Wondering whether to buy the clear plastic bra?

[Mitchellsprius]

I have the pearl white that I waxed when I first brought it home. I leave it in the garage at night and in the morning I clean the car. It cleans rather well with no nic's. I'm wondering if the clear coat and wax is enough or should I also get the clear bra?

[paprius4030]

Next new Prius I'm getting the clear bra before i even drive it a mile. After 75k my hood looks like it's been thru a sand blaster.

[The Electric Me]

I can only tell you what I intend to do, and that is get the clear bra. From what I've read in numerous threads the aerodynamic nature of The Prius, coupled with (debatably, perhaps) a softer paint due to enviromentally friendly production, have a lot of owners giving feedback that the front and the hood of The Prius are very, very prone to knicks and dings.

I know to an extent this is true with all cars, I also know a clear bra won't totally take away those problems or risks BUT it seems worth it, if only to give the front end a "normal" wear time pattern.

It all depends on the individual. The other option is to just know knicks and dings are probable and inevitable, live with it, and repaint and bodyshop the hood every so often.

The latest generation of 3M and Ventureshield have pretty good reviews. I'd look them up separately. Personally, I'm going to clear bra. The bigger debate to me, is which clear bra to go with.

[alfresco]

Where can I order the clear bra?

[njchpd]

In Houston, call Steve Perez. I have clear bras on all of my vehicles and Steve has put on about 7 of them for me. The one time I tried someone else it was a disaster. Try Invisishield - Paint Protection Film Application and Distribution or 713-539-6700. Tell him Mr. Correia told you about the great work and service he provides.

[Edward Walsh]

Originally Posted by alfresco

Where can I order the clear bra?

Hi Alfresco:

Here is a link to 3M who is one of the bigger Paint Protection Vinyl companies. Just enter your Zip Code and it should direct you to the closest installer.

Find a Professional Installer in the USA 3M US paint protection film films clear bra bras shield shields stone stones rock rocks chip chips guard guards protect protects install installs apply applies put puts on attach attaches

This link as well will give you dealers in your State:

Invisible Patterns


All the best.....

[TKY]

Hi Mitchell, I can't tell you if it was worth it, yet, but I had ClearBra applied to the lower half of the hood and the front bumper. I figured the front bumper would look, as paprius4030 described, as if it has been sand-blasted after the first winter. This is the first car I have ever done so it'll be interested to how well the bumper looks after a few road trips and Colorado Winter with all the sand, gravel, Mag-Chlorlide, and salt applied to the roads. --TK

[octavia]

I looked at a car with a clear bar on the lot and noticed a area where it looked like it had been hit by a pebble. How exactly does it not show the rock marks? Perhaps the area I saw was a bubble rather than a small tear?

Also...
they put the cover on half the hood rather than the entire hood. Had they just done the whole thing, it wouldn't show. Does anyone know if it's possible to go private installer and get that done, or is there some other reason they only do half?

[efusco]

Were I to buy a new Prius I, too, would do the clear bra. I'm at 90k miles + and just did a clay-bar/wax and the front edge of my hood was really pitted/chipped. I might do the front bumper and that leading edge of the hood, but I'm not convinced that it's really necessary to do anything else.

[octavia]

Originally Posted by efusco

Were I to buy a new Prius I, too, would do the clear bra. I'm at 90k miles + and just did a clay-bar/wax and the front edge of my hood was really pitted/chipped. I might do the front bumper and that leading edge of the hood, but I'm not convinced that it's really necessary to do anything else.

Off topic but I have to say:
I love your siggy line. I actually laughed out loud when I read it.