best way to avoid wear and tear chips in the front end?

Hello from Utah, home of gravel in Spring, Chip and Seal Road Paving! And don't forget sand, crap, and whatever in Winter!:sterb:

When I bought my Redfire GT last June, I knew what the score was. Prior to the purchase, I was going to buy a Lotus Elise. It is so low to the ground, it is mandatory that you opt for the Starshield Clear Bra Option (3M).

Being anal about paint finishes and detailing (it's a hobby) all that is said above is true. So here's the truth:

1. Don't ride on highways, long distance on foreign roads, or in other words, roll the streets in your hometown staying away from loose gravel roads, SUVs, trucks, or large tire vehicles and flatbeds with dirt. If you are going on a long distance trip on a highway:

2. Do buy the Ford OEM Mustang Bra, providing you wash, and wax the tar out of the vehicle...absolutely no debris...before you put on the bra. Go the distance in sunshiney weather. If it's rainy, get to your destination and remove the bra! For gosh sakes, don't drive a wet bra, then leave it on for the hot,baked sun to cause moisture and humidity to screw up the paint.

After every bra use, remove and vacuum/lint roller all the grit that is caught in the flannel backing. If you don't, the wind and vibration will cause the bra to act like sandpaper. That is why bras get a bad rap...use them for bare minimal use, and maintain them. It's a pain. I know, but what do you rather want? ( the same analogy applies to parking...STAY AWAY FROM EVERYONE and walk a football field distance from others.)

3. Clear bra IS more hassle and cost than what it's worth. Rock chips dent it as well, and it is made to last only about 5 years before you replace it. ( as a daily driver, it could be less ). If you only use it on the weekends, like I do, Clear Bra will last a LOT LONGER, with attention to cleaning. But then you get the obvious thin outlines at closer than 7 feet away, especially on dark colored cars...so what's the point.

4. Think of your car as a show car always. Heading head long into wind and behind vehicles, things will get kicked up at you. Keep a multi-layered wax finish, and use the bra sparingly. You'll be okay.
:laughlitt

Bob in Utah
05' Redfire GT, 5spd, red leather, IUP, Shaker 500, Theft...ah heck, it's loaded!

nghtrnnr said:

attaches like a piece of tape?...even worse than the clear ones that work like regular bras think i'll pass...just drive smarter bro...utah bob said it all best

Click to expand...

Did you even go to the site, because it doesn't sound like you did.

DW Rutledge asked for an option, I gave him one. What did you give?

Staying behind another veh is not an option, someone will only cut in front of you, so pass it.

Don't bother parking in the back 40 because the idiot on the lot will only park next to you anyway. Scientific reseach has shown that a clean shiney car in the open attracts mindless people. How many times have you heard... I parked way out where nobody was and they still dinged my car.

Don't drive on the highway or foriegn roads for a long time. Well gee..... how am I supposed to get to where I'm going unless I drive on it. It's all foriegn.

Clean and vacuuming a vinyl bra ISN't more of a hassle? Take it off when it get's wet, what if I'm at work? I drive mine everyday, it's not a trailer queen.

http://www.automotivearticles.com/Clear_Bra_3M.shtml
http://www.motortrend.com/features/care/112_0401_cc/

Hello DW! Hope you enjoy the thread...I've got to make amends with my Stang Bothers, so they don't "fight" anymore:

nghtrnnr! Thanks for your support and backing. I appreciate that.

RedBullet: As mentioned in my comment, I have seen ClearBra, or whatever brand ( 3M may be the best one, maybe ) that done at not the maximum thickness, but I think it's 8mm, it is indeed invisible until about 3 feet away. I have seen it standard installed on Lotus Elises, and it looks great. Yesterday, I just happened to go past my Ford Dealer and showed me an '05 vette that had it on it...and on the silver finish, again, barely noticeable.

