hey guys i have been a member since June and have been waiting for the 05 tl's to come to Canada. I bought one the first day it was out (September 14) in edmonton. They told me it would be six weeks until they can get me the car (anthracite auto/navi), this combo was not available last year so theres a big demand for it here. I was wondering about the clear bra, i heard that it causes paint discolouring where it is taken off, is there any truth to this? I do need something for the winters here in Alberta, there are disgusting amount of rocks flying because of the icy roads. So i was wondering if the clear bra's leave a mark after they are replaced and if there are any other alternatives other then the clear bra. This doesnt mean that i will put a normal bra on it, i would rather take my chances with the sharp flying rocks.

thanks

 

Congrats!

 

My neighbor has a 2002 Corvette that he had the clear bra put on. He's had it for over a year now, and it can be waxed, you can't see it at all, and there is no discoloration whatsoever. Don't know about the paint discoloring, but why would you take it off once it's on? You definitely won't get any stone chips if you have the clear bra put on. Good luck.

 

awesome!

 

As for the bra, no it won't discolor your paint.

But what CAN happen, is the paint not protected by the bra will deteriorate for whatever reason... Sun/Weather/Damage/etc... and then if you remove the clear bra... your paint under it will still be in better condition then that paint. Therefore it could appear to be discolored... but its actually your unprotected paint that has changed color

 

By the way, that 2002 Corvette is a monster. It has a painted carbon fiber hood, new front fascia/bumper, has had the engine completely rebuilt, all new interior, custom one off wheels, it's pushing 550 horsepower, and he has about $90k in it at this point, and he shows it and wins awards with the clear bra. I think you're fine..

 

I had the clear bra installed before I took delivery in September. It waxes up great and you can't really see the line unless it gets dirty. Amazing how easy stuff (mostly bugs) comes off it, too. I'm told the clear bra will prevent chips on your bumper up to 80mph (don't know what kpm that is for you). IMHO -- I'd get the clear bra. Cost me $600 for the entire front bumper (partial wraparound), about 2' up the hood and both outside mirrors. I tend to keep cars a long time, so I wanted to make my 04TL look great as long as possible. You can hardly tell the bra is there on my SSM.

Good luck making your decision.
_________________________________

04TL / SSM /Quartz / 5AT / Navi
Clear Bra
All-Season Floor Mats
Purchased 9/04

 

yupyup, first of all, congrats on your purchase. If you do get the clear bra, could you please tell me how much you pay for it. I'm in Canada also, and would like to get an idea in Canadian dollars how much the installation would cost. Thanks!

 

YupYup I know exactly what your talking about when winter comes, I’m Straight south of you in Calgary. I just bought mine a week and half ago, (6MT/Navi/NBP) and the dealer had a 02TL there in black and the front of it looked bad with 40,000km. I went for the clear bra. I think it’s worth it, the rocks fly for half the year around here.

 

Mike, would you mind sharing how much you paid for your clear bra?

 

I paid $422 with GST from the dealer.

 

Wow, that's cheap... Thanks! And how much of your car is covered by the clear bra?

 

Was wondering if anyone else had considered putting the clear bra material on the

REAR bumper cutout outside of the the trunk opening. I have got a few mars back

there already and just thought that this might keep it clear of grocery, trunk crap dings.

Any comments?

 

Zax123, the clear bra covers the whole bumper right to the wheel wells, the mirrors, and about 12inchs up the hood. I went to another place and they had a kit that went about 24inchs up the hood, but that was $840+GST

 

Cool, thanks Mike. That's a great price. I'm seriously considering it... so much to pay for when the car is new. ARGH.

 

I had my Xpel clear bra installer put a piece of film on the flat ledge of the rear bumper cover at the trunk opening. I was also concerned that sliding groceries, etc. across it would scratch it. He threw it in at the same price.

I was going to take a picture of it, but you wouldn't see anything. It's not visible.

I also installed a piece of the heavier 20 mil headlight protection film to the aluminum molding on the center console for about 5" in the area of the seatbelt buckle. This will prevent it getting dinged or scratched from a misplaced jab. You can see it, but it is clear and looks like it is OEM. I made these pieces from scraps left over from my install.