Has anyone tried to "install" a clear bra on their vehicle? My wife has a 2019 RDX and I want to have one on there to protect the front from bugs and grit that would damage the paint. The quote I got from the one shop in Bryan/College Station that does this kind of work was $1400. Um, no thanks.

I can order 3M material for about $250. Looks intricate, though.

Related question - would a ceramic liquid coating be better? I didn't think so, but I could be convinced. Again, that would be a DIY project and would ask for suggestions on what to get.

Thanks and sorry if this has been a topic before.

I clicked this thread with excitement

Then I realized I was in the Automotive forum. Womp womp.

Picard said:

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I clicked this thread with excitement

Then I realized I was in the Automotive forum. Womp womp.

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That is an awesome reply. Well done.

All I can say is that, if it were me on a DIY attempt, I'd waste $250 screwing up a sticker including getting it stuck to itself

My fear, also. I'll get that **** stuck to me most likely. I don't know how forgiving the material is.

I should started with a vehicle that wasn't so complicated.

Edit - I watched the video from 3M and it looks pretty forgiving. Lots of water and you can stick it on and unpeel it as long as you keep it wet during installation.

I'd suggest simply not doing it. It's going to yellow and start cracking after a few Texas summers anyway. Our last van came with one and it was fine for 2-3 years, but we to crap fast. Ended up cracking, and yellowing. It looked awful. Will never have one of those again.

Sweet Kitten Feet said:

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I'd suggest simply not doing it. It's going to yellow and start cracking after a few Texas summers anyway. Our last van came with one and it was fine for 2-3 years, but we to crap fast. Ended up cracking, and yellowing. It looked awful. Will never have one of those again.

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I second this. I have a damn clear bra that I tried to pay someone to remove and he cried uncle without charging me. It is all cracked and nasty. I think my only option now is to buy a rotary tool and eraser wheel, and grind away at it for several hours. Not fun.

Good to know. Thanks!

Looks like a couple of votes for liquid glass....

Ceramic will not take the place of the clear bra. The clear bra will protect from small rocks/paint chips. Ceramic is basically a very good wax that will last 2-3 years.

I'm new over here on the AB. Are either of these options the same as a PPF? Price aside, what's the best protectant against front end rock chips and bug stains?

The clear bra is PPF.

Pretty good info on PPE.

To you and square - thanks for the info.

Mine came with some clear bra. Hard rocks/bugs have damaged it. Totally stand out when it's clean.


Don't know why people use these!

Hate mine on dark gray truck. Too easy for wax to build up on the seam. You have to be super careful when waxing. You end up with lines all over the car where the material is applied.

cclearman said:

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Mine came with some clear bra. Hard rocks/bugs have damaged it. Totally stand out when it's clean.


Don't know why people use these!

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Username sadly does not check out.

I have one that came on my white 2014 Tundra. I bought it used in 2015 so I don't know anything about the material but it still looks perfect. No yellowing at all.

to repaint an entire hood is what $400-500

skip the bra

Jack Cheese said:

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Sweet Kitten Feet said:

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I'd suggest simply not doing it. It's going to yellow and start cracking after a few Texas summers anyway. Our last van came with one and it was fine for 2-3 years, but we to crap fast. Ended up cracking, and yellowing. It looked awful. Will never have one of those again.

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I second this. I have a damn clear bra that I tried to pay someone to remove and he cried uncle without charging me. It is all cracked and nasty. I think my only option now is to buy a rotary tool and eraser wheel, and grind away at it for several hours. Not fun.

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This. There's a Boxter at work with one of those that must be 10 years old or more and it's not coming off without a liberal application of fire. Pretty crapping looking.

2011 Sienna

aggiepaintrain said:

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2011 Sienna

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Imagine this but yellow it. That's what this Boxter looks like. It had to have been applied during W's first term.

That's about half as bad as my 2011 Sienna looked. Mine was heavily oxidized as well. Looked horrible with the red paint.

but but but the hood is "protected"

I haven't had any yellowing on the cars I've put PPF on. One a daily and the other a weekend car. I have Xpel Stealth on one and Suntek on the other. For a daily driver I wouldn't say it's necessary though. Easy enough and cheaper to have a full paint job done if it ever bothers you. If you go with a cheap clear bra then it will definitely yellow. A lot of the shops that do PPF now have pre-cut film to reduce human error on install. Not sure how 3M comes that you're looking at but it'll be tough to cut and place by yourself.

In contradiction to my previous post, I would be willing to put the film on door edges. Much easier to remove/replace if needed and lowers risk (even if only slightly) of scratching another vehicle in my garage or a parking lot.

To reiterate - I hate the crap on our dark vehicles. Pain in the ass every time I wax.