A Question About 3M Clear Bra

I'll start by saying I'm not a fan of clear bras.

Having said that, I'd strongly suggest seeing one on a car the same color as yours. I personally find the end lines unattractive.

If you decide to go forward, I wouldn't recommend a DIY install. Unlike applying film to a window, the areas the clear bras are installed on have lots of curves, and even professional installations can have issues.

 

I had one of those black vinyl bras years ago. It was my first Porsche, and I was anal. I used it on a few long trips, then it sat on a shelf in the garage until I sold the car. They're ugly, shouldn't be kept on when raining, and can damage the paint below.

Regarding the end lines, a full hood piece would address the line on the hood (though they're pretty rare, since applying on such a large area is tricky--and expensive), but think about all the end lines on the front bumper and fenders. And the older they get, the more noticeable they are.

As I said I'm not a fan, since I've seen a bunch in person, and find the "cure" worse than the "disease."

 

Due to research here at Prius chat, and warnings about picking up rock chips due to the aerodynamic shape of The Prius...when I got my Honda Fit...similar front end shape...I decided to have the 3M clear bra installed.

To be honest? It's hard to "know" what damage it is preventing. I have a black vehicle, and IMO with less than a year on it...it looks pretty good. There is a line but not very visible, I don't think you would notice it unless you are actively looking for it.

On the negative side...it is harder to wax the area..because of the line. You have to be a little more careful along the edge. Or whatever substance can build up.

Also on the negative side, I learned the hard way that it's protection is dubious from the standpoint that I got some bird dung on the clearbra...Since I cleaned the car in the morning...and noticed the pile a few hours later and quickly and carefully cleaned it off...I know it was not on the clearbra long. But I discovered the Clearbra, IMO can actually make the problem worse. The bird dung actually clouded the clearbra...looking like "crap"....

I ended up having to take it to the installer, who's defense was that at least the damage was done to the clear bra not the paint....

But I argued that looking like crap..is looking like crap..whether it is on the paint or on the clearbra...and all the dung on the regular paint? Washed off clean and with no marking...

It took several passes with an orbital waxer with many different chemicals and a trained professional hand to remove the clouding on the clearbra.

So in retrospect? I'm not sure I would install clearbra on any future purchase I might make. Like I said, it's impossible to know what damage it IS preventing..but I kind of just have come to the conclusion that it might be best to simply wash, wax, and protect as best I can..and simply think about repainting every X number of years.

For me personally? I don't think it is a purchase I will make on my next vehicle.

 

How obvious are the lines? How obvious are a few paint chips?

I've had my Prius for 20 months. When washing it this weekend, I noticed perhaps a half dozen small imperfections on the front bumper & hood. Something you'd only notice when washing. I've seen many cars with clear bras, and I notice the lines.

Alternatives? Let your car age naturally and gain a lovely patina. Seriously, what % of cars have clear bras (pretty low)? How do all the other cars survive?

 

You don't want dings on your white Prius, but you will end up with dings on the clear bra, which will look and feel just the same.

Unless you plan on selling your car and sweat at night that your paint won't be in perfect selling condition, I don't recommend a clear bra. Nude is much better.

 

I would not installed myself. I have a friend who installs clear bra's and they come out great depending on the color.
I know no matter what brand and how much you spend they will change in color after about 2 to 3 years depending on how much sun the car sits under.

I would just let things be and not get one.
If you want to check out a site check www.instylegraphics.com
You can call him or email him directly. His name is Harris.
A very good friend of mine tell him that James sent you and maybe will give you a discount.

Thinking about in now if you already have paint chips or rock chips I would recommend not to get one unless you plan on keeping the car as a show car or something.

Good luck!

 

I got that done to my red Prius. It does help. Depends on price it can be a great deal too. I did the hood, mirrors (sucks), door edges, and top of the rear bumper. The biggest warning is to avoid car washes that have cloth or beaters since those scratch the clear film.

