In light of my first rock chip, I am thinking of a deflector or clear bra before my precious Fit gets too beat up. I'd like to see a show of hands here of what you guys/gals are using.

 

clear 3m bra thingy

 

Clear Bra all the way!!
Make sure you got the right film from the right supplier though.

See my review on invisible mask -- example of bad product and bad company.

Let me know if you are going DIY and I can give you information on where you can get good pre-cut 3M film

 

How about a magnetic hood bra. Magnetic car bras, auto hood bra, nose mask

It's not going to protect your bumper though, but a good alternative IMO.

 

Clear Bra 3M film
We got our whole front end done when we bought it 2 years ago.
Bumper hood, mirrors, foglight covers, bottom spoiler lip all protected and I added some more to bottom of doors about 6 inches.
Well worth it still looks new.

 

clear bra... its the best investment in your car you can make if you're about keeping up the appearance

if you do a clear bra, make sure the kit/cut is an Xpel kit, they fit tight but have the best cuts. just ask the installer or the supplier you buy from if it's an Xpel kit/program.

ive heard pros and cons for all the materials - 3M, Avery, etc... had 3M on my Accord and it was great.

i'll have a clear bra on hopefully by the end of the month

 

Did you have it professionally installed? If you don't mind me asking, what did it cost you?

 

I had a pro do the front I did the doors myself .
It cost 900 but that included tint on 5 Windows .
I'm also located in Canada.

 

I have a partial clear bra on the front. I did the front bumper, lower diffuser, fogs and hood. On the hood it comes up the hood approx. 10"
I have a few dings above that but it didn't even chip the paint. The clear bra on the lower part of the hood has saved my paint numerous times. With our lower hood having such a steep rake its a rock chip magnet.

Remember guys also keeping your paint properly taken care of also helps. Keeping your paint waxed, polish and sealed keeps the paint healthy and stronger. Less susceptible to easily getting dinged, chipped and scratched.

 

This is going to be a hard decision. I don't think I would do the clear bra install myself and it could run into some money for a professional install. If I go the clear bra route, I think I'd like protect as much of the front end as I can afford to at this time but I have some other bills right now so that puts me off a bit. I am still mulling it over though and will not make decision right away. I just hope the chips don't come fast and furious in the meantime.

Keep voting!

 

know-nothin

ive looked on-line at retailers ive used in the past and material cost alone for hood, fender, bumper/lower diffuser, and rear-view mirror was around $500+. hood, fender, mirrors was around $200+, bumper/diffuser was the expensive section at around $300.

with labor to install (i did my Accord myself with a buddy who installs - took 8 hours) id think around $650-$700 is what im ballparking but i havent quoted install too yet

 

no protection here... although I should get some kind of protection done. I have quite a few tiny chips in the hood and a couple larger ones. Touched them all up with factory touch-up paint recently so you can't even tell, but still wished they weren't even there lol.

I got about 95% of my chips from driving on a highway everyday to college and back this past winter. I was thinking to just pick up a deflector for the winter season. During the summer, I drive only a couple km to work and around town so chips aren't nearly as much as a problem... I def. like the deflectorless look best lol.

 

Forgot to post a picture of the said magnetic hood bra that I posted before. Here it is:



Again it won't cover the entire front facia but a good alternative for those looking for something cheap and removable with minimal work.

 

onemiglandicho, thanks for the pic! I didn't even know about this option.

 

Thanks! That is going to be over my budget. Too bad. Looks like a nice solution.

 

No problem. The website is in my first post if you're interested. I'm in the process of communicating with them with regards if they can custom make one that is larger which would cover more of the upper area of the hood. Will tell you if they will.

 

I personally have the 3m clear bra and wouldn't settle for anything less! Yes it is pricey but it pays for itself when you remove it later down the road and the paint is brand new underneath! I have the whole front end of my car done and plan on doing the doors and rear hatch asap! I have spent near $1,000 to have the complete hood,bumper,fenders,fog lights,headlights,mirrors covered! I also got the rear bumper applique thrown in for free! Once the clear bra set I used some Zaino z2 sealer to help protect the clear bra and each coat of the z2 offers 40% uv protection I think? I plan on keeping this car forever so I want it to be in the best shape possible! I can also buy a warranty for the clear bra and have it all redone after 5 or so years for about $300! Conventional bras are a bad investment imo! It lets dirt,grit get between the bra and the paint and it alsmot has a sandpaper effect once the wind starts beating it around causing scratches etc.....

 

onemiglandicho: magnetic bra looks interesting......BUT...what happens to hood paint / surface after the bra has been on for an extended period of time?

 

Philyc,

Go to their website, they'll give you a run down of the pros/cons of each type of paint protection. www.magnetbra.com.

I am not sure on the long term effect of this product but IMO, it is better than the conventional vinyl nose mask.

There's no doubt that 3m clear bra is the best protection you can get as it seals the paint from moisture and dirt accumulation unlike the conventional vinyl bra and is the best paint protection you can get compared to others hand down.

I think a magnetic hood bra would act like a clear bra with respect to avoiding moisture and dirt accumulation under the product as long as the magnetic hood bra is firmly in place. I guess just be sure before installing this product, make sure the area to be attached is super clean and dry and probably apply a coat of wax to the area of installaton.

 

Does it has some kind of security feature to keep others from simply taking it off the hood?