R56 Bras - ins and outs
#26
#27
#28
I too favor the clear bra, although there is a trade-off with the small line across the hood. But you don't really see it unless you're looking for it. It is far superior in my opinion to the cloth or leather that no matter what you do ends up causing scratches and other damage to your paint. You'll also spend considerable time removing and reinstalling every time you wash your baby.
Many dealers outsource the clear bra, add some profit for themselves, and average cost for partial hood and bumper here from the dealer is $700. For the same price take delivery and go to a 3M authorized tint/bra shop. For the same price or less you should be able to get the hood, bumper, lights, A pillars, mirrors and top of roof (next to windscreen which also can get rock chips). Check their warranty, which should cover peeling, cracking, yellowing, bubbling and installation for 5 years.
Many dealers outsource the clear bra, add some profit for themselves, and average cost for partial hood and bumper here from the dealer is $700. For the same price take delivery and go to a 3M authorized tint/bra shop. For the same price or less you should be able to get the hood, bumper, lights, A pillars, mirrors and top of roof (next to windscreen which also can get rock chips). Check their warranty, which should cover peeling, cracking, yellowing, bubbling and installation for 5 years.
#29
The leather bras are good if you are looking to take a trip, your car is clean, it doesn’t rain and you remove it when you get done.
I wish I had taken pics of the Honda minivan we to paint a few weeks ago because the owner had a bra on the front. The paint was deteriorated beyond repair except to be stripped and repainted.
My .02 worth...
Mark
#31
The bra is definitely not a long term thing, you can't put on and forget about it like the clear bra. If it rains or gets wet you need to take it off or the paint could cloud up under the bra, depending on how dusty your environment is you need to take off at least once a week and clean the dust/dirt from under the bra.
#33
#35
To cap this off (maybe), I took the plunge and had the full hood treatment with clear protective film, 3M. I had them remove the headlight trim, rear hood trim, grill trim, and windshield washers. This was a difficult job but they did a great job, wrapped around all edges to underneath. The trim put back covers the edges of those areas. three "splits", one below the badge and each light, barely noticeable. They did a great job and I am very happy with it. You cannot tell it is there.
#36
I'm trying to figure out this sequence now myself. If you get a full hood clear bra is there any reason you couldn't put the bra on first and the stripes on top of it? I know you can't do that with the 1/2 bra because the bra material is about 8 mils thick and the stripes wouldn't lay flat.
#37
To cap this off (maybe), I took the plunge and had the full hood treatment with clear protective film, 3M. I had them remove the headlight trim, rear hood trim, grill trim, and windshield washers. This was a difficult job but they did a great job, wrapped around all edges to underneath. The trim put back covers the edges of those areas. three "splits", one below the badge and each light, barely noticeable. They did a great job and I am very happy with it. You cannot tell it is there.
#39
Have had bras on previous cars and IMHO they do more harm then good. Traps in dirt and rubs between paint and bra and cause scratching and never seem to be able to get the damage out. After the front gets chipped up enough just get it painted again. Wouldn't be that much more than clear install.
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