Wankeler

LOL, this was not directed at the ladies that visit these forums... nor obese male visitors.

I ordered a bra from Trussville... just got it until I can find a Clear Bra approved retailer/installer in this area. I really prefer not to use it, but we have lots of stones and pebbles on these roads.

Any BRA users out there?

Pros? Cons?

Regards,
Wankeler

akrx8

i have one,fit is great and is very tight.if you keep the car clean and a good wax underneath you should not have any problems.we also have alot of flying debrie on the road and any damage the bra could do is nothing compared to all the rockchips and sandblasting to the frontend.just take it off before you wash and keep it clean and dry before reinstalling.

8_wannabe

I guess since you live in Alaska maybe I can forgive this. Things might be a little rugged up there. But please, for the rest of you don't ruin the muscular look of this beautiful car with a bra! Or at least make it a clear bra. :p

mmjames

Won't the color underneath fade if it is always on?

JoeHasenzahl

I'm seriously considering this option. A co-worker got it on his new Range Rover and raves about it. Anyway, the installer in Los Angeles sent me this link. It outlines the product and has a referral link
3M clear bra

I'm having lojack installed next week and after that, I'll make up my mind.

mmjames

I thought you meant those leather one on the front. Do you how much this will cost? Any estimates?

JoeHasenzahl

04 Mazda RX-8 Paint Protection a superb investment in your Mazda
1. Hood, Fender and Mirror coverage options (All of the options below automatically come with Hood, Fender and Mirror protection):
a. Xpel predesigned kit (most common): OUR PRICE: $159.95
Same hood coverage except with custom wraped edges for hiding seams under hood: Add $55
Installation labor on any of the above options: $95.00
2. Aerodynamic package Bumper / air dam kit OUR PRICE: $209.95 Installation: $95.00 (includes custom top of bumper)
3. Head Lamp Protection $59.95 for shatter resistant protection, $29.95 for abrasion resistant protection. Installation: FREE
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4. Additional Options

Splash guards rear: $49.95 - Installation: FREE
Splash guards front $39.95 - Installation: FREE
Door edge protection 2-4 doors: $19.95 - Installation: FREE
Door sill protection (front doors): $29.95 - Installation: FREE
Rear Bumper protection: $119.95 - Installation: $35.00
Custom protection solutions: price based on material used

Keeper

The color underneath will not match the rest of the car, unless you keep the car garaged during the day and only drive it at night... Technically, the rest of the car will fade while the paint under the bra will not.

Another usage tip: Don't drive around with the bra on in the rain. That'll do a number on the paint under it as well.

I'm of the "don't use one" school. Yeah, you'll get rock chips. But your just as likely to mess up the finish using a bra as not using one (if you get some dirt trapped under there the paint will be rubbed right off or scratched to hell). The only time I'd justify using one would be while taking a long highway roadtrip...

NOTE: Edited to clarify "fade"

akrx8

proper use of the bra will not cause damage.use of clay bar and other good products will keep the paint looking new and you cant buff out chips.my last car was focus svt and was black,had 39,000 miles and the bra caused no damage whatsoever.i will say that it is a lot of extra work,you must take it off and dry and clean and keep good wax underneath.to be honest i dont want to use it but here in ak in 1 winter the hood and front facia would have to be repainted.i was going to try the clear bra but up here that material fades yellow and the rocks still get threw so it also looks like crap with knicks and discolored.(note:buddy of mine has the clear bra on his white camaro and after 1 winter its yellowish and like 100 knicks all over and after removel half of those made it to the paint,maybe its the diffrent inviroment.)

Squidward

I use the bra and it looks great.

this may sound very **** or extreme, but I run strips of polywrap packaging film underneath the bra to prevent it from any rubbing that might occur while driving.. vibrations and dirt will work to rub the clear coat down.

At first I did the entire front end with the polywrap but that usually took about 20 minutes (if I did it perfectly). Now I've gotten lazy and done only the areas which I think will rub, and it takes me about 5 minutes.

The poly wrap is like clingwrap but much thicker.. I bought a very thick 8" roll (used for wrapping packages) at home depot for 5 bucks.

Using the official bra is currently my alternative until I do the clearbra for my 8.

texian

I just got a quote from a local guy about the 3M clear coat.

For $150, plus about $75 installation fee, they'll do the hood and some of the edges.

For $350, plus about $300 installation fee, they do the whole front end.

Anyone have any thoughts about this? Since I do over 100 miles per day, many of those miles in construction zones, I am really considering it.

When I apply touch up paint, I almost always screw it up!

RotorGeek

The 3M Bra ia great. Rx8infl has it installed and you can hardly tell it is there. I have allways hated the way regular Bra's look, but let me tell you the clear bra looks real good. The kit was like 350 installed. A buddy of mine has a 02 WRX and he wishes he put the clear bra on when he purchased his car. I will be installing it as soon as I get my car

eskimo

OK, does anyone else see the irony here? I mean, I know how much Range Rovers cost, and I realize it's, well, LA. But c'mon. These things belong in the Kalahari or Outer Mongolia, not the 405. It's a freakin' SUV dude.

Sorry for the off-topic. This just makes my day.

BLUE PHI RX-8

One of the dealerships in my area had the 3M Clear Bra installed on an RX-8 on the showroom floor. It looked great. I could not tell it was on. There was a note on the windshield stating that it was added and where it had been applied. It was on the lower half of the side view mirrors, the front fenders, and the first 1/4 or 1/3 of the hood. I was impressed. The cost was $495.

spdspappy

The local xpel guy says $506.90 for parts & labor foor the hood & bumper.

Elara

I'm currently kicking myself for not installing a clear bra the minute I got my car- there's a lovely deep nick in the paint, and a scratch to match, where a rock skipped up my hood. Argh. Probably going to use that $500 to get it installed.

Wankeler

Sorry to hear that. Poor green baby...

Washed and waxed the car on Sunday... day of rest? Surely you jest. Put the Mazda bra on and took her out for a spin. 2 miles into my 10 mile trip, it started to drizzle. Got to step daughter's house and immediately wiped down the bra, and took it off before the main body of the storm came up. Took her for a 30 minute "cruise to nowhere" (step daughter's first ride in the 8) and when we got back... it was sunny again... no sign of rain on the weather channel. The factory bra changes the look of this car more than my liking... guess I need to contact the local 3M installer here and see what they want for the "job"

Squidward

reminds me of how much I like southern california hehe

But then again, we ALWAYS get our share of unpredictable weather.