[Norskiepete]

Any opinions about the use of the permanently applied clear front bras? I had one installed on my SUV when purchased new and it has done the job of fending off many stone chips. While the 968 won't be doing winter mountain trips, I am concerned about keeping the fairly unchipped (but not completely) front end looking as good as possible.

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[bob blackwell]

Pete, I had the clear vinyl protective film applied to the front of my 968 and on the rear view mirrors when I bought it two years ago. Generally, I have been satisfied with the protection it offers with one exception. While on a long distance trip I was traveling about 75 mph and a rock about the size of a quarter struck the front fender just below the headlight and not only tore the vinyl but made a dent about 1/16 of an inch in the metal. When I took my car back to the place that installed it they offerred no warranty coverage against rock damage. I was also disappointed that the vinyl coverage didn't extend farther back on the hood (it only goes back about one foot from the leading edge), Good luck, I hope your experience is better than mine has been. Bob Blackwell.

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[Dave]

They do seem to have gotten to the point where they are very nearly invisible. If I had a pristine garage queen, I would consider the clear bra.

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[ds968]

Oh, crap.. you guys are talking about CARS ! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/dry.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> Seeing just the post's heading asking for opinions on clear bras I was ready to give my full approval <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/tongue.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> to the idea, but then I read the topic..





Ok, on a serious note - the older film application left a very subtle but nonetheless visible line which almost looked like a fine scratch on the hood, so I did not care for the idea, aside from the rather costly application, IMO...



But I went to the auto show and saw the newer clear bras which are ( as Dave just mentioned ) just about invisible unless you inspect the area with a magnifying glass. Looks great, might consider it after I re-paint the front sometime in the future..

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[SILVY968]

I put one on the I got from INVICA-SHIELD. It was very easy and took about an hour. It has done a great job with small freeway stones. It will not stop large stuff.

The kit # is 3612-STD at $ 91.00

They have additional pieces that you can add if you want.

336-838-5947

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[flash]

all of the ones i've seen lately look good, but you can tell, especially on a metallic color, that it is there - it has a sort of "muted" reflection - also, you have to take car on the wax thing, so as not to leave a white line



i am almost positive i am going to do this, even though i see the issues, but am dragging my butt on it



fuctionally, it's a no brainer - cosmetically, it's not perfect, but then, neither is your paint if you drive the car without one

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[SILVY968]

The bra that I have does have a very high gloss. Unless I point it out, most do not realize that it is there. My car is polar metallic silver and it looks fine. The material is thin enought that when I buff off the wax there isn't a residue line. The normal, tiny chips that you get on the front nose of a daily driver are virtually eliminated.

I have attached a close up pic under flourescent lights of the bra. The edge of the bra runs horizontally across the middle of the picture.

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[flash]

agreed silver is probably the best metallic color for this - i can see the luster difference in the shot, but from the looks of it, that is one of the better ones i've seen



there is a carrera here that is almost completely covered in this - looks fine - that is, until you find the small areas that aren't done, and then you realize just how much of a difference it is - mostly in the sun - artificial light doesn't seem to bring out the difference as much



as i said, i think i am going to do this, in spite of the deficiencies - the chips bug me more than the reduced reflection - if i had not colorsanded the entire car though, this would not be such a probleme - as it is, the paint is as smooth as glass, with no orange peel, and the reflection is completely undistorted -it's a blue mirror - i won't have that with a clear bra - i sort of dug my own grave here

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[ds968]

[quote name='SILVY968' date='Dec 11 2005, 02:12 PM']The kit # is 3612-STD at $ 91.00

[right][post="13268"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



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



I was informed the clear film application typically runs between $ 700 and

$ 1,200 !!



Sounds like INVICA-SHIELD may soon put these places out of business, offering

a comparable product at one tenth of the cost..

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[SILVY968]

It is a 3M product, which is the standard material used, but ask about thickness. The thicker that material the better the protection and the more shine attenuation. At the SEMA show I saw new 3M product that boasted a smoother surface to reduce the effect that FLASH was talking about. The industry is improving the material, just be sure that you know what you are getting. The application was a 3 on the DIY meter of 1 to 10, so I would not hesitate to recomend that you give it a try and cut out the middleman.

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[coloradocab]

Pete:



I have a clear bra on my polar silver cab that's been on the car almost 5 years now. Give me a call and come on down to check it out in person. We have also done the clear bra on two of our other cars. I have a guy down in Colorado Springs who does a great job and will give you a great price on the job.

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[flash]

and boy do you need it there - i got creamed while i was there

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[coloradocab]

Absolutely! I felt bad about the scars inflicted on your car while she was out here (as well as en route).



And, despite the junk on the roads, the front of my car remains virtually flawless due to the clear bra. I've probably driven it 40K miles with it on, BTW.

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[flash]

well, i still had a blast - it is what it is - it's only a car after all - but that's exactly why i bought a 968 to begin with - very cheap - easy to fix



if i had spent the 100k on the Z8, i would be pretty upset

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[Leonard]

Thanks Silvy968 for the tip on the clear bra. I went to the website and got an additional 25% off. I got the deluxe set plus mirrors for $113.00 plus shipping. I also see that the product is 3m and all 3m is 8mls thick regardless of who is selling!! Thanks for the information!! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[Clem]

I have the Armour Fend on the front of my 968.

I originally bought the Invinca-sheild, but the coverage area of the Armour Fend was much greater.

I had a top local detailing shop do the install (I had heard horror stories about applications) and all in it was about $500.

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[cosimo]

The only clear bra I would liketo see is the one on Pamela Anderson! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/tongue.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/tongue.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[Cloud9...68]

At the risk of taking this discussion ever so slightly off topic (at least, to the other end of the, ahem, car <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/rolleyes.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> ), I wonder if this stuff would work on a lexan hatch window? One of the biggest arguments I've heard against going with lexan is that it scratches very easily, and this would seem to be a possible solution. Thanks.

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[flash]

the disimilar polycarbonate materials will heat and cool differently, very likely leaving you fogging and probably bubbles



however, you can use the peel-away stuff used on race cars

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[bob blackwell]

Scratches should not be as much of a problem on the rear hatch as on the windshield. My friend with the modified 951 race car has the Lexan rear hatch and it looks fine after over a year of track use. Good luck, Bob Blackwell.

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