GeneinSanMarcos

Posted earlier a new TSX purchase. Here in SoCal, the freeways are a bug and stone haven. Is a front auto bra a good thing to prevent stone and bug problems?

My son says that the problem with a bra is that the paint will not fade under the bra and the rest of the car will fade over time.

I also already know that moisture gets trapped underneath.

Sounds like a trade-off to me. Good or bad?

TSXXY

clear bra is the best way to go

yadfgp

San Marcos CA?

Clearbra definitely

SoCaliTrojan

The bra/mask is good for long distance travel. But yes, if you leave it on long enough, the paint will fade inconsistently.

Clear bra is an option. You won't be able to see it until you get up close and look for it. I've been looking into it as well, although the local dealers I contacted didn't quote me a price...they were more curious if I'd take it to them or have it done at my place. That, and they wanted to know what color my car is!? I'll probably try looking around again in a week or so

Sclass88

Acura paint sucks.. get the clear bra. I have nothing but good things to say about it, except that it was somewhat pricey.

Alin10123

If you get a clearbra, most of the time you can't even tell it's there. Moisture and contaminants do not get under it.

EuRTSX

Definitely go for the bra

Adamantiium

werd, i wish i got it when i first got my car but it's too late now my bumper has tons of chips little over 3 months old too

t_in_maine

I had mine applied within 10 miles of driving it off the lot. Best investment I made besides the car itself. I had the 3M applied by a reputable installer with a killer warranty and couldn't be happier with my $595 investment. Beats the hell out of a paint job down the road or a crappy looking, rock-chipped front end.

kolodzie240

OK guys for us that have currently have the black nose guard...What maintence rules do you feel should apply? Use it for long trips? Take it off everytime it gets wet? ect ect What do you all think ?

juicygirljen

when i was at the dealership, the salesperson told me that the clear bra layer can absorb the UV ray lights so that the color will fade with the rest of the car over time.

i didn't get it because i thought it was a lil too pricey, so i chose the remote starter...

but i would recommend it based on everyones good reviews on it.

SaraWI

I, too, am trying to decide clear bra or black bra. I like the look of the black bra, but am worried that stuff can get caught under the bra and cause sratches. I will testify that paint fade is probably unlikely. My hubby had a '93 Civic w/ a black bra for years. His little sister now has it w/out the bra and no paint color difference. I also have an Accord with a black bra that has been on for three years and no paint color difference. I never take the thing off. The worst that has happened is that stuff gets under the bra and rubs over time--I imagine this will end up in scratching.

My other beef with the black bra is that the side flaps come loose all the time. This is a pain in the butt. I got the OEM bra with the "Accord" on the front for $60.

I will most likely do a clear bra on the TSX, but already have a chip in the side front panel and I've had the car for 5 days Need to do the bra right away!!

vidgamer

I also say "clearbra". I had a regular old-school bra on a couple of cars, and I don't recall problems unless I left it on after a rain or water got under there. If water sits too long, it'll mess up the paint. Also, as someone else mentioned, dirt and all sorts of crud (bugs, plant parts) will get under there and scratch the paint, so I would periodically hose it down. It was a hassle to maintain so I went with the clear bra this time. You can't tell it's there unless you're close to the car. And if you get too close, you can tell that it was done by me and not a professional.

juicygirljen

was it hard to install yourself? and how much did u buy it?

psteng19

Heard about the issue with inconsistent fading.
Opted to not get it, but that's just me (also because of the steep price). Others swear by it.

ninjamyst

Going to get clearbra on my TSX for $650 installed for the front bumper, hood, fender, side mirrors, and a small part of the back bumper this week in Chicago. I think it's definitely worth it if you live in the city. If anyone has a recommendation, let me know quick. Thanks.

Ronin317

My clearbra is going to be installed for $300 tomorrow morning...front bumper, hood, mirrors.

ninjamyst

that's so much cheaper than my price. I hate Chicago. They will do the hood, mirrors, and fender for $300 here but the bumper is another $250.

jpt

Get the clearbra over leather bra.

Even within clearbras there are many choices both for the film material (3M's Scotchgard film is the one you want, it is the only one that has a layer of actual clearcoat over it so that you can treat it 100% identically to the rest of your paint with regard to washing/waxing) and the cutout pattern for the car (the one I got was made by Proform and is an exceptional fit and has great coverage), so shop around carefully.

Do NOT install it yourself unless you are a professional. The amount of prep work and the difficulty of installing it straight and bubble free puts it well out of DIY range for sensible people (no offense VG ). $1000 buys and installs a full kit (bumper, fenders, a whopping 24" up the hood, fronts of the side mirrors) at Protective Film Technologies out here in Reston. Worth every penny.

cmschwartz59

Here's a pic of my ASM with the clear bra installed. I love it.

subdued

Ninja, don't hate. At $300 ronin got a deal. you paid the typical rate....about the same as I did by professional installer.

