[bmw246]

So I have my current '11 e93 thats got 5,000 miles on it and the bumper is loaded with chips (bought new). I passed up on the chance to get a clear bra and I'm really regretting it. I ordered a new e93 and I had the dealer work a clear bra into the deal. I only want it on the front bumper because thats the only place I currently have issues and also I think when people put them partially on the hood that the line where it stops looks bad. So... my question is for people who have these do they really help? Maybe some pics would be great? I have a silver car.

[SHEEDI]

Originally Posted by bmw246

So I have my current '11 e93 thats got 5,000 miles on it and the bumper is loaded with chips (bought new). I passed up on the chance to get a clear bra and I'm really regretting it. I ordered a new e93 and I had the dealer work a clear bra into the deal. I only want it on the front bumper because thats the only place I currently have issues and also I think when people put them partially on the hood that the line where it stops looks bad. So... my question is for people who have these do they really help? Maybe some pics would be great? I have a silver car.

You can buy precut for entire hood

[fazman]

Originally Posted by bmw246

So I have my current '11 e93 thats got 5,000 miles on it and the bumper is loaded with chips (bought new). I passed up on the chance to get a clear bra and I'm really regretting it. I ordered a new e93 and I had the dealer work a clear bra into the deal. I only want it on the front bumper because thats the only place I currently have issues and also I think when people put them partially on the hood that the line where it stops looks bad. So... my question is for people who have these do they really help? Maybe some pics would be great? I have a silver car.

I've heard you can Vinyl your entire car for about $300-ish, it makes even choosing the car color not important at those prices!

[Dark_Knight_335]

Depending on where you are, I know a guy that does clear bra very reasonably in the South Jersey area.

[bmw246]

Well, I have it already being done for free by the dealer and it has a lifetime warranty so I'm not worried about getting it done. I just wanna know if anyone has one if they see that their bumper looks good and chip free. I drive 5,000 miles a year and off highways and I have chips everywhere so I am hoping that once I get one, it'll be chip free.

[mike-y]

Originally Posted by fazman

I've heard you can Vinyl your entire car for about $300-ish, it makes even choosing the car color not important at those prices!

I think that price is off a bit. I've heard it's more like $1,500+ to wrap your whole car.

Either way, clear bra on the bumper is a good idea if you drive on the highway a lot. I also got it on the hood (halfway up - ventureshield I think), and it's time to change it (looks a little dull now). My other car's clear bra still looks good though (can't tell at all), so I'm going to switch the hood portion to the 3M brand.

The hood is pretty easy to DIY, but the bumper is a lot more work and requires lots of stretching to get it to fit around the curves.

[taibanl]

Works like a charm

[bmw246]

Originally Posted by mike-y

I think that price is off a bit. I've heard it's more like $1,500+ to wrap your whole car.

Either way, clear bra on the bumper is a good idea if you drive on the highway a lot. I also got it on the hood (halfway up - ventureshield I think), and it's time to change it (looks a little dull now). My other car's clear bra still looks good though (can't tell at all), so I'm going to switch the hood portion to the 3M brand.

The hood is pretty easy to DIY, but the bumper is a lot more work and requires lots of stretching to get it to fit around the curves.

Is your bumper free of any chips/defects? I can't believe the damage on mine and I barley drive and short distances too...

[mike-y]

There is a few marks on the clearbra where I hit some road debris. Once, I had parts of a sofa fly up in front of me from underneath a van that had just run over it. One piece it hit the front bumper right below one of the kidney grills. The clearbra is a bit scuffed but the paint underneath is fine. Actually after a few months of washing and rubbing/buffing, the mark has almost gone away and it's barely noticeable.

I have a few rock chips high up on the hood where the clear bra is NOT installed, but really nothing at all where the clear bra is. I can see a few tiny spots where rocks hit the clear bra and made a blemish/divit/tiny scrape, but in each case, the paint underneath still looks okay.

I'm pretty sure the front of my car would be full of rock chips if I didn't have it on. Also, I've had this same clearbra on my car for 90,000+ miles, so it's seen a lot of abuse. My old car was full of rock chips on the front bumper, and this car hardly has anything at all, so I'd say the clearbra is doing it's job.

[bmw246]

Originally Posted by mike-y

There is a few marks on the clearbra where I hit some road debris. Once, I had parts of a sofa fly up in front of me from underneath a van that had just run over it. One piece it hit the front bumper right below one of the kidney grills. The clearbra is a bit scuffed but the paint underneath is fine. Actually after a few months of washing and rubbing/buffing, the mark has almost gone away and it's barely noticeable.

