Got a Clear Bra for my Vette

[The Annoyed Man]

I am fairly certain that I've seen your car around Grapevine. If you see a fat guy with white hair driving an older green Nissan Pathfinder, that'll be me.

[gigag04]

I love clear bras - had one on my Z and our 2012 Highlander Limited had it installed by the distributed before the dealer even received it. Plan on replacing every 3-4 years if you don't like seeing rock chips. It's what it's there for.

[C-dub]

What is the care like on something like this? Hand wash only or just rinse? Wax? Any cleaners at all?

Treat it like normal. Wash and even wax.
The only thing you can't do is clay bar.

What's clay bar?

[Scott in Houston]

What is the care like on something like this? Hand wash only or just rinse? Wax? Any cleaners at all?

Treat it like normal. Wash and even wax.
The only thing you can't do is clay bar.

What's clay bar?

A detailing method that removes particulates from the paint/clearcoat.

On my phone, or I'd post a link to a clay bar product.

[Pete92FS]

I love clear bras - had one on my Z and our 2012 Highlander Limited had it installed by the distributed before the dealer even received it. Plan on replacing every 3-4 years if you don't like seeing rock chips. It's what it's there for.

We have been thinking about putting a full cover film on the wife's new Camaro. I didn't know you could replace them; I thought you would have a problem with the paint coming off with the film.

[jimlongley]

I wonder if I could get that on my new gun, you know, to prevent holster wear and such. ;)

[Scott in Houston]

I love clear bras - had one on my Z and our 2012 Highlander Limited had it installed by the distributed before the dealer even received it. Plan on replacing every 3-4 years if you don't like seeing rock chips. It's what it's there for.

We have been thinking about putting a full cover film on the wife's new Camaro. I didn't know you could replace them; I thought you would have a problem with the paint coming off with the film.

No. It comes off just fine, and if you buy quality, it lasts a lot longer than 4-5 years. Low quality films show chips easily and may yellow, but high quality don't do either.

I've had mine on the track for years with rocks and bugs hitting me at 150 mph. I can vouch for this stuff.
If in Houston, I can recommend some installers and sellers. Don't do it yourself! It's crazy difficult.

[Pete92FS]

I love clear bras - had one on my Z and our 2012 Highlander Limited had it installed by the distributed before the dealer even received it. Plan on replacing every 3-4 years if you don't like seeing rock chips. It's what it's there for.

We have been thinking about putting a full cover film on the wife's new Camaro. I didn't know you could replace them; I thought you would have a problem with the paint coming off with the film.

No. It comes off just fine, and if you buy quality, it lasts a lot longer than 4-5 years. Low quality films show chips easily and may yellow, but high quality don't do either.

I've had mine on the track for years with rocks and bugs hitting me at 150 mph. I can vouch for this stuff.
If in Houston, I can recommend some installers and sellers. Don't do it yourself! It's crazy difficult.

Thanks - no way I'd try to attempt it myself Who would you recommend?

[PUCKER]

I have done this for over a decade on my cars now. (I'm a total car freak, and do a lot of road course driving at MSR and TWS in C.S.). The benefit to these films are amazing.

Rock chips are the primary reason people get 'em, but the best benefit to them IMO are: bugs & bird mess.
You don't have to worry about either etching into the paint when cooking in the sun on long road trips. You can even use the gas station squeegee on the bugs without worry about scratches, etc. It's great!

If you ever put that on a real track (one that has turns!), let me know. I drive with PCA a lot. It's quite a rush and a lot of fun, and like shooting, smooth is fast.

I just got done putting two coats of sealant on it last night, it is REALLY slick, slicker than the other parts of the car that were just waxed Saturday.

I've been wanting to get some track time, I come from a drag racing background but I'd rather get this car where it belongs - on the twisties, it's purpose-built for track duty (yet very streetable) - has dry sump motor, different gearing (6-spd manual, different ratios than the "normal" Corvette), stickier tires, different suspension (also has magnetic selective ride control - you can feel the difference between "tour" and "sport"), etc...

[PUCKER]

I love Corvettes, but I hate their interiors, it just looks like the same designer who did the 2000 Chevy Cavalier did the Corvettes' interior. If Nissan can do great interior on their GT-R, why not Chevy? and I love the GT-Rs and I will love more the new Vipers.

