Value Of The Clear Bra - Page 2 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Bodywerks · 03-17-2015, 07:19 AM

a clear bra is $400+ installed. They can get damaged, too. I've heard horror stories about people trying to remove damaged bras and taking paint with them!
A few chips here and there can be touched up to look almost like they never happened.
I'm still on the fence...

Cool1LE · 03-17-2015, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bodywerks

a clear bra is $400+ installed. They can get damaged, too. I've heard horror stories about people trying to remove damaged bras and taking paint with them!
A few chips here and there can be touched up to look almost like they never happened.
I'm still on the fence...

I'm with you - I did install the rock guards that has made a big difference however as everyone is pointing out the paint is thin so if you do have to remove the bra...... l

Deke736 · 03-17-2015, 08:21 AM

I'll never not have clear bra on my car again. Perfect example- I had clear bra installed in May of last year and in August I took a chunk of tire tread to front end at 65 mph. It literally looked like someone had driven over my front bumper with a perfect tire impression about 12" long. I took it back to my installer (Night Shades- forum sponsor) and they took care of replacing it. Underneath, the body was perfect and without a scratch. Had I not had the clear bra, I would easily been reprinting the front end, plus whatever else needed to be done to blend it with the surrounding panels.

All it takes is one minor incident to make you thankful you took the precaution.

Botrod · 03-18-2015, 08:11 PM

Do you think you need the entire front end clear bra? I ordered the gills but can't decide what to order for the front. Any recommendations?

Bad@ssCamaro · 03-18-2015, 08:28 PM

Had mine Xpel'd at the Dealership. I knew of the condition of the paint from the years of being on this forum. If anyone is thinking of ordering a new Camaro, get in touch with a local installer that can perform the work at the dealership and have them add it on to the cost of the vehicle, any good dealership would be willing to do this. Money well spent, I've driven 3300 miles and so far no rock chips. I only did the front bumper and the gill area, btw.

mombo390 · 03-18-2015, 09:02 PM

Your so lucky. I'm too late my front end needs a respray. After that Im getting one for sure

mbowen89 · 03-18-2015, 09:10 PM

No one has said anything about opticoat and clear bra? How many ppl get both?

Punisher80 · 03-18-2015, 09:44 PM

How about PolySteel? That is what my dealer has applied to some of its stock, my 1LE included, and it offers a 6 year warranty on the paint from environmental damage. It does not include the vinyl wrap on the hood, but it does include all painted areas of the body and the interior against stains and spills. Seems to be holding up well, 6000+ miles and no issues with the paint yet...

Dropspeed · 03-18-2015, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mombo390

Thinking of doing a touch up and buff job on the fromt end and sides then applying the clear bra. Definetely wish GM included the rock guards with our cars because this really ticks me off.

I would stay away from the 3M clear bra. I had it installed on my 1LE in June 2013 and I pulled it off in late 2014 because it was yellowing. My car is garage kept, not a daily driver and was stored for 5 months in a garage over winter. Apparently this is a known issue with the 3M stuff. I have only heard great things about Xpel.

LT1Zob · 03-18-2015, 10:46 PM

Had XPEL on mine from day 1. Front bumper, headlights, foglights, lower fenders, A pillars, rockers, door handles, gills, rear bumper. The best product I've experienced by far. 3yrs, 0 yellowing, and self healing (pour on hot water). Great customer service too. Just do yourself a favor, it's a bit more complex than a vinyl bowtie insert, pay up and get the professional installation.

Mark T · 03-19-2015, 02:03 AM

Value?.... priceless.

I think half my car is covered in xpel. Excellent warranty. Anti yellowing. And it sure makes easy work cleaning the bugs off the front end.

RodParis · 03-19-2015, 06:27 AM

I put Xpel on mine - had a rock chip after 400 miles and took it in immediately. Entire front end back to the doors, mirrors, A pillars, lower 1/3 of doors and ground effects trim, over the gills, up around the back tires and lower area behind the rear wheels. Door edges, handle area. It costs, but nary a problem since then. Makes cleaning a breeze too. The same poor paint job that allows the rock chips, also scratches very easily if great care isn't taken during washing. My only regret: Didn't do the rear bumpers and trunk lid. But, by then, I might as well have done the whole thing. Still considering that. I'd recommend XPEL and a GOOD INSTALLER! Mine is perfect, but it's nothing that an amateur can get correct unless they're very talented. $2200 so far, but money well spent, in my opinion.

DBHWT · 03-19-2015, 06:42 AM

Have Xpel on front, rockers, mirrors, gill areas, and lower qtrs.....was put on at 2000 miles....was surprised how many small chips was in gill area at such low mileage...

Southern Comfort · 03-19-2015, 08:03 AM

I have used Xpel on both Summit White and Aqua Blue Camaros, both done by the same installer. The white car came out perfect. The blue car is really good but it's much easier to see the film.
The installer who has extensive experience in this field actually recommended a different product for darker colors for that reason.

03-17-2015, 07:19 AM	#15
Bodywerks Drives: 2015 2SS/RS/1LE Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Tucson Posts: 866	a clear bra is $400+ installed. They can get damaged, too. I've heard horror stories about people trying to remove damaged bras and taking paint with them! A few chips here and there can be touched up to look almost like they never happened. I'm still on the fence... __________________ 2015 SS/RS/1LE HSA delete, VMAX throttle body, CAI inc. Intake, PRC255 heads, BTR 660 springs, BTR cryo-treated rockers, PAT G 232/240 .654/.626 110+2, johnson 2110's, Manton 502 pushrods, C5R, Melling high volume/high pressure, Powerbond 25% underdrive pulley, Proform covers, Kooks stepped headers, catless mids, Doug Thorley exhaust. 512rwhp, 446rwtq on a mustang dyno, tuned by Cunningham motorsports.

