Wondering whether to buy the clear plastic bra?

Next new Prius I'm getting the clear bra before i even drive it a mile. After 75k my hood looks like it's been thru a sand blaster.

 

I can only tell you what I intend to do, and that is get the clear bra. From what I've read in numerous threads the aerodynamic nature of The Prius, coupled with (debatably, perhaps) a softer paint due to enviromentally friendly production, have a lot of owners giving feedback that the front and the hood of The Prius are very, very prone to knicks and dings.

I know to an extent this is true with all cars, I also know a clear bra won't totally take away those problems or risks BUT it seems worth it, if only to give the front end a "normal" wear time pattern.

It all depends on the individual. The other option is to just know knicks and dings are probable and inevitable, live with it, and repaint and bodyshop the hood every so often.

The latest generation of 3M and Ventureshield have pretty good reviews. I'd look them up separately. Personally, I'm going to clear bra. The bigger debate to me, is which clear bra to go with.

 

Where can I order the clear bra?

 

In Houston, call Steve Perez. I have clear bras on all of my vehicles and Steve has put on about 7 of them for me. The one time I tried someone else it was a disaster. Try Invisishield - Paint Protection Film Application and Distribution or 713-539-6700. Tell him Mr. Correia told you about the great work and service he provides.

 

Hi Alfresco:

Here is a link to 3M who is one of the bigger Paint Protection Vinyl companies. Just enter your Zip Code and it should direct you to the closest installer.

Find a Professional Installer in the USA 3M US paint protection film films clear bra bras shield shields stone stones rock rocks chip chips guard guards protect protects install installs apply applies put puts on attach attaches

This link as well will give you dealers in your State:

Invisible Patterns


All the best.....

 

Hi Mitchell, I can't tell you if it was worth it, yet, but I had ClearBra applied to the lower half of the hood and the front bumper. I figured the front bumper would look, as paprius4030 described, as if it has been sand-blasted after the first winter. This is the first car I have ever done so it'll be interested to how well the bumper looks after a few road trips and Colorado Winter with all the sand, gravel, Mag-Chlorlide, and salt applied to the roads. --TK

 

I looked at a car with a clear bar on the lot and noticed a area where it looked like it had been hit by a pebble. How exactly does it not show the rock marks? Perhaps the area I saw was a bubble rather than a small tear?

Also...
they put the cover on half the hood rather than the entire hood. Had they just done the whole thing, it wouldn't show. Does anyone know if it's possible to go private installer and get that done, or is there some other reason they only do half?

 

Off topic but I have to say:
I love your siggy line. I actually laughed out loud when I read it.

 

Having had my car almost three months now, is it too late to do this?

 

My Venture Shield film was intalled on the full hood. no lines/cant see it.

 

Not to late but you might need to have any present rock chips fixed. If not fixed they can be seen under the film

 

i did mine with the 3M film and couldn't be happier with the results. if you are a DIY type person, you can do it yourself. takes time and patience along with a helper but totally doable in your own garage. just remember to Take Your Time! it's a half day job if you do the hood, bumper, and front side fenders.

 

Having viewed lutece7's underside photos, at least I know a jockstrap will not be required.

 

Hi Octavia, ClearBra is a port option paid for my the dealership and they collect the uplift. I had never had ClearBra on a previous car. If I knew then, what I know now, I would refuse the dealer applied ClearBra.

Yes, you can have ClearBra applied to the complete hood and as I did, have it applied to the full front bumper. You have have it put on any part of the car you want, for a price.

My hope is that rock chips ding the ClearBra, and if I had more money than brains, I could remove the ClearBra after a couple of years, reveling a clean, unmarked bumper, which I could have the ClearBra re-applied. Or, if I was selling the car, it would look like or near new. --TK

 

I stopped by the dealer today and they had a 2010 Blizzard Pearl on the showroom. I ask him if the dealer put clear bra's on, and he told me it showed a line. So whatever they use might show a line.

 

do not know about dealer install but i bet you can't find any lines on my install by a aftermarket installer.

 

On my 2005 red Prius that I traded in, it was like sandblasted, the front and the front half of the hood. That is why you only need half of the hood, you may get a couple of dings here and there on the rest but at least it will not look like someone sandblasted it.

Now I had the dealer's install autobaun or whatever they call it (all I know it is lifetime warranty on fading and yellowing and maybe other stuff) the first dealer charged me $800 (I know high price, Prius IV, Sandy Beach) the 2nd dealer charged me $600 (Falmouth Toyota in MA is a keeper, $95 doc fee also).

The second one came out a lot better also (this is on my White Prius V AT). Both cover the front, ½ the hood, and both outside mirrors. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone, I think it is a must for any Prius but that is me, and it is never too late to add it (as long as you do not have a sandblasted front end now).

Yes you could get it painted for around that price also, but I think it is more economical to get a clear bra first. We will see how long they last, warranty does not cover the dings in the clear bra, hopefully most just bounces off it rather than chip the paint if no clear bra was on.

Good Luck to all, I hope this is some useful info!
Thanks
Don

 

I can see a line if I look for it but from 5 feet away I can't see it unless there is dirt or wax on the edges and a Q-TIP will take care of that.
Good luck
Don