Bra for the Car

[Fitz]

Mr Pink, where did you say you saw the bras for these cars? And someone said they smack the yell out of the paint if you use them. Any thoughts + - on getting them?

[richsd]

My thoughts. Don't get a bra. Why do you need one? They look silly. They hurt the paint more than they help. Either get a few paint chips and touch up once in a while or go with a 3M clear paint shield. I do not have a paint shield on my Cobra but I do have it on my Noble. It seems that fiberglass cars seem to be prone to paint chips so this is why I decided to get it on the Noble. It is a clear shield that can hardly be noticed unless you are looking for it. From 10 yards away you would not even know it is there. Various companies make pre-cut kits but be sure to get one that is supplied by 3M. It will protect the paint but still let you enjoy the look of the car instead of covering it up with a bra.

[Fred Z]

if interested in options........I had the 3M clear bra installed.......and it is absolutely the way to go.....IMHO!!! if done correct....it takes care of the problem of stones......and you cannot see it at all, unless up real close!! It will cost about $600 or so......but well worth it so that you can drive freeways without the stress of feeling, hearing, and seeing those damn rocks.....messing with the paint job.....which costs a nice penny!
If further interested in info........just email me or PM me.
fred z.

[Fitz]

Thanks guys

[mrpink]

So many mrpink's, so few women.
Fitz, let me try it first and see if it sands my paint off.

[davids]

I had the 3-M bra on my coupe and it was terrible chips and dents in the bra and it changed color..Get the car on the road going 80 mph plus and you'll get dings in the clear bra..I'm going for the bra if I can have one made for the coupe..I've talked to alot of hot rodders at the pavillions who have had them on there cars for a long time..They all said to buy a good one with lots of felt and you can't go wrong..They say that the scratching is a myth...Sorry guys..I'll use mine only to get from place to place anyways..Now, finding a company to make one for our cars, especially the coupe is hard..If you know of anyone who will make one for me, let me have his or her name..I'll be happy to be the first guinea pig....Dave

[landerson]

I had the 3M film on my Acura, and took several rocks that went right through it. I finally gave up and removed it. I'll probably have to get the front end repainted in a couple of years, but that's life in a shipping port that's in the midst of a construction boom (Charleston, SC).

I don't have a Cobra, but I do have a Porsche Speedster replica, and I had a custom bra made by Wardlow Custom Masks (www.wardlowbras.net). I was the first normal body Speedster they'd done, so it took a couple of tries to get it right, but it really fits tightly and covers the front 1 1/2 - 2 feet of the car. The service from these folks is wonderful. Ask for Kristina.

As for the tales of paint damage, they're true IF the bra fits loosely and/or you leave it on all the time. You should never put one on a dirty car, nor should you leave it on for an extended period if it's wet, as the trapped water can cloud the paint. I plan to drive from Charleston, SC to Carlisle, PA next week with it for it's first extended test, but so far I've seen no flapping whatsoever.

When I get home tonight I'll post a couple of pictures, if anyone's interested.

[davids]

thanks for posting Lane..I just got back from a 1700 mile trip to California...I could have used a bra just for the trip...I'll check into your people...Thanks so much....Dave

[BPWilliams]

We are talking about cars here right, with a predetermined life expectancy. If you drive them they will get chips, if you race them they will get lots of chips. What about the sides of the car or the rear fenders? Without going off the deep end here what I am trying to say is that you can minimize the damage but chips will happen or there is a cost to prevent them. I have used bra’s before and if used for a long time (intermittent or not) they will cause damage to the paint. 3M I have no experience with but will defiantly use it in the future to minimize damage, but fully understand that the 80mph projectile will still cause damage.

There is only one way I know of to prevent damage to the perfect paint job, put her on a trailer…. Just my $0.02

[davids]

Brian, just a note..try to forget about the 3M bra..Highly overrated for sure...A projectile at 80 mph will do more damage to the car with the Clear Bra than will a good bra with alot of padding..Besides, the 3M shows the hits and it changes color no matter what the installers say..dave

[wtm442]

12K miles with 3M clear bra ... and no chips, dings or dents.

[Got the Bug]

I decided to go with 3M clear bra. I took a look at one that had been installed on a Titanium SPF for a while and it was barely noticeable. I've heard that it may turn yellow when its exposed to extreme conditions (i.e. you park your car outside all of the time). In terms of rock chips, it probably depends a lot on where you live/drive.

I'm going to give a try and see how it how it works.

