Car Bras - More Harm than Good?

BA-Fan · 13-01-2010, 10:37 PM

I have convinced myself that I should get a Car Bra after I collect my car from being resprayed on the front bar at the spraypainters, but have heard horrible stories of them pealing clear coat and scratching the duco?

Do 'genuine' car bras damage the front guards and bonnet instead of just protecting the front bar and grill?

Jeremy.

BOSHOG · 13-01-2010, 10:39 PM

as long as you keep the car bra clean as well as the car itself and put it on properly you wont have a problem with scratches due to rubbing

Copie · 13-01-2010, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SM0KED

I have convinced myself that I should get a Car Bra after I collect my car from being resprayed on the front bar at the spraypainters, but have heard horrible stories of them pealing clear coat and scratching the duco?

Do 'genuine' car bras damage the front guards and bonnet instead of just protecting the front bar and grill?

Jeremy.

Im pretty sure those 'horror stories' are from people who throw them on a dirty car, and leave them on when it rains etc.

**Falcon Coupe** · 13-01-2010, 10:46 PM

Search is your friend:

http://fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11247331

Smoke Pursuit · 13-01-2010, 10:48 PM

No problems here and ive had em on 3 cars.. Awesome.. Just haivng time to put it on before a trip can be an issue if its spare of the moment.

SVTVNM · 13-01-2010, 10:53 PM

I've used them on 2 cars and wouldn't be without one on long country drives

gregsAUII · 14-01-2010, 12:40 AM

never had any dramas. just keep the bra clean and the car and you'll be fine.

The Monty · 14-01-2010, 06:27 AM

Never had a problem either. Always make sure the Bra is clean, and the car is clean and your set.

Meg's GT's · 14-01-2010, 07:26 AM

Keep the car bra clean and make sure you at the very least use some QD, to go over the area where the car bra sits, before fitting. I also pop another coat of wax or two on that area when waxing the car for added protection.
Might want to also invest in some headlight protectors to use when the car bra is fitted.

merlin · 14-01-2010, 10:19 AM

Personally I think they look terrible but understand why you would use one out in the country/on an interstate trip. They do work but...

Copie · 14-01-2010, 12:02 PM

Also if you have to have one when your doing interstate/country etc, sounds like your following trucks/other cars too closely. Ive never owned one for any of my cars, and while i have always had a plastics pack on it (bonnet and headlight protectors) ive never had any issues with rocks or stones etc damaging the paint.

**Peuty** · 14-01-2010, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by merlin

Personally I think they look terrible....

It's not as if people buy them to be a fashion accessory.

xr8 utey · 14-01-2010, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ausbird

Might want to also invest in some headlight protectors to use when the car bra is fitted.

a very good suggestion and something that i do myself!

arm79 · 14-01-2010, 03:33 PM

I also don't think you're supposed to use them on recently painted cars. Got to leave it a few weeks or a month so you don't damage the paint.

But they are worth every cent. Protection from chips is only one thing, but protection from bugs too. Last thing you need is splattered bugs from night time driving staining the paint because you cant get to clean them off quick enough.

F6T · 14-01-2010, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOSHOG

as long as you keep the car bra clean as well as the car itself and put it on properly you wont have a problem with scratches due to rubbing

Boshog has it right. I'd never be without one but was lazy once and left it on with a bit of dirt and rain and had a nasty scratch show up on the bonnet where it had rubbed.

But keep it and the car clean and you shouldn't have any dramas.

HP Dude · 14-01-2010, 09:34 PM

I think the 3M clear car bra film is the way to go. Doesn't ruin the car's looks, can protect the whole front end (up to A-pillars and both front fenders/headlamps/side sills/rear wheel arches), and no risk of damage to paint from rubbing.

The G6ET Spot · 14-01-2010, 10:34 PM

I've had a car bra for my last 3 cars and have just picked one up for my G6ET., wouldn't do a country trip without one.

Last year I went to Tassie, i was away for 19 days and had the car bra of once to give the car a wash when leaving Tassie. put it back on when I got to Melbourne, not a mark on the car when it was removed.

As long as you follow the instructions and also give the front of the car a wax before fitting yu will have no problems at all with it.

