What did you do to your '10-'14 today?
#381
I Have No Life
There's no seam if they do custom pieces. I have a seam on my fenders, but not for long. I'm having the whole fenders done eventually. You can't tell I have clear bra on my hood. The front bumper is so barely noticeable, that you couldn't tell unless I told you also. The film my shop uses does not have orange peel, it just smooth and glossy, like another clearcoat.
#382
Shelby GT350 Member
A good body shop can paint the bumper just as well as the factory. But I understand your point. I like the idea of clear bras and would totally have one if it didn't cost upwards of $800 like I've seen
What about when you wax the car, does the wax have the same "glaze" effect on the clear bra surface as the paint? Not sure if that is a stupid question or not
What about when you wax the car, does the wax have the same "glaze" effect on the clear bra surface as the paint? Not sure if that is a stupid question or not
#384
Legacy TMS Member
A good body shop can paint the bumper just as well as the factory. But I understand your point. I like the idea of clear bras and would totally have one if it didn't cost upwards of $800 like I've seen What about when you wax the car, does the wax have the same "glaze" effect on the clear bra surface as the paint? Not sure if that is a stupid question or not
#385
Shelby GT350 Member
That's the responsibility of the bodyshop. They're paid to make it match. I've seen numerous bumpers painted on my buddies' cars and the ones that get good work done, you can't tell. And I keep my car garaged. Plus I'm only talking 3 years here.
#386
Legacy TMS Member
My 00 V6 was Laser Red. I was hit on my right front in 2005. Insurance would only pay to repaint the right side. The right side paint looked perfect. But it didn't match the faded paint on the rest of the car. They stayed the value of the car was less than the cost of a complete repaint (which it truly was). I took such good care of that paint prior to the accident. After that I just didn't give a F anymore. I even took it through automatic car washes!
#387
Not to match faded paint. Paint fades, even after being protected, after years of exposure to the sun. No body shop can match paint fade. It won't match. Heck even the factory paint on plastic doesn't 100% match the paint on metal. This is especially apparent with metallic paint.
#388
I Have No Life
A good body shop can paint the bumper just as well as the factory. But I understand your point. I like the idea of clear bras and would totally have one if it didn't cost upwards of $800 like I've seen
What about when you wax the car, does the wax have the same "glaze" effect on the clear bra surface as the paint? Not sure if that is a stupid question or not
What about when you wax the car, does the wax have the same "glaze" effect on the clear bra surface as the paint? Not sure if that is a stupid question or not
As to "wax" for the clear bra, theoretically, with the latest quality of plastic, you should be able to wax the clear bra just like any other painted surface. However, what I do (and recommended by the clear bra installers/experts themselves) is to use sealant, not wax...and to use a sealant that doesn't have a certain chemical, I forget the name. Anyways, it's what I use. So in 3 years of daily use on 2 of my cars, the clear bra remains perfect, with no yellowing or hazing of any sort.
I prefer the "feel" of real paint. Plus, I can buff the paint anytime I want to. The clear bra, you "can" buff as well, but it doesn't like correction as much as paint does, plus you can also buff away the protective layer that it has (against UV). In addition, imo, paint looks better than clear bra when properly polished, glazed, sealed, and waxed.
So, that's why I only want parts of the hood or fender covered. Not the whole thing.
Last edited by FromZto5; 8/20/14 at 03:12 PM.
#389
Legacy TMS Member
You're right...the cost is insane. Most of it is labor though, as it takes anywhere from a 1/2 to a full day to do a vehicle (hood, fenders, mirrors, bumper, roof, pillars, doors, rockers, trunk, lower panel, etc). But I'd pay it again and again everytime I get a new car. It's the first "mod" I do, prior to leaving the dealership for the drive home (unless I painter's tape). As to "wax" for the clear bra, theoretically, with the latest quality of plastic, you should be able to wax the clear bra just like any other painted surface. However, what I do (and recommended by the clear bra installers/experts themselves) is to use sealant, not wax...and to use a sealant that doesn't have a certain chemical, I forget the name. Anyways, it's what I use. So in 3 years of daily use on 2 of my cars, the clear bra remains perfect, with no yellowing or hazing of any sort. I prefer the "feel" of real paint. Plus, I can buff the paint anytime I want to. The clear bra, you "can" buff as well, but it doesn't like correction as much as paint does, plus you can also buff away the protective layer that is has (against UV). In addition, imo, paint looks better than clear bra when properly polished, glazed, sealed, and waxed. So, that's why I only want parts of the hood or fender covered. Not the whole thing.
#393
Mach 1 Member
I hate technical glitches. I usually end up with 2 of everything...way to convenient living across the street from Canadian Tire.
#395
I Have No Life
#397
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Join Date: August 18, 2014
Location: Rockwall, TX
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#398
I Have No Life
Bob's, Moroso, and lately, RX has been thrown to the mix. Read up and choose for yourself. Personally, I have a Bob's and love it.