Are Bra's good or bad?
- Thread starter abzotech
- Start date
I think car bras are bad because they cover up the front of your car, which is absolutely ridiculous...why would you want to hide your car's looks?
Usually, car bras are good as they protect the front of your car, but I think they are very unnecessary. Just make sure to wash your car on time and wax every 6 months and you'll be fine...no rock chips or whatever will show up on the front of your car.
Usually, car bras are good as they protect the front of your car, but I think they are very unnecessary. Just make sure to wash your car on time and wax every 6 months and you'll be fine...no rock chips or whatever will show up on the front of your car.
Yeah, I know how Tom feels. I used to drive my 328 thru Irwindale in So. Cal. Driving behind of the big trucks by the mines on the freeway is like sound blastering your front hook. Just bring the tears in my eyes.
Anyway, the bra did protect my car from small pebbles. It also protect your engine from bugs during a long drive.
My friend stick this new transparent plastic on his hood. Something new. I have no idea what that would do to his paint if he left the plastic on entirely.
Anyway, the bra did protect my car from small pebbles. It also protect your engine from bugs during a long drive.
My friend stick this new transparent plastic on his hood. Something new. I have no idea what that would do to his paint if he left the plastic on entirely.
I had the clear film installed on my 2003 330i and I love it. Most of my driving is highway and rock chips are a problem with my vehicles. I had a bra for my last car however I often did not use it when the roads were covered in rock chips, salt, slush etc because the bra would get very dirty and then there was a danger of the bra itself causing damage to the paint as it ground in all of that dirt. Of course when the weather is good the roads are normally clean so the bra was of little use.
I installed the clear film for a number of reasons: you don't even see it, when it is damaged it can be removed and a new piece put in place, I don't like the look of a bra, the bra was often not used because it was dirty and then I still ended up with rock chips.
All of the clear films as I understand it are made by 3M. 3M supplies the material in varius sizes from 12 inches to 18 and 24 inch roles right up to roles that can be used to cover motorhomes. The 3M product comes in 2 forms Scotchcal and similiar product that is more flexible. Most of the companies take the 3M product and then make precut pieces that are applied to the hood, bumper, mirrors etc. Some of the products wrap and some don't - you will need to check with the party applying the products. Stongard and xpel are a couple of the products. In my area (edmonton, Alberta) there was not much choice as each of the companies did not wrap the product. I therefor had it done on a custom basis and the only seam you can see (at just the right angle) is one running across my hood.
I installed the clear film for a number of reasons: you don't even see it, when it is damaged it can be removed and a new piece put in place, I don't like the look of a bra, the bra was often not used because it was dirty and then I still ended up with rock chips.
All of the clear films as I understand it are made by 3M. 3M supplies the material in varius sizes from 12 inches to 18 and 24 inch roles right up to roles that can be used to cover motorhomes. The 3M product comes in 2 forms Scotchcal and similiar product that is more flexible. Most of the companies take the 3M product and then make precut pieces that are applied to the hood, bumper, mirrors etc. Some of the products wrap and some don't - you will need to check with the party applying the products. Stongard and xpel are a couple of the products. In my area (edmonton, Alberta) there was not much choice as each of the companies did not wrap the product. I therefor had it done on a custom basis and the only seam you can see (at just the right angle) is one running across my hood.
If you wax your car every 6 months, it will fill in the rock chips. If you need them fixed ASAP, purchase a bottle of GS27 Scratch Remover. I don't think using a car bra is the way to go...I feel like it just hides the front of your car and if you don't have a black car, it looks awful.
I drive on the highway every day (in NJ/NY highways, mind you) and I have no problems with rock chips. There is technique to it, as well...stay in the middle of the lane you are in and try not to drive behind trucks.
I drive on the highway every day (in NJ/NY highways, mind you) and I have no problems with rock chips. There is technique to it, as well...stay in the middle of the lane you are in and try not to drive behind trucks.
I have bra for my M roadster and use it on long drives. I make sure the car is clean and well waxed before installing the bra. Like Tom said I remove it when I arrive where I am going. I have no paint issues with the bra.
My brother had the 3M applied to his car 4 years ago and the film has become more opaque over time. The edge lines seem to be more prevalent with time as well. It is in no way invisible.
My brother had the 3M applied to his car 4 years ago and the film has become more opaque over time. The edge lines seem to be more prevalent with time as well. It is in no way invisible.