The interior has somewhat "improved" for 2012 but I tell ya, I think the AC/Climate Control is very outdated looking/feeling. I've got the Navigation System, and even it and the interface don't impress me that much. However, the dash is perfect, ever seen the Heads-Up Display? It ROCKS! Especially all the different modes, you can have it just show MPH and RPM but you can also use the Track setting and show the G-meter, various engine parameters, track/lap timer (from what I recall). The business end is also very easy - pedals all have perfect spacing, the shift is perfect, traction/mode control right in front of that and the magnetic-selective ride control just to the right of that. Wheeee! I guess I'm a little biased - with mine being the Centennial Edition it's different than most interiors: seats are a mix of leather with Alacantara (sp?), steering wheel is the same, red stitching throughout. I still think the AC controls/display could look nicer though!

[PUCKER]

What is the care like on something like this? Hand wash only or just rinse? Wax? Any cleaners at all?

Like Scott posted - care is minimal / easy. I hand wash the car anyway with car soap and water, micro-fiber sponge. You can wax the protective film but it's recommended to use a sealant/polish, which I put two coats on last night. It's actually aircraft windshield cleaner/polish, used some on my windshield too!

[PUCKER]

I am fairly certain that I've seen your car around Grapevine. If you see a fat guy with white hair driving an older green Nissan Pathfinder, that'll be me.

Sorry for flying by you....

Just kidding, I try my best to drive civil!

[PUCKER]

I love clear bras - had one on my Z and our 2012 Highlander Limited had it installed by the distributed before the dealer even received it. Plan on replacing every 3-4 years if you don't like seeing rock chips. It's what it's there for.

This stuff (Venture Shield) is supposed to be more resilient than previous films, so hopefully it will last longer, but I doubt I'll keep the car that long anyway...remember, the new C7 is coming out next year....!

This film is rated for 1/4" rocks at 140 mph from what I recall.

[C-dub]

I love Corvettes, but I hate their interiors, it just looks like the same designer who did the 2000 Chevy Cavalier did the Corvettes' interior. If Nissan can do great interior on their GT-R, why not Chevy? and I love the GT-Rs and I will love more the new Vipers.

The interior has somewhat "improved" for 2012 but I tell ya, I think the AC/Climate Control is very outdated looking/feeling. I've got the Navigation System, and even it and the interface don't impress me that much. However, the dash is perfect, ever seen the Heads-Up Display? It ROCKS! Especially all the different modes, you can have it just show MPH and RPM but you can also use the Track setting and show the G-meter, various engine parameters, track/lap timer (from what I recall). The business end is also very easy - pedals all have perfect spacing, the shift is perfect, traction/mode control right in front of that and the magnetic-selective ride control just to the right of that. Wheeee! I guess I'm a little biased - with mine being the Centennial Edition it's different than most interiors: seats are a mix of leather with Alacantara (sp?), steering wheel is the same, red stitching throughout. I still think the AC controls/display could look nicer though!

For what this car was built for I think you're lucky to have A/C at all. If one wants comfort go with a Caddy. I can't afford a Caddy, but am thinking about the LaCrosse later this year or early next.

I love the HUD. Is there anything else it can display other than what you've already mentioned?

[PUCKER]

I love clear bras - had one on my Z and our 2012 Highlander Limited had it installed by the distributed before the dealer even received it. Plan on replacing every 3-4 years if you don't like seeing rock chips. It's what it's there for.

We have been thinking about putting a full cover film on the wife's new Camaro. I didn't know you could replace them; I thought you would have a problem with the paint coming off with the film.

Like Scott said...good quality film will be no problem at all. However, use the cheap stuff, watch out! My installer showed me some pics of shoddy work/film from other installers that he has been called to try to remedy....it looked like a cracked / parched piece of earth, he said that if that bad film were taken off it would damage the paint...yikes! So, to reiterate, quality is key!

BTW - Thom at Pro-Tect Mobile is truly mobile and he travels to do this work, so a trip to Houston would not be out of the normal for him. His website is http://www.pro-tectmobile.com/ (his email and phone are on there).