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So I just bought a silver 2011 Camaro SS. Absolutely love the car, but while researching it, I came across a common complaint. The front bumper, fender, and even mirrors are prone to paint chipping. This has made me especially paranoid right now considering I'm in Oklahoma, where our roads are turning into gravel thanks to a freakish drought and heat wave.
One remedy to this is a to get a clear bra. Basically its just a coat of thin plastic placed on cars much like a regular car bra (only not ugly ). I know 3M has a pretty big share of this, however here in OKC I've only been able to find XPEL installers, which is another manufacturer. Oh and its not cheap. I've gotten some estimates and it will be around $800-$850, which I was planning on using to install an exhaust system. I would love to hear if anyone has had an experience with this on their car. How is it to maintain? Does it peel or yellow after a while? How good is it resisting rocks and bug splatters?
Just my opinion, but I think car bras, of whatever style or make, are just the dumbest thing. They always remind me of the clear plastic sofa coverings that working class families used in the '50s — '70s.
Use a little touch-up paint and don't drive down gravel farm roads behind your bother-in-law's F-350.
I really hope the sofa reference above is a joke, a properly installed clear bra won't be noticeable, and has zero affect on your enjoyment in 99% of personality types.
My advice to you - GET IT. Now it won't work miracles... a decent size stone at 80 mph will probably go through the bra, however, all those little chips that show up with highway driving won't ever show up on your car. Eventually the little rock chips that would have beat up your paint will beat up the bra instead, and when that day comes you can replace the bra rather than have to risk a repaint that isn't a perfect match (unless you want to go to the trouble of repainting the entire vehicle).
My car has soft paint too, and to me, clear bra is a life saver. One word though - if you're a really big paint snob, 30 coats of zaino and all that, a clear bra might not be for you. When detailing the car extra care does need to be taken at the edges. However I stand by my comment, and I won't own a car I care about that doesn't have it again.
So I just bought a silver 2011 Camaro SS. Absolutely love the car, but while researching it, I came across a common complaint. The front bumper, fender, and even mirrors are prone to paint chipping. This has made me especially paranoid right now considering I'm in Oklahoma, where our roads are turning into gravel thanks to a freakish drought and heat wave.
One remedy to this is a to get a clear bra. Basically its just a coat of thin plastic placed on cars much like a regular car bra (only not ugly ). I know 3M has a pretty big share of this, however here in OKC I've only been able to find XPEL installers, which is another manufacturer. Oh and its not cheap. I've gotten some estimates and it will be around $800-$850, which I was planning on using to install an exhaust system. I would love to hear if anyone has had an experience with this on their car. How is it to maintain? Does it peel or yellow after a while? How good is it resisting rocks and bug splatters?
I would check out the offroad forums like Ford Raptors etc. They use them and with good luck from my understanding. I have thought about installing them on my Raptor but the nearest dealership is like two states away.
I did some research and seems like removing them is a pain, essentially same risk of paint damage that the gravel does. I decided to let the "road character" to take over.
I really hope the sofa reference above is a joke, a properly installed clear bra won't be noticeable, and has zero affect on your enjoyment in 99% of personality types.
My advice to you - GET IT. Now it won't work miracles... a decent size stone at 80 mph will probably go through the bra, however, all those little chips that show up with highway driving won't ever show up on your car. Eventually the little rock chips that would have beat up your paint will beat up the bra instead, and when that day comes you can replace the bra rather than have to risk a repaint that isn't a perfect match (unless you want to go to the trouble of repainting the entire vehicle).
My car has soft paint too, and to me, clear bra is a life saver. One word though - if you're a really big paint snob, 30 coats of zaino and all that, a clear bra might not be for you. When detailing the car extra care does need to be taken at the edges. However I stand by my comment, and I won't own a car I care about that doesn't have it again.
Thanks for the info, thats good to know.
I'm not a "paint snob" in the least bit, but I do like to kep my car waxed from time to time. Do you apply wax just on top on the film as if were not there. What about taking it to a car wash? I'm afraid some idiot would scrub the film right off.
I really hope the sofa reference above is a joke, a properly installed clear bra won't be noticeable, and has zero affect on your enjoyment in 99% of personality types.
My advice to you - GET IT. Now it won't work miracles... a decent size stone at 80 mph will probably go through the bra, however, all those little chips that show up with highway driving won't ever show up on your car. Eventually the little rock chips that would have beat up your paint will beat up the bra instead, and when that day comes you can replace the bra rather than have to risk a repaint that isn't a perfect match (unless you want to go to the trouble of repainting the entire vehicle).
My car has soft paint too, and to me, clear bra is a life saver. One word though - if you're a really big paint snob, 30 coats of zaino and all that, a clear bra might not be for you. When detailing the car extra care does need to be taken at the edges. However I stand by my comment, and I won't own a car I care about that doesn't have it again.
I wish I'd put one on my GTO. The front end has at least a dozen chips, and I've only put 52K on the car in 6 years.
I can't believe they've gotten so expensive. My research indicated it would cost $600 on my Murano and I couldn't stomach that price. I seem to remember them costing half that ten years ago but I could be imagining that. You could have the bumper re-sprayed for about the same price. If you only have it on part of the hood then you get chips on the part that isn't protected which doesn't look great IMO. I don't think they are particularly hard to remove with a heat gun but it's not exactly as easy as unwrapping a gift either. I've also seen some clear bras that really stand out and look obvious.
Just my opinion, but I think car bras, of whatever style or make, are just the dumbest thing.
Use a little touch-up paint and don't drive down gravel farm roads behind your bother-in-law's F-350.
Best suggestion and another benefit on not tail gating.
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). I know 3M has a pretty big share of this, however here in OKC I've only been able to find XPEL installers, which is another manufacturer. Oh and its not cheap. I've gotten some estimates and it will be around $800-$850, which I was planning on using to install an exhaust system. I would love to hear if anyone has had an experience with this on their car. How is it to maintain? Does it peel or yellow after a while? How good is it resisting rocks and bug splatters?
