360070308/images/d.jpg
http://gtaindetail.com/pics/360070308/images/e.jpg
Picus said:I figured I'd elaborate a bit on the above with some of "my opinion". 5 years ago I thought most clear bra's looked pretty bad. They exacerbated orange peel because they had a texture of their own, and after awhile they would yellow and some would even crack. Some of the more modern films have really come a long way, enough that now on my next car I will likely wrap the entire hood and fenders.
Pictures aren't the best thing to show a clear bra, but as an example the entire front end of this car is wrapped (bumpers, fenders, hood, mirrors, rockers and rear cowl).
http://gtaindetail.com/pics/360070308/images/d.jpg
http://gtaindetail.com/pics/360070308/images/e.jpg
That looks really good - you can barely tell it's there.
HOWEVER, how's it going to look in 2-3yrs time?
imported_Picus
New member
That's been on there 18 months. Modern films will yellow if they are not cared for properly, but unlike older films they are less prone to yellowing and won't if you take a modicum of care (as in, keep it clean). I'd say a film like that on a car that is generally well cared for will last at a minimum 5 years.
Picus said:That's been on there 18 months. Modern films will yellow if they are not cared for properly, but unlike older films they are less prone to yellowing and won't if you take a modicum of care (as in, keep it clean). I'd say a film like that on a car that is generally well cared for will last at a minimum 5 years.
Interesting - the one of my dd (~7yrs old) isn't yellowed, however it is streaked and stained and all sorts of weird stuff that just won't come off....just generally doesn't look very good.
Film makes bug removal more difficult. It just tends to be a little more sticky when it comes to getting bugs off. The upside, at least the dead bugs are not etching into your paint!
But it's worth it's weight in gold where we live. 9 months of winter and gravel thrown on roads can be torture if you don't have clear film.
But it's worth it's weight in gold where we live. 9 months of winter and gravel thrown on roads can be torture if you don't have clear film.