Id' rather go BRA-LESS!!!!

[kate_the_valkyrie]

Well as I've now owned Bobby, my color concept new beetle for over a year now, I'm DEFINITELY noticing the disadvantage to the front-shape of new beetles. I've got chips and dents and bugs that won't come off ALL OVER the front bumper and hood area. A girl simply cannot buy enough wax when I live in the desert full of nothin but ROCKS.

So,

I hate bras. I like keeping my color concept pretty stock so I can brag about it being a special edition. I've heard of the stocker-type clear stuff you can have installed. Where would I look to get this done?? Just call around??

Then there was discussion about the reflex product, like a detailer/wax that protects as well. Has anyone else had luck with a such product that's like a super thin clear coat???

Any other ideas on how to keep the front end of my beetle protected without looking all icky with those bras? (No offense to anyone liking them, just not my style)

Kate

[CoriBug]

Daisy has a clear bra that has protected her well - although it's starting to show its age. There are several tears and it needs replaced but $400 is out of my price range right now. A good shop can put it on so you can barely tell that it's on there. My dealer had it put on before I took possession. Maybe someone here can recommend a good place. If not, look up Automotive in the phone book. Tinting shops often install clear bras. You could ask to see other cars they have done.

[pdoel]

I have a color matched bra for Hopper that I got from Car Bras

For the A3, I went with the clear bra. I've had it 2 years so far, no issues. Can only tell it's there where the seams start. Otherwise, it's basically invisible.

Only issue there, however, is it's not something you can really take on and off. So if you ever decide you want to get those chips fixed on the front end, you'd have to remove the old clear bra, and pay to get a new one. If you've ever considered getting those fixed, this may be the time. Then get the clear bra installed after.

If you decide to go that route, I'd try and find a good reputable tint shop, chances are, they also do clear bras.

[kate_the_valkyrie]

Good point on getting it fixed first.. then the clear bra. I might wait another year. I have other stuff on my maintenance list.. but thank you!

[vwbeck]

We can put a clear bra on your New Beetle for only $450.
Were located in Redlands, Calif.
We drive New Beetles and have them on our cars.

REDLANDS CLEAR AUTO BRA
1000 NEW YORK ST. #112
REDLANDS, CA. 92374

(951) 333-7647

[marvins_dad]

Grant it this clear bra is probably 7 years old, all I gotta say is - for $400+ I would want a lifetime warranty.

If I remember correctly this was a top of the line 3M bra.
Make sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions when cleaning and maintaining as well.

[70autostick]

,wow...Id rather stick to the weekly wash,wax 'n buff

[marvins_dad]

I think the owner of this vehicle said he used a scrubby to remove bugs and it must have scored it microscopically...or maybe more than that - then over years of baking in the sun he is having to deal with how to take it off without destroying the paint underneath.

[CoriBug]

That's awful! I've never seen one look that terrible. How the heck did the installer put it on - crooked?? And I thought mine looked bad after 5 1/2 years.

[marvins_dad]

Don't think it is installed crooked, just the camera (phone) angle.

[MichelleRoze]

wow that's pretty nasty! I just got a crawler style bra and I think it's great! Seems to bring more attention to the car actually. But silver against black always will!

[CoriBug]

Originally Posted by marvins_dad

Don't think it is installed crooked, just the camera (phone) angle.

The piece on the hood should match with the piece on the bumper and it doesn't. It appears to be an inch or two higher, like the hood piece is higher on one end than the other. My mom has a clear bra on her white Lancer, Daisy has one and I've seen them on a green Honda CR-V and other cars. None of them looked this bad. They are a great investment but only if professionally installed. I had issues with the regular black bra and will not use one again.

Edit - now after looking at the pictures again, I can see that the hood piece is higher on both ends - Daisy's hood piece doesn't go that high up on the hood.

[yoyorob]

i'm feeling duped here.....was totally drawn into this thread expecting some sagging juggs....




damn, that clear bra looks like crap after a while.....had the same things "to protect the paint" on my roof racks.....less than a year it was all dried out and cracked.....

[Fl_bug]

Originally Posted by yoyorob

i'm feeling duped here.....was totally drawn into this thread expecting some sagging juggs....

damn, that clear bra looks like crap after a while.....had the same things "to protect the paint" on my roof racks.....less than a year it was all dried out and cracked.....

It looks really rough... I think I'll get a crawler style bra to use for road trips.

Also, can we call them something else? Titan is a boy and I don't think he likes to wear bras....

[vwbeck]

Looks like someone used some very crapy film.
That should never happen.
We use VentureShield film and never had anything happen like that, not even close.
Sorry to see this.
I would take it back the the place you had this done at.
VentureShield film has a lifetime warranty.
I think 3M film is 5 years.

[xnology]

I have had a clear bra on my NBC for 6 years. Had the dealer have the install shop put it on when we tinted the windows - before we took delivery.

The last couple of years, it has gotten pretty scuffed and beat and nicked. Overall I am extremely happy with how it protected my car.

This is a shot of it when I peeled the bra material off the hood before the rest came off. the hood material was as in as bad a shape as the surrounding bra. And yes. It was washed before this picture was taken...



Bugs and stuff can become embedded in them when they hit an area that has been nicked by a rock. My hood, where the bra was, is pristine.

I like it so much that we just had another one installed on my wife's last edition NBC before we picked her up.

[BibiBug]

This looks like a solution I might have to look into. I have nothing against the regular bras (or front-end protection for the boys!), but would rather have something that I don't have to take off to wash, then spend a lot of time (because it would take me a lot of time) to wrestle back on once I was done.

I'm worried the clear stuff would dry rot in the blistering sun here and then become too attached to the car to remove....but that shouldn't happen if it's applied correctly, should it?

[ghostRder1]

Originally Posted by vwbeck

Looks like someone used some very crapy film.
That should never happen.
We use VentureShield film and never had anything happen like that, not even close.
Sorry to see this.
I would take it back the the place you had this done at.
VentureShield film has a lifetime warranty.
I think 3M film is 5 years.

vwbeck is there anyone you know in the Atlanta, Woodstock or Marietta, Ga
that does good work?
Thanks

[elancee]

Originally Posted by Fl_bug

...

Also, can we call them something else? Titan is a boy and I don't think he likes to wear bras....

I always thought "bra" was a strange term for it. How 'bout face-mask?