So about 3 1/2 months and 2000 miles in, and I've noticed that I picked up several small "dings" in the paint on the front end, all around the license plate, the headlights, or the expanse of bumper directly above the fake plastic vents. Seems that the blunt, very vertical surface is just prone to taking hits, since I've done fairly limited highway miles. Previous vehicles have been cars with seemingly better aerodynamics/shape that cause some little stones or debris to maybe bounce up and over? Seems the design of the front end on the RDX means stuff just drills right in, no real chance to bounce up and over, so it does some damage. Certainly never had this type of damage so soon into the ownership exeprience.

I know there is a separate thread on a possible solution with some of the 3M type films, but have others experienced this type of damage? Is it more specific to boxier SUVs? Really annoying, especially with winter coming and all the salt and stuff that gets kicked up.

 

Interesting question, as I was actually wondering about the quality of the factory paint. We took delivery of our new RDX AWD Tech last week and drove it from dealer in SF Bay Area up to Tahoe. Received a good ding on the slanted hood with appearance as you described "stuff just drills right in" - actually peeled up a small point of paint. Also received a few dings/scratches on the front bumper area. We had already made local arrangements for clear bra install as we could not spend any more time in Bay Area and very glad we now have this on the car.

 

imagine how hummers or jeeps feel.

 

The RDX does have that pointed front end that probably leads to more damage than normal. That said, I have had clear bras installed on my last two cars and is coincidentally being installed on my new RDX as I type this. I do much highway driving and in previous cars that did not have the protection my front bumpers would inevitably suffer various dings and scratches and look like junk after a couple of years. I can't say enough about how much better life is with the clear bra. Yes, it cost around $500 but it is well worth it if you like to keep your front paint job looking nice.

 

Paint sucks these days. My last car looked like someone sand blasted the bumper. Twenty years ago the paint was much harder than it is today. As mentioned, 3m material is the only real solution.

 

Anyone knows good places in San Francisco Bay area to get a front clear bra installed?

 

I have about the same mileage but so far no dings or paint chips. That is definitely bound to change but spring because during our cold snowy winters there is a lot of salt and sand applied to the roads. Try to keep more distance between yourself and the person in front of you to minimize the amount of crap being thrown up at your front end.

 

I am on the other coast, but you can go to the 3M site:

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3.../Where_to_Buy/

Enter your zip code and it should show you a list of installers in your area. There are also other brands, but 3M seems to be the most popular.

 

Knock on wood, no serious dings on ours in 2K miles of central Texas driving(surrounded by h-u-g-e limestone quarries ). Our XC60 was 3.3 years old with 56K miles and a few dings on the front, but nothing too bad. We seem to get more windshield smacks than body punches.

My DW found a way to eliminate the various 'markings' on the front of our Volvo C70 after just 16 months...smack the back of a Subaru and get the front bumper replaced altogether .

On the other hand, our new 85mph toll road is infested with wild hogs running in bands of 2-3 dozen, crossing the road at night. Wonder what 3M has for THAT!

 

I have never had a clear bra installed on a vehicle and wondering how it will look. Does it cover the bumber and part of the hood? Can it eventually be removed? Would you please post a picture of it?

Thanks in advance!

 

not much to see in pics if its installed well...there is always a visible edge line whee the bra ends on the hood...some cars hide it better than others.

 

With clear bra installers (as with any skilled profession) there's a "you get what you pay for" factor. An unskilled installation might look good at first, but after a while it can start peeling and/or the edges will become more noticeable over time. Not to mention that some materials are better than others and the better ones tend to be more expensive.

One nice thing about a clear bra is that it can be removed if you tire of it after a few years. If/when you eventually remove it the paint is still brand new underneath, so at least you saved yourself several years of paint damage.

I did a lot of research into this before deciding not to install a clear bra (I used a paint sealant Rejex instead, for bug protection mainly), but this thread has me second-guessing my decision not to install a clear bra. We plan to keep our RDX for ten years, so I want to do everything possible to keep it brand-new looking.

 

I picked up my RDX (Silver Moon, AWD, Tech) after the clear bra install last night. I inspected it closely and it looks good. This time I had the clear bra done at my Acura dealer. My previous car was an Acura TL 2006 which had a bra installed by a local authorized shop. I drove that car for 150+ K miles and seven years and the bra held up very well. I assume that the wholesaler for the TL will probably remove the bra so that the car looks new, at least from the front.

The bra on the RDX covers the entire front bumper from side to side and up to about a third of the hood. The side mirrors are also covered. This time I also had the door edges and the top of the rear bumper covered. I did not have this on the TL and over time I had scratches and paint chips on the doors and rear bumper.

Overall, I very satisfied and now I will not cringe the next time a dump truck in front of me drops sand and gravel

 

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LOL... I thought I was the only one that cringe whenever I drive behind a truck that shoots gravels like a Thompson machine gun. I too opted to get the bra 3M bra for the RDX.