Ronin317

I should have pointed out that I'm getting a deal cause the guy is doing my tint as well. All 3M material, too. My best friend's older brother works at a 'large' install shop out here, and he sent me directly to the guy they contract to do all their work, with the message of "hook this guy up". So for $700...tint and clearbra. It's about $300 off what he normally charges...

JediMindTricks

clear bra is the way to go. i so regret not getting it done after i bought my car. i've been lucky so far...no chips, but i think it would have been so worth it.

keg1997

I drove my TSX right from the dealer to the 3M dealer so I had my clear bra installed with 6 miles on the car. It is WELL worth the $$$$. I will be getting clear bras on all of our future vehicles...it is huge for maintaining the paint of the vehicle. I almost wish that I could get the whole hood done....

CoquiTSX

Any recommendations for an installer in MD, in the Laurel area or at least on the east side of the beltway?

jpt

No reason you can't get it done now. A good installer will do all the necessary prep work and you won't be able to tell it hasn't always been there if you don't have any chips in the covered area yet.

kolodzie240

YES clear bra looks to be the winner...

but can anyone awnser the quote above?

rza49311

iTrader: (1)

I'm looking for a clear bra installer in either the richmond or raleigh area. Does anyone know of any or have any recommendations?

jpt

We did. The correct course of action for people with a leather bra is to take it off the car, set it on fire, and go get a clearbra installed.

crisco

I bought a black bra (for my TSX, haha). Got it for $45 (acura woodbine in TO). Anyways, I haven't installed it yet. I'm going to use it over the winter months since they apply a TON of crushed gravel on our streets. Years ago they would use mostly sand and salt, but in recent years they've switched to these small stones thereby dramatically increasing the number of stone chips on my hood.

rza49311

iTrader: (1)

I contacted the dealership where I got my car and asked about the 3m bra and if he knew where i could get one. He recommended the Autobahn Roadblock over the 3m because he said it was slightly thinner, fit better and had a lifetime warranty. I did a search but only found two articles about it and not much feedback. Anybody know anything about the Autobahn Roadblock vs the 3m??

jwhite4

That's a new one. I was confused enough comparing the 3M product with that from Venture Shield.

Jeff

keg1997

I can give you an installer in the Hampton Roads (Chesapeake) area. I know he'll come to you but I don't know if he'll come all the way to Raleigh or Richmond
Also, I don't know where Bracey, VA is....

rza49311

iTrader: (1)

Yeah i might be interested in his name as soon as i decide whether i want the 3m or not.

Bracey - > http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=e...097893,0.21698

keg1997

^^^^gotcha. I've passed by many times on my trips from Richmond and Hampton Roads to Raleigh, Hilton Head, and Charlotte, etc.

marketman

I have a Mugen front bumper - I have seen OEM bumper kits but can they do custom install?? If anyone knows, please let me know - also, any shops in Cincinnati area that can do this if custom installl is an option? Thanks!

TinkyWinky

I hate to ask, but is it covered by insurance in case of an accident?

Alin10123

I think long term that black bra may do more damage than good. Just like our factory mud guards, in the future, contaminants could get stuck underneath it. THat's ok if it's just the mudguards and you never plan on taking them off. But with the bra, it's almost inevitable. But with that, if contaminants get stuck underneath and there's vibration, it will actually grind the stuff into the paint. So you may see some microscratches that appear when you take the bra off. I would go the clearbra route if i were you. Long term it's just less trouble.

jpt

From what I've read, 3m > all. Find out if the Roadblock has clearcoat on it (real, actual clearcoat, just like the outside layers of paint on your actual car) and whether it lets UV through (it should in order for the paint under the film to fade at the same rate as the rest of the paint). Also find out what that "lifetime warranty" covers -- will they replace it if it turns yellow? Will they pay for your car to be repainted if the covered area doesn't fade enough?

Maybe. Ask your insurance company if they cover CPE (custom parts & equipment); there may be some built-in coverage or you may need to pay a slightly higher premium to cover it (in which case you might not want to, since chances are you can afford to insure yourself for the $1000 replacement cost). There's no statute (at least in VA) governing CPE coverage so it will be different for each company; if you are worried, make sure you have a definite written answer somewhere. By the way, this applies to ALL mods and aftermarket accessories, not just a clear bra.

t_in_maine

I haven't heard anything substantial, but have just heard that 3M is far superior to Autobahnd. MY installer said he has used several different types of films, but keeps going back to the 3M. I went in Natick, MA, and Jeff @ WheelDynamix was busy all the time, while the Autobahnd guy 200 ft. down the street didn't appear to be busy either of the two times I went.