Full Front Mask opinions
 

Anyone using Mazda's "Full Front Mask?" How do you like it? Does it fit well and how difficult is it to install and remove? I plan to only use it when I travel long distances on the freeway (once or twice a year) so ease of install/removal is an important factor.

1.3L

Mine just came in Friday. I installed in with no problems and it fits perfectly!! I like the way it looks on the car and the ease with which it can be removed and re-installed.

Couple of questions...
 

1. Where to buy one of these?
2. How much $$$$$ ???

3. (extra credit question), any pictures???

EDIT: Did a search (GASP!) and found my answers... Thanks...

Share them :) (your answers, that is)

i have one. the fit is very nice and its very easy to install.

a series of bolts are removed from the fenderwell liner and replaced with snap head screws. the rest of the mask just clips on, takes about 2 minutes to put on/take off.

but theres several problems with it...

1. there's no headlight protection, which not only means your headlights are out in the open to rocks and bugs, but air gets up underneath the piece that goes on the fender above the headlight and streches it out on the highway.

2. there's 3 "tabs" that hold it into the top of the center grille. they are all but useless, the center one I cut off because it never stayed in.

3. air also gets underneath right there where the tabs are, and streches the entire center section up

4. dirt gets underneath the bra and rubs on the paint

...at first the bra was very tight and worked well, but after a couple 1000 miles on the highway and a few rainstorms, it's just not even worth putting on anymore.

Thanks. That's exactly the kind of info I was looking for. Funny, I bought a bra for my brand new 84 Mazda when I picked it up and returned it two weeks later for all of the above reasons. Guess that no one has improved these things in 20 years. As soon as I repair a few chips I will be going the clear bra route.

How about a protective "film" to cover the lights? Maybe one that is cut to fit the contour of the 8's front end?

I got it, a piece of plexi-glass and a butane toch to heat and "mold" it around the front of the car. Yeah, that's it!!!

Seriously, besides the "bra", what's out there?

Search this forum and the web for "clear bra"

Various manufacturers make films and templates for the 8 including the headlights.

I like the front bra for interstate and highway travel, it really does a good job of keeping off rocks and bugs.

But I only use mine for interstate travel though, or if I know I am going to travel around in hot and muggy weather for much of the night (to keep off the bug spatter).

I think it detracts from the overall look of the car, it makes the car look plain, and sort of Dodge Neonish from the front. I get many less stares at the car when its on. I can post some pictures tomorrow if I can get around to it.

The biggest problem I have with the bra is that the three tabs on the top grill cover dont really work unless you have your liscense plate installed. Because ir rushes up and pulls it away from teh front. Kind of a pita.

i only used mine on long trips as well...but its so loose now it doesn't even do its job. just flaps around

clear bras are nice, but you can't easily remove and apply them, and there's an ugly line on your hood

Flaps around? Sounds more like a saftey issue! So what does it do? Create extra noise? I am curious to the after effects.

I had a magnet bra once...hit my windshield at 90mph....I hope once I put on my leather bra this winter its not going to be so much trouble like described.

Thanks
Wayne

put in washing machine with hot water, then let it dry. tightness comes back. also i find that a cloths pin. under the hood fixes the lift above the headlight.

beers

3 out of 4 hurricanes prefer us . . . :D


Nice sig.

I tried my new bra out on the highway yesterday. I found that at speed over 90 mph, the wind doed tend to get uder the bra a little, requiring a little adjustment at each pit stop.

For highway speed, say 55 to 85 mph, it seems to work just fine. noe coming loose, and no fiddling required. Cleanup was easy after the drive, just a warm soapy rag and a dry with an old towel. It wasn't too dirty so I did not need to remove it from the car to clean it.

FYI... DO NOT cut of any of the tabs that help hold it in place, they are what keep the bra from flapping in the breeze!!

One last note. If I know I'm going to be racing or driving over 90 mph, I'd want to take the bra off anyway, just to avoid any potential problem.