[dhdickson]

Anyone had any experience in this area? Will be moving to AZ, and there is a constant danger of rock damage (especially on less-travelled roads). Considered clear, but want more protection. Factory design is one-piece, Colgan is two-piece, is one better? Also what's this carbon fiber stuff from Colgan? Any help appreciated.

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[flash]

factory is a 2 piece (actually a 4 piece if you count the mirror covers)



i have it - works well, but, as with all bras, you have complications, and have to take care of them



on the colgan, the carbon fiber is a cosmetic thing - it has that look of the pattern



common bra complications are:



potential rubbing of paint if it gets at all looose anywhere (beat the heck out of mine on the run from cleveland)



you cannot run the bra in the rain, or let it get really wet while on the car



potential discoloring of paint underneath from continued use



continual hassles from those who don't like them

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[dhdickson]

Thanks -- I had a factory bra before and it worked OK. Just wondering if there's any advantage to Colgan quality / fit.



[quote name='flash' date='Sep 20 2006, 08:25 AM']factory is a 2 piece (actually a 4 piece if you count the mirror covers)



i have it - works well, but, as with all bras, you have complications, and have to take care of them



on the colgan, the carbon fiber is a cosmetic thing - it has that look of the pattern



common bra complications are:



potential rubbing of paint if it gets at all looose anywhere (beat the heck out of mine on the run from cleveland)



you cannot run the bra in the rain, or let it get really wet while on the car



potential discoloring of paint underneath from continued use



continual hassles from those who don't like them

[right][post="26242"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]

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[RPM]

The factory bra works about as well as a vinyl bra can. Fitting the hood piece is tricky and you really have to slam the hood shut. The felt/metal hooks that hold the bra in the front fenders do not fit particularly well and you have to make sure they are secure.



Sort of an 80s look, but for long highway trips they can really save you some dings. I always carry a big trash bag to throw the pieces in if I get caught in the rain. then you get to drape them around your hotel room to dry <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/rolleyes.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> .

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[rxter]

[quote name='RPM' post='26249' date='Sep 20 2006, 08:06 AM']The factory bra works about as well as a vinyl bra can. Fitting the hood piece is tricky and you really have to slam the hood shut. The felt/metal hooks that hold the bra in the front fenders do not fit particularly well and you have to make sure they are secure.



Sort of an 80s look, but for long highway trips they can really save you some dings. I always carry a big trash bag to throw the pieces in if I get caught in the rain. then you get to drape them around your hotel room to dry <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/rolleyes.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> .[/quote]





Just got a slightly used brae from Tom in Austin. Colgan. Went on reasonably easily except for 2 things.



1. The hooks underneath that go to the tow hooks don't reach with the plastic under trays in place. I plan to use some bungies to remedy that.



2. I can't get the hood to shut. There is a lot of fabric in the way and the hood is a pretty close fit as it is. I did not want to "really slam the hood shut" as RPM suggests above for fear of bending it or finding that something I did not detect (like the PS pump) was slightly altered and end up with nipples. After all I am putting the thing on to protect the front end, not damage it.



Any tips from you vinyl gurus out there?



Thanks

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[PorscheDude]

Let it sit in the sun.

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[flash]

the hooks don't go to the tow hooks - they go to the vents on the front apron



instead of the correct way of closing the hood, which is dropping your hood from 16", you will likely find you need to give it a bit of a ka-whump from about 20" - the best way i can describe it is a bit of a flick downward

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[rxter]

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



Thanks guys.



I am smiling thinking about the 'ka-whump'. I'll try both this evening. Hopefully I can get it into some sunshine when I get home. No way I am asking the wife to back it into the driveway...



Other tips welcome.

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[flash]

i'll be happy to show you tomorrow

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[jeff968]

Have you considered having the clear vinyl plastic film put on your car. I have it on my Audi and an SUV with this and it has saved many a stone chip and looks so much better then the old eighties bras. I'm not sure if someone has done templates for a 968 yet but they look like they aren't even there.

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[smj]

A local PCA guy knows of a shop near Sacramento that will do a hand application of a thicker clear bra material. I filed that away in case I ever get to do a respray of my car.



But "hand application" I mean, according to what I was told, this guy literally applies it to the car and cuts to fit as he goes -- and squeamish owners are advised not to watch, but the guy's (apparently) really, really good. If I remember the figures discussed it was somewhere between a third and a half of the dealer option, but with slightly thicker material.



I'll have to ask for the name of the shop again the next time I see him.

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[rxter]

I've got a clear bra on my mazda. Put it on 2 days after taking delivery. After 6 months of only weekend sun in SoCal (is under cover at work) it started to cloud. That was Venture Tape. Called Venture and they honored the warrenty. Guy came to the house and redid it with 'new and improved' material. He had a lame pattern and had to do the hand cuts with a blade. Came out 50/50 in my opinion. Starting to cloud up again and now I have the garage cleared, so the sun can't be blamed. I've heard that the 3M material yellows so don't put it on white or silver.



Anyway, my front end is pretty nicked up and I'd need some a bit of body work and then a respray before I would put on a clear bra. The vinyl works well enough to keep it from getting any worse whilst I save up for the respray. Temp ran a bit hot yesterday with the mesh covering the cooling opening, but I got some tips on how to cut that away while maintaining the integrity of the fit.

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[jlm968]

I have a Colgan bra. I lower the hood into place and then press directly onto the Porsche badge to close it. I had a clear bra on a new car (not a P-car). And while it protected the paint just fine, it also took the brunt of stone scratches and bug stains that wouldn't clean out. I just don't see any free lunch in that category.

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[rxter]

I use PLEXUS plastic cleaner on the clear bra. You can rub most of the stone 'dents' out and definately clean off the bug debris with it. Works well.

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[flash]

do NOT press on the badge to close your hood - you will not be happy when the very thin sheet metal buckles

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