Hey,
I've been wrestling with the idea of a clear bra for quite some time now. I was sort of discouraged by how much it costs, and the fact they turn yellow after awhile. The options were just too expensive.

I was browsing my350.com, and noticed people were interested in a bra/mask setup to match their car color. I saw some cars with this setup, then it hit me... Duh, my car is already black : ] I can just get the one they sell on courtesy parts. I would install the lower half, but not the hood piece, because i think the 2 pieces in the middle sort of break the lines, and look ugly, also I am really into detailing my car, and want it shiny.

So this poll asks your opinion about the lower half of the nose mask, on my black car. Think it would look OK?

 

I say go for the clear bra. The black Nissan bra is a bit big and sometimes looks hideous. Your choice.

 

Colgan custom makes a nice high speed 2 piece bra for your car.

 

I vote clear bra as well. Unfortuntely, it's too late for me.

 

I have had the clear bra on for quite a while (only on the hood) and it is not turning yellow. You can see a slight line but not as bad as a regular bra. Clear bra would not be as bulky, but would be more expensive. I had a bra on my 91 Max (black) and it didn't look that bad (probably better than chips). just my .02

 

i don't want the clear bra, beacause the one i'd really want (the llumar one) would cost over a 1000, and it's a bet that xpel's clearbra will turn yellow within 3 years.

I went and ordered that vinyl/pleather nose kit. I think it will work out nice, if not i can always take it off. Judging from the pictures at courtesy parts, it seems its very similar to all the bras ii seen for our car, including the colgan one, and carbras.com's product.

I think they are all rebadged versions of the same product, or ripped off designs.
You know i wouldn't of even consicered it if i didn't have a black car in the first place, ithought it would match up OK (i mean in the winter especially i need something like this)

 

I don't know if you've considered this, but bras are notorious for trapping dust and dirt and damaging the paint. This would especially be noticeable with a black car. Even the small amount of grit in rain water can damage the paint over a few years. Also, the paint will fade evenly over the rest of the car, but be reduced under the mask - now you've got a tu tone hood. These nose masks were a product of the mid '90s and should have been left there IMHO.

 

i like mine...

 

Me too and have never had paint problems on any of my previous cars with them.

 

The nose mask I had on my 91 black Max left a mark on the hood for the hood portion of the mask. I was able to rub it out with a few applications of polish when I stopped using the mask. The bumper portion worked well. PITA when washing the car, but protection and looks were okay.

 

well, per advice from manafacturer, you are supposed to remove it whenever it's wet. I'll probablly take it off every 2 weeks anyways. This is going to mainly for the winter. After seeing it on a 4th gen max last night though, i don't know if i'm going to like it or not, maybe it would have to grow on me.
As far as grit and dirt, put it this way.

At no given time, under any conditions, is my car dirty, or has less then 3 coats of pinnacle souveran, and a fresh polish each 2 months. I keep my car clean, and the bra wouldn't interfere with that, i'll just have to take the thing off, alot.

These bra products are good, because they will stop paint chips, and that's a problem on any car. I don't think it was a fad, they just have more expensive ones now. Those of us that do a lot of highway driving need something, and i mean, what are you gonna do, let your car go to crap and repaint the bumper every 6 months?

 

I used one on my 92 SE for 10 years and nothing happened to the paint underneath. It all depends on how you take care of it in the long run. Not all people will take the time to clean underneath it and some people use thin bras that flap at highway speeds. That would account for some of the scratching.

 

They look crappy. Even the clear 3M ones you stick to the paint are easily seen.. I would much rather repaint the hood and bumper in Maco when it's needed.. (or at a better place).

 

if you would take your car to maaco, apparantly you don't care how much your paint looks in the first place? That seems sort of hypocritical to me.

Then i always suppose you an just take a picture of the car all cleaned up and at it's best,and bring it to a printshop and have it blown up life size, then drive around in an 82 toyota tercel with it glued on the side panel.

You'd never have to wash that thing, ever!

 

maaco is a franchise. some are better than others... of course the choice it up to you.

 

MY black stock bra looks hot on my grey max. Not bulky at all, but the car is big anyway. Hey my tires are black so what the heck, they match.

 

i bought a Colgan Bra just recently. i love it. just have to watch out for a couple of things. if it rains, and water gets trapped under your bra, take the bra off to dry. if not you risk the chances of oxidzing you hood. and also always put on a bra to a clean car.

 

hey, i'm sorry if i came off like a d!ck.

All i'm sayingi s maaco sucks (from what i understand), and i'd never let anyone touch my paint, besides a very good bodyshop. I've had bad experiences before etc.

Yea you know, this bra seems to fit nice and snug in the pics, not bulky at all.

I'll let you guys know how it turns out for me.

 

i like my oem bra but here in fl, where rain is a possiblity everyday, i don't use it as much. just make sure you take it off whenever it gets wet. i think it makes the car look a little more aggresive.

 

WOW,

this poll seems quite divided. Half you hate it and half like it...ehh.

Well it's sitting in my room, i'll post my comments asap.

 

ok.


I finally got to putting it on yesterday. I had a hard time at first, but got it on eventually. It actually fits pretty nice. Not bulky at all as people said. I'm going to keep it on as long as it's not raining. I suppose once it's nice and stretched out it will go on real easy.

I'd say on a black car it gives a nice integrated look, not bad.

 

:

anyone have a pic of how it looks?