However...I have been advised that as a daily driver (lots of miles, weather conditions...maybe lots of highway driving) that "grit" can, over time, can work its way underneath the film, along the seam edges. I've been also told by professional body shop people, that the "impacted grit" that hits the film can stay underneath, and work its way over time,traveling underneath causing scratching. Who knows? Certainly ANYTHING is better than an exposed facia. I spent a lot of time researching which way to go...I opted for the bra.

Foreign Roads: What I meant is that if the beloved GT is a daily driver, stay on familiar roads with little debris. Know your route. However, when traveling ANYWHERE, USA, go PLAN B: watch how you drive, stay away from big tires, dump trucks, flat beds whatever. Put protection on only for those traveling anywhere, usa situations.

Being beautiful afterall, is work. By the way, I hate you got a ding. DW, you may want to get a padded/cushioned car cover when the car...ISN'T MOVING!:winks

GOOD LUCK IN ALL CASES!

Bob in Utah

Paranoid with a 05 Redfire GT, Red leather, 5 spd, IUP, Gloss Black Bullet Wheels, Shaker 500, Theft Protection...the kitchen sink.

I was watching something....I think on Spike Tv (Trucks, Horsepower Tv..or something) Anyway they said the majority of chips 80% or so comes from interstate driving . Usually by following too close in the fast lane. Most of the chips are caused by the prior vehicle driving on the inside shoulder. Even by a few inches. They Kick up the debris on the shoulder which has settled there. Most of the time it is an impatient driver seeing why he is not going fast enough and trying to see around the car ahead and you get screwed if your behind him.

Now most chipped windshields are caused by a vehicle about 3 lengths ahead or further, and usually hits your vehicle on a bounce.

Therefore the safest place to really be is the slow lane and what fun is that?

Also, somebody mentioned about no safe place to park in lots.....
also consider the grade of the lot. Always park at the higher elevation if possible. lazy people like to leave carts and the wind will send them down hill right at you.
Also..now that I'm on a roll don't take up two spots or park on a diagonal in a busy or crowded area. The KEYS will be a scrappin'. Only do it where nobody would consider parking. There are a lot of jealous people out there.

Rubbish!

Someone was told by a bodyman that road dirt impacted onto the film will work its way down to the finish under the film!? That's complete rubbish! Paint degradation...morning dew...dirt?

Here's my opinion: I bought an invisible bra kit (complete including door edges, rockers, and bumper) and had it installed for about 7 bills. It is pricey. With proper care (washing and waxing), you will get at least 5 years life out of it. It is not totally impervious to stones, but it will greatly save your front end from many, many chips. The edges will come up in some areas where it is constantly exposed to the elements; but, what are the options? A big ugly black vinyl bra on the front of the car? Where the edges do come up (1/32 to 1/16"), they can be trimmed off to provide a clean edge again. You really can't see it unless you're at a certain angle in the light. Only then do you notice a line (the edge).

You can baby your car all you want as you traverse down the highway, but that's not going to save your finish because you can't help stop the debris flying around from off trucks (the biggest culprits).

The biggest area to protect is the hood. You can buy just the piece that fits the hood and get away spending under $200. The bumper is plastic and a little more resilient to impacts.

Overall, it's a good investment and I would highly recommend it. Many people I see in shows who have seen it will also agree that it does look pretty good and agree as well it is money well spent.

had it installed for about 7 bills. It is pricey. With proper care (washing and waxing), you will get at least 5 years life out of it. It is not totally impervious to stones, but it will greatly save your front end from many, many chips. The edges will come up in some areas where it is constantly exposed to the elements; but, what are the options? A big ugly black vinyl bra on the front of the car? Where the edges do come up (1/32 to 1/16"), they can be trimmed off to provide a clean edge again. You really can't see it unless you're at a certain angle in the light. Only then do you notice a line (the edge).


Thank you for making my point.

Drive locally carefully. Highways not the place to "profile" anyway.Wear the "big black mask" and look like Jonny Quest's dog, Bandit.:happyhapp

Bob in Utah