I have a few rock chips high up on the hood where the clear bra is NOT installed, but really nothing at all where the clear bra is. I can see a few tiny spots where rocks hit the clear bra and made a blemish/divit/tiny scrape, but in each case, the paint underneath still looks okay.

I'm pretty sure the front of my car would be full of rock chips if I didn't have it on. Also, I've had this same clearbra on my car for 90,000+ miles, so it's seen a lot of abuse.

Thanks for the info. Hopefully will be chip-free this time

[shadow191]

They do help, but it's not perfect. For little stuff like sand, gravel, etc. it will help. But on a previous car, I have a couple of small pieces of larger gravel go right through the bra. Obviously that would have damaged the paint either way. Just keep in mind that they don't stop everything; the dealer will tell you otherwise.

And maybe look into having it installed on your own. The dealership markup is insane. So unless they cut you a crazy deal, you could get a better job done for less money elsewhere.

To fazman, I wish you could wrap an entire car for $300. The materials along will cost you $500+. But my wrapped car currently has zero rock chips on the front...

Originally Posted by bmw246

So I have my current '11 e93 thats got 5,000 miles on it and the bumper is loaded with chips (bought new). I passed up on the chance to get a clear bra and I'm really regretting it. I ordered a new e93 and I had the dealer work a clear bra into the deal. I only want it on the front bumper because thats the only place I currently have issues and also I think when people put them partially on the hood that the line where it stops looks bad. So... my question is for people who have these do they really help? Maybe some pics would be great? I have a silver car.

[tony20009]

I can't speak to the extent to which they help on a bumper; mine is on the hood and trunk (full coverage, not just the 1/4 way up variation) because that's where my cat likes to chill, or bake if the car is still warm from running. I've only had it on for a few weeks now, but the cat hasn't damaged it, so I guess it works.

As goes the line, I don't have one. I had an installer do it for me and he wrapped the bra under the hood so it's completely invisible. He'd wanted to stop at the hood's edge, but I asked him to wrap underneath for I didn't want to see that edge to which you referred.

I would think, however, that just about any place that installs them would do it for less money than a car dealer. I have no proof of that. It's just that in my experience, anything you can buy from a new car dealer that you can also buy elsewhere will be cheaper elsewhere.

As far as hearsay goes, I've read on B-post many folks' attestations about the effectiveness of the clear bra, so I'd say it'll work for the purpose you have in mind. There's no shortage of threads on the subject. If you search, I think just about any thread on the clear bra will contain several positive comments about it.

All the best and good luck.

[SHEEDI]

Also be aware of this http://www.detailersdomain.net/2013/...val-nightmare/

[AndyR83]

Just to contribute, I looked into a full vinyl wrap a few months ago. The installer is a friend of mine who was giving me a steep discount, and it was still about $1200.

[SHEEDI]

Originally Posted by fazman

I've heard you can Vinyl your entire car for about $300-ish, it makes even choosing the car color not important at those prices!

300$ for entire car vinyl wrap,,,that means they will RAPE your car with vinyl and they will charge you $300 for that

Quality vinyl wraps for entire car will cost you close to $2500

[fazman]

Originally Posted by SHEEDI

300$ for entire car vinyl wrap,,,that means they will RAPE your car with vinyl and they will charge you $300 for that

Quality vinyl wraps for entire car will cost you close to $2500

Maybe, but even if quality Vinyl lasts 5 years and you change your cheap-o vinyl for $300/year... you still come out ahead.

[SHEEDI]

Originally Posted by fazman

Maybe, but even if quality Vinyl lasts 5 years and you change your cheap-o vinyl for $300/year... you still come out ahead.

Cheap vinyl might damage your paint?

[fazman]

Originally Posted by SHEEDI

Cheap vinyl might damage your paint?

Really? how so? I mean if it's factory paint and they don't use the adhesive promoter it won't stick too strongly to the paint???

[SHEEDI]

Originally Posted by fazman

Really? how so? I mean if it's factory paint and they don't use the adhesive promoter it won't stick too strongly to the paint???

i am not sure and i want to findout if it does damage the paint..may be somebody have some input

[tony20009]

Originally Posted by AndyR83

Just to contribute, I looked into a full vinyl wrap a few months ago. The installer is a friend of mine who was giving me a steep discount, and it was still about $1200.

That sounds like a good price to me. I paid just a bit under $900 to have only the hood and trunk done.

[mike-y]

Originally Posted by fazman

Maybe, but even if quality Vinyl lasts 5 years and you change your cheap-o vinyl for $300/year... you still come out ahead.

I think the argument is that a $300 vinyl wrap doesn't exist. You can't get it done for that cheap. you usually can't even get a clearbra installed for that cheap, unless you DIY.