Got my car not too long ago, and am not sure whether I need a clear bra or not. If I get one, I will install it myself (I know it's a pain), since I can get it on ebay for $160, but it costs like $350 minimum for an installed one.

So what would you guys/girls do? Put up with some paint chips and save the money to put towards a tune, axlebacks, or whatever, or spend the money and get the bra to make my paint look nice for the foreseeable future?

 

Get it professionally installed.

Mine was 800$ installed, and it's perfect. Worth every penny.

 

+1

You need it professionally installed. If not, it will bubble and peel away in a short time. Then, if that is the case you will end up spending more fixing it and doing it right the second time around. JMHO

 

can we get some pics of your clear bras btw? I was thinking about doing this as im also tired of clayin the front every 3 months

 

+1, have the clear bra on mine too. Buddy does it so I got a $800 job for $500. Its worth it IMO

 

As repeated already, get it professionally installed. I paid $250 for it installed but I knew the guy who did it and I didn't get a complete set. I got the full bumper, and the leading edge of the hood done. And just so you know, I found paint chip, 2 inches behind where it stops, soo yes.. it's worth it. I didn't want to pay more to have the full coverage, and I work in a car dealership with some great detailers that can fill in rock chips as I get them. I just bought my touch up paint otday.

 

CLEAR BRA! CLEAR BRA! CLEAR BRA!!!! My 2008 Mustabg GT went from the lot, straight to have the clear bra installed! I didn't even take her on the highway from point A to point B, because I didn't want her to get any chips. I SWEAR BY THIS STUFF!!!!! I have it installed on my 2001 Nissan Frontier S/C 4X4 and my 2004 GSXR-1000. My truck has seen 4 winters with it on, and not so much as a blemish. I convinced my father to install a clear bra on his 2004 Corvette, which he purchased new, again, it went from the lot to have the clear bra installed. I SWEAR BY THIS STUFF! To had it professionally installed on my 2008 Mustang GT, cost me, said and done, $650,headlamps and fog lamps included. WORTH EVERY CENT!A little FYI, I've done the research, all manufacturers of the stuff use 3M material, the difference is the way they cut it for specific applications. One company may use multiple pieces to cover an area, another, may use a single piece. The material was developed to prevent helicopter blades from eroding,from the sand, in Operation Dessert Storm. I will post pics. you can't even see it less than 1 foot away without having to point it out, I'm not exagerating!

 

Aw crap. I was actually leaning towards no clear bra until reading your replies convinced me to get one. Contrary to the rest of the advice though, I think I'm going to attempt installation myself. I found some pretty informative installation videos at the link below, and after watching them, I'm pretty confident (maybe naively so) that I'll be able to install it myself.

http://www.vaclearbra.com/video.html

 

Dude, it took two trained installers about 6 hours to install mine, and it still bubbled in one spot after a few months. They had to redo it - covered under warranty. Get it installed. But definitely get it. I got a chip on the hood edge a week after getting the car. Since the bra - no chips. Bugs, tar just wipe right off. If I could do the whole freaking car I would.

It's in the pic below - can't see it can you? (Edited: fixed. pic works now).

[IMG]local://upfiles/26924/3A2498F1DD7349AFAD2A692137B3BFB5.jpg[/IMG]

 

^^it would help if ur pic worked