Value Of The Clear Bra

[mombo390]

Hey guys, So i decided to do a write up so you guys dont end up in misery how I am now. I bought my 1le on February second of this year. In that time I have fallen in love with this car. I honestly believe that it offers the most performance per dollar of any new car on sale today. In the 1 and a half months I've owned my car she's seen the twisties four times. One time up the snake (mullholand dr.) twice up angeles crest highway, and once up glendora mountain road on our meet&greet cruise. She's been my daily untill 1600 miles when I did an oil change installed the elite catch can and decided to do a full detail wash, clay, polish, and wax. This is when I discovered the amount of rock chips on my car. The entire front bumper looks like someone has taken a sand blaster to it. The headlights, fog lights, grill, lip, and the matte hood are all completely chewed up. Also moving along to the back of the car the rear quarter panels right after the door where the gills are have the same sandblasted look with approximately 20-25rock chips on each side. The factory chevy paint is extremely thin and definetley needs protection. For anyone who was on the verge about getting a clear bra on the car my advice is if you plan to do any type of spirited driving and are worried about your paint you should DEFINETLEY get it. Although I bought the car to drive the sh*t out of and dont regret any of it I would highly suggest it to anyone looking to keep their cars factory fresh.

[nvydvr]

Any recommendations on brand/part number for the 2015 1LE?

[mombo390]

Originally Posted by nvydvr

Any recommendations on brand/part number for the 2015 1LE?

I would try to find a reputable shop that can install a 3m clear bra. I have read one too many posts about owners ruining the clear bra trying to install it themselves. Our cars have fairly intricate bumper designs and I wouldn't recommend it as a DIY.

[mbowen89]

What about opti coat? Do both right after getting the car?

[Shiftgreen]

I agree about the clear bra. I wish I got them on the gills before my last road trip, however I finally got them on last fall. I think the highway , although fun due to the exit ramps, is asking for trouble. I still take the highway unfortunately, but I'm in anal mode the whole time.
If I see a pickup truck, truck with a trailer, or an 18 wheeler/ dump truck. I get as far away from them as possible.

I'm at 15k right now and although it pisses me off, I have just 2 little chips on my front. I'm getting the front taken care of before the summer so that should help.

[Ragnar]

OP, I saw a few stories like yours when my car was ordered, so I had that stuff put on my car right away, front, sides, and mirrors. At least your having fun with your car!

[backeddy]

I did mine early, but as in your case 400 miles was way to long to wait. I think it is pretty much the worst production paint job I have seen. Our Mercedes, which was 10K cheaper, has a WAY better paint job. The clear bra has helped a lot (even though I track a lot), but I still blame chevy for sending out these cars with no rock guards to save the sides. They had them on the Zl1 and should have put them on with the 1LE upgrade....

[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.

[Cam77]

Originally Posted by backeddy

I did mine early, but as in your case 400 miles was way to long to wait. I think it is pretty much the worst production paint job I have seen. Our Mercedes, which was 10K cheaper, has a WAY better paint job. The clear bra has helped a lot (even though I track a lot), but I still blame chevy for sending out these cars with no rock guards to save the sides. They had them on the Zl1 and should have put them on with the 1LE upgrade....

Yeah did not understand not putting on the rock guards as standard equipment on the 1le especially with the rubber they use...found out the hard way with chips especially on the gills...but installed rock guards much better...and might move on to clear bra.

[mombo390]

Originally Posted by Cam77

Yeah did not understand not putting on the rock guards as standard equipment on the 1le especially with the rubber they use...found out the hard way with chips especially on the gills...but installed rock guards much better...and might move on to clear bra.

Was there a specific website you ordered the rock guards from or did you just get the part from chevy?

[Texas_RS]

Zl1addons has the front rock guards for about $40 shipped.

[Cam77]

Originally Posted by Texas_RS

Zl1addons has the front rock guards for about $40 shipped.

Yep that's where I ordered mine.

[jim's2ssrs]

I had the dealer install the 3M paint protection film (clear bra) and what they called quarter flairs in 2011. I also have the heritage grille and had them install paint protection film on it. I then installed some vinyl gill stripes. While I have a few very small chips on the side of the car there are no chips on the front. The paint protection film is installed on the bumper, grille, 18" up on the hood and the leading faces of the rear view mirrors. I've had the front covered in bugs while on road trips and they wash off fairly easily. The general manager of the dealership I got it from races corvettes and he has the paint protection film installed on his race cars. I guess it has protected them also.

[MrIanB]

Expel is also another good brand. Used them with several of my Infiniti cars.

Ian B