Car bras I must say are very unattractive, despite their use as protection from rocks and the elements. I think a car can absolutely be kept without one, I would know because I had a black car that I used to drive back and forth from city to city and staying away from gravel and trucks always kept me chipless besides the few unavoidable chips which can be removed with a scratch remover product from Walmart. My brother tried it on his car after an idiot hit his door against the side view mirror of my brother's IS300. The scratch remove completely took out the 1 inch long white scratch on his black car. Still, if you feel like you really need a bra, they now have invisible bras which can be applied to a car and you can't even see them! I know for sure that the Infiniti G35 coupes have alot of these installed since my last visit to the dealership. You can't see them and they protect but they are costly especially if you would ever need to replace it. It's up to you and how much you want to protect your car really, best of luck.
Yep, it helps a lot. It saved my front from so many chips already. Every time on the track you get chunks of rubber or loose rocks from people going off the track getting kicked up into your front bumper. I even smashed a bird once with absolutely no effect on the paint, thanks to the Bra. It's not very pretty, I agree, but in some cases function takes over form. ![[:)]](/images/smilies/smile.png "Smile [:)]")
I still use on highways and long trips. Just make sure you don't leave it to dry on the car after the rain. It may discolor the paint over time if gets baked under the sun.
I still use on highways and long trips. Just make sure you don't leave it to dry on the car after the rain. It may discolor the paint over time if gets baked under the sun.
car bras...
![[wave]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_wave.gif "Wave [wave]")
I think it all boils down to what part of the country you live in.
I live in Las Vegas (NV) and travel to the Phoenix area several time a year...
That area is notorious for Rock Haulers on the roadways due to all of the construction
through the Joshua Tree Forest. A car bra is a necessity to protect the car's front end.
The best bra on the market is COLGAN. Check the web-site. It won't damage the paint
because of the high tech material they use...
It's a little pricey BUT, it carries a five (5) year warranty which LeBra doesn't...
Everyones correct when they say, de-bra when you've reached your destination...![[thumb]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_thumb.gif "Thumbs Up [thumb]")
I think it all boils down to what part of the country you live in.
I live in Las Vegas (NV) and travel to the Phoenix area several time a year...
That area is notorious for Rock Haulers on the roadways due to all of the construction
through the Joshua Tree Forest. A car bra is a necessity to protect the car's front end.
The best bra on the market is COLGAN. Check the web-site. It won't damage the paint
because of the high tech material they use...
It's a little pricey BUT, it carries a five (5) year warranty which LeBra doesn't...
Everyones correct when they say, de-bra when you've reached your destination...
I feel the same way about bras, ugly, hides the agressive BMW front. Yet, without it, my driving is full of curses#@!*&% everytime I get behind those inconsiderate truck drivers who likes to stay put in the fast lane.
I have hundreds of tiny chips on my hood, it's black, and when I wax it, it shows hundreds of white spots! I spent one whole afternoon dotting the chips with a black permanent marker pen, and used only black colored wax for the hood. Now it looks great from a distance, but you can still see it up close.
I have hundreds of tiny chips on my hood, it's black, and when I wax it, it shows hundreds of white spots! I spent one whole afternoon dotting the chips with a black permanent marker pen, and used only black colored wax for the hood. Now it looks great from a distance, but you can still see it up close.
My grandmother covers her couch with plastic, the control panel of her microwave with Saran wrap, and the back of her stove with tin foil ... to keep these things clean, but these protective measures really spoil the look of her million dollar mansion. I think if my gradmother ever had a BMW, she will buy a car bra with Laura Ashley prints.
I agree with the "no-bra" look, on cars and everywhere else ....
I agree with the "no-bra" look, on cars and everywhere else ....
If you can't wash the bugs off of the front of your car after a long road trip, then use a car bra. Bugs will etch in the paint and really look bad. A bra is the lesser of two evils.
A good coat of wax will make removal of bugs easier. If you use a good wax such as P21S or Pinnacle, you can wax as often as you want. Those carnuba based waxes don't have any polishes or cleaners in them so they can be layered. They only last two to four months, depending on your driving habits, climate, storage, etc. The only wax that will come close to lasting six months is acrylic based waxes such as Klasse or polymer based waxes like Zaino or Blackfire.
A good coat of wax will make removal of bugs easier. If you use a good wax such as P21S or Pinnacle, you can wax as often as you want. Those carnuba based waxes don't have any polishes or cleaners in them so they can be layered. They only last two to four months, depending on your driving habits, climate, storage, etc. The only wax that will come close to lasting six months is acrylic based waxes such as Klasse or polymer based waxes like Zaino or Blackfire.
Last edited:
![[rolleyes]](/images/smilies/rolleyes.png "Roll Eyes (Sarcastic) [rolleyes]")
... and I'd be laughing pointing back at all the chips in your paint. ![[hah]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_hah.gif "Hah! [hah]"){kind=icon}