My Colgan bra is on my red dodge truck, 07 HHR, and 2010 HHR SS. I remove it twice every year to check for paint problems and I see no change
in the paint what so ever. Yes its in the rain, with no problems. Tried the clear bra, but there were too many curves and I could not get it to lay flat.

 

The clear bra needs installed by some one who knows how to install them and are not for armatures. The curves are dealt with by using light heat from heat guns. It takes a few tools and a little knowledge to install it properly on a complex curved vehicle.

Again even Colgan bra's are meant for limited use and not daily use. it will in time scratch the paint or can damage it just depending on where you live and the conditions. Black and dark blue can show damage easily where white red and other lighter colors may have the damage but not show it as easy.

We sell Colgans through Cover Craft and Colgan themselves will state to remove it when it rains. I also have fielded complaints from customers who have had issues from use not intended. Paint issues are most common in the south and Florida.

It is a good tool but follow the directions. One other is to keep it tight. if it loosens up and flaps it will damage paint too.

 

One thing I'll add.....I have been told the paint on the "economy" or lower cost vehicles is held to 1.5 mills with a .5 mills clear coat. GM's "top line" cars like the Cadillac and Vette, get 2.5 mills of paint and .75 clear coat.

I remember someone on here is an old body and paint man. Maybe he can affirm or negate.

 

I have never seen evidence of that on any car. Lord knows I have buffed enough cars that if it was that thin I would have buffed through.

From all that I have seen it is all the same and only the cost of colors is what is different or a tri coat tint that is thicker with some special colors.

I remember that Ford did marketing clinics in the 80's that found people though Benz had a better paint job because of the orange peel in the paint. People perceived it as being more expensive because they thought it was thicker. Truth was it was no thicker and just a poor paint job. Amazing the takes the public get on some things.

 

i wish i could do the clear bra, but nobody around here wants to do it lol..maybe ill try contacting 3M directly and see if they know anybody reliable?

 

You are absolutely correct. I errored in the numbers and had them reversed.

Economy =5 mils of paint and 1.5 clear coat

Upscale =7.5 mils paint and 2.5 clear coat.

Thanks for challenging that !!

 

[QUOTE=hyperv6;701000]The clear bra needs installed by some one who knows how to install them and are not for armatures. The curves are dealt with by using light heat from heat guns. It takes a few tools and a little knowledge to install it properly on a complex curved vehicle.

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It absolutely needs to be done by someone that knows how to install them. My motor-home has it on the entire front end. I needed to have one corner of it patched, took 3 installers before we finally got the one that knew how to do it correctly.

 

[QUOTE=Laco;701389]I can do most cars but I would not touch a Motorhome. I get nervious on just one large piece like a Screaming Chicken on a Trans Am. I will often have extra hands helping just to make sure to get it straight.

I recommend people start with simple things like the covers for the headlights to learn how to work with the material and then progress from there. It really is not too bad once you learn how to work with it and how to use a little heat.

the key is keep the wetting solution on it and on the car and even your hands all the time. Never let them dry till you are ready to squeegee it out. Then squeegee the hell out of it.

 

Hello

I worked in Buick's paint department for 10 years. Thick paint will chip much easier than thin paint and I don't think it matters what kind of paint is used. And especially on edges where paint has a tendency to build up during the spraying process anyway.

When I worked at the Buick 2.5 mills was the norm but 3.0 was accepted.

Boydie

 

Thanks for the legit info. I these are the kind of numbers I was thinking of. For some reason many people think more expensive cars may have more paint. Now in some cases they paint more but they sand and buff off a lot of it. But with clear coat that is not a factor.