How long can a clear bra be left on a car?

BimmerE82 · 09-02-2011, 09:51 AM

I recently purchased a 2009 135i with 22,000 miles on it. The car came with a clear front end protector already installed on it, I'm not sure what type or brand? The clear bra covers all of the front end to include the front spoiler, almost half the hood and even the side mirrors. I have noticed some dirt/grime collecting on the edge of the hood portion of the clear bra and the cutout for the BMW roundel on the hood. It's obvious to me the dirt is getting under that leading edge where the clear bra has lost a little of its adhesive. What can be done for this aside from removing the entire piece and purchasing a new one? I'm sure they are not cheap especially the ones like this that cover the entire front facia?

Red Bread · 09-02-2011, 12:41 PM

Looks like a poor application. You can try cleaning the grimy area with alcohol or a chemical cleaner like Klasse AIO. Personally, I'm not a fan of clear bras, so I'd just pull it off, but it's probably worth the effort to try to clean it up before going to that level of work.

DriveHard · 09-02-2011, 12:46 PM

You could also go to a clear bra installer / and or a tinter and ask them to cut out the "dirty" portion.. simply makingthe circle a little bigger seems easy enough...

BimmerE82 · 09-02-2011, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DriveHard

You could also go to a clear bra installer / and or a tinter and ask them to cut out the "dirty" portion.. simply makingthe circle a little bigger seems easy enough...

That's a good idea! Why didn't I think of that?? Thanks for your input.

ken1137 · 09-02-2011, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DriveHard

You could also go to a clear bra installer / and or a tinter and ask them to cut out the "dirty" portion.. simply makingthe circle a little bigger seems easy enough...

+1...b/c if you have it pulled off it will more than likely take paint with it so you will need a new paint job on the hood. I know b/c the applicator on my 328 made a mistake and pulled part of the bra off only to shear off the paint. I was a fan of these but I now believe they are not worth it...they suck! opti-coat your car

Red Bread · 09-02-2011, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken1137

+1...b/c if you have it pulled off it will more than likely take paint with it so you will need a new paint job on the hood. I know b/c the applicator on my 328 made a mistake and pulled part of the bra off only to shear off the paint. I was a fan of these but I now believe they are not worth it...they suck! opti-coat your car

Provided you heat the bra before removing there should be absolutely no trouble removing one. They do tend to leave behind some of the adhesive, which requires a little 3M adhesive remover to clean up, and a good polish, but paint removal would really take some work, if you know what you're doing.

BimmerE82 · 09-02-2011, 05:47 PM

I'll keep that in mind. Gotta find an installer here in Tucson, AZ that deals with these clear bra's. Any help in this matter would be appreciated.

Uptempo80 · 10-03-2011, 07:10 AM

Wow, that doesn't look good. I never got a clear bra simply because I never thought I'd get serious stone chips because I avoid long term highway trips and take the longer way to every destination just to avoid stone chips.

This past may I decided to drive with a friend to a outlet shopping mall about 60 miles from home, and on the way back I was behind a truck carrying fine gravel. It hit a bump on the highway and out comes flying bouncing pebbles. I swerved and dodged at highway speed (stupid move) to try to abvoid it. I was even in the passing lane...not directly behind it. But I got a huge stone chip that is almost the size of a baby pea. Not that big..but it's somewhat close. & It's deep. I've only touched it up and you can see it a mile away because my car doesn't have any other stone chips on it!!!. Total eyesore.
I'm hoping I can "blob" on a good glob of paint and use the Langka blob eliminator to make the surface smooth...perhaps that will make it look a tad better.

BUT in hindsight I still wish I got a clear bra now. Not sure if it's the best thing to put on my car...but it would have probably stopped this stone chip from happening!!

Uptempo80 · 10-03-2011, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerE82

I'll keep that in mind. Gotta find an installer here in Tucson, AZ that deals with these clear bra's. Any help in this matter would be appreciated.

Good thing you live in a big city. There should be alot more resources.
Reach out to your local BMW CCA chapter members for advice!

Without a doubt one of the guys in the local club will have all the info and help you need.

09-02-2011, 09:51 AM	#1
BimmerE82 Captain 105 Rep 837 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 135i Sport package Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Tucson, Arizona iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 135i [7.00]	How long can a clear bra be left on a car? I recently purchased a 2009 135i with 22,000 miles on it. The car came with a clear front end protector already installed on it, I'm not sure what type or brand? The clear bra covers all of the front end to include the front spoiler, almost half the hood and even the side mirrors. I have noticed some dirt/grime collecting on the edge of the hood portion of the clear bra and the cutout for the BMW roundel on the hood. It's obvious to me the dirt is getting under that leading edge where the clear bra has lost a little of its adhesive. What can be done for this aside from removing the entire piece and purchasing a new one? I'm sure they are not cheap especially the ones like this that cover the entire front facia? Attached Images __________________ Last edited by BimmerE82; 09-02-2011 at 12:38 PM..
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09-02-2011, 12:41 PM	#2
Red Bread Major General 4463 Rep 9,160 Posts Drives: Smog machines Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	Looks like a poor application. You can try cleaning the grimy area with alcohol or a chemical cleaner like Klasse AIO. Personally, I'm not a fan of clear bras, so I'd just pull it off, but it's probably worth the effort to try to clean it up before going to that level of work.
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09-02-2011, 12:46 PM	#3
DriveHard Colonel 115 Rep 1,998 Posts Drives: X1 and R58 JCW Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Long Island iTrader: (0)	You could also go to a clear bra installer / and or a tinter and ask them to cut out the "dirty" portion.. simply makingthe circle a little bigger seems easy enough... __________________ X1, R58 JCW, M2 in my future if planets align
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09-02-2011, 05:47 PM	#7
BimmerE82 Captain 105 Rep 837 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 135i Sport package Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Tucson, Arizona iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 135i [7.00]	I'll keep that in mind. Gotta find an installer here in Tucson, AZ that deals with these clear bra's. Any help in this matter would be appreciated. __________________
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10-03-2011, 07:10 AM	#8
Uptempo80 Lieutenant 59 Rep 513 Posts Drives: 2016 228iC -picked up 8-13-16! Join Date: May 2010 Location: Davie, FL iTrader: (0)	Wow, that doesn't look good. I never got a clear bra simply because I never thought I'd get serious stone chips because I avoid long term highway trips and take the longer way to every destination just to avoid stone chips. This past may I decided to drive with a friend to a outlet shopping mall about 60 miles from home, and on the way back I was behind a truck carrying fine gravel. It hit a bump on the highway and out comes flying bouncing pebbles. I swerved and dodged at highway speed (stupid move) to try to abvoid it. I was even in the passing lane...not directly behind it. But I got a huge stone chip that is almost the size of a baby pea. Not that big..but it's somewhat close. & It's deep. I've only touched it up and you can see it a mile away because my car doesn't have any other stone chips on it!!!. Total eyesore. I'm hoping I can "blob" on a good glob of paint and use the Langka blob eliminator to make the surface smooth...perhaps that will make it look a tad better. BUT in hindsight I still wish I got a clear bra now. Not sure if it's the best thing to put on my car...but it would have probably stopped this stone chip from happening!! __________________ Jimmy 1988 325i sedan (Cirrus Blue Metallic, Silver Grey Leather) 2011 128i convertible (Blue Water Metallic, Grey Leather) 2013 320i sedan (Sapphire Black Metallic, Black/Black) 2016 228i convertible (Mineral White, Oyster Leather, Luxury Line) Last edited by Uptempo80; 10-03-2011 at 07:53 PM..
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