Some serious bra talk

[tumbleweed]

Originally posted by Emma@Feb 10 2006, 11:39 AM
I had a bra on my Honda Civic for about eight years, until it started to disintegrate.  It was a Honda bra. 

Are they making them differently these days (I bought mine Honda one back in '94 when I got the car new)?  I never had a problem putting mine on or taking it off and did so every time I washed the car (except the rare occasions I didn't wash it myself).  It was a breeze to get on and off.  Even if I was being excessively OCD about the side pieces matching up perfectly with the hood piece, it only took me about 5 minutes to put it back on.

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My Accord was a '98 and I had the Honda bra also. The part that went on the hood was OK and went on and off pretty easily. The other part that covered the bumpers and wraped around the fenders was more difficult. I shouldn't have been so lazy and put it on anyway because it wasn't really that bad and would have saved me from the dent.

[Emma]

Originally posted by tumbleweed@Feb 10 2006, 03:45 PM
My Accord was a '98 and I had the Honda bra also.  The part that went on the hood was OK and went on and off pretty easily.  The other part that covered the bumpers and wraped around the fenders was more difficult.  I shouldn't have been so lazy and put it on anyway because it wasn't really that bad and would have saved me from the dent.

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Ah, maybe that explains it. I didn't have the lower bumper part. Mine was a three-piecer...hood and two small triangular pieces for the front portions of the fenders. I'm considering getting one for my Prius and I'm leaning towards going with genuine Toyota rather than another brand. I want it to fit well.

[hyo silver]

Well, I suppose it's finally time to break down and buy a bra. All these years I've gone without, thinking it's just one of those societal norms I could flaunt. It's been great showing off my clean and shiny front end, but as I get older, the damage is apparent, and I can appreciate the necessity. Perhaps if I'd bought one right away, I wouldn't have the clearance issues I do now.

Do I still need to lay down in the sun for awhile to let things stretch out?

Hey, wait. The headlights stick out! Wardrobe malfunction!

I think I'll just call it a mask. Kinda goes better with the theme...

[andyman68]

This sounds like a good option. Do you have a picture you can post of it closely?

Andy

Originally posted by narf@Feb 9 2006, 02:29 PM
It's only visible if you look closely and it works. I'm sold on the stuff.

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[Jack 06]

Originally posted by hyo silver@Feb 10 2006, 03:49 PM
Do I still need to lay down in the sun for awhile to let things stretch out?

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You don't have to lie down, hyo. "Things" might stretch out anyway.

However, it's easier to put the MASK on if you put IT in the sun 'til it's hot. Or the dryer.

[Jack 06]

Originally posted by galaxee@Feb 10 2006, 10:16 AM
the toyota bra has a front license plate cutout for those of you unfortunate enough to haev a front plate. i don't know about aftermarket bras.

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Glad you brought that up. Yes, there's a cutout, but you have to be careful to cut only the BLUE stitches; otherwise you separate the edging from the vinyl (which I stupidly did for a couple of inches).

On my new one, the dealer had put a Toyota license "support" (not a frame, not sure what it's called---black plastic---it sticks out about 1-1/2" when in place). On the bumper side it's concave. You use two screws to secure it to the bumper. THEN you use two more to fasten your plate to it.

I was able, feeling for the protrusion around the holes the dealer had drilleld in the bumper, to leave the cutout intact and to screw the "support" thing OVER the bra. The screws still went in tight, and the whole thing looks better.

[Jack 06]

Originally posted by jbarnhart@Feb 9 2006, 03:42 PM
Jack -- didn't you mention the official Prius bra doesn't fit the '06??  How did you get yours on?  And what about the wonderful California front license plate?

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The '05 Prius bra does not EXACTLY fit the '06, but I put it on yesterday anyway and will probably live with it rather than return it. Don't even know if the vendor has made a revised one for the '06 yet---probably not.

The widest portion of the lower piece, which stretches from wheel well to wheel well, still fits as designed. But Toyota made a trivial change to the black formed plastic that attaches to the lip of the bumper and just behind it. So one of the bra hooks has nothing to hook to, and I may end up cutting it off. There are hooks on either side of that middle one that DO work, and they may be enough to keep the bottom edge in place. I'll keep an eye on it.

Otherwise, the top (hood) piece is also fine.

The dealer where I bought the car went through the routine of introducing me to the parts and service managers, even though I was from out of town. I asked the parts guy if there were any new, neat Prius accessories. He mentioned the bra, saying it's the same one that fit the '05. I asked if he knew that the vendor would have to revise the bra for '06, and he said, "no they don't". I smiled and told him to look under the front bumper as I walked away.

[sunnysandiegan]

Originally posted by Roger3125@Feb 10 2006, 10:02 AM
Please post photos too if you can.  That would be great!

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I am getting it done today, so I'll take "before" and "after" shots and post them later. They'll have the car all day.

[Bonny G.]

Does anyone how to find a certified clear bra installer in central NY? Are there any official manufactuer site(s) I could search?

Thanks for any info!
--Bonny G.

[Catskillguy]

Originally posted by Bonny G.@Feb 11 2006, 09:23 PM
Does anyone how to find a certified clear bra installer in central NY? Are there any official manufactuer site(s) I could search?

Thanks for any info!
--Bonny G.

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http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_U...Find_Installer/


Here ya go, from the 3M website