 

It's a little late to protect the dinged panel. My 2006 was a scratch magnet so I wanted the 2010 shrinkwrapped. The 1st trip the car made was across the state for film application. It took Reno a whole day to apply the VentureShield film to the bumper, lights, mirrors, full hood, forward fenders, & door cups.

On the 2006 I believe it prevented a scuff on the left corner of my front bumper & it protected my right mirror housing on the 2010.

 

I have a clear bra on my 09 Tacoma. Had it installed shorly after getting it and think its great. Yeah, okay, so if you look for it you can see the lines, but, they don't look bad. I guess that is just an opinion. I have avoided many paint chips etc. I've also hit fairly large pieces of debris in the road that has left scuff marks on the clear bra but not the paint. Had the clear bra not been there I am sure the damage would have been substantial. So, from my perspective, it is well worth the investment. Others may not mind seeing a bunch of chips on the front end, but I sure do, and I am anal when it comes to my cars.

I just purchased an '11 Prius III yesterday and am shopping around to get the clear bra installed in the next couple of days.

I say go for, but don't try to install it yourself, take it to a shop.

 

I would just get it on the BUMPER not the hood...the hood is where the lines would be noticeable if that bothers you.

its also cheaper for just the bumper and the bumper is where 95% of the chips will occur.

also, don't get the cheap crap off Ebay - the cheaper quality, the easier the material will scratch.

 

So I have had a cleare bra on my last 4 cars. I actually have the entire hood wrapped so there are no edges showing on the hood. There are lines visible on the bumper, etc. Big deal. THe car has no rock chips and looks like new thanks to the clear bra. The downside, cost was about $700 to do the whole front end, mirrors, door edges and headlights and fog lights. Make up your own mind; I have.

OH, do not attempt the install yourself unless that is what you do for a living.

 

I went the VentureShield film route myself and its been on since June of 2009. If you take care of it, it will take care of your car! 2 years this June and still looks great and I've driven 80 miles round trip to work every day. Of course keeping the car in the garage and not out baking in the sun has helped. I rub on some Turtle wax Ice and it keeps it nice and clear.

 

$700? How much does a professional buffing/touch-up and detail job cost?
It's obviously too late for me and I'm not anal on this anyway, but it doesn't seem cost-effective.

I don't color my hair and I don't get all upset at minor scratches. Let the age show naturally, it's going to happen anyway so why get stressed about it (unless it will cause rust, those scratches/chips need to be taken care of). If you want your car to be perfect, don't drive it on the road.
Just my 2 cents, you can ignore it.

 

Clear bras aren't as detectable on a white car as they are on darker colors. Since you have a white car you're probably in a better position to DIY but since I even had trouble applying a rear bumper (decal) protector to my Prius, I would never attempt it myself.

In any case, I've had clear bras on my last three vehicles and I am a big fan. Previously I drove a 'black currant' Honda Accord back and forth to work everyday (mostly highway miles) and the paint on the front of the car was trashed when I sold it at 10 years old. I can't really say how much money the dings cost me when I sold it but I know it drove me nuts while I still had the car. I'd never own another dark colored car without installing a clear bra.

 

Within weeks I started seeing small chips on the front of my Prius. I then decided that I shoudl protect it. I applied the film to my hood (3/4 length), grill, and fenders. I had no experience and those parts went on pretty well. The trick seemed to be to keep everything wet. And I think it looks fine on silver.

The front bumper was impossible. It is a big piece of film that needs to be stretched just right around curves going many directions. To complicate matters, none of the patterns had cutouts for the headlight washers on the V. After a lot of swearing, I eventually gave up. If I were to try it again, I think I would cut the bumper piece into 3 sections OR hire a professional.

As it turns out, a hard rain will chip the paint. So unless you want your Prius shrink-wrapped, you are going to have little chips elsewhere. With that said, I have seen my hood film take a few rock hits saving that paint from some more serious damage. So I think overall it's probably a good investment.

Good luck.