Clear Bra's noticable???

[ViperCrazed]

Clear Bra\'s noticable???

Obviously they would be on black but can you see a distinct line where one ends? anyone have any pics??

 

[DodgeViper01]

Re: Clear Bra\'s noticable???

The clear bra is not that noticeable since it is clear. If you look hard enough you can see the line but it is definitely worth it! Also many pictures will not show the clear bra. Pretty diffucult shot.

 

[got one]

Re: Clear Bra\'s noticable???

well...I know on a Gen 1. I can spot it a mile away. phil can jump in on this one, he has an eye for things like that...

 

[twinturbo3150]

Re: Clear Bra\'s noticable???

I had a clear bra put on my 06 coupe, and was unhappy, and took it off. I rather just take it and have the front end touched up or repainted. If the rock chips get bad enough, so far so good. I could see the lines of the clear bra, looked like crap to me.02

 

[Andrew/USPWR]

Re: Clear Bra\'s noticable???

I contemplating clear bra-ing my Silver SRT/10 now. I hate the line and slight change it tints the paint. But I hate the chips as well. I also concerned about cooking the clear bra to the sills. Not sure which way I’ll go yet.






2005 Silver SRT/10
2000 Steel Gray GTS (sold)

 

[plumcrazy]

Re: Clear Bra\'s noticable???

im gonna be hvingone installed on june 2nd. but only on the fascia. i also hate the line ya see on the hood. but if its only on fascia, you dont notice it nearly as much

 

[Jeff Lemke]

Re: Clear Bra\'s noticable???

I have it all over my 04 (hood, fenders, side sills mirrors, rear quartes) and I hate it. The lines are very noticable on the hood and fenders. The change in gloss and surface texture (it has a dull, orange peel look in certain light)is annyonying for me as well. It is starting to peel and yellow on the side sills and mirrors which looks way worse than any stone chip.

The whole thing kind of reminds me of my grandmother who covered her furnature in plastic for years to keep it nice which never allowed anyone to ever see what may have been nice looking/comfortable furnature.

Sorry about the rant on this one. I bought the car with this stuff already installed and did not like it from day one. Small sections behind each wheel might be acceptable, but I don't recommend trying to cover one third of the car.

Jeff

 

[ViperCrazed]

Re: Clear Bra\'s noticable???

Jeff, thats exactly what i feared about too, rock chips, while horrible can be at least minimized while that nasty yellow line of a clear bra is just stupid lookin IMO

 

[twinturbo3150]

Re: Clear Bra\'s noticable???

I thought of it this way, you spend 5 to 6 hundred on a clear bra, and after 4 or 5 years or even sooner it start to peel. I heard its a nightmare trying to get off after its been on awhile. I rather just spend 5 of 6 hundred on getting the front fascia repainted every 5 to 6 years depending on how bad the rock chips are. I spent 500 to have mine put on, and had them take it off right away, it looked aweful. They did not charge me a dime, they also agreed that the clear bra on the viper looked like ********

 

[ViperCrazed]

Re: Clear Bra\'s noticable???

yeah i think it kinda puts a cheap look to a amazing car
thanks for the responses guys.

 

[Warfang]

Re: Clear Bra\'s noticable???

I read there are now some competeing products that are better (no/less yellowing, thinner), but by how much realistically, I don't know.

 

[Bobpantax]

Re: Clear Bra\'s noticable???

Interesting posts. They enable the rest of us to keep abreast of some of the clear bra issues.

Bob

 

[joe117]

Re: Clear Bra\'s noticable???

A clear bra?
Would you only use it when no one is looking?

If it can be detected, I wouldn't use it.

If the looks of the car are so important that you cant stand a couple of chips, how can you drive around with a silly looking clear bra?

Sort of like having clear plastic on your sofa. The plastic keeps the sofa from getting dirty and looking crappy.
But it looks crappy the whole time it's covered with plastic.

 

[DodgeViper01]

Re: Clear Bra\'s noticable???

I think the clear bra is a great idea because Tator told me that you can only paint the front end two or three times before you can't do it anymore. Anyone know about this?

 

[Saint_Spinner]

Re: Clear Bra\'s noticable???

I read there are now some competeing products that are better (no/less yellowing, thinner), but by how much
realistically, I don't know.

That's correct. Seems that this technology has come a long way. The latest ones are offered in different thicknesses and they don't yellow. They are treated with clear coat, so the change is very untociable. The only thing I've noticed with the newer ones, were if you look up close, you can see where they end. But the better the applier, the less obvious (if person applying can get it as close as possible to the parting lines).

