[T-Bone]

Does anyone know where I can find a place to install a clear bra in SoCal? Preferably in Orange County? I am asking around but haven't found a place yet?



Any leads would be a huge help. The front of the car is pristine and I would like it keep it that way.



Thanks,



Travis

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[flash]

funny you should mention that - i am just about to start having them made - just wrapping up a couple of other 968 projects first



lol - it's probably about time we connected

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[T-Bone]

Wow, I'm 2 for 2! First the short shifter, now the bra? Maybe I should ask about a turbo kit or better dash lighting. Are you working on those too <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> ? How long before you think you might have something?



Where in LA are you located? I'm in South OC.

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[flash]

me too - sent you a PM

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[flash]

p.s. - i have the pattern - i just haven't found a scanner yet big enough to take it in and convert it to vector works - as soon as i find one, this will go very quickly

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[Gotter]

When you say clear.... you mean... clear?? Like transluscent, or... ?



All I can envision is a lexan plasitcy piece and afixes on the nose or a softer plasticy clear shower curtain-like material...

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[flash]

nope - flexible vinyl-like product - very thin - there are a number of products out there - some are better at some things and worse at others, but they all do a pretty decent job of protecting the front end from road damage

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[DaveN]

[quote name='flash' post='60409' date='Sep 24 2008, 08:23 AM']nope - flexible vinyl-like product - very thin - there are a number of products out there - some are better at some things and worse at others, but they all do a pretty decent job of protecting the front end from road damage[/quote]





I'm sure everyone know the answer but me as I am relatively new to this forum but where/who do you work for? You speak with an entreprenuerail tongue, people ask for stuff and you seem to be making it, testing it or selling it.

I would like to "bra" my car this winter too before spring so keep us informed please.

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[biotechee]

Dave-



Just think of Flash as your local, certifiably maniacal car guy! The good part for us is that he happens to like the 968...



<img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/laugh.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[flash]

too funny



i'm on it - i have the template - just trying to find a flat bed scanner big enough to do it - then a quick shot into vector works, and we are good to go

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[rxter]

The clear bras work really well at keeping the nose free of chips. I put one on my 04 mazda directly from the dealership and no chips whatsoever after 3.5 years and 37K miles of freeway driving. I added the mirror and headlight pieces, and had a custom piece made for the roof forward of the moon roof. Only problem that I have had is clouding if its left in the sun. My car is black and the cloudiness shows up very fast if you are not careful. If you keep it garaged or under roof somewhere it is well worth the $$. Some of the products (earlier 3M as I recall) turn slightly yellow and so will show up on a light car pretty quickly. These things have been around big time for about 5 years now and the materials have been revved as the mfg's learn.



My advice is to ask questions of installers who are film neutral - there are many of them. And ask owners who have lived with them a while.

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[Big Dave]

This could be just the thing for some of us UK based track day enthusiasts...????

I shall await the outcome..

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[Fox944]

I'm not a fan of clear bra's. unless you barely drive, after about a year or two they start to yellow and look horrible. If i go on a long distance drive, i'd rather just tape up the front.

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[SILVY968]

[quote name='Fox944' post='64334' date='Dec 16 2008, 09:05 PM']I'm not a fan of clear bra's. unless you barely drive, after about a year or two they start to yellow and look horrible. If i go on a long distance drive, i'd rather just tape up the front.[/quote]



I have had a clear bra on the car for 3 years with no color change. After I played tag with a deer, I needed some paint work that required the bra to be replaced and that one has been on for over a year with no color change. The newer product has improved over the material from 10 years ago. Check the specs on product like 3M, and I think that you will find that they last much longer than you thought. They prevent considerable chip damage and are certainly worth it.

Brian

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[Fox944]

[quote name='SILVY968' post='64335' date='Dec 17 2008, 12:53 AM']I have had a clear bra on the car for 3 years with no color change. After I played tag with a deer, I needed some paint work that required the bra to be replaced and that one has been on for over a year with no color change. The newer product has improved over the material from 10 years ago. Check the specs on product like 3M, and I think that you will find that they last much longer than you thought. They prevent considerable chip damage and are certainly worth it.

Brian[/quote]



i've been in the auto business for 6 years. I was a pre-owned manager for most of those 6. I've purchased cars many cars off the auction block. the first thing i had done was have the Clear bra's removed. It always looked horrible and made bumpers look like they were in need of a paint job (nice clean paint under the clear bra however). Outside of that, i've seen numerous lease returns come back after 3 years and unless i'm sending the car back to the factory...again...first thing to come off was the 3M clear bra (for the same reason)...i know it was 3M because thats the only clear bra we sell.



I've had meetings with the rest of the staff telling them to longer promote the product and only sell it if the customer insists. 3M Clear Bra has left a lot of clients complaining about it. Maybe i'll take some pictures and post them up here next time we get one of one our Lease Returns with 3M on it. The clear Film is always very dull looking when we get the cars back & you can see the yellowing on white cars easily.



Keep in mind, these cars are daily drivers. For a weekend car its fine. I just cant stand by a product i have so much negative second hand experiance with.

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[flash]

the product is only as good as the maintenance it gets - you have to buff it much like you do the paint - unfortunately people tend to think that it's impervious to damage, and they cannot see the film itself, and only look at the paint - they tend to ignore the film and any thought of maintaining it

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[Ryan]

The company I work for does vehicle wraps as well as other digital printing and we use a clear laminate over the base printed vinyl to protect it. The clear overlaminates do not yellow over a few year period of constant outdoor exposure. There are some laminates that will yellow or cloud, but these were not intended for outdoor use in the first place.



3M makes a good product that should last a long long time.

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[SILVY968]

I'll check in every year with a "yellow/no yellow report".

This January will be one year with the new bra.

No yellow to report, also no chips, nicks or scratches on my DD.

I also had in put on the mirrors and on the door edges.



Driven 13-15K miles per year.

Brian

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[rxter]

So my clear bra from Venture Tape is now about 2.5 years-old. Garaged at home, under ground at work. I get in early and leave late, so the car pretty much lives the life of a vampire. Anyway, the fading is back. A pic to illustrate the extent of the problem. I'm in contact with these folks for warranty coverage now - I'll update on that front as well. BTW this was installed in 05, replaced in 06-07 due to the same problem. They said that they improved the material - no such luck.

   

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[rxter]

Update: sent this and a couple of additional pics to my friends at VT and they are replacing at the installer of my choice. Pretty good service, if the product is a bit weak.

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