03-17-2015, 08:21 AM	#17
Deke736 COTW 12/3/12 Drives: 2012 Ashen Gray ZL1 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Glen Carbon, IL Posts: 3,279	I'll never not have clear bra on my car again. Perfect example- I had clear bra installed in May of last year and in August I took a chunk of tire tread to front end at 65 mph. It literally looked like someone had driven over my front bumper with a perfect tire impression about 12" long. I took it back to my installer (Night Shades- forum sponsor) and they took care of replacing it. Underneath, the body was perfect and without a scratch. Had I not had the clear bra, I would easily been reprinting the front end, plus whatever else needed to be done to blend it with the surrounding panels. All it takes is one minor incident to make you thankful you took the precaution. __________________

03-18-2015, 08:28 PM	#19
Bad@ssCamaro BeckyD Rocks :-) Drives: 2015 1SS/1LE Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: CT Posts: 5,778 View My Garage	Had mine Xpel'd at the Dealership. I knew of the condition of the paint from the years of being on this forum. If anyone is thinking of ordering a new Camaro, get in touch with a local installer that can perform the work at the dealership and have them add it on to the cost of the vehicle, any good dealership would be willing to do this. Money well spent, I've driven 3300 miles and so far no rock chips. I only did the front bumper and the gill area, btw. __________________ 2015 CRT 1SS/1LE RS/Recaro's/NPP/Nav/Rear vision pkg./BA speaker upgrade. Stage 3 BMR cam, ARH 1 7/8 headers, CAI, BMR 1.25 drop springs, JPSS Billet Bushings, Peddars Cradle Bushings...460 whp...so far....SOLD, but not forgotten!

03-18-2015, 09:02 PM	#20
mombo390 Drives: 2014 SS 1LE Non-RS w/NPP & Recaro Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 93 View My Garage	Your so lucky. I'm too late my front end needs a respray. After that Im getting one for sure __________________ Loan Officer at Allied Lending Group, Inc. Current Rides: '14 Camaro 1SS 1LE, '04 Lexus LS430 Life's Too Short To Drive Boring Cars!

03-18-2015, 10:46 PM	#24
LT1Zob Drives: 23 LT1 / 19 Z06 / after 6 5th gens Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: MI Posts: 2,019 View My Garage	Had XPEL on mine from day 1. Front bumper, headlights, foglights, lower fenders, A pillars, rockers, door handles, gills, rear bumper. The best product I've experienced by far. 3yrs, 0 yellowing, and self healing (pour on hot water). Great customer service too. Just do yourself a favor, it's a bit more complex than a vinyl bowtie insert, pay up and get the professional installation. __________________ "Make yourself sheep and the wolves will eat you"

03-18-2015, 08:11 PM	#18
Botrod Drives: 2012 Inferno Orange SS Vert Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: PA Posts: 176	Do you think you need the entire front end clear bra? I ordered the gills but can't decide what to order for the front. Any recommendations?

03-18-2015, 09:10 PM	#21
mbowen89 Drives: 2015 CRT 2SS/RS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: IN Posts: 638	No one has said anything about opticoat and clear bra? How many ppl get both?

03-18-2015, 09:44 PM	#22
Punisher80 Drives: 2015 Camaro 2SS 1LE Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: CA Posts: 113	How about PolySteel? That is what my dealer has applied to some of its stock, my 1LE included, and it offers a 6 year warranty on the paint from environmental damage. It does not include the vinyl wrap on the hood, but it does include all painted areas of the body and the interior against stains and spills. Seems to be holding up well, 6000+ miles and no issues with the paint yet...

03-19-2015, 02:03 AM	#25
Mark T American Gold Whisperer Drives: 2014 White 1LE 2SS/RS/NPP/Rec/Nav Join Date: May 2014 Location: Northern Utah Posts: 838	Value?.... priceless. I think half my car is covered in xpel. Excellent warranty. Anti yellowing. And it sure makes easy work cleaning the bugs off the front end. __________________

03-19-2015, 06:27 AM	#26
RodParis Drives: 2014 2SS Spring Edition Convertible Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Iowa Posts: 95	I put Xpel on mine - had a rock chip after 400 miles and took it in immediately. Entire front end back to the doors, mirrors, A pillars, lower 1/3 of doors and ground effects trim, over the gills, up around the back tires and lower area behind the rear wheels. Door edges, handle area. It costs, but nary a problem since then. Makes cleaning a breeze too. The same poor paint job that allows the rock chips, also scratches very easily if great care isn't taken during washing. My only regret: Didn't do the rear bumpers and trunk lid. But, by then, I might as well have done the whole thing. Still considering that. I'd recommend XPEL and a GOOD INSTALLER! Mine is perfect, but it's nothing that an amateur can get correct unless they're very talented. $2200 so far, but money well spent, in my opinion. __________________ 2014 2SS Spring Edition Convertible Manual transmission Navigation Dual Exhaust Purchased - April 7, 2014 Current build week: May 5, 2014 Build Code: RSDPWQ Location: Iowa

03-19-2015, 06:42 AM	#27
DBHWT Drives: 2013 SS 1LE Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Cincinnati / N KY area Posts: 559	Have Xpel on front, rockers, mirrors, gill areas, and lower qtrs.....was put on at 2000 miles....was surprised how many small chips was in gill area at such low mileage...

03-19-2015, 08:03 AM	#28
Southern Comfort No Tags/Habitual Violator Drives: 2012 SIM 2SS/RS & z71 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: North Georgia Posts: 2,379 View My Garage	I have used Xpel on both Summit White and Aqua Blue Camaros, both done by the same installer. The white car came out perfect. The blue car is really good but it's much easier to see the film. The installer who has extensive experience in this field actually recommended a different product for darker colors for that reason.