[richsd]

Originally Posted by davids

Brian, just a note..try to forget about the 3M bra..Highly overrated for sure...A projectile at 80 mph will do more damage to the car with the Clear Bra than will a good bra with alot of padding..Besides, the 3M shows the hits and it changes color no matter what the installers say..dave

Poor logic and information here. I posted originally to suggest the 3M paint shield. Sure a projectile at 80 MPH will do less damage when hitting a thick padded bra than a clear bra. However, a regular bra is not good for your paint as grit will get under it and rub with vibration. A regular padded bra only covers the front section when a clear paint shield can be put in the various places around the car that are prone to chips. Plus a regular bra looks very stupid. Let me clarify some things and what to expect from the clear paint shield. First, I also am not a huge fan of it for a number of reasons. I will never put it on my Cobra because I agree with BPWilliams that a car is meant to be driven and chips are okay. However my Cobra is aluminum and fiberglass cars are much more prone to chips than aluminum cars. I do have the 3M product on my Noble which is fiberglass. I debated putting it on the Noble because I did not want to cover the paint in any way and I was afraid I would see the line but am very happy with the product. Here are some clarifications on what to expect. It will NOT yellow if you get the right product as some have suggested. Even if it did, it is very easy to remove and replace with new sections. It will however change the reflective qualities of the paint especially at close range. After a few weeks you will not notice it and it really can't be noticed from 10 or 15 yards. One thing that can happen is that it can get scuff marks on it. When washing or cleaning if you rub too hard with the wrong type of cloth you will scuff the film permanently. It will definitely protect from rock chips. Your paint will be completely protected from regular stones and the 3M film does not show the hits from rocks as Davids suggests. It does tend to be a bit harder to get dirt off of it like smashed bugs and if you rub too hard to clean it off you are likely to permanently scuff it as I mentioned.

I think your plan makes sense to try it out and see how it works. You can always have it removed if you don't like it.

[davids]

Obviously ,it's one man's word against another..I was not happy with the 3M material nor the price ..I talked with 5 different hot rodders at The Pavillions car show..they all had expensive bras on there cars in the $350 range...They used them just for highway use and took them off at shows...Also, all of the bras had thick non-abrasive backing on them...Two of the men took the bras off there cars and I saw no scuff marks or scratches as you suggest.Both have had there bras for 3 years...I can only say that I went the route of the 3M material and didn't like it..Now, if I can get someone to make one to my specs I'll try it.... Dave

[Fred Z]

for what it is worth, as I have been on this trek for awhile.
I had the clear 3M installed, by a good guy, but found that it needed a bit more tweaking..as the bubbles were not leaving! He came over , took it off, and in the process, some 'dine' size chips of paint.
we called Jeff Miller....and he said he uses a paint without the real tough hardener....so yes, that 'may' happen.
got it fixed.......had the guy reapply 3M.....this time with a lot more care, cause of all the curves....and it is absolutely perfect!!
moral here.......it has no chips, can withstand any rock up to 70 MPH +...and only put it on the front and rear fenders. So, though we all have opinions......I have the understanding that with decent care..(and wouldn't we all provide DECENT care?) the best idea if you want it to protect, be invisable......and work!!
may cost $600.....but is worth it in my opinion!!
fred z

[richsd]

Yes I also had the bubble problem on the Noble at first and needed some sections to be reapplied.

[davids]

Rich, Come Out Here In This 110/120 Degree Heattttttt And Watch It Yellow Infront Of Your Eyes Almost....

[davids]

I had it on my car and it cost me $500 and it bubbled, fixed it, turned color and then got into the accident and then had so many tell me to forget aabout 3M out here so that's why I'm going to have a bra made to my specs..I can get a pretty darn good one for $500 I do know that and you know something else??? It's an easy do on my car..Not difficult at all but I have to fine the right company...there's on in California near Huntington Beach but they don'r do any custom work until next December....GO FIGURE HUH??? DAVE

[BPWilliams]

Yes Dave I think the coup would accept the bra much better than a Cobra with the valley in the front between the fenders. I still like the 3M best of the choices out there for now. If some one does get a bra for thier Cobra I shure would like to check it out, or a splitter for that matter...

Have fun, keep it above 100....

[CHANMADD]

I have been a used car dealer for years and I can tell you for sure that a padded bra damages the paint.I regularly take them off trucks and cars that I get. Me ,personally would never put one on my car.I have seen the 3M applied to various cars but I could not give an honest opinion about discoloring.I have 50000miles on my car and I do have more than the odd chip all around ,but with regular touch up they are not noticable unless you are looking for them.As said elsewhere cars and paint do have a finite lifespan.