Alot of newer cars come with this clear bra already installed and is hard to notice unless you really look. Although the thicker ones are easier to spot.

 

[Bobpantax]

Re: Clear Bra\'s noticable???

F355 said: "I think the clear bra is a great idea because Tator told me that you can only paint the front end two or three times before you can't do it anymore. Anyone know about this?"

What Chuck probably means is that you can only do it inexpensively two or three times. After that, my guess would be that the front fascia would have to be removed, the old paint layers removed to some extent, and then the fascia would be prepped and repainted. It seems to me that this is a subjective area. Some will choose to repaint. Some will choose the clear bra. Others, who rarely drive their Vipers, need not be concerned except for the occasional roach ***** material that drops on the car while it is parked in the garage.

 

[ceieio]

Re: Clear Bra\'s noticable???

Dale Bozzio of Missing Persons had a clear bra and I sure noticed it. (But that was the 80's...)

 

[ViperCrazed]

Re: Clear Bra\'s noticable???

BOBPANTAX: Others, who rarely drive their Vipers, need not be concerned except for the occasional roach ***** material that drops on the car while it is parked in the garage


FUNNY

 

[Greg 99ACR Red and Silver]

Re: Clear Bra\'s noticable???

Check out my front fascia on the link below after I pulverized a bunch Nevada bugs at an average of 150 mph for ninety miles. It just cleaned up nice with the film coating. My "clear bra" also goes up the hood to just in front of the vents. To see the line - you need to stand over the hood and stare at it. Optical quality 3M film and a professional install make a world of difference.

I track the car too and the fascia has only a few marks from big rocks, not the sandblasted finish that one gets by running with rock slinging vehicles with Hoosiers on the track. I also covered the headlight lenses.

If you are just cruising the streets or attending car shows, it may not seem necessary. However a repaint of the fascia and hood (especially with stripes) will cost some dollars. They do remove the fascia for a sandblast and prep operation to get out the big rock dings. Sorry I don't have an up close photo. The guy who did my Snake and Porsche, applies this stuff to new Ferraris at delivery, so I don't think it is so bad. A good comparison comes to mind - how many lousy window tint jobs do you see every day?

Clear Bra on fascia and hood

 

[Saint_Spinner]

Re: Clear Bra\'s noticable???

Many here say: "Well, I'll just repaint the front fascia when it comes to it."

As for me, I would never consider picking up a "repainted" viper....repainting anything seems to diminish a Viper's value...even if you have the "before" pictures. Just food for thought should one consdier selling their viper.

 

[Frank 03SRT]

Re: Clear Bra\'s noticable???

I was once sold on the stuff, but now not so sure. No matter what manufacturer you use, once it has sat on the paint for a year or more, trying to remove it will result in much of the glue material staying on the paint. Trying to get the glue off is a nightmare, even using the 3M recommended adhesive remover.

And the line will always be evident, especially after waxing. Waxing leaves an obvious white line that can only be effectively removed with a toothbrush, and nobody would use that, right??

All that being said, I would still consider it's use since I hate rock chips. Notice, I said "consider".

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Re: Clear Bra\'s noticable???

Clear bra is pretty durable stuff and hardly noticeable.

Another option would be to shoot a gallon or two of clear on the front. A much bigger hassle and pricey but it sure would look good.

 

[Newport Viper]

Re: Clear Bra\'s noticable???

The guy who did my Snake and Porsche, applies this stuff to new Ferraris at delivery, so I don't think it is so bad. A good comparison comes to mind - how many lousy window tint jobs do you see every day?

I am with Greg on this one. Same guy did my M45. I will never ever have another car with out this stuff from day one.

In SoCal call T. J. 714-350-6070

 

[Leslie]

Re: Clear Bra\'s noticable???

What Chuck probably means is that you can only do it inexpensively two or three times. After that, my guess would be that the front fascia would have to be removed, the old paint layers removed to some extent, and then the fascia would be prepped and repainted. It seems to me that this is a subjective area. Some will choose to repaint.

yehp. I just had my front fascia repainted, the shop said there were many layers of someone painting over the rock chips. I had them take them all off and start over, cost was about $700, and they did an outstanding job

 

[twinturbo3150]

Re: Clear Bra\'s noticable???

700 not bad considering a clear bra in 5 to 600