Just got a TL S in NBP. I want to keep it as nice as possible. I'm wondering if a bra (or half-bra) would prevent some bug damage on the highway and if the bra itself would actually do damage to the paint!?

I'm also considering splash guards, but wonder if they would look dorky.

Any suggestions and/or advice?

 

I for one prefer clear paint protection film. (clear bra) vs. a bra, several advantages, 1, it doesn't cover up the good looks of the car, 2, you dont have to remove it when it gets wet to dry it out 3, I had one once, if any of the clips break or come loose, it'll flap in the wind, scratching the paint. I think they are just not worth the hasle. as for the splash guards I have them and like them.

 

Clear bra definately.

If you get the splash guards that come painted to match ( I think for the S- they all come painted) then it would look ok.

 

I have an NBP and don't mind the flat black splash guards at all.

 

OK, I've oredered some painted splash guards.

Now sell me on a bra - clear or conventional. What are their respective pros and cons?

Do the clear ones last forever? How much is installation?

Do the fabric ones damage paint even when used temporarily?

 

DON'T Get the conventional vinyl one!! They RUIN your paint!! Just imagine this. You have a piece of fabric resting on your paint, and as you get going faster wind gets between the fabric and the paint causing it to pull away and cause a gap. The wind turbulence will also cause the fabric to constantly cycle between touching and not touching, which in the BEST case scenario will only rub the paint right off of the hood and partsof the bumper. That is if it is completely clean with NO dirt. Add dirt into the equation and then you have an abrasive, kinda like sandpaper. Get the idea. As far as I know the 3M clear bra's work very well, I'd go that route. Just my

 

If that was your experience then you bought a poor fitting bra. The Acura Bra fits very well and doesn't flap.

 

Ok I'll sell you on the bra but first a small tip on the mud flaps. Up here in CanaDUH the TL comes with the rears as a standard item and after running them from April till the end of May I noticed the contoured edge of the mud flap has a tendency to rub on the paint. Solution: while the mud flap is on the car trace around it with a pencil or China Marker then remove the Mud Flap and apply a strip of good quality black electrical tap so it covers the line by 1/16" then reinstall the Mud Flap. You won't notiv the tape and its harmless to the paint.

Now to the bra. Before the fear mongers that either had poor quality bras or didn't maintain them properly or run in hearsay get to you I'll give you my experienced thoughts.

A) Buy an Acura Bra from the dealer. Even tho more money they are very good quality. I know .. I have one and have had good quality after market too.. and they arent close as far as fit goes.Same goes for the VW bra I had for my Passat. I tried 3 after market and sent them all back.


B) If your using it for highway excursions as you say they are great. No flap at all .. nada. No breaking clips and I have had mine on and off prolly 50 times.

C) One thing I do is where the clips hold it on the front of the fender wells I insert a small piece of flanellette under the clip as its a POSSIBLE rub point if your running it in very dirty areas and crud can get thrown there.

D) And you don't have to panic if it rains and run out and remove it in the middle of a trip. I wash my car in the winter at the local spray wash and don't remove the bra.


I run mine up here all winter from the first snow in Nov. till March then only on road trips. During the winter we get the odd 2 or 3 day stretch where the temp is up in the mid 30s and I pull the bra off and wash the inner edges in the laundry tub. You will see the edges I mean. I don't wet the entire back side. I use my shop vac to pull off excess water but blotting will do or compressed air. Then hang over nite to dry.

I also change out the Flanellette pieces and wash them for next time.

For full winter use I run a strip of electrical tape around the edge of the fender well to protect form rock chips and this also covers the area where the clips hold on.

This is the second winter doing this and after the first there were no issues at all .. nada.. none. And I just had it off for the second time last week since Nov and under my 1000W halogen lights there is no issues at all . Matter of fact its better under there than the rest of the paint. I am a detailer specializing in high end cars and I know what to look for and how to look for paint issues.

Now if your just going to throw it on and forget about it for 10 months forget it. But for your road trips its perfect and a lot less $$.

As for ruining the looks and lines of the car .. I'd rather do that on a road trip than sport rock chips and etchings from bug guts never mind the damage caused by scratching off the guts or the bug cleaning solutions removing your wax.

 

I was wondering if it made sense to purchase colored black spalsh guards for NBP instead of the flat black. They flat black ones seem to fade fast, which is why I am considering the colored ones.

 

ALso looking for a CLEAR BRA for my BRAND NEW NBP type S - Found this on ebay, for 10 bucks, i'm guessing it has to be largely inferior to the dealers bra. Last time i asked my dealer how much they go for, they were quoting roughly 500-600$$ including installation! Buy it from dealer? ...or the generic version on ebay?

 

The flat black OEM ones I have haven't faded after 2 winters use and abuse.

 

I saw the bra on a type s at the acura garage the other day i like it but i dont...... in cold weather it wrinkles in hot it molds right to the car but it leaves wind pockets open so it doesnt sit on the car 100% but other than that the car looked mean

 

How do you know this if you only saw it at the dealer?

Mine doesn't do either in hot or cold . Matter of fact the hood part fits so tight water hardly gets under it.

 

oh i had one on mine before....took it because of that stuff. but mine isnt a type s