We just got our new SS a week ago. It is my wife's car. She is going to start driving down the tollway to Tampa everyday really soon. I want to protect our new jewel from the bugs and rocks. Since the SS has a different nose than the regular HHR I was wondering if anyone knows of the clear bras being available yet. We are also going to do the mirrors, the door handle pockets, the running boards and the top of the rear bumper.

 

i had one installed on mine...a company called clearmask (www.clearmask.com) did mine... However they do not have a precut piece for the nose so the installer had to make a custom fit himself.....

The key is the installer....clearbras are a lot more common on higher end cars so if u're looking for an installer call the local ferrari/lambo dealer and see if they have an installer they use

 

Sorry I can't help you, mine came from the dealer with a clear bra. Works great!

 

I wish more people wore clear bras... but on a car, aren't you "uglying up" the finish just so the next owner won't have chips?

 

I would not use that. I have seen cars with that on them and they begen to change to a yellow color . alos they crack. I would say it is junk just my

 

I want to install one on our car for two reasons. Well maybe more than that. First off if you live in Florida you would know about Love Bugs. This was some project of UF that got loose that is like the plauge. They are in dense swarms and can turn the front of a car almost black. That is an extreme case but the area my wife will be traveling soon makes it a possibilty. Their guts are like an acid that will eat into your clearcoat. Second of all I will be the second owner of the car. It is my wifes car and will be mine when the next new car is bought. Third thing we keep cars for 10 years! Well we was 3 months shy of 10 years on the 99 Mustang. My 01 Dakota is 7 years old. We pay cash for a car and drive it for a decade.

As for the ugly part. A friend of mine has it on their pearl white Lexus SC 430 and you barely can tell its there.

When we traded the 10 yr old Mustang we had one dealer that wanted to deduct money on our trade based on every chip in the paint and the was a garage kept car. They were amazed at the condition of the leather seats but wanted to pick at the chips in the paint. So in 10 years I will want to sell out right and have a top notch car.

As for the yellow and cracking. I would say that is just a cheap product. The material on the Lexus has spent the last two years in Arizona being driven everywhere by a realtor. So if it is still clear and pliable that would be good quality. I would prefer to have a 3M product. We have a local shop to do this and they offer lifetime replacement. They also do tint. When the say lifetime replacement they know we keep cars for 10 years. All the tint in the Mustang had been replaced at least once. I think the driver side was twice in 10 years. They just do not have a clear bra kit yet for the SS. I am taking it to them on Monday to tint the front two windows. So we will see what our options are.

I do all of this for the same reason I use only Mobil 1 oil and run other synthetic oils in everything else. I want to protect my investment to get the most out of it in the end.

 

My father in law used to spray the front with "Pam". Never had a love bug problem on his 86 Forf LTD.

 

i know about love bugs . we have them in texas

 

3M makes a kit for the SS. I just had it installed on mine. They did the hood, fenders, grill, mirrors, headlights, fogs, and the front of the rear wheel flares. I've known a couple of people who used this product and it works great. There is no yellowing or cracking, 3M guarantees it for 10 years I believe. Not sure of an installer in your area but just check to see what brand product they use and you should be fine. Also on the "ugly up" comment, it's completely clear and even had a clear coat. It's only visible in direct sunlight and if you're looking for it. Other than that you can wash and wax it like paint, nearly invisible. Hope this helps your decision.

 

Thanks for the details on your experience with the 3M product. I'm sure it will help some decide whether to go with one of these on their vehicle. Regarding the "ugly up" ... I have seen even the 3M and other top-line products, and I they weren't even close to invisible to me (obviously, since I saw them ). And, it's certainly a personal preference thing, but when walking through the parking lot and seeing one on a nice car, my eyes are immediately drawn to the clear bra's presence, and then the "ugggghhh" factor kicks into my brain. If it were an end-all product, it would be incorporated into the car's manufacturing process. It's not. It's a compromise between the protection feature and the looks. The decision will fall on different sides of that equation for each of us.


*ugggggg*