Another tip is when you get one, apply vinyl protector to the car bra as it not only protects the vinyl but also makes it easier to clean the bugs off when you are finished. I reapply it every time I remove the car bra from the car.

JTFG · 15-01-2010, 12:40 AM

I bought an Autotecnica one off ebay, I've got no idea how to put it on so it's just sitting around never being used :P
There's not to many stone chips at all but it will obviously build up all the time and I do love my long country drives and trips.

JTFG · 15-01-2010, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HP Dude

I think the 3M clear car bra film is the way to go. Doesn't ruin the car's looks, can protect the whole front end (up to A-pillars and both front fenders/headlamps/side sills/rear wheel arches), and no risk of damage to paint from rubbing.

Where do you get this from? Sounds worth while looking into

290v · 15-01-2010, 10:49 PM

What i do i put a layer of polish on where the bra sits but don't polish it off and put the bra over the unpolished surface when i reach my destination i remove the bra and polish the polish off

Copie · 15-01-2010, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j0nni

I bought an Autotecnica one off ebay, I've got no idea how to put it on so it's just sitting around never being used :P
There's not to many stone chips at all but it will obviously build up all the time and I do love my long country drives and trips.

Getting chips etc depends largely on how you drive it, if you are following semi's too close or sitting too close to the center line you will be in stone chip heaven. If you keep decent spacing you will have little/no issues (well ive never had issues at all)

I lived out in the bush for 18 years and all our cars fronts looked fine when we sold the cars, a couple of small marks but you would get worse driving around sydney these days.

GT · 16-01-2010, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j0nni

Where do you get this from? Sounds worth while looking into

It is great but not cheap. Russell has it on the 300C and loves it. Not all that affordable for everyone - I'm still waiting!. PM him and he can give you the details - Russellw. We will put this on my car the next time I repaint the front bar.

I have a car bra for the GT-P and I always put headlight protectors on first to stop any rubbing of the headlights, wipe the car down with Final Inspection before fitting and always have everything spotless. I have also used gladwrap around the edges on long trips but the flapping (once the bra slipped a bit) gave me the . If you take the bra off once you arrive and go over the car with Final Inspection again, it is fine.

I bought my car bra second hand for $200 and it was one of the best investments I have made.

Cheers
Gaela

HP Dude · 16-01-2010, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j0nni

Where do you get this from? Sounds worth while looking into

In Vic: http://www.ozishield.com.au/

In NSW: http://www.ozicozi.com.au/surfacetech/

All my mates with exotics have it applied to their cars. It can be removed down the track if need be without damaging the paint. I had it applied to the entire front clamshell, side sills, mirror backs, rear wheel arches and headlights of my Lotus. When I get the front of my Evo IX resprayed (due to bad stonechips), I'll be having it fitted to the whole bonnet, front fenders, side sills and bumper. I only found out about the 3M film after the damage was done. :( Didn't make the same mistake twice.

JTFG · 16-01-2010, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HP Dude

In Vic: http://www.ozishield.com.au/

In NSW: http://www.ozicozi.com.au/surfacetech/

All my mates with exotics have it applied to their cars. It can be removed down the track if need be without damaging the paint. I had it applied to the entire front clamshell, side sills, mirror backs, rear wheel arches and headlights of my Lotus. When I get the front of my Evo IX resprayed (due to bad stonechips), I'll be having it fitted to the whole bonnet, front fenders, side sills and bumper. I only found out about the 3M film after the damage was done. :( Didn't make the same mistake twice.

Didn't expect it to cost that much, I'll try'n work out how to use my car bra instead :P

Quote:

Originally Posted by Copie

Getting chips etc depends largely on how you drive it, if you are following semi's too close or sitting too close to the center line you will be in stone chip heaven. If you keep decent spacing you will have little/no issues (well ive never had issues at all)

I lived out in the bush for 18 years and all our cars fronts looked fine when we sold the cars, a couple of small marks but you would get worse driving around sydney these days.

That actually makes sense, I copped a nasty stone (resulted in massive stone chip) on my bonnet as a truck past me in Country Victoria.