I have begun to travel a lot for work putting on nearly 10k in the last 7 months. Naturally, I've started to get some chips and marks on my front bumper from all the travelling. I was wondering if anyone has ordered or installed a bra like the one in the link. I was thinking about buying it to use only for long trips, but wasn't sure what the installation entailed. How difficult it was to put on and off.

My current paint job isn't flawless but still in pretty good shape. I'd like to keep it that way.

Lebra Front End Mask Bra Fits Acura TL 2007-2008 | eBay

 

Most of the time, those bras do more harm than good!
sand and general debris will get stuck behind the bra and scratch up the front end.

if you really want to protect the front end, go for a clear bra. a film that is wrapped onto the front end of your car!

but alas, your car is approaching 10 years old. its normal to have a rock-chipped front end. I live with it, as there are other important things than inevitable rock chips

 

Nose Mask (Full) | Genuine Acura | 08P35-SEP-200B : Acura Parts | OEM Acura Parts | Factory Acura Parts

OEM

Instructions here: http://www.acurapartswarehouse.com/i...-nose-mask.pdf

 

I can certainly see them being more harm than good. I would imagine they may rub against the paint too causing damage to the paint. I've heard the clear coats can be expensive. I'm not trying to break the bank because as you alluded to the car is nearly 10 yrs old.

 

I'd just live with it then.

why spend money on a bra that potentially will fuck up the paint even more?


as stated, my TL has a rock-chipped front end.

 

You can get clear bra's in varying price points. I did a partial and had my detailer do Dr colorchip squeegee on rock chips and looks freaking amazing. Funny i just pitched all thos old bras...pisses me off all the coin I wasted on those

 

I would also add that if you live in areas where seasonal bugs are especially damaging to the paint (lovebugs in FL) using the TL full nose mask during those couple of two months out of the year can really help preserve your paint. If you detail your car well and apply some good sealant before putting on the nose mask, that would certainly be a worthy step also. FWIW, I haven't noticed any paint scratches when I've used the nose mask before. I leave it on for 4-6 weeks max, twice a year.

 

In a previous car, I had the OEM bra on it for the first 6 months I had the car. After that I had a 3M clear bra installed. There were no noticeable damage from the OEM bra. The only damage that could be seen were a couple of impact spots from rocks the 1 day that I decided to take the OEM bra off to clean it and ended up going for a drive. I pulled the OEM bra off almost weekly to clean under it.

Now that was on a brand new car with perfect paint. My TL? Well....the big perk of running a bra at this point would be to hide the flaking paint and other minor issues that a 10+ year old car has from other people bumping into it.

 

^good point!! lol