Bra

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Mar 27 2006, 02:01 PM) [snapback]231060[/snapback]</div>

Micro scratches can't be seen by the naked eye. They are "micro" by definition. They are only on the outer most layer(s) of the paint. You can't see them but what they do is make the paint look dull by deflecting light away. If you get enough of them the paint will look old and dull. It is also repairable with a good detail that includes polishing. I'm certain that waxing it good twice a year will protect the paint well however 3 or 4 waxes per year are recommended for many areas where sand and salts are present. I'm not saying not to use a bra, I'm just saying they take proper maintenance just like any other part of your car. I own one too and prefer the chance of dull paint that is fairly easy to repair vs the chips that are not.

Here is a picture of my Mustang when it was 3 years old with the bra. I removed this for every wash and waxed it 4 times a year. Not a bit of damage under the bra. But every time I removed it I also had to clean debree clinging to the cloth backing of the bra.

[attachmentid=2755]

 

Bought the black vinyl bra from my Toytoa dealer. It was not the easiest thing to install, but it IS on and looks GREAT. The vinyl bras have some padding on the inside which gives a little cushion effect to the bouncing pebbles. It cost about $125 or so, and just remember to make sure the bra is warm before you try to install it.

 

I purchased LLumar Paint Protection Film for my clear bra due to their warranty.

CPFilms Inc. warrants LLUMAR PAINT PROTECTION FILM against cracking, peeling, bubbling or turning yellow, for as long as the original purchaser retains ownership of the vehicle. The warranty is valid as long as the installation is performed by an authorized LLumar/CPFilms Inc. installer in accordance with manufacturer's recommended installation procedures.

I looked at 3M's warranty...

3M® warrants that Scotchgard™ Paint Protection Film will be free of defects in materials and manufacture — including yellowing, bubbling, or cracking — or five (5) years from date of purchase. This warranty does not apply to damage caused by misuse, accident, misapplication, or ordinary wear, nor does it apply to dents caused by physical impact of rocks or road debris. Some installers may choose to offer, on their own behalf, different or additional warranties or remedies, beyond the warranty and limited remedies offered by 3M®.

I also did get a Kit for the headlamps and foglamps of a much thicker material and from what I understand, it is a 3M product called, STONGARD according to the dealer who installed it but he had to order it as he only carry's Llumar products and there was no comparable product from Llumar at the time, but from what I've found Llumar (Gila Distributors) now markets one.

Here's the link to their warranty for their Headlamp film.

LLumar Headlamp Warranty Link

I see that 3M now labels their Paint Protection, both Clear Bra and Stongard.

 

[attachmentid=2858]<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(RadMarv @ Apr 3 2006, 10:44 PM) [snapback]234580[/snapback]</div>

I had 3M product put on my car in December. The plastic on the foglights now looks scorched. Should I take the car back to the business that put this on? Could this be a fire hazard?

 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
...just to tell you my experience with....

........www.coastaletech.com

...i ordered mud flaps and bra for my 2006. I was quickly contacted by coastaltech and they said they did not have the 2006 bra. They let me council my complete order and i felt real good about the experience. (they didn’t try to sell me a 2005 bra for my 2006)

....also, i thought the vehicles where the same design

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

I just installed the OEM Bra on my 07 prius and I think it looks great. Just make sure you leave it in the sun for while before trying to install it otherwise its not easy to stretch this material at room temp. It took me a little over a half hour to install the OEM bra, since this was my first time, It probably wouldn't take me more the 15 mins now that I know where everything goes. I've had the 3M clear bra put on my 07 Camry and it also is a great product and its alot more expensive. I paid over $500 for the 3m clear bra and little over $100 for the OEM Bra. The advantage of the clear bra is you don't have to do anything except wash it when it get bugs and dirt on it. The bad thing is it has to be put on correctly otherwise the bubble will show and doesn't look very good, another point is the flim is pretty thin so it not going to proctect the bumper as well as the thicker OEM Bra, that why I decided to go with the OEM Bra this time. The OEM bra requires alittle more maintainance, like removing it every couple months for cleaning both the bra and the car and waxing the surface where the OEM bra covers. So my vote is to go with an OEM bra instead of the Clear bra.

Wayne

 

-

 

Lookin' good, Wayne! The black bra looks nice on the white, IMHO.

I've had mine for about a year, and take it off only for the car's semi-annual Zaino treatment. I did that a couple of weeks ago, and the finish beneath the bra looked just as good as or better (because of no rock chips) than what's left exposed.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimboK @ May 10 2007, 08:13 AM) [snapback]438976[/snapback]</div>

My 07 hycam's front end has not begun to sag yet sooooo ive been taking her out bra-less.... :lol:

I checked on the availibility and all they have at the moment is a hood edge protecter kinda like a thong for your hood ...

 

That looks great!

I'm seeing my dealer tonight anyway, just might have to get one. I don't have any chips yet, and I like the look. I'll post pics of mine (magnetic grey) after the install.

 

I had planned to put a bra on my new Prius but the dearler talked me out of it. He claimed that it would need to be removed and dried anytime it got wet. He also stated that he had a customer use one and it discolored the paint in less than a year.

 

Wayne, I was at my local dealer tonight and asked about OEM bras, they didn't have any. Who manufactured yours?

thanks, Robin

 

Wayne
Did your 1007 have the same lip as my 2006. I think they may have removed it. The lip made the bra installation difficult because for a true fit you had to remove it and install the bra under it and re install.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(robincx @ May 10 2007, 06:30 PM) [snapback]439602[/snapback]</div>

Hi Robin,

The vinyl bra is an OEM bra. You can order them from Delanne Toyota. I think I spelled that right?

Goodluck.

Wayne

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimboK @ May 10 2007, 05:13 AM) [snapback]438976[/snapback]</div>

Thanks Jim,

I should have gotten one for my 07 Camry instead of the Clear Bra.

Wayne

 

Thanks Wayne, I appreciate it, it looks great on your car.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ghostrider @ May 10 2007, 06:52 PM) [snapback]439617[/snapback]</div>

I am not sure if your talking about the black lip under the lower airdam if so yes the 07 have that, the only thing I did is shave the center clip so the it will clip underneath the plastic other than that I didn't have any problem installing the bra, you just have to strech it a bit.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(robincx @ May 11 2007, 11:33 AM) [snapback]440107[/snapback]</div>

Thanks Robin,

I did spell it wrong here is the right spelling Deland Toyota


Wayne

 

Here in Kansas city area, they can install the 3M paint protector clear "bra" for $259(18" up hood), or get the extended coverage (24" up the hood) for $289, and they will tint your car for FREE with there online coupon.($199 value for tint)

The place is called Auto Glass & Tint Shop. The coupon expires on may 31, 07. I'm getting mine done this comming week! GREAT DEAL in my book!!!