JTL12

I'm on my cell and it's hard to do a good search so sorry it this question has been asked.

I'm thinking about getting a clear bra done to my front end but I have a few questions before I go ahead and do it.

Does the clear bra stay put even when waxing and buffing the car?

Does the bra become dimpled or bubbly when rocks hit it?


does it make the paint fade at a lower rate than the rest if the car since it has another layer on it?

anything else I should now?

Thermoguy

I have a Clear Bra - love it. Had it put on when the car was new.

You do not wax or buff the clear bra - doesn't need it. No fading and the color of the car is the same under the bra as where it is not. You really can not tell it is on the car unless you look close.

I do have some rock chips now - 73K miles - if a rock hits it hard enough it will penetrate the clear bra and the paint. I have very few of these, but in 4 years you can expect to get a few. I would be very unhappy with the front of my car without the clear bra. It will be something I put on every car I own from here on out if it has a painted bumper and front end.

JTL12

Thanks thermo. Yeah I'm kinda sold on it and i think I'm gonna go ahead and do it this weekend. wish i had done it sooner since i have 2 or 3 chips now showing. I'm hoping i can touch them up just a bit before i put the bra on.

Cooldude01

What brand of clear bra are you thinking about? is it 3M and post the picture after you're done will be great...

carbonTSEX

I have been debating the same as my work gets deals on the the clear bra. I will be going with a full front wrap though if I pull the trigger. You can clay bar and buff the clear bra but like mentioned above it doesn't need much up keep. Just a warning be careful when claying your car to not catch the edge of the film it leaves clay in the bra.

arpypat

I had the 3M clear bra installed at the dealership as well. I have no problems with fading, but I do have some rock chips due to all the highway miles I put on it.

Also, I'm not sure if any of you guys are experiencing this problem or not, but I do have a lot of dead bugs that get stuck on the bra. When the temp is above 90*, it's almost like they are glued into the damn bra... Any thoughts onto how to clean this?? After a car wash, they are still stuck on it.

CadiGTi

I had the clear bra on my 2006 RL. I put 173k on the RL. I now have a 2012 RL I purchased CPO in February. I had the clear bra installed on this 2012 RL too.

I have always polished and waxed the clear bra. I do use blue painters tape (or better, Griots Garage orange detailers tape) to tape around the edges of the clear bra.

I do a lot of highway driving (35k + per year) and do not have any issues with bugs being hard to wash off. I try to hand wash the car, but do use car washes sometimes. Occasionally I use Griots Garage Quick Detailer and a microfiber towel to remove small traces of bugs from clear bra that washing did not fully remove.

I know the current owner of my 2006 RL and that car has about 230k on it now. Same clear bra that I had installed in 2008 when the car had just 5k miles on it (CPO purchase). It is just starting to craze and yellow very slightly, but for 230k miles or so, and 7 years, it still looks presentable, and really saved the front end of the car, especially the bumper.

I had a new 2003 CL-S I put 183k on in 3.5 yrs. No clear bra. The front bumper was badly "sandblasted" and so were the leading edges of the hood.

My personal recommendation would be to polish and wax the clear bra, just be careful not to get wax in the seams at the edges.

JTL12

Getting this done as I type. The guy went with PremiumShield as opposed to 3M. Although I haven't heard of it, it does come with a lifetime warranty from yellowing, peeling, and cracking. He showed me a side by side comparison with a cheaper film and you can tell the PS is clearer, resists stains (did a permanent marker test on it) and showed me a few actual installed demonstrations which you can hardly tell its on.

I feel pretty good about it. Im just getting the front bumper, grille, headlights and the part right over the headlights done. for $340.

MaIcAnAcK

I just got my CPO about a month ago and I plan to have this done but I wasn't sure if it was worth it. Does anyone know which of the brands are better or is it just a matter of personal preference?

Warrior 6

Highly recommend the application of a clear bra to the vehicle, do this for all of our vehicles. Recommend 3M Auto Film as a make. You treat the clear bra just like the paint of the vehicle, wash, wax etc.

On my new 2015 TLX just had a new self healing 3M auto film applied, and if installed correctly unless you look close, you will not be able to see it.

Will save thousands in re-painting of the hood, bumper, fenders for the life of the vehicle.

My two:

JTL12

I think the most popular one here is 3M, but as of now, Im pretty happy with PremiumShield. I really have to look closely, (like literally less than an inch away from the corners of the car), to even notice its actually on.

As for yellowing and durability, I guess I will find out in a few years from now but even if that happens, mine came with a lifetime guarantee. So whatever you get, just make sure its got a guarantee. Id post pictures but, you really won't be able to tell its on, its that clear and seamless.

Cooldude01

Did you guys have the clear bra install professionally?
I found this pre cut kit on Ebay for $100 and it's decent

Acura TL 2014 2013 2012 3M Scotchgard Paint Protection Film Wear Tear Package | eBay

I'm not sure if it's gonna work but for $100, it's not that bad

BDoggPrelude

I have heard from enough people that are hardcore DIYers not to attempt this yourself to know that money is better spent on professional installation. The material the clear bra is made from is not very easy to work with and getting it both lined up correctly and fitting all of the contours of the bumper is nearly impossible without having a lot of previous experience installing these.

JTL12

I wouldn't attempt to do it myself either. I was able to watch the guy who installed mine and it's tidious work. He even he needed a second guy to come in at times to give him a hand.

fryrice

is venture shield 3M? anyone had issues with venture shield?

Jerry"O"

I got a full clear bra on my 2012 tl. I am using suntek not 3m. I love it. I got filly covered full front bumper, hood, fenders, head lights, fogs, mirrors, turn signals housings. Very easy to